Me: As I said to you on Facebook, we get a lot of interview requests, but this one caught our attention. Thanks for doing it.
John: Thanks for letting me do it.
Me: So you don’t like to read online content? And why did you want to be interviewed about that?
John: I want media companies and publishers to know they need to stop creating long stories. For example: I see a compelling headline, I tap it, only to be presented with a long blob of text. I feel tricked. Who has time to read that much content? I’m not the only one who feels this way.
Me: So why get online?
John: It’s not about BEING online. It’s not like I sit offline reading books or newspapers. I have a 10.1” Samsung Galaxy Note® and I’m always on the internet looking, liking and sharing content.
Me: You have me confused. You just don’t like to read at all?
John: Let me clarify. I like the content, but it needs to be in LIST FORM. Like 10 Cute Dogs Dressed Up Like Clowns Doing Unbelievably Cute Things. When I click a headline like that, I want to see very few words. Give me a captivating headline, captions and pictures. Even better: just a catchy, descriptive headline and pictures. Let the pictures do the talking. I don’t need the captions.
Me: Do you like watching online videos?
John: Yes and no. If a site like Viral Nova or Upworthy says… Watch this video, especially 1:23… it’s heartbreaking and it brought me to tears I know that I can quickly go to that section of the video and see the important part of the video and maybe have it bring me to tears. I don’t have to waste my time watching the entire video. From there I can then quickly get onto the next piece of content.
Me: Do you like ads?
John: Sure, why not? A lot of interesting offers out there. I tapped an ad and that’s how I got my 10.1” Samsung Galaxy Note®. I’m happy I did that as it’s been a great tool for looking at content.
Me: Okay. I think I get it. Anything else you’d like to add?
John: I want people share my story on Facebook. The more people who do, the more compelling content lists we can get and hopefully long form content disappears entirely. So share this!