Isn’t that just a catchy title? Believe me, I put a lot of work into it. Okay, as you may have already figured out, this week our blog is focused on websites that use video. Brandon wrote yesterday on the two views of video on the web: radical and conservative. He also gave some explanation on when video usage is appropriate. We’ve got some other fun stuff planned for this week, but today they are letting me tell you about three sites that I enjoy that use video well.
I’ve recently begun to run more, and I am trying to reap as much knowledge as I can about technique, best practices, how to eat, training schedules and a huge assortment of other necessary details. I love Runner’s World anyway, but the video section is great. I learned how to tie my shoes properly, a better way to strengthen my abs pre-run, and how to stretch more effectively.
Pros:
- Video explains much better than words when explaining a complicated stretch or exercise.
- By showing you how to determine running strides, you can find the correct shoes. This can be tricky without the help of an assistant at a running store, so purchasing online can be aided with these videos. Have you ever read a paragraph where someone tried to explain overpronation with just a few words?
- It’s easy to find the video link on the homepage.
Con:
- Some videos are a little longer than necessary. However, I can understand how slower videos for technique explanation could be helpful.
While I don’t cook as much as I should, sites like this make me think, “Okay, I can do this if I just dedicate more time to it.” Videos explaining the technique or how something should look during cooking (not just a picture of the final product) become helpful coaches along the way.
Pros:
- More complicated cooking, baking, and candy-making techniques are more easily understood
- Instead of tv cooking shows, you can rewind if you missed something (I’m talking to people who don’t have a DVR).
Cons:
- Commercials for each new video–ugh
- Difficult to find the videos for recipes that you like
- There’s no video link from the home page.
I was going to mention the DIY network, but I think it must be the same people from the food network because I have the same beefs with it. Therefore, I am mentioning HGTV.com. I’m already a sucker for their shows, but I love that I can access How-to videos online while a project is going on. Say I get stuck with installing the new tile in the kitchen, I can watch a video explaining the right procedure.
Pros:
- Easier than DIY network to find videos on the home page
- Simple explanation of techniques that could be complicated in paragraph form
Cons:
- Seriously, what’s with the commercial for each video? Why not do a commercial every five videos?
- Some videos just aren’t necessary. I watched one that would have been better in picture format with some short captions. Sometimes video is just overkill
Honorable Mentions
While these sites didn’t make it to my top three, I appreciate them for their own reasons:
- Martha Stewart.com While I appreciate all of the information presented, you can’t click on a video link from the home page and choose videos. Or if you can, I had a hard time finding them! On a personal note, Martha has a tendency to get on my nerves with her perfection and constant interruptions.
- Runningskirts.com I love to run in running skirts just because I find them more comfortable. Because they aren’t as normal as shorts though, it’s hard to find them in stores. Admittedly, the site needs some work, but I like that they show their skirts in action. It made it easier to see how they might fit and move before purchasing–even if my legs aren’t nearly as long as the women running in the videos. By the way, I love their skirts.
- FoxNews.com The immediate (except for the commercials) access to video news wherever there is internet access is great. My major beef with foxnews videos? You can’t send someone a link to a certain video–the link sent will pull up the entire video site, and you have to search. I was going to include a link to the story about a woman jumping into the polar bear tank at feeding time but was unable to. By the way, what was she thinking?
- NationalGeographic.com I love their videos because I usually learn about places and animals I’ve never heard of. I just watched a video about a crazy looking tree kangaroo.
These are just some of the sites that I like. I’d love to hear about some of the sites you enjoy.
I like the video workshop on backing up the computer. It is simple. It is also on Youtube.
There are other videos on the ImagineAge blog that are easy to follow and are short.
Thanks for sharing! Videos that teach something in a short and concise way are definitely better in my book!
Great article! It was concise, well-written, and very beneficial. The sites recommendations are especially helpful.
The sites that have video that I like and frequent most often are the ones that have preaching or teaching of some sort. I find those valuable too:)
Thanks again for your helpful article!
Stephen, thank you for your comments. I agree! I like sites with preaching as well. I usually play those in the background while I’m doing something that requires little brain power. I love how much information we have access to on the web!