In a move that some may read as a technological step backward, Craftsy will soon be releasing a selection of classes as DVDs. In an announcement sent to instructors today, Craftsy’s Instructor Program Manager explained that 60 of their 1,300+ classes would be released as DVDs in May, with another 60 coming at the end of June. The initiative appears to be an effort to convert new customers to the Craftsy platform.
“Selling Craftsy class content in this format will provide incremental revenue and help us convert more makers into students and consumers of our content,” the statement said. “Consumer research last Fall highlighted an attractive consumer segment for whom we believe DVDs are an appealing format.”
The DVDs will be priced $20 higher than a typical online class and will for the time being not include online access or instructor support. “In the future, we’ll explore selling a ‘DVD + streaming’ combination,” the announcement said.
Instructors will be compensated for sales commensurate with the compensation rate they currently receive for courses that do not include student participation.
Craftsy class DVDs will be for sale on Craftsy.com beginning in April, with other sales avenues potentially added later. “We are also exploring other channels, including catalogs, libraries, other online retailers as well as brick & mortar retailers,” the announcement stated.
The initiative appears to be directed by Jonathan Reinemund, senior director of new business, who has been at the company since the summer of 2015.
A great help to those of us that live “in the middle of nowhere” and unable to get good internet service. I have so much buffering that streaming is next to impossible.
I agree, Bobbie. Even in a suburb of Seattle I still have problems streaming Craftsy classes. But I do wonder, with all the changes at Craftsy, what if they went out of business? What would happen to all the classes customers have bought that they’re supposed to continue to have access to? That, to me, is one major drawback to their offerings; the videos are only viewable for as long as they host them online. I know it sounds negative to even mention this, but like many people, I’ve spent quite a lot of money on their classes (which I’ve gotten great benefit from already, but like to revisit from time to time to refresh my skills).
That’s a great question. While I don’t think Craftsy is at risk of going under, overall it’s worth thinking through what happens to access when an online class company disappears. My guess is that there’s some information about this in their terms of service which customers agree to when making a purchase. Of course very few of us actually read those terms (myself included), but I’m guessing they clarify what happens if the company goes under.
I have always had the same concern. And I wish I had waited until certain particular classes were on DVD. If there is a class that someone goes back to, for me that would be machine quilting,
I would now have to pay for that again for the DVD version to add to my own library. Not trying to be negative here either. I hope Abby is correct that there is a way to keep what’s been paid for on a C or D drive in case the company does go out of business.
Will all of the DVD classes be available as online classes, too, or will some of them be available through DVD only?
I’m glad to see that Craftsy will offer DVDs, but since I usually access the classes through my cell phone or Kindle Fire, I’m hoping that everything will always be available online, too.
To clarify: I should have said that I hope the DVDs will be available as online classes eventually. After rereading the article, I see that online access will not be available when they roll out the DVDs.
To add to my comment above: After rereading the article, I see that the DVDs will be a stand alone offering. I hope they will eventually be available online, too, especially with the price considerations.
I found a couple of Craftsy DVDs at our local library last month. Perhaps part of a pilot? DVDs are quite popular at our library, so I can see how this might attract some folks who weren’t already familiar with Craftsy.
That’s interesting. Perhaps they were the Great Courses classes that are offered on Craftsy? I know those have been available as DVDs for a little while. And I agree with you that it’s a clever way to engage new customers.
I would love to take online courses but Internet access where I live is ridiculous. It can take 5-10 min to watch a 2 minute video!
I think you’re not alone in this, Andrea! This was a smart move on Craftsy’s part in my opinion.
I’m one of those people in the boonies with terribly slow internet access. I can hardly watch my Craftsy classes anymore. I hope there will eventually be some option for to purchase classes I already own as a DVD.