Earn money & help us create some help screencasts

[gazza]

We get quite a few people asking questions that are obvious to some people who've been here a while but aren't obvious to the newcomer.

For this reason we're offering to let anyone create their own HTV (How To Videos) to help newcomers get to know each nook and cranny of the site. These will be simple screencasts where you choose an area of your monitor and record the activity. Heres an example of a simple screencast. You can add voiceover if you wish.

For example, create an HTV for listing an auction, or maybe one specifically describing how to start a RUS or OFB? How to send an invoice. How to search for keywords etc.

We'll let you decide which aspects of the site you want to focus on.

Here are the technicals.

1. Download Jing . This allows you to capture your screen activity and show others what you are typing and what you are clicking etc. Only submissions using Jing will be accepted.
   
2. Set your browser just so the horizontal scroll bar disappears. No wider.
3. Capture Video. Not images.
4. Save the video, do not upload it.
5. No longer than 3 minutes per video.
6. No shorter than 10 seconds per video.
7. We'll pay you £5 or $8 per minute of video.
8. Narration is not required but we would prefer everyone to make the effort if possible.
9. Anyone sending in videos should send us a request for payment on the 3rd of the month in the form of an invoice addressed to eBid Ltd.
10. We do not guarantee acceptance but probably will.

Checklist. Please follow, we can't accept videos not adhering.

• choose a title for your HTV starting with "How to". eg. "How to use the populate options".
• choose which FAQ section (1 to 10) it fits into.
• save swf file with a filename the same as the title with underscores for spaces, add your username and faq catgory. eg. how_to_leave_feedback_nancy99_7.swf
• zip the swf file.
• email to support at ebid.net.
• with "HTV Submission" in the title of your email.
• Accepted videos will get a reply with "Thankyou"

Good Luck all
Gazza

[craig7501]

Is this also to help with promoting eBid?

[gazza]

Not sure how it will help promote eBid. It will help make the place simpler for new users to find their feet faster.

Gazza

[craig7501]

Ok, I've downloaded Jing but can't get the hang of it. Can I not just use my webcam to show how to send an invoice and email that to support instead?

[TonyBridger]

Gazza please make this like X-Factor and show us the rejects.

[gazza]

Jing's pretty simple. Choose capture, select the screen area then choose video. It then records your on screen antics in the area you defined.

G

[craig7501]

Will try it tomorrow see how it goes Gazza.

[booksforsale]

I'd like to contribute, but I am reluctant to use Jing.

Is it necessary that we use Jing?

Does the file NEED to be in .swf format?

[Idealproductsales]

What about those of us who have professional Cam studio software such as Camtasia? (I have my own licensed full version copy I use often for the same purposes, no time at the moment to create vids.. but I suspect it does not need to be Jing.. Camtasia will probably work find.. cool thing about it is, I can edit and insert transitions and other stuff..

if I am able to find some time I'll probably do up a few

[VintageClothing]

What a Great Idea, I used to do this for a Living I worked for a small TV station I presented and edited and on occasion worked camera, however I have long left and have no equipment. I would be willing to help anyone else with the equipment but not the know how for free if it helps get this site bigger.
Also Gazza , a suggestion, why not direct contact Universities and colleges, they all have media as subjects, well most do, and REAL LIFE experience is invaluable to them, I know because I used to work with some, they will probably do it for free and they can use it as course work, just a thought.
Another thought is, get the universities etc all involved, for free if you can, they will tell friends and will feel as though they are part of Ebid and will word of mouth promote, so two birds with one stone, some colleges etc will even contact local press as it is a REAL job and they all love publicity and as we all know local papers will print because they need to fill the pages, again I know this as I used to get all sorts in local papers, people dont realise local papers need news and they dont have enough so there you go , another idea and hopefully it will trigger others.
Cheers Chris