JigsawBox Tip – Using Media with JigsawBox

Posted on 17 February 2012 by

It's Video - Did you know you can use it in your JigsawBox?

Easily one of the best ways to use JigsawBox is the addition of both audio and video. These types of additions can make your JigsawBox come alive by incorporating YOU into your client’s everyday learning.

Some of the best ways to use audio and video are by narrating a part of your material or even giving a fun “virtual” lesson to go along with the client’s modules. Really – it is entirely up to YOU.

Today, however, I want to give you some great tips on incorporating video into your coaching package to ensure that you are up to date on the latest information and have it literally at your fingertips.

Here’s how to use video inside of your JigsawBox:

Find your hosting company.

There are a lot of hosting companies out there that are more than happy to host your video. The choice is up to you and the options that each of them offer are in abundance. YouTube, for example, allows the user to host their video on it’s site so that it can be available not only to a coach’s clients but also to the rest of the world. While this is a viable option if your video is relatively generic and you want the added exposure, it may not be the best one if you want to keep your videos as an exclusive option. When using the privacy measures YouTube offers, make sure you know what each level of security will give you.
A company like Screencast is one that we see often here at JigsawBox. Asking why? Because Screencast is like YouTube only it is private. Any videos that you upload maintain their privacy until you are ready to share them with YOUR clientele.

The great thing about both of these is that they both offer a no-nonsense way to link your videos directly inside of your JigsawBox using their embed code or links.

Think accessibility.

Now remember, when you start adding audio and video to your modules, remember accessibility and not just who is connecting but how they connect. If you are getting issues with people attempting to connect to your media but are having difficulties, make sure you check what browser they are using and then match it again what works best with your hosting company. (Yes, sometimes this makes a difference!) Ensure that your clients understand how to update their plugins and players by simply giving them a little reminder that “if the player isn’t working, check if you have the latest version of this plugin”.

Also – include a link to the video. Just because you have inserted the media does not mean that they are going to want to play it just then or if they have difficulties, even can. Inserting that additional link makes it easier for your client to watch the video – against all odds.

Be Inspiring!

Remember, when recording your video – have fun with it and be inspiring, be interesting, and most of all, give them a GREAT lesson into why they purchased YOUR coaching program.

Can’t wait to see how you use videos in your JigsawBox! – Let us know by liking this post on Facebook, sending us a Tweet, or commenting on this blog! We love it when you do that ;-)

JigsawBox Tip: Using Your JigsawBox – Templates

Posted on 11 November 2011 by

We hope you are enjoying the Using Your JigsawBox blog series.  Today we are sharing a tip on formatting and how to make this easier for you and also look great for your clients!  For more ways to use your JigsawBox, check out these posts: Using JigsawBox for 1:1 Coaching, Adding Journals and Notes to your JigsawBox, Create a Learning Sequence for your clients in JigsawBox.

Being consistent in your JigsawBox is a great way to make an impact with your clients.  Think about how all of your modules will look before you start creating them.  It’s helpful that they all follow a similar pattern and share the same look and feel.

For example, you may want to start with an Introduction, put a video or audio recording after the introduction to deliver the coaching/learning, under your video/audio offer a way to download it for those who want to listen on-the-go, then have a summary section.

For your main headings like Introduction, Media and Summary you may want to make them all the same font and color.  This is a great time to use your branding colors! To make a bigger impact, perhaps find an image that is descriptive for each of those sections and use that same image there too!

Under your module, in the questions section you may want to ask one question that is the same in every module, something like: “What is the one thing you learned this week that made the biggest impact on you?”  Then in the documents area you can upload either a transcript of your audio recording or slides from your video presentation.

You now have a great format to use for all of your modules.  To make this easier to use again and again for each module you create, you can now develop this as a template. When you are happy with your look, simply create one module in this format and name it something like: Module Template.  You will only need your basic information, the section name, images, etc., you can leave out any actual video/audios for now.

Then each time you create a new module for your program you can follow these steps:

  1. Open your Module Template
  2. Click the HTML button and copy all of the HTML code.
  3. Open up a new module, click the HTML button and paste in your HTML code

You will now have the standard format of your module ready to use so you will only need to type in the rest of the content and not worry about any formatting! This tempalte can be used time and time again and you’ll have a great looking program with consistent modules that will ensure your clients can learn quickly and easily.

We hope you enjoyed the Using Your JigsawBox blog series.  If you have tips or questions about using your JigsawBox, let us know and we’ll share them in a future blog post.

JigsawBox Tip – Getting Great Video

Posted on 30 September 2011 by

Video - Go Visual With Your Message NowLet’s admit it - People love a visual impact.

Every day we sit down in front of our computers to watch the latest viral videos. With our eyes wide and our attention grabbed, we are drawn to our computer screens – willing to sit there and absorb all of the content and information that we can grasp. As a successful coach who wants his or her product to be delivered in that extraordinarily dynamic way – video is it. Fortunately, JigsawBox allows you the opportunity to use it to your advantage.

If you have explored using video inside of JigsawBox (and if you have not, click here to get some great information on how to do just that) then you probably know the logistics. What you may not know is how to prime your video recordings so that they are clean, clear, and ready to be sent to your client list. These three tips will help you get the best bang for your visual buck.

Refining Your Video:

Planning on more than one video? Perhaps a series of videos, courses, or commercials? Then you will want to understand how to properly edit. Programs such as Final Cut Pro X or Adobe Premier will enable you to fine tune your video for perfection. With these tools you can do everything from add effects to synch your audio.

Review Your Footage:

When recording a video, make sure you review every single minute and do this not once, not twice, but three times. Go over your footage with a fine tooth comb and look for those abnormalities. Consider the visual quality as well as the audio. Ask yourself the following questions:

  • Is there any excessive background noise?
  • Do I have the correct lighting?
  • Is the audio timed perfectly to the video?
  • Am I loud enough?
  • Am I clear enough?

If the answer to any of these questions are yes, then go back, edit, and review again. Repeat this process until your video is perfect enough to be given to the world as a finished masterpiece.

Consider the Format:

If you plan on offering video as one of your options for content keep in mind the file formats of your host. Not all file formats are the same and different ones can produce some striking variations in quality. While each host will have their requirements, there are some common formats. Some of the most common video formats are:

  • .mpeg4
  • .avi
  • .flv
  • .mov

Remember to note the differences in format requirements and consult your host for their opinions on what will produce the best possible video.

These are just some of our tips to help you get the most out of using video in your JigsawBox.  What are you best video tips?  Share below and spread the knowledge!

JigsawBox Tip: Adding Video

Posted on 26 August 2011 by

It is a video age.  Think about it, you receive emails with links to video, YouTube is a sensation, both online and offline training is almost always done by video.  It surrounds us each and every day.

Today, people are wired for video.  But what does that mean to you?

Recent studies have shown that by adding video to your website, the conversion rate increases.  And since video adds that bit of spark your clients are looking for, today we are going to talk about the different ways you can take advantage of that.

Videos cannot be uploaded directly to JigsawBox, they must be hosted on a video storage site like Screencast, YouTube, Amazon S3, etc.  You may use any service to store your video that provides you with embed code.

Simply click the HTML button in edit mode and paste in your embed code. You will NOT see your video in Edit view, so placement should be made on the HTML side of the window.  To see your video, save your module.  Then go back to the My Modules page, click Edit next to the module where you just added your video.  When the edit view appears, click Preview.  You will now see how your video will be displayed to your clients.  It will play right in your JigsawBox account and your users can watch the video right there without ever leaving JigsawBox!

Great tip: this technique displays a video player right in your JigsawBox.  If you also wish to provide your clients with an option to download your video, you will need to obtain a direct link from your video host and add this link to your module.  If you do offer a download link you may wish to let your clients know that to download they will need to right-click the link and select Save Target As or Save Link As if using a PC or if using a MAC to hit the Control key and select the Save Target As or Save Link As option.

You can upload display any types of videos using these directions…

  • Recorded webinars
  • Screencasts
  • A tour of your package

Tip:  If you want to create a short video showing items on your screen, such as a tour of your package, you can set-up a free account at Jing.com.  This site allows you to record 5-minute videos of your screen for free!  You can then take those videos and upload them to your video storage site of choice and add it to your module.

With the ability to embed video within your modules, you have endless possibilities.  Remember the conversion rate study, which translates to more profits!

How do you think your current program can benefit from adding video?