Version 2.0

First:  Thank you to everyone who contributed a comment so far.  Much appreciated.

A quick recap:

Our challenge…

To use the Internet to get a small portion of the mass of video testimonials we’ve collected over the years out of our warehouse and into a form that:

1. Demonstrates the volume of testimonials we have and

2. Does it in such a way that it’s easy for visitors to find their way around

If you didn’t see our first attempt, you may want to skip to the next article and look at Version 1.0 and then come back before you see Version 2.0. (See "What Do You Think?")

The biggest problem wih Version 1.0: Overload.

We succeeded in making the point that we have a lot of video testimonials from our clients, but we missed the boat on making the site easy to navigate, in particular, making it easy for the visitor to find videos relevant to him or her.

The puzzle was how to fix the problem without spending an arm and a leg and burning weeks of time.

How would you have "fixed" Version 1.0 and done it fast and cheap?

Take a look at how we did it…

Version 2.0: http://www.AskaGrad.com

Let me know what you.

Thanks.

P.S. The speed with which we were able to make the changes was thanks to a proprietary Internet video display system we created.  Details to be released at System 2006.

17 thoughts on “Version 2.0”

  1. Wow. Definitely a killer way of customizing the experience.
    As long as what the systemgrads say in the video matches what the person is basically looking to hear…this looks like it’s DEFINITELY where internet video is headed in terms of video testimonials.
    What does everyone else think?
    P.S. It kinda has that ‘John Carlton’ type use of testimonial, doesn’t it? Using each testimonial(s) to prove a specific benefit. Maybe not exactly, but it’s close.

  3. True. My bad.
    You’re insights…they’re so good.
    I cannot WAIT for this seminar.
    Back on topic, who else has input on these videos and testimonials?

  5. Ken,
    I like the simplicity of v.2.0 better but it’s missing the personality that a picture adds. I would recommend that you add your picture from v.1.0 to the top area of v.2.0 to give it the human touch. It’s almost too sterile.
    The videos themselves give great credibility to “The System” seminar and either way that’s a success to the use of video on the web.
    Jim

  6. Ken,
    I’ll admit it. I was sneaky.
    I clicked on each of the radio buttons on your AskaGrad page to see if you actually posted more laser targeted testimonials for each of the respective categories.
    No doubt about it, this is customization to the nth degree. I think all of us can learn a lot from this — in terms of surveying your audience AND then implementing some of the recommended action strategies.
    Job well done!
    Tony Ostian
    “THE Web Copy Guy”
    Certified Master of Web Copywriting

  8. Jim:
    I agree about the sterile look of the landing page. Our next test might be to see what we can do to make the landing page more attractive (i.e. clickworthy.)
    Alan:
    About the source of the videos… it’s true that many of the people we video taped are now faculty members, but when these videos were shot, all these people were students and many of them were raw beginners.
    The way we got the video was that I was meticulous about filming testimonials at the early seminars. As a result, I’ve got over 100 of them.
    Trying to get the faculty to shoot and submit video?
    Some day… but that day is not here yet 🙂
    Two take away lessons from all this:
    1. Start shooting video now, especially of customers. You never know when you’ll have an occasion to use it.
    2. If you have Internet-ready video right now, you’ll be able to do things your competitors can’t.
    Ken

  10. Ken,
    It looks good. But for someone who is not used to using these tools (playback, etc.), the buttons need to be darker, and text, e.g. play and stop needs to popup as the cursor moves over the buttons.

  12. Hi Ken
    Very slick & a big improvement.
    Regarding the Ask a Pro testimonials (The “I’m already pretty darn knowledgeable about Internet marketing…”). Suggest the Dave Harber clip should only be in the Business Owner section. I think that for credibility reasons it would be better to just feature recognised names like Perry & Rob Bell in the Ask a Pro section. (No disrespect to Dave Harber)

  13. That is absolutely brilliant.
    At least, my PC does not hang which happen in Version 1.0
    This time it works in firefox

  14. Cool Ken,
    Way better!
    I guess there’ll always be conjecture as to who should be in what category etc.
    I agree with Jim and see you are already thinking along the making the pages more click worthy line as per one of your comments.
    Great stuff.
    Sincerely
    Brian
    Skype: biglordy
    + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +
    That “Crazy” Aussie Country Music Artist
    who turned to Direct Response Marketing
    ON & OFF the Internet to increase income.
    = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =

  15. Great! I like the change. It’s really the whole message to market match practice. The system you use would probably be great for demoing physical products, klike confetti, confetti cannons etc.
    Looking great Ken!
    John

  16. Hi Ken-
    I love version 2.0. This is a great way to customize the experience and help to choose which videos to watch. You did it super fast too!
    I know I’ll make use of it to refer my clients who are interested in learning more.
    Paula Bonelli

  17. Ken,
    I am so impressed with the speed and quality of the change from version 1.0 to 2.0. In the first version I randomly clicked videos and was a little bored. In 2.0 I was riveted.
    As a Smart Beginner, I am having a lot of fun watching all this develop.
    Valerie

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