LIVE USAGE DASHBOARD:
(STEP 0) BEFORE YOU START
Before getting started, you'll need:
SOFTWARE / HARDWARE
QUICK BIO
HEADSHOT
PAYMENT INFO (TO GET PAID)
SOFTWARE / HARDWARE
- Microsoft Word
- A quality microphone. If you don't have one, these are inexpensive and high-quality, and ship fast. Be sure to apply the coupon: RUNMUS Headset.
- A screen recording program that can capture video and audio. Microsoft has a free recorder. I use Snagit Capture
QUICK BIO
- Here is a sample you can copy and make your own.
- Please include a LinkedIn link to your profile, if you would like that to be shown on our Instuctor's page.
- Also, fill out your areas of expertise
- Upload your bio here: My Bio Upload
HEADSHOT
- Needs to be recent (within last 2 years), and needs to have a very light or white background.
- If you don't have one that meets these, we will pay to get a new headshot that you can use professionally! JCPenny Photos has Groupons for digital image(s) and photo shoot usually for $20 - $40: JCPenny's via Lifetouch.
- Upload a headshot here: Upload Headshot
PAYMENT INFO (TO GET PAID)
Here's a quick introduction and how-to video:
NEW METHOD (BUNDLE A SERIES AT-A-TIME)
OLD METHOD (MODULE-BY-MODULE)
NEW METHOD (BUNDLE A SERIES AT-A-TIME)
STEP #1: PICK A SERIES
- Email joe@meyerfire.com that you'd like to start a series.
- We'll pick a topic together that you're passionate about, that is your strength, and that's in a topic/area we need next.
STEP #2: WRITE AN OUTLINE
- Once the topic is picked, let's create a bullet-point outline for the whole series.
Note: I use the terms Course and Series interchangeably, and I use the terms Module and Segment interchangeably. Sorry! - An example outline is here.
- Series
- Each series will contain multiple modules. The series can be as long or short as necessary to cover a topic.
- Generally, a series ends up being between 6-15 different modules.
- Modules
- For each module, we target 5-10 minutes as the ideal length. This is short and bite-sized. It's OK to be shorter or longer.
- If one segment goes too long (over about 15 minutes), we just split content into multiple segments.
- Ask questions and/or send to Joe (joe@meyerfire.com) when you're done.
STEP #3: FLUSH OUT THE SCRIPT
- Let's take the outline and turn it into a loose script.
- Here is an example completed script.
- Here are some Do's and Don'ts when turning the Outline into a Script. Don't sweat it, these are just ideas:
DOs |
DON'Ts |
add content/stories/examples/details that are important or relevant to you |
don't talk in "hypotheticals" or "theories" |
share your personality |
don't be a monotone engineer-type that does webinars |
make it fun |
don't talk like fire protection sucks |
write and speak as if you're talking to a close friend |
don't write and speak as if you hate the person watching |
make it accessible to new audiences |
don't use big words to sound smart |
when you use big or technical terms, slow down and define what those mean, and 'reiterate' what they mean in plain-speak |
don't do a technical-term "drive-by shooting" |
use active voice "I want to eat ice cream now." |
don't use passive voice "the ice cream may want to be eaten by me now." |
use humor as you see fit |
don't use profanity or belittle anyone |
teach in a way where you're actually helping the person you're talking to - ie: what would you tell the person in the cube next to you? |
don't talk at a "30,000 ft" level where you don't actually say anything that could help someone |
in stories, examples, or hypothetical situations, be inclusive of gender/race/etc that may not be your own |
don't only cite examples of "him" and "his" |
have fun |
don't be boring |
know that what you work on will be reviewed and helped |
don't worry about perfection or the quality of what you're producing; our team (Joe included) will give feedback and make sure that the content will end up at a very high quality |
just focus on the script (content) at this stage |
don't worry about speaking and recording audio... we haven't even gotten there yet! |
turn the Outline (from Joe) into as [rough] or as [detailed] of a Script as you'd like. You can keep it bullet-points as "talking points", or spell it out word-by-word on what you plan to say. Totally your choice here. |
don't worry about making it perfect. It won't be, that's 100% OK. |
- Once you've got the script written, continue on below -
STEP #4: RUN IT THROUGH THE MACHINES
- Copy and paste this prompt, by itself, into ChatGPT (GPT-4 or higher):
[Guideline: The following is a script for a training session for fire protection professionals. Please review these instructions, and simply respond to me with "OK, got it. Please paste in the script and I'll provide the review." The goal for this script is to be informative and entertaining. It should be conversational, relatable, yet professional. It should use natural language and phrasing that a real person would use. It should be concise. Words should generally be at a high school speaking level. It should not inflate the importance of a topic, or be dramatic. It should not include generalities, be euphemistic, be vague, or be impressionistic. If there is reference to a code requirement, the specific code and section number should be included.
It should not include dramatic adjectives. Do not use dramatic adjectives like “we took a deep dive”, instead, just say “we took a dive”. Instead of saying “this critical process”, just say “process”. Use tame adjectives, not dramatic or embellished ones. List the steps involved, or the process, or technical explanation, without elaborating on their importance. Avoid prose that simply elaborates on the importance of something. Exclude unnecessary information.
You are going to provide feedback about this script.
First, calculate how long it would take to read this entire script if it was spoken at 190 words per minute. Provide that estimated time first in your feedback.
Now, write the following segment back to me: "We've found that storytelling and sharing examples is perhaps the best way to make new information "stick" for new learners. We want to make this your own, and make it better for the listener as well. Below is a list of possible ways to improve this segment. Read through the tips and then incorporate updates that you feel is best for the listener."
Now, you are now going to provide specific critiques for the script based upon our goals we highlighted earlier. Below is a list of tasks to complete. For each task, write a title for that task, and then provide five bullet-point ideas. Each bullet point idea should be no longer than two sentences. Number each of these as 1A, 1B, etc, all the way through 4E. Here is the task list:
1. Engagement Improvement (five ways this segment can be more engaging for the user by improving the script. Visuals and other ideas will be entirely separate from this script)
2. Story Ideas (if the segment does not include any stories, then recommend adding a personal story to the script, and emphasize that we best absorb information when it is part of a story. Then, provide five stories or analogies that this segment could incorporate to do a better job of crafting a story, or sharing analogies for easier understanding)
3. Ideas for Better Understanding (provide five ways or ideas that this content could be improved for technical accuracy)
4. Counter Arguments (five arguments that someone could have against the content in the segment)
5. Code References (if the script makes any reference to a code or standard requirement, provide feedback to be specific on exactly the section where that code or standard requirement appears)
Please review these instructions, and simply respond to me with "OK, got it. Please paste in the script and I'll provide the review." After which, when I paste the in script, you execute all of these review critiques and suggestions just as I've laid out. Thank you.
- Now, copy and paste your script into ChatGPT.
- Review the feedback, and update your script as-you-see-fit best based on the tips provided by the machines.
- Email the finalized script(s) to Joe for review.
STEP #5: RUN IT THROUGH THE HUMANS (BY REVIEWERS)
- Joe (or another instructor in your subject area) will review and return the script with markups/suggestions/questions.
- Sometimes these are ready to record, other times we may need another round of back-and-forth to get things about right.
STEP #6: SCRIPT RECORDING
- This is the most intimidating part for some people, but I'll start off by saying - this can be really really fun! And it doesn't have to be hard.
- Here are the DOs and DON'Ts for recording:
DOs |
DON'Ts |
perhaps the #1 rule - SMILE - when you're speaking. It'll show through on the audio. |
don't scowl when you read (ya gotta smile!! : ) ) |
use a "speaking" voice, not a "reading" voice. Imagine that you're explaining all of this to your very close friend. Talk like that! |
don't use a "reading" voice without any passion. The person you're explaining it to actually likes you! You're their friend! And if not, they'll be your friend soon! |
record one long audio segment for each module. If you mispronounce a word, trip-up, or struggle with a sentence, KEEP GOING! When this happens, all you have to do is say "I'm going to re-do that sentence", and then start the last sentence over again and then KEEP GOING. Do not do multiple takes for the whole things. Our video team is EXCELLENT and we have 2 editors and 2 reviewers (including Joe) who will make sure it sounds seamless on the other end. Seriously, it'll sound professional. |
do not - do not - do not re-record your whole segment. You absolutely, 100%, do not need a whole perfect take. If you trip up, just start that sentence over and then KEEP GOING. Please please please, I beg you. This will end up saving you way more time, and the end result will still be great. |
if your audio is 12-minutes long for 3-minutes of content because of repeating sentences, that's 100% OK. Send it in. |
do not re-record whole segments because you fear you did too many takes. Your time is valuable, I promise we will do just fine on the back-end and make it come out great. |
have fun and be you |
don't try to be someone else. you have a role to play in this world and it's the one you define. be you; the world is better for it. |
- Email your video or audio file to Joe. We will only use the audio, unless yours is some kind of video tutorial. .mp3 or .mp4 files are both fine.
STEP #7: VISUALS
- Now, let's get some visuals created! This is where much of the magic happens.
- For each concepts you talk about in the script, let's create a visual. There's nothing wrong in having many, many visuals. In fact - it's the visual presentation that will appeal to most learners.
- Here are ways that we can source imagery that we can use to create sketches. Most of us just think that google images is the only option, when in reality there are many many ways that we can get just the right visual as our inspiration:
- Generally speaking, we want to have at least one visual for every "block" of content. This is usually one visual per paragraph of the script.
- The #1 best sources of imagery is your personal photos from jobsites, of products, or from your experience. We will bring it to life.
- Take your source imagery (the inspiration for what the MeyerFire illustrators will create), and submit it below. This will send the image and the tips to our illustrators and get things moving.
- You'll want to submit each inspiration item separately:
- As you can see above, we've created many, many different visuals for the University. As of Fall 2023, we already have more than 2,000 different sketches created for the University content.
- Submit each different image you would like to see as part of the segment, and then go to the last step below.
STEP #8: STORYBOARD (IF NEEDED)
- If the production team needs help matching visuals with your script, we'll send the storyboard and get your input on what visual goes with what content.
- If not -
STEP #9: KICK THOSE FEET UP!
- Kick those feet up, champ! You are awesome.
- Take the rest of the day off, or something like that...
- On the first Friday of each month, Joe sends out an update report on where everything is at and what the profit-share portion for the month is. As your videos get published, and usually a few weeks after the series is complete, you'll start to see the engagement numbers come up on your videos. It takes a few weeks after getting posted for users to enroll in the course and get through the content.
OLD METHOD (MODULE-BY-MODULE)
REQUEST A MODULE:
- Enter your email here to sign up for a module:
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- You'll soon get an email with some important information:
- The module Question (ie: What are the Components of a Test & Drain?)
- A module number (ie: FX134.01)
- A link to the module folder on Sharepoint
STEP #1 - SPEAK OUT YOUR ANSWER (A ROUGH DRAFT)
- I usually open up word and use the dictation tool to record what I'm saying as I say it
- The goal here is to get a rough draft for what you want to present
- To transcribe your answer, open up Microsoft Word and use the Dictation tool. It's great. Click here to get instructions for your first time.
Only rules for the video:
- The goal is to teach like you're explaining to someone in the desk next to you - teach what you wish someone would have told you when you had less than 3 years experience.
- Try to stay around 3-8 minutes in length. This is loose - if you're outside this range. talk to joe (joe@meyerfire.com) and we can adjust as needed.
- Here are some different styles of videos that have worked well so far:
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STYLE #1: ANSWER
WITH A STORY Read The Question Introduce What You're Talking About (provide some background if necessary) Answer the Question (how you see fit) Share a Relevant Story (from your experience) Summarize The Answer (try to repeat the answer in 1-3 lines) Closing: I'm [ME], this is MeyerFire University. |
STYLE #2: ANSWER WITH
AN EXAMPLE Read The Question Introduce What You're Talking About (provide some background if necessary) Answer the Question (how you see fit) Give or Work an Example Summarize The Answer (try to repeat the answer in 1-3 lines) Closing: I'm [ME], this is MeyerFire University. |
STYLE #3: CREATE A
TOP 3/5/10 LIST Read The Question Introduce What You're Talking About (provide some background if necessary) Top List Item #1 (background info / why on this item) Top List Item #2 (background info / why on this item) Top List Item #N (background info / why on this item) Summarize The Answer (try to repeat the answer in 1-3 lines) Closing: I'm [ME], this is MeyerFire University. |
STYLE #4: CREATE A
TUTORIAL Read The Topic Title Introduce What You're Going to Teach Screen-Record Your Content (how you see fit) (also may help if you screen record and record the voice over separately) Recap Your Process Closing: I'm [ME], this is MeyerFire University. |
STEP #2 - REVIEW YOUR DRAFT
Read your rough draft that was dictated in word. This is our opportunity to make tweaks to it:
- Does the order of your answer make sense?
- Is the bulk of your answer addressing the question that was asked?
- Does it flow OK?
- Are you using the terms you want to use (ie: "sprinklers" instead of "sprinkler heads")?
- Is it 3-8 minutes long? If it's longer, or it could be broken down into multiple, shorter videos, then we might want to do that.
- Are there ways you can make it more fun? More natural? Funny? Make it your own.
- Joe's Tips: If this one of your first videos - feel free to email Joe with your word document if you want feedback. Joe's email is joe@meyerfire.com.
STEP #3 - RECORD VOICE OVER
- FAST-PACED: We want the feel to be more like a to-the-point helpful YouTube video, not an hour-long Powerpoint webinar.
- BREVITY: Be super-specific, in-the-weeds, and real-world, as if you're explaining something to your coworker when they're on a deadline.
- MAKE IT FUN! Don't be a robot - our work is important and meaningful - so have a little passion and have fun with the presentation.
Joe's Tips:
- When I do my voiceover, I try to use my "speaking voice" and not my "reading voice", but it helps when I have the rough draft in front of me.
- When you mispronounce a word, trip-up, or struggle with a sentence, KEEP GOING! Just wait a few seconds, say "I'm going to re-do that", and then speak that last sentence over again and keep going with the rest of your video.
- Do not re-record the whole segment - our video editors are awesome and will only use your last (best) audio.
- We also review every video multiple times, so we make sure that we're using your next take.
- It's 100% OK to turn in a 12-minute recording when your final video actually ends up being 4 minutes. I (Joe) do it all the time because I mispronounce and use a midwestern accent all the time.
- Speak with a smile - your upbeat attitude will shine through in the audio.
- Have fun with it!
STEP #4 - UPLOAD TO SHAREPOINT
- Save your audio file you've recorded to the "02 Raw Media" subfolder from the Sharepoint link in the module (from Step #1)
- If you have any word documents, upload them to the "01 Storyboard" subfolder in the Sharepoint link for the module. You don't need to upload the word file if you haven't created one.
STEP #5 - SUBMIT IT FOR REVIEW / PRODUCTION
NOW KICK THOSE FEET UP!
Kick those feet up, champ! You are awesome.
We will send you the first draft of the edited video for your review when it's ready!
Take the rest of the day off, or something like that...
We will send you the first draft of the edited video for your review when it's ready!
Take the rest of the day off, or something like that...
