Books vs videos, which is best for developing skills? Learning is a lifelong journey. You can grow personally, a choice for the better.
I’ve been a solopreneur and blogger for years (over nine and four, respectively). Having started as a newbie in many things, I recognize the value of skill-building. PDFs to webinars, to podcasts, there is a variety of options.
There are methods to assimilate, backed up by research and proven theories. View my article on different learning styles to find out more.
Let’s get back to books vs videos for learning. You may have noticed that you tend to prefer one medium over another. Some may be more interesting and bring the best results for you.
Are you looking for a free productivity checklist? Find a list of recommended online courses. There are also handy tools for bloggers and solopreneurs.
Visit this page to find helpful resources
Let’s see the comparisons:
Books vs videos for learning
Reading books vs watching videos have some differences. If you enjoy reading, then you may prefer text. If you’re the visual and audio type, watching may be best.
Online learning platforms are convenient and flexible. You may choose to progress at your pace. Unlike classroom lectures and events held at venues, study at any time.
Being environmentally concerned, you may avoid printed copies. E-readers are a great alternative. Easy to carry in your bag as well.
Earlier at school, I mostly had physical publications as an option. Over the years, other methods have developed. I even studied for my business degree in a hybrid blended way. Much of it was online.
YouTube videos vs books
If you’re more into YouTube, you may find paperback boring. There are so many great channels that share content for free. You can find much info on any topic and grasp it.
Watching is a popular choice and easy action as well. Reading creates imagination. When watching, you only tend to consume the content. However, when you read, you imagine what’s happening.
Viral videos are often short. On Instagram, these are often entertaining and, therefore, more fun. YouTube tends to be for the longer form that digs deeper. These are better for educational tips.
Short-form content is rather popular, and so are vertical videos. Even YouTube has adopted shorts as an option. In addition to long ones, you also get shorter ones on the platform.
What entices the most interest, is often what social media platforms want. What makes viewers stay on channels, drives the most ad revenue. If you ask for short-form content, you get more of it.
When it comes to skill-building, you often need content that goes deeper. When you’re having fun, a few seconds of duration is good. However, to better assimilate and grow personally, it’s not the case.
Have you heard that humans have an attention span shorter than goldfish? I noticed that it’s true. I read more books in my school years than I do as an adult.
Generally, people tend to stay on their phones a lot. When having dinner with family, it’s crucial to be fully present. On the other hand, phones are also great tools with many uses. Find a good balance and adopt better habits.
eBooks are somehow mid-way. A mixture of both. You read them on a device. If you use an e-reader, it can be easier to concentrate. No emails and message notifications to distract, unlike being on your phone.
Are books better than audiobooks?
Listen to the audio. It can be useful if you want to do something else simultaneously. However, multitasking can be counter-productive.
Multitasking is said to be stressful in the longer term. Research conducted showed that it’s better to avoid it. Read more about it in my other article.
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Why books are better than videos
Contemplative activities are often best for concentration. If you’re more of an introvert, you may prefer solitude. On the other hand, if an extrovert, you may feel comfortable working in a noisy place.
Pros of books
- They tend to be in-depth
- You can get more content in 300 pages than in an hour-long video
- Skim through and easily find what you’re looking for
- eBooks often cost less than a comparable online course on the same topic (eg. 0-20 USD vs 0-1000 USD and over)
- You can reflect better on the content at your pace (or pause a video)
- Imagination is at its best
- Put yourself in the shoes of characters (fiction)
- Get detailed content for educational purposes (non-fiction)
- Choose the audio format to save time
- Enjoy me-time!
Cons
- It can be difficult to demonstrate certain skills
- It’s not interactive, as opposed to a webinar
- It can seem boring if you’re not used to it
As an ambivert, I find learning and working in a quiet place easier. However, I also play some calm music to enjoy. Taking regular breaks is a must.
Books were an important part of my childhood. Over the years, my habits changed. I once realized that I haven’t read good fiction in a long time. I then set goals and my habits improved.
Videos are an excellent means to learn new skills. You can use visuals, audio, text, and see action. However, it does much of the work for you, in contrast to reading.
If you prefer solitude, then books could be for you. Videos tend to be more lively. However, you can get distracted as well.
Think about which one brings the best result for you. Identify your learning style and use it. Whatever your preference, it should support you in achieving better results.
In addition to finding the right techniques, skill-building is all about practicing. Develop your talents by getting into action. For example, learn about blogging and publish articles regularly.
When you make mistakes, you gain by not repeating them. Make the best of your experience. At the same time, follow proven techniques and best practices.
Take risks, but ensure that they’re well calculated. Decision-making can be crucial to success. Through self-improvement, gain knowledge and wisdom.
Conclusion
When it comes to self-improvement, find your best method. Build meaningful skills. Find a list of resources and tools on my blog. Books vs videos, which is your favorite?
Tips from Sharvi 
Thank you Sharvi. I will keep your sharing to heart.
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My pleasure and have a terrific day!
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I find that for me it depends a lot on the topic. If I am putting together something, a piece of furniture, or a machine, then a video is helpful as I can see the actions that I need to take. However, as you say books “tend to be in-depth”, so if I am learning a subject, especially if it is a science with equations, then a video is typically not very helpful and I need a book. I think both videos and books are good for entertainment though. As for learning styles, I think I’m quite visual and I like to have diagrams, graphs, and illustrations in books. The worst learning method for me is someone writing on a blackboard. Thank you for another interesting post.
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My pleasure and have a wonderful day!
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Thanks ! It’s a great post about learning methods, knowledge transfer and brain learnography.
I prefer book learning as it provides a particular space for reading, writing and making notes. We have to create a space learnography for the domain of new knowledge, understanding and research.
However, I watched Dr Claudia Krebs’ videos for neurological studies. It’s demonstration about the anatomical and functional aspects of brain parts.
I appreciate your views about the learning fields of knowledge and distinguishing materials.
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My pleasure. Enjoy your day!
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