Successful Live Training Test on Google+
Last night we ran an impromptu test with Google+ now that I have the “On Air” capability! Woohoo!
It was a great test with a lot of goofing around, but we learned a few things about how to handle these broadcasts for sure.
Feedback, please
One thing that came up that I’d love your feedback on… as you probably know, the idea behind the “On Air” broadcast is that you can watch it live, then it’s recorded by Google and posted on YouTube right after. My original intention was to immediately kill that YouTube file, since as you know I sell these recordings for $2 each.
However it turns out the free re-broadcast isn’t that great of quality. I’ve embedded the test video below, and as you can see it’s enough to follow along, sort of, but it’s certainly not great.
So here’s what I’m thinking… I’ll leave this one up for free, for those who really can’t pay the $2, but for those who do want to, you can still download the high quality version just as you always have been able to.
What are your thoughts on that? I’ll try it for a few sessions and see how it affects sales, but I’d love your opinions.
More of a podcast…
What’s quite cool about this is that since I can invite people in, we can have a conversation. Which turns this into a podcast as well. I really like that idea; I do the Live Training as always, but also include guests for Q&A and to just chat. Maybe I strive for a few “expert” guests, and then fill the remaining slots (I can have nine guests total) with anyone else who wants to join.
In fact, I can make that something where you ask to participate in the comments when I announce it and I invite a pile of people in. I love it! Or I know… I’ll make an ApertureExpert Live circle and invite that, then it’s first-come-first-serve.
Let me know what you think… we’re off to something really cool and exciting here!
Comments
on May 11, 2012 - 2:08am
I think there are several factors that will change with this switchover, and I have different feelings/opinions about them each.
- Content format: I liked how the live training videos were basically lectures, where one can use them as reference, and when I needed a refresher on how to do something, or answer to a specific question, I could go back to that episode and rewatch or quickly scan. Your proposed format change will also effect that kind of usage case which I liked. That said, we must have been getting close to finishing with subjects to be covered at that level. All lecture series must end at some point, I suppose.
- Quality: The quality of the live feed was iffy. The sound would drop for me occasionally. Others reported echoes, and the video stalled frequently. I may not have had the best connection when it happened, and the quality of this service from Google will undoubtedly get better with time, but that is something to consider.
- Podcast: A podcast would be great, and I would enjoy it and subscribe to it. I would probably not pay $2 to hear each episode though.
- Masterclasses: This opens a great opportunity for masterclasses.
Good luck with your decision.
Argun
on May 11, 2012 - 2:15am
Argun,
Thanks for the feedback.
To be clear, the format of what I’ve been doing wouldn’t necessarily change — I’d be adding on to it. Sure the first five minutes might be some banter, but then I’d go into “lecture mode”, muting everyone else and just going as I always have. Then at the end for the Q&A, the live panel could ask questions as well as I can read question from the live audience.
Then the Q&A could round out with a more “podcast” type of environment, where we have open discussions on Aperture, technology, whatever.
I think if I do leave the free feed on YouTube, then in effect you’re not paying for the podcast. If you buy the video, you’re paying for the high quality feed of the screen and you get the podcast attached to that. If you just want the podcast, that’s free on YouTube, along with a low quality feed of the training.
Thanks again for your thoughts!!
-Joseph
@PhotoJoseph
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on May 11, 2012 - 2:19am
Cool! So you got it. Sorry I missed the trial. I like the potential for different topics besides the live training.
on May 11, 2012 - 2:25am
I would pay the $2 for the higher quality, as well as to support you for your time and effort. Thanks
Jon
on May 11, 2012 - 5:51am
I generally avoid Google as a company as far as possible so most of this is not relevant to me as G+ won’t be a feature for me unless some things are changed about it.
I would say that from a marketing pov the free low quality video is a good tool for you to have out there in You Tube Land though. It will act as good ‘free’ advertising.
on May 11, 2012 - 4:40pm
I’d like to echo Jon’s comments and say that I would certainly pay the $2 (way too low!) for the higher quality video. You’re the only guy I know on around $2 an hour! Keep up the good work Joseph
Robin
on May 12, 2012 - 1:14am
Haha thanks Robin. I try to make it up on volume ;-)
-Joseph
@PhotoJoseph
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