30 Day Video Challenge + Survey

Great idea Jim.. I look forward to the vids.

Joe

Great idea with the 30-day challenge. I appreciate the way you’re sharing your results.

And the sock puppet was hilarious! You’ve differentiated yourself with that little bit of humor. The curiosity factor that you developed by throwing in the sock puppet gives me one more reason to come back every day and see what you do.

When Smacker came on the screen, Jesse said “Where’s Jim?”

What a hoot! This is going to be fun, Jim. Hey, haven’t seen Smacker in a long time….does that mean Friday Night Smackdowns are coming back??

Hi Jim,

This would be great to see how you can use 30 videos to market a product/service. Where you upload them. The tools you use to upload them and of course the traffic and results you get.

I have a 17 part video course I give away with a report so may use this concept on that. Look forward to it.

Cheers

Richard

First time I’ve seen Smacker – I will have to create a friend for him. Yep it’s a hoot, I’m just going to copy copy copy

Great idea Jim.

I sell video marketing to my small business clients and would love to see more research on what works and what is BS. I get results for clients but we can always use new info to further that effort.

Kevin

I assume the survey is for marketing videos. I hate most of them. Refuse to watch some self serving self proclaimed guru spout off for 20 minutes about how great he is and how much I can make with his product because everyone else is making so much and just wait til they all parade across the screen with their little testimonials about how he saved them from debtors prison and a severe case of acne that ruined their love life forever while putting an insane amount of cash in their pocket and just look at all those neat little screen shots of whopping earnings in clickbank and paypal and ……

You get the idea. I almost didn’t click on your vid link because of my intense hatred for time sucking stupid marketing videos, but I checked the run time – it wouldn’t take me away from my work too long. But the biggest reason I clicked on it was because I trust you, Jim. Something you have earned over the years.

Never ever underestimate the trust factor in any kind of marketing. You are one of the few who has consistently underpromised and overdelivered – the one sure way to win my trust.

Jim,

Just filled out the survey for you. Delighted to see Smacker is making a comeback (I would love to see him as being an integral part of all your videos). As for Smacker being in the pen, it is time to unleash him on the unsuspecting public. He has a serious viral effect.

Looking forward to seeing you across the pond soon.

Stephen

Hey Jim – as usual, yeah you know – you provide great content. I will truly be interested in what people say: screen capture vs the real deal? I am getting into video and going to use Traffic Geyser and looking forward to seeing what results will show.

What microphone are you using for you videos (over the ear mic)?

Thanks and the dog is pretty cool too. Maybe you out to get him a matching Hawaiian shirt?
Derek

Yes, of course, I meant techniques, taking action, not persona, etc.

This sounds really great. Video is totally “new” to my market and I’m excited to learn what I can. Plus I have really missed Smacker. I think he needs his own theme music.

Jim,

Just wanted to add to what Karen said. She has hit the nail on the head with a lot of the crap the “self-proclaimed” gurus come out with. The days of valuable content have practically vanished. Far too many people are getting tired of watered down webinars/videos with promises of valuable content which are in effect a lead in to a sales pitch. I have no problem with sales pitches at all but the content has to be good.

Thats the one thing about your videos, your content is excellent, informative and entertaining. Also I don’t see you “pimping” every other IM product out there which many gurus do. I expect 99% of them have never even checked the product out they are promoting, all they see is the $ signs. Just had to vent as it is really bugging me and many other people I know as well.

It is all about “Trust” as Karen says. You have earned the “Trust” factor and kept it whereas other Gurus had it initially but subsequently lost it due to overstimulation of the greed gland.

Rant Over

Great idea to post a video every day! Nice to see short, to-the-point, good content videos. Also, I like the fact that you are a clear and articulate speaker who throws in a little humor.

I am just getting ready to put this site together. I have restless leg syndrome myself and have discovered that thousand do as well and that it is a sleep related disorder for many. That is a huge market. I hope to plan, purpose, putting myself on the line to put together some videos to go on this site.
I am looking forward to learning more from you.
I already have seven other sites up and running, most of them Africa oriented. I spent 25 years of my life there.

….richard

Great ideal Jim and I will be looking forward to your results as I am using video in my marketing. It will be of value to know how much impact it has on the overall marketing process.

Thanks for doing this!
Peter

This Karen agrees with that Karen wholeheartedly. I am way over video as a sales pitch thing (And yes I took the survey) Yup, I checked the run time too BEFORE I clicked. So glad I did because the sock puppet was freakin’ hilarious! I can’t wait to see “Smacker’s” dark side

You consistently have killer content and a great sense of humor. I am so glad that I am on your list. Thanks for the reminder that funny is important too. And like I said in the survey, I don’t watch the video unless I already know, like and trust the person who did the video or they are endorsed by someone I trust.

OK – I am off to create my own slightly bent and humorous video now

My 3.5 cents worth (inflation)

Karen

The dog is a total hoot. Absolutely fell on the floor.

This will be a very interesting experiment, thanks for undertaking it Jim. I look forward to your findings. According to research I have read, the single biggest turn off is long and rambling videos. (That is assuming the video plays properly. So file size is important.) The gal named Karen who commented above summed that one up pretty well. Yeah, video is intimate and lets people get to know you. So if you come across like a jerk, you have not done yourself any favors. Video is a double edged sword in that respect.

You are still the best! I love TNR.

Lorraine Grula

Jim,
I have always enjoyed your sense of humour with the delivery of your information. No BS, NO HYPE -”just the facts Jack” (Jim). Straight to the point.
Your best stuff has been under 5 minutes.

I am eagerly awaiting the videos.

Happy 2010 and thanks for everything

Mike

HI Jim,

Wonderful idea you have, and I’ve already learnt something from just answering the questions of your survey. I’ve just purchased a Flip High Definition video camera, and am delighted by the quality of video, I am able to obtain even though I am just getting the hang of it. It’s very easy to use and portable, and I bought it as a way to start doing videos for my website and blog, on topics that I am passionate about.

I work with artists and modern renaissance types with a lot of different interests, and think video offers my clients a wonderful way to promote their artistic work and creative business projects.

Look forward to the next 30 days of videos, and hoping it will provide lots of content to help me in my adventures in the video in 2010. And yes, making and promoting videos is on my New Year’s list of resolutions, slated for a mid- February immersion in the media, after I’ve got some other projects I’m working on finished.

Thanks for sharing your process and results,

Katie

Now that’s funny! I had just entered entertainment and educational value on what keeps me watching when I started your video! Ha!! It certainly delivered! I am so excited to hear your results, Jim.

Jim,

Really looking forward to your test and to see the results.

Analyzing my traffic stats from 2009, it seems that video is one of the best sources of traffic (in terms of numbers) and one of the fastest ways to get content out (for me at least).

Sincerely,
Brian T. Edmondson

I hope to start utilizing video sooner than later. I think I feel paralyzed about it at times. Sometimes due to technical restraints and sometimes not liking how I “look” on video!

This was a fun, short video… although I think it would have been fun to see Jim interact with Smacker a bit.

Looking forward to lots more!
Christine

P.S. I wanted to echo with Karen and Karen also. I STILL find myself drawn in at times at a weak moment or when having a less than productive day, to these lengthy, promise me the world videos… 99% of the time, I get to the end and am disappointed I wasted my precious time on it. Getting very tired of the hype… looking for honesty, even if its something I don’t want to hear!

I’ve always admired Jim’s style… and look forward to participating here.

Christine

Add me to the list who agree with Karen. One of the things I have liked about your past webinars was even if I could not afford the product (most of them), I came away with something I didn’t know before, some real world info. Most of today’s videos are just teasers to try to upsell an expensive program and I click off pretty quick

I live in the “country” and our only option is dial-up or satellite internet service. We have satellite, which we pay dearly for but it is not that much faster than dial-up and when I try to watch videos at certain times or if we are at or over our bandwidth limit well a 2 minute video can be more like 10-15 minutes. In fact watching both videos here they stopped and started too many times, but I did stick with them, but I’m not sure I will for 30 days.

This is the main reason I don’t watch videos much and sorry every one has gone to them. I never go to YouTube either because again the size of them eat up our bandwidth and I’d rather save my monthly allotment of MB for webinars I have to watch. I am not opposed to reading what someone has to tell me vs. watching someone say it! JMHO. I know it satisfies all types of learners. (I guess if we ever move again this is a point we’d want to consider elsewhere.) Just another insight into what some of us deal with on a daily basis!

Thanks, Jim. I took the survey, enjoyed the video, and am looking forward to seeing all of them.

I always learn from you!
Ann Bell

I love seeing Smacker, and I prefer to see him in videos other than in TRAINING type videos. I don’t want to have to work at trying to understand the words (of Smacker) when I’m trying to learn something.
I have ADD, and although he’s cute, it’s a distraction to me when I’m trying to grasp something. There may not be any one else who has that problem, as I’m just speaking for myself.

Hi Jim,

What a great idea. I agree with Karen’s comments, there are way too many “gurus” who seem to think they have the right to burn up the viewer’s valuable time with their life story.

I’m a big fan of the “Dummies Guide to …” approach: cut the fluff, cut the cr*p and give the meat in a simple, concise manner.

The injection of appropriate humour can add to the learning/viewing experience if the video is of a longer duration.

Having the audio synched with the video is vital to enhance “watchability”. Whether it was my connection or not I can’t say but I waited for the video on this page to fully download before watching and the synch was out far enough for it to look like a foreign movie dub.

I look forward to watching the rest of the series.

All the best for 2010,

Jeremy T
(Singapore)

Ha Ha. You are a riot!! Great entertainment, information, and instruction all rolled into one. You gave Suzanne excellent idea for dog training. I may get some kid puppets and do the same with them. Characters would be perfect for delivering a message!! (Just think “Sesame Street”) Thanks, Jim.

Great idea Jim. It will be very interesting to see the ?official? results of the survey. The length of video is going to be one that may surprise – I think it really depends on the type of content that a visitor is expecting to watch, i.e. if the content is informative and interesting at the same time then the time factor may not be an issue (within reason of course).

Looking forward to the videos!!

Thanks again Jim.

Hey Smacker, and Jim!

I Want My Next Video!!!
Where Is It?
I Want It Now!!!

Seriously though the ones that I really hate are ‘teaching videos’ that should be mp3s.
45 minutes of slides that just have the words that are being spoken….no video to show me how to do something or where to click or where the settings are…And then on top of that it is beyond their wit to send an mp3 separately!!
Don’t get me going!!!

Wonderful, as expected…from you Jim and Smacker. Love the combination of content, humor, and straight-forward (no BS, just the straight honest scoop) you have been delivering to us for years.

Really excited to see how you and your team implement the challenge.

I am tryng to brainstorm how I can add fun and creative characters to my future videos…

I too echo what the Karen’s have to say…certain markets (like Real Estate…one of mine) are so ripe with “me-too gurus” that it can make you crazy. I have gotten really good at knowing who I will spend my time listening to and who I will just hit the delete key on…

Like Lynn, I too have a ridiculously slow internet connection at home (live in the country too) and a one-hour webinar will actually take me 3 or 4 hours to get through. I do have hi-speed internet at my business office,though (and at the hotspot where my daughter snowboards), so most of my video watching is done there. Whatever challenges we have, we just need to find a way around them.

Looking forward to see Smacker and you in the coming days!

Sharon

Hi Jim

I agree with George about doing just a slide show and saying what is on the slides and nothing else. An mp3 and pdf would be better and faster if that is your total content. I do understand that it is done because some folks learn better by listening, others by seeing but this kind of video should be part of a course not put up on the video sites. The odd slide and voice over is ok when part of a real action video.

Watching video takes a lot longer than scanning a pdf so I only tend to watch videos if that is the best way to get the information across.

Videos that do not display a time or do not allow me access to any controls get only a short time to draw me in. If I’m not told how long its going to take to watch a video I always suspect that it is because if they told me I wouldn’t commit to wasting that much time listening to them drone on. I much prefer short to the point videos. Just like Jim did as intro for this survey in fact.

Looking forward to seeing your results and future videos Jim.
Thanks for your Christmas ones by the way.

Tony