Authoring

More and more I’m seeing references to videos for product walk-throughs and how-to information. While these are informative, I’m seeing a trend where as video is used more, context-appropriate traditional text-based information is in decline. When I have 30 minutes of down time, I enjoy watching these videos, but in the heat of getting something done I simply haven’t the time nor desire to break pace and watch a video. Why?

• I can’t skim a video for relevancy.
• Most video walk-throughs and procedures are lengthy, slow and seldom have a speed control, where a written procedure can be read at the speed of the reader.
• In a procedure scenario, it’s more difficult to move step by step from video to application and back than it is with text (at least from my experience).

I do see promise with using video, though. It’s helpful to see someone performing an action to get a feel for how to do it yourself. I think the following guidelines might help in product info/how-to videos:

• Each video should cover one and only one topic, unless the intent is an overview or other high-level topic.
• Videos should be as short as possible .
• Use specific keywords to index the video to ensure people find the right info.
• Provide a text overview and/or procedure with the video. Let the video instruct and the text be a reference guide.
• Never document in video what is not equally documented in text. Ever.
• All videos should be accessible from a central area via topic groupings, index, and smartly-tagged keyword search.

Thoughts?

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