Written Content vs Video Content: Which Is Better?
Creating engaging content for an online audience can be a challenge. There are so many forms of media that content creators can use to their advantage: text, images, audio, and video. When creating content, it is important to decide which medium suits the purpose of the content best. Some pieces may benefit from a combination of different formats, but for the purpose of an article, two options stand out: written and video content. So, which is the better option for creating content?
Understanding the Benefits of Written Content
For nearly all types of content, written word is the most common form. It’s the simplest way to get information across in a way that readers can easily digest and understand. Written content can be used to answer questions, provide a brief overview, explain in-depth information, and more. It’s versatile, cost-effective, and time-efficient.
One major advantage of written content is that it can be given a wider reach with the help of search engine optimization (SEO). By including relevant keywords in the title, body, and meta tags, page titles can appear in search engine results, increasing visibility and reach. Additionally, written content is easy to repurpose into other formats, such as video clips or graphics.
The Pros and Cons of Video Content
Video content, often referred to as vlogging or “video blogging,” is growing in popularity and has a wide variety of uses. The appeal of video content lies in its ability to let viewers see and hear the content being presented, rather than just reading it. This is especially useful for tutorials, product demonstrations, and other types of video content.
The major downside of video content, however, is its inability to be picked up by search engines as easily as written content. While tags and metadata can help increase visibility, they typically don’t have the same impact as SEO-optimized written content. Additionally, video content can take more time and money to create, especially depending on the subject matter and production quality desired.
Comparing Written Content and Video Content
While the use of written content is still more common than that of video content, it’s important to understand the differences between the two in order to make the most informed decision on which to use. Comparing the two formats, a few advantages of written content over video content become clear.
i. Reach – Written content is much easier for search engines to index, which makes it easier to reach a wider audience.
ii. Cost – Writing does not require expensive equipment or extensive editing. It is much less expensive to produce than video content.
iii. Time – Writing is quicker and easier to produce than video content, which requires more time and effort to create.
iv. Repurposing – Written content can be reused and repurposed into other formats, such as video clips or graphics.
v. Results – Due to its reach and cost-effectiveness, written content can produce more measurable results than video content over time.
When choosing which content format to use, it’s important to understand the differences between them and consider their respective advantages and disadvantages. Both written and video content can be effective, but they each have unique benefits. For more reach and measurable results, written content may be the better option. For an engaging visual format, video content may be the way to go. Ultimately, the decision rests with the content creator, but understanding the details of each content type can help to make the best choice for the purpose of the content.