Why video should NOT be the default option for online learning
New tech is not always the best tech
Here's a brief history of courses:
For decades, people took correspondence courses - text delivered by snail mail.
By the late 70s, there were courses on audio cassettes, and by the 90s, CDs.
And in the age of YouTube, we have video courses.
Why this brief history lesson?
When a new technology becomes available, that medium then becomes "all the rage," and everyone thinks their course needs to use it.
But instead of following the crowd, listen to your client's needs.
What's the best medium for them to learn your topic?
If you're teaching software, you'll definitely need to demonstrate the steps on video.
If you're teaching a foreign language, the student needs audio to hear how the words sound.
However, so many topics can be covered in a variety of media. There's no reason to force your topic into video.
And there's a few big disadvantages of video for your clients, too
Video is very demanding on attention. A person has to completely stop what they are doing to learn from it. They won't watch while driving to work or doing the dishes.
Video is hard to review later. If a client wants to re-familiarize themselves with the way you discuss one concept, it's hard to skim a video to find the exact moment you discuss the idea. Many just won't bother.
Video takes 2 to 3 times longer to consume than text. Most adults speak around 110 to 150 words per minute. Most adults read around 300 to 500 words per minute or more. And I take wayyy longer since I like to take notes while watching video since I know I won’t go back to watch them again.
That's why I advise my clients to use video only when it's the best option for learning and not by default.
If you make a small text-based course, you save your clients time.
But what if your clients expect video?
Many people think video when it comes to an online course. So it's important you make it clear what format your course uses. And if your clients object, then make sure to explain why your chosen medium is the best option for that particular course.
On the order page for my Atomic Course Blueprint, I show the inside of the course so that people know it's text-based. I also have the word PDF near all the order buttons so that people know it comes in PDF format.
What did my clients think?
Here's what one of them had to say:
Like Carrie, most people don't want to spend more time on your course. They want to spend more time on two things
Implementing what you taught
And doing other stuff they enjoy
Never make them spend more time than they need to learn.
Video takes a lot of their time and attention, so only use it as needed.
In case you’re wondering, the Atomic Course Blueprint shows how to create the text for your course, but the same text can be used for an audio or video course.
Something I would also like to add is that everyone learns differently. I personally, cannot learn through audio. I forgot what I've listened to moments after, especially if I am multi-tasking like walking and listening to audio.
And as a consumer, I've bought video courses, I've paid $3k for a course that was AUDIO recordings, and I am not in a course that is all text based. It all works.
I think overcoming the prejudice of the students is almost impossible. Only your true fans will have the patience to listen why you didn't provide video.
I feel the only "safe" way is to add at least audio if you want to create text lessons.