Step-By-Step:Private Google+ Hangouts

How To Record A Google+ Hangout Without Doing A Hangout On Air

So first off, you’re probably wondering why would you want to record a Google+ Hangout?
 
Well, in one of my mastermind groups we regularly do Google Hangouts on different business topics (list building, side-hustling etc) and just like webinars, not everyone can make it live.
 
Not to mention, Hangouts have limits to 10 people and therefore not all members can join live.
 
So, why not just do a Hangout On Air?
 
Because Thrive Hive Google Hangout sessions are for members only, so streaming live to Youtube is not really an option since we keep this content private.  We decided against using Webinar format since we like the face-to-face interaction as we are an online community and interacting “in-person” is great.
 
We could use Go To Meeting (and have in the past) but paying a monthly fee for something we weren’t going to use all the time wasn’t appealing.

Having fun with my mastermind group 🙂

How To Record a Google+ Hangout

There is no default way to hit record on your Google Hangout (yet) so:

Step 1:

To record a Hangout I use the software discussed in: How To Do Screencasts, in particular, Camtasia Studio.

I set up Camtasia with the Youtube preset:

And once everyone has joined the Hangout, I hit record.

Step 2:

Once the Hangout is complete, I open the recording in Camtasia and prepare the file to be exported to Youtube (and any editing that may be needed).

Step 3:

The final step is to upload to your Youtube channel.

Et voilà! The final product:

So as you can see, it is a 3 step process but it is pretty straightforward once you know how to use the recording software. And your only investment is the recording software which you can use to create all kinds of content in your business.

Do you use Google Hangouts in your business? I’d love to hear how you are using them! Leave me a comment below.

For more tech tips and training, check out the Tech Training Vault:

TechTrainingVault

How to record your screen and share online

How To Create Screencasts (and please the Youtube Gods)

If you are interested in recording screencasts, you’re lucky there are plenty of great tools out there that are easy to use.   Some are free while others require purchasing a license.

Why screencasts?

Screencasts are particularly useful if you want to document how-to videos and demonstrate step-by-step with narration.

Whether that is creating an online product in which you share your expertise, or if you want to document your processes in your business so you can share with your virtual assistant- a screencast can be much more effective than screenshots and allow the person to play back at their leisure.

Makeup not required!

Showing your face is totally optional. You can record these videos in your pj bottoms (or not) and no one will be the wiser. Soothe us with your lovely voice and share those sweet nuggets and leave us guessing as to who is behind the scenes.

BUT WHAT DO I SHARE!

You don’t necessarily have to create new content but look at how existing content may be easily explained in visual format. For example, how to install a plugin in WordPress or a quick tutorial on creating an image for Pinterest.

Narrate a powerpoint presentation or edit and upload a webinar for repeat playback (and lead generation, ftw!). Or simply create short how-to videos and please the Youtube gods because you’re finally creating content for that social network. Woohoo!

Here are some examples of screencasts:

 

 

Recommended Tools

Jing

Using Jing you can record short videos of up to 5 minutes (for free) or take a screenshot and share it. You can save the videos and edit using an editor like Camtasia or simply share the link immediately.

Camtasia Studio (Mac/PC)

The above videos were all done with Camtasia Studio. While there is a learning curve, Camtasia is a complete solution that will allow you to record, edit your screen captures and add multi-media. It’s also easy to export to share and upload to Youtube.

ScreenFlow for Mac

I have only heard good things about ScreenFlow from anyone who has used it. I was using Camtasia on PC for a few years, I decided to continue with it when I made the switch from PC to Mac. From a feature point of view, it compares to Camtasia but is considerably cheaper.

How do you plan on using screencasts? Let me know in the comments below!

For more tech tips and training, check out the Tech Training Vault:

TechTrainingVault

Launch your first digital product

{Online Product} Create A Cupcake Instead Of The Whole Cake Part 1

Cupcakes and product launch? Huh?

You’ll see what I mean in just a few…

Lately I’ve been getting a lot of questions about launching digital products. How should I get started? What tools should I use?

In my years working in the software industry, I’ve seen that LESS is MORE and this can pretty much apply to any type of product you want to launch (and any industry) whether it’s an ecourse, ebook, telesummit and so on.

Especially when it’s your first time at it, you’ll be surprised how many moving parts there beyond just creating the actual product.

Creating A Minimal Viable Product

The minimal viable product (which is getting a lot of buzz these days) is an approach where you focus on the core features *without* all the bells and whistles. So take that giant feature list you’ve started with and whittle it down to the bare essentials–say bye bye to the “nice to haves” and focus on the musts..the things that solve your customer’s problems.That’s definitely a good place to start.

You can think of the minimal viable product like a cupcake. Instead of going ahead and building a huge cake with many layers and frosting and then taste-testing it with your potential clients, why not build the cupcake version and have them try it out?

twitter-bird-light-bgsInstead of building the entire cake, make a cupcake and see if your customers like it.  

Start With The Core and Build

I know what it’s like and know how tempting it is to create something even when you may not need all the features.

Figuring out your minimal viable product does take work (talking to people, surveying, testing) but the idea is that you are not creating the whole thing in isolation for months/years *and* then coming out with a product where there is no longer a market or any interest to begin with.

Prioritize, Prioritize, Prioritize!

What needs to be done now vs what can wait? Does your first online program need to be 10 modules or can you deliver a shorter version that is 3-5 modules?

Do you absolutely need transcripts for your videos or can that wait until you’ve established a larger audience?

And I say this not because I don’t believe that you can do it all but and this is a BIG but…there is SO Much that goes into creating and launching your first product beyond the actual creation..why not start small and build on it?

In the next series of posts, we’ll dive deeper and look at the steps to take to create your cupcake first digital product.

Sign up below to get the entire series delivered in ebook format (for free*).

*does not include cupcakes

Episode 24: Purpose of Creating Powerful Systems in your Business

In this interview I had the pleasure of speaking to Natasha Vorompiova of Systems Rock. She shared how she got started with her business and how she realized the importance of creating systems in her business similar to how she worked in the  corporate world. Natasha shares really great tips on how to easily get started.

 

Key Takeaways:

  • A system doesn’t haven to be complicated but rather a repeatable process of how you do things and produces the same results
  • Consistency of doing 3 things every day pays off really well
  • Everything that happens regularly can be turned into a process documenting as you go easier than on the spot

 

Resources/People Mentioned 

 

Your turn:

What’s one system you plan on implementing in your business?

Consistent action + business systems = success http://bit.ly/130ZTnB ~ @systemsthatrock via @SandySidhu  Click to Tweet

 

About Natasha aka SystemsChick

Natasha Vorompiova, founder of Systems Rock.Natasha Vorompiova is the founder of Systems Rock where she breaks the stereotype that systems are just for big enterprises and put damaging constraints on creative spirits. Her unique approach nourishes the creativity of entrepreneurs while helping them establish the essential foundational systems that will enable their businesses to truly flourish. Grab your FREE copy of ‘Systems Chick’s Guide to Transforming Busyness Into Business’ at SystemsRock.