Everywhere I read about how video traffic is dominating the Internet. I’ve been seeing lots of updates on my Facebook and Twitter streams urging entrepreneurs to start videoing.

While I believe video should be part of your marketing mix, I realized something over the last few weeks about the strengths and weaknesses of video vs text.

I’ve been on the Web since it began back in 1995. For you young whippersnappers, back then the Internet was strictly a text-and-pictures affair. In 1998 I remember tuning into the first lo-fi RealAudio streams, and then in the early 2000s I watched with amazement early lo-res videos.

When I access the web today with my Mac, it’s definitely a full-color multimedia affair. I have Internet Radio going on constantly. I rarely turn on my television, preferring to watch my favorite shows through websites that I have bookmarked. When I consult the Web, I flip-flip-flip through websites, truly “surfing” the medium.

When the Kindle 3 came out back in August 2010, I rushed to be one of the first to get one in Canada. I absolutely love this black-and-white e-ink reader. I read on average a book a week on the thing (for business and for pleasure). Before my Kindle, I would be lucky to read a book a month.

One interesting feature of the Kindle is the ability to access websites anywhere via its wi-fi or 3G connectivity. However it does not do multimedia (video or audio), it is a text-only reader.

At first this was disconcerting. I’m used to my Web with a bright white background, nicely formatted, with pictures springing to life as I click on them.

This is when I realized that the Web has another face.

The front face, the one that most people know and love, is bright, white, flashing, shining. This face of the Web competes for our attention by shouting, jumping up and down, grabbing us by the shirttail.  In this Web, color, sound and video is king.

But there is another, more reflective, pensive, even serious side to the Web: a rich vein of deep, textual thoughtful prose that feeds my intelligence and my imagination.

When I view any major newspaper or magazine website through its mobile or text-only counterpart, time slows down for me. I don’t jump around from article to article or site to site as I do on a computer. I prefer to read through articles, pausing to consider the ideas, reflecting on the content.

The amateur psychologist in me started to realize the power and the weakness of each medium.

Video takes control of our two dominant senses, visual and hearing, pumping its message past the inner critic that stands guard over our reason, and shooting it straight into the brain to trigger an emotional reaction.

Reading text takes more thinking effort. I have to work to create the visual and the audio. This effort engages the analytical brain, bringing me deeper into the message. It is the higher, analytical brain that triggers the lower emotional orders of my cerebrum. The sum of all of this effort is that I find I remember a lot more when I read something as compared to watching it in a video.

The immediacy of video is its power and also its weakness. Because video requires less thinking power, it also has less sticking power. I may remember a video clip, or even the emotion it triggered, but not as much the message, the meaning or the details.

With text, I can remember specific passages. I rarely “bookmark” videos to view again at a later date. But I will flag articles, blog posts and other written media to re-read and analyze later on.

Then again, I may be a weird old fuddy duddy, wired for ink on paper (or e-ink on Kindle nowadays).

I like writing. I don’t have to go through all the trouble of finding a visual “hook” that will get my video viewed. I prefer sitting here in my comfortable jeans and old sweatshirt, working over my text until it precisely conveys what I want to communicate. Give me the choice between writing a blog post or creating a video, and I will choose writing.

The message I want to pass on to you is this: Be aware of the two faces of the web, and use them in tandem to your advantage. The power of video is to grab the attention of web surfers by piquing their emotions. Then provide thought-provoking articles, blog entries and other text to demonstrate your expertise and build trust.

Go ahead. Make your voice heard, using whatever medium that resonates the most with you. As long as you are communicating, you can’t go wrong.

For more information

The “Google Moblizer” tool converts any website into a text-only version. Great for the iPhone, Kindle and smartphones. Will significantly cut down on your data bill.
http://google.com/gwt/x

I’ve built a “Mobile-formatted” website directory that I use as a homepage to access my favorite text sites via Kindle. You’re welcome to use it too, on any device or browser:
http://www.davender.com/mobi

This Cisco white paper provides fascinating statistics about the volume of video on the Internet (and also sparked a whole sea of articles on the subject):
http://www.cisco.com/en/US/solutions/collateral/ns341/ns525/ns537/ns705/ns827/white_paper_c11-481360_ns827_Networking_Solutions_White_Paper.html

My article: “Build Your Credibility By Becoming A Content Creator”
http://blog.davender.com/2009/07/build-your-credibility-by-becoming-a-content-creator/

Amazon page about the Kindle:
http://www.amazon.com/Kindle-Wireless-Reading-Display-Generation/dp/B003FSUDM4

And an article I recommend about how to blog better:
“Ten Blogging Myths You Must Ignore” by Onibalusi Bamidele
http://www.problogger.net/archives/2010/12/19/10-blogging-myths-you-must-ignore/

Just for fun, to “prove” I’ve been on the net more than 15 years now, here’s the Internet Archive cache of one of my first websites:
http://web.archive.org/web/19961229030142/http://www.imaging-systems.com/
(please be patient, sometimes the system times out when you access the page)

Image credit: jeff_golden via Flickr
Direct Link: http://www.flickr.com/photos/jeffanddayna/4678056078/
Used under Creative Commons 2.0 licence

Today I realized that I’ve been blogging quite steadily for five years now (since August 2005). It was a colleague of mine who urged me to explore what blogging is all about. As I saw what others had done, it seemed like a Herculean task. Where to find ideas to blog about?

Luckily for me I started one post at a time. Now, two blogs (this one in English and one in French) and a combined 558 posts later, I think I’m getting the hang of it.

I believe that every solopreneur needs to blog. The currency of the self-employed professional is ideas. Blogging is a powerful way to get ideas out of your head and into the world. Many of my thoughts are half-baked, sometimes the grammar is twisted or the post is not quite logical, that’s okay. A blog is a workshop to prototype your ideas, to test them and see what sticks, both with you and with your readers. By demonstrating how you think and what you are thinking about, you help your prospects to build their trust in you.

My original intention with this post was to come up with my “Top Ten” favorites but as I went through my archives, there were just too many. Instead, here are ten posts (in no particular order) that I think represent my personality and my beliefs:  

• What Gives Me The Right To Interrupt?
  We have the right and the responsiblity to interrupt and influence people to help them become all they can be.
  http://blog.davender.com/2006/01/what-gives-me-the-right-to-interrupt
  
• When Is Spam Spam
  Every contact you have with a prospect should bring something of value to them.
  http://blog.davender.com/2010/03/when-is-spam-spam/
  
• What Comes First, IQ or LQ?
  Do we want a society led by clones of Mr Spock? Or do we want a future shaped by “ordinary people doing extraordinary things”?
  http://blog.davender.com/2007/01/what-comes-first-iq-or-lq/
• Self-Help’s Big Lie?
  The Big Lie of the Self-Help/Law Of Attraction crowd is believing that entitlement comes before effort.
  http://blog.davender.com/2006/01/self-helps-big-lie/
• The High Cost Of Free Money
  The cheapest way to get the money you need is to go out and get clients.
  http://blog.davender.com/2007/09/the-high-cost-of-free-money/
• Nano-economics
  At the interpersonal level where solopreneurs operate, the laws of supply and demand of traditional microeconomics fall apart, because the relationship of trust between you and your client is much stronger.
  http://blog.davender.com/2008/08/nano-economics/
• Greatness is never a given – it must be earned
  If you spoke to inspire the people around you, how would your world change? Would others take you seriously? If not, why not?
  http://blog.davender.com/2009/01/greatness-is-never-a-given-it-must-be-earned/
• Are You A Rainmaker?
  A Rainmaker is someone who makes it rain opportunity for everyone around them.
  http://blog.davender.com/2009/02/are-you-a-rainmaker/
• To Win, Think Tactical
  Strategic thinking focuses on the “what”, and tactical thinking focuses on the “how”.
  http://blog.davender.com/2010/03/to-win-think-tactical/
• It’s our duty to obsess about our own vision
  Life without passion is a life of mediocrity.
  http://blog.davender.com/2009/07/its-our-duty-to-obsess-about-our-own-vision/

I invite you to explore the archives of over 350 posts on this blog and 200 posts on my French blog. Found a post that you like? Please share it in the comments.

For more information

Image credit: Image by Timothy Tsui via Flickr.
Image link: http://www.flickr.com/photos/timothytsuihin/2911283014
Used under Creative Commons 2.0 license

Wow… We are already 15 weeks into 2010…what are you doing different now compared to the beginning of the year? How is it working for you?

On my end, the FREE SoloSuccess Webinars and my Blog are two big projects that are establishing a good momentum.

Here are some updates I’ve made recently to these two projects, to help you Power your Vision from Passion To Profit!

FREE SoloSuccess Webinars

The SoloSuccess Webinar series is an interactive audio and video session where together we explore various ideas, topics and tools to help you power your business or your practice to new heights of success!

(April 22, 2PM East) SoloSuccess: Get Paid A Lot For What You Got
How to set your fees so you earn more, get better clients, and increase your happiness
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=354420417911

(May 6, 2PM East) SoloSuccess: Cracking The Success Code
Discover the three keys to unlocking your own personal Success Code, so you can quickly recognize successful opportunities and seize the initiative
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=114119568617990

(May 20, 2PM East) SoloSuccess: Is Your Vision Big Enough? How To Define A Winnable Game
How you define your vision determines what kind of game you are playing…and how you will succeed. Discover the four dimensions of a winnable vision, so you can aim for the stars while keeping your feet on the ground.
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=114660745228312

No registration is required, however signaling your participation via the Facebook event page is appreciated.

For each event, I will be posting links, resources, comments and the recordings (depending on availability).
Even if you are not on Facebook, you can still access the event page:
http://www.coachdavender.com/events

Keep informed of my upcoming activities by joining my Facebook Fan Page
http://www.facebook.com/FromPassionToProfit
and my personal profile
http://www.facebook.com/CoachDavender

My upcoming events are also listed on my blog
http://www.frompassiontoprofit.com

Recent Essays and Blog Posts

Can A Target Market Be Too Targeted?
Three questions to ask yourself so you can laser-focus your Target Market
http://blog.davender.com/2010/04/can-a-target-market-be-too-targeted/

For The Love Of Social Media
A list of articles and resources on how to use Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn to get more and better clients
http://blog.davender.com/2010/04/for-the-love-of-social-media/

What Keeps Me (And Probably You) Awake At Night
Is your money mindset helping you or hindering you?
http://blog.davender.com/2010/04/what-keeps-me-and-probably-you-awake-at-night

Follow my blog for ideas to help you Power Your Vision From Passion To Profit

Main Blog: http://www.frompassiontoprofit.com
RSS Feed: http://blog.davender.com/feed/
NetworkedBlogs: http://networkedblogs.com/blog/from_passion_to_profit/

Plug Into The Passion!

Are you looking for ideas, inspiration and insight to help you make a quantum jump in your business results?

I have a very active presence on Social Media. Join the conversation and share in the many resources that I freely provide for you there…

Connect with me on Facebook
http://www.facebook.com/CoachDavender
and Twitter
http://www.twitter.com/CoachDavender

Also visit my Blog – your comments are welcome!
http://www.FromPassionToProfit.com

My Landing Page lists many of my websites, Social Media portals and my contact info
http://www.CoachDavender.com

I am available for individual consults – the first session is always free of charge…
you will get results from the first time we talk, guaranteed.

You can contact me directly at anytime for anything… I look forward to hearing from you!

success
-davender

Coach Davender Gupta

Visioneer, Venture Catalyst
Business Leadership Coach, Certified Book Yourself Solid Coach
The Visioneering Institute

I guide People with Big Dreams to Power their Vision from Passion to Profit.

(Quebec) 418-948-1553 (Montreal) 514-667-5877
(Toll-free US/Canada) 1-888-788-8844

coach@davender.com

One link connects you to me!
http://www.coachdavender.com

(Si vous preferez la communication en francais, svp me contacter directement)

20100419

I’ve succeeded at importing my old Blogger blog into my new WordPress blog. So the articles since August 2005 are now available all in one place. The Blogger labels were converted into WordPress categories instead of tags. You can browse old posts by date (Archives dropdown menu) or by Category, or use the Search box (probably the most efficient way). Enjoy!

“Brown” Santa (the UPS Guy) arrived today with my present to myself, a Flip Ultra HD Pocket Camcorder. I plan to use this to make quick, high-quality videos for my blogs, Facebook and YouTube.

I thought it would be fun to do an “unboxing” video (using my old camera of course), so here goes!

(Video from my Facebook profile http://www.facebook.com/CoachDavender)

For more information

Flip Video: http://www.theflip.com

Lou Bortone is the Online Video Guy. He first showed me the power of the Flip, and continuously inspires me on the subject of Online Video. Check out his resources:
http://www.OnlineVideoBranding.com – Lou’s blog about Online Video
http://www.OnlineVideoMadeEasy.com – Great intro course Lou offers
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Lou-Bortones-Flip-Tips-Free-Guide-to-the-Flip-Video-Camera/37030454941 – Lou’s Facebook Fan Page

I started blogging waaaay back in August 2005 after a client nagged me about why I didn’t have a blog. So I started on Blogger, and after 345 posts, that blog is starting to show its age.

So I’m continuing my blogging now using WordPress.

Past blog entries are still available here at http://frompassiontoprofit.blogspot.com I plan to move and update the more important entries to this new blog over the next few weeks.

Why change to WordPress? Like I said, my Blogger stylesheet was starting to look a bit dowdy. Also, even though Blogger is now a Google property, I don’t see my blog entries showing up on Google. Maybe it’s because the blog is in a subdomain of my own hosting, I’m not sure. I’m testing WordPress to see if the SEO works better, and if so, I will be recommending it to my clients.

In the meantime, I look forward to sharing lots of ideas about powering your Vision from Passion to Profit in 2010 and beyond. Happy New Year!