Most of the people are visual learners. If the video is explainatory,short and easy to follow, I think video is the best way to go.

Using video for something like this is an interesting idea, but how are you planning on distributing your videos? I wouldn't actually attach a video to an email because it would create a large email (in size) and people would get turned off and also be nervous of the attachment you could be sending. You could upload your videos to YouTube and then include a link in your email to the latest video. You would need to make your video really interesting, otherwise you would lose people's interest pretty quickly and they would stop clicking on the link.

Having said that, there are multiple advantages to using a nicely (HTML) formatted email:
* You can capture your recepient's interest immediately if they glance over one of your comments and they're hooked.
* They don't need to do an extra click to find out your news.
* These days everyone is nervous about viruses, so an email with no attachments and no links that they have to click on would ease their mind that it's safe to read. Whereas, they might be nervous about clicking on a link even if they know the sender because emails are easy to copy and fake. I know I am. Using YouTube would help address this issue because it's a widely known and trusted web site.

If it were me, I would try each way for a few months and measure the response. Either way, I would put a short interesting summary in the email so people know either what's in the video or what's in the detailed news letter below.

I hope this is helpful.

Personally, I like email because I don't have to remember to go anywhere special to receive it. Also things don't disappear like in feeds like Facebook and Twitter if I don't check it for a day or two.

Text is more convenient - I can read it quickly and don't need to worry about whether I'm going to bother anyone if I play video.

That said, video in moderation is brilliant. I do like email newsletters that are mainly text but every now and then will link to some video that they've made. It makes it personal and adds some variety.

If you can create a short video that is informative and well put together (doesn't have to be expensive, just very useful)...I would go with that. I'd be very interested in that type of production.

Mostly has to just make sure its great content.

Thanks to everyone who replied to this question--I appreciate every one of your answers!