{"id":5785,"date":"2018-02-07T10:45:22","date_gmt":"2018-02-07T17:45:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.meetingone.eu\/eu-nl\/?p=5785"},"modified":"2018-12-05T12:23:21","modified_gmt":"2018-12-05T19:23:21","slug":"what-makes-adobe-connect-different-customization","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.meetingone.com\/eu-nl\/blog\/what-makes-adobe-connect-different-customization\/","title":{"rendered":"What Makes Adobe Connect Different? Customization"},"content":{"rendered":"

Each and every online event is unique.<\/strong>\u00a0Different speakers, different content, different audiences.\u00a0 Even if you\u2019re hosting a recurring virtual training, or redoing a past webinar, the engagement levels and outcomes may vary.<\/p>\n

But one of the things I\u2019ve noticed is that most events are basically the same. And it doesn\u2019t seem to matter what platform you’re on.\u00a0\u00a0Trainings\u00a0in Zoom.\u00a0 Webinars in Blue Jeans.\u00a0 Meetings in GoToMeeting.\u00a0\u00a0They all feel just about the same.\u00a0 It’s as if they are taking place in the same virtual space<\/span>.<\/strong><\/p>\n

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This level of uniformity just begs the question, Why?\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

It comes back to the simple fact the developers of these platforms and others decided that’s what they felt was best.\u00a0 Maybe they wanted to keep things simple, a conclusion reached based on use case studies.\u00a0 Perhaps it was an effort to keep development costs down.<\/p>\n

Whatever the case, most platforms were designed to only feature the same basic elements: Screen Share, Webcam, Chat, and Q&A.\u00a0 \u00a0And there’s a rigid format they all pretty much adhere.<\/p>\n

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Here\u2019s what that\u00a0format looks like:<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"customize<\/a><\/p>\n

Here are 4 platforms that follow this model:<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"custom<\/a><\/p>\n

From personal experience, I can attest to\u00a0the fact that Blue Jeans, GoToMeeting, WebEx, and Zoom all use this format.\u00a0 (For an in-depth platform comparison, check out our\u00a0breakdown<\/a><\/strong><\/span>!<\/p>\n

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Sure, there are small branding opportunities\u00a0in\u00a0just about every platform.\u00a0 And some offer you the ability to slightly modify the size of certain features.<\/p>\n

But in a world stressing the importance of expressing ourselves and making brands stand out from the pack, isn’t it short-sighted to limit our ability to bring this into our virtual collaboration spaces? If we all agree that each online event is unique, shouldn\u2019t the virtual spaces we use to present online be truly customizable?\u00a0\u00a0Shouldn\u2019t you be able to shape the virtual space you’re working in to reflect your vision for the event? To make them TRULY unique and memorable?\u00a0\u00a0<\/strong>(Phew – just had to get that off my chest…)<\/p>\n

Well, you can with Adobe Connect. Adobe Connect is loaded with\u00a0functionality that makes it possible to design rooms suited to your event needs!<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

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In this blog, we\u2019ll go through all the awesome ways you can customize Adobe Connect rooms!<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

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\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

What does Adobe Connect Customization Entail?<\/span><\/h2>\n

\"AdobeAdobe Connect allows you to break from the boilerplate model depicted above. You have complete control over the way your rooms look – from the colors to the position and size of your pods (i.e. the modules that hold your chat, screen share, webcam, etc.).\u00a0 So, to say the least, customization is integral to Adobe Connect.<\/p>\n

Let\u2019s dig into the ways you can customize Adobe Connect rooms: In-Room and Admin customization.<\/strong><\/p>\n

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In-Room Customization<\/span><\/h3>\n

There is a lot to be said about what all is entailed when you customize Adobe Connect rooms.\u00a0\u00a0We’ll dig into the big 3: Sizing & Positioning Pods; Layouts; and Preferences<\/strong><\/p>\n

Sizing & Positioning Pods<\/span><\/h4>\n

Each and every pod in Adobe Connect can be placed anywhere in the room and stretched to any size.\u00a0 Need to feature just a Screen Share during an online meeting?\u00a0 Easy enough!\u00a0 Other pods can be “hidden,” then the Share Pod can be scaled to fit the entire room.<\/p>\n

\nhttps:\/\/www.meetingone.com\/eu-nl\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2018\/02\/Increasing-Share-Pod-Size-new.mp4<\/a><\/video><\/div>\n

The same is true for every Adobe Connect Pod. Webcams, chats, notes – every pod can be sized and positioned to fit your needs.<\/p>\n

We’re talking about truly customizable online training, meeting, and webinar rooms.<\/strong><\/p>\n

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There are obvious benefits for a number of use cases.\u00a0<\/strong>\u00a0Trainers who want their virtual space to conform to the content can easily do so.\u00a0 For sessions that are lecture heavy, a trainer can feature just the Share Pod and webcam feeds.\u00a0 If it’s a time\u00a0to move to a group discussion, an additional chat can be added in seconds.\u00a0 Want to drive engagement? You can place multiple polls to spark interactions.<\/p>\n

For webinar marketers, the freedom to customize a room your events is highly desirable.<\/strong>\u00a0 At MeetingOne, we tailor each of our rooms to fit the unique needs of our events.\u00a0\u00a0We will make our lobbies distinctive.\u00a0 Sometimes they’ll feature several polls, other times a\u00a0custom pod<\/a><\/strong><\/span>.\u00a0 It all depends on what type of engagement we’re hoping to generate.<\/p>\n

We primarily feature the following pods during events: Webcam, Screen Share \/ Presentation, Chat\u00a0and\u00a0Q&A.\u00a0 And we lay them out in this way.<\/p>\n

\"custom<\/a><\/p>\n

This layout is primarily suited for the presentation.\u00a0 When we want to spur engagement, we’ll throw in a Poll (see the example in the video below). Striking a balance between lecture and engagement is key.\u00a0 Learners are more likely to retain information if engaged.\u00a0\u00a0And once captivated, leads are more likely to keep interacting with your organization!<\/strong><\/p>\n

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Layouts<\/span><\/h4>\n

So, we know every pod can be moved around and placed anywhere.\u00a0 Then they can be sized up or down.\u00a0 But it doesn’t stop there.\u00a0\u00a0Each Adobe Connect room comes with an unlimited number Layouts, and each functions like a little room.<\/strong><\/p>\n

In one layout, you could feature only a Share Pod for lecturing purposes.\u00a0 The next layout could include more interactive elements, like a Chat or Poll.\u00a0 You can have as many Layouts as you’d like.\u00a0 Or you can keep it simple and use the 3\u00a0that come with Connect when you create a room.<\/p>\n

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Multiple layouts have obvious benefits for marketers who put on webinars.\u00a0 As they transition through their presentations,\u00a0marketers can also shift between different layouts.\u00a0\u00a0Rather than stop the entire flow of the event to poll, you move to a Layout that features the presentation AND a poll.\u00a0 This is exactly what we do during our webinars.<\/p>\n

https:\/\/www.meetingone.com\/eu-nl\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2018\/02\/Layout-Transitions-New.mp4<\/a><\/video><\/div>\n

 <\/p>\n

(The video features a Host’s view.\u00a0 Participants cannot see the layout bar at right.)<\/p>\n

Transitioning between Layouts is key to our webinars.\u00a0 It allows us to quickly shift from lecturing to engaging participants without interrupting the session.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Those of you who are online trainers can build out your custom online training in a similar way.<\/strong>\u00a0 Different layouts for different sections of your material.<\/p>\n

This functionality also serves\u00a0individuals who host lots of online meetings.<\/strong>\u00a0One layout can be used for “one-on-ones.”\u00a0 Another layout for discussions with leads.\u00a0 A third for team huddles.<\/p>\n

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However you use Layouts, they truly offer you the ability to customize your events.\u00a0 There is simply no other platform that gives you this type of functionality and flexibility.<\/p>\n

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Backgrounds<\/span><\/h4>\n

For whatever reason, the events I have attended online –\u00a0meetings,\u00a0trainings\u00a0and\u00a0webinars – tend to feature backgrounds with one of two colors: Blue or Black.\u00a0 And there’s a simple design. Most\u00a0room backgrounds look like the default image that comes with your PC.\u00a0 (Snoozeville…)<\/p>\n

Backgrounds shouldn’t be an afterthought!\u00a0 Uploading a dynamic background to your room can set the tone for your events, or reinforce your brand!<\/p>\n

In Adobe Connect, we would encourage you to use images that are 1920 x 1200px in size.\u00a0 The Aspect Ratio\u00a0we recommend is 16:10.\u00a0\u00a0And with each image you upload, make sure to include your brand name or logo in one of the corners.\u00a0 (Get our\u00a0branding\u00a0guide<\/span><\/strong><\/a>\u00a0for Adobe Connect!)<\/p>\n

\"DIY<\/a><\/p>\n

Uploading backgrounds is also a very simple process.\u00a0\u00a0In Adobe Connect, it only takes a few steps.\u00a0 In your room, you select the Meeting tab, scroll down to Preferences, and then click on General.\u00a0 You’ll be prompted to upload a file from your computer.\u00a0 Easy.<\/p>\n

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Blank Slate Layout<\/span><\/h4>\n

I personally take customization very seriously for my online meetings.<\/strong>\u00a0 It may seem silly.\u00a0 What do really need\u00a0in a meeting room beside a screen share and webcams?<\/p>\n

While it might seem unnecessary, I like the opportunity to build out a room from scratch.\u00a0 Doing so requires I actively think about the conversations I intend to have, and what will make these discussions most productive.<\/p>\n

Here’s my approach from start to finish!<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"Adobe<\/a><\/p>\n

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Webcams are a must.\u00a0 In the online setting, being able to see who you’re talking to adds an important human element.\u00a0 So, I’ll add the Video Pod at\u00a0the top.<\/p>\n

Then, I’ll throw in a Screen Share.\u00a0 The importance is pretty obvious.\u00a0Being in a writing position, I’m frequently revisiting and revising documents.\u00a0 With Adobe Connect, I can quickly upload a PDF of my article into the Share Pod.\u00a0 From there, it can be annotated and discussed!<\/p>\n

\"Customize<\/a><\/p>\n

I’ll also add a Notes Pod if I think the conversation will get very detailed.\u00a0 Often, I’ll include in a ChatPod so attendees can throw out links that may be relevant to the talk.<\/p>\n

Lastly, I’ll include Web Links and File Share Pods, so everyone can have access to the document we are getting into.<\/p>\n

\"custom<\/a><\/p>\n

Not every layout I make looks like the above one, and I don’t always include every Pod listed.\u00a0\u00a0It’s just an example of why I like the freedom to customize my online meetings.<\/strong><\/p>\n

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Gotta love the freedom to customize Adobe Connect rooms!<\/strong><\/p>\n

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Admin Customization<\/span><\/h3>\n

In-room customization gives each user the freedom to create a space perfect for their needs.\u00a0\u00a0But for large organizations, being able to customize some account-wide settings is even more important.<\/strong><\/p>\n

These settings can all be defined to reflect your brand.\u00a0 Colors, logos, messaging – all possible from Adobe Connect Central.\u00a0\u00a0And each change you make on the Admin side will affect every room on the account, which ensures ubiquitous branding for all your account users.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Here are the things you can customize to reflect your brand: Rooms, Login Pages, & Adobe Connect Central (the admin hub).<\/p>\n

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Adobe Connect Meetings<\/span><\/h4>\n

Real quick, scroll back up and look at the first screenshot you see.\u00a0 Notice how the pod text is red?\u00a0 That’s our brand red.\u00a0 And that is the text color for every room on our account!<\/p>\n

There’s a number of\u00a0features you can customize to your brand colors.\u00a0 \u00a0Here’s how we would recommend you color them.<\/p>\n

\"custom<\/a><\/p>\n

Pod Colors<\/strong><\/p>\n

The bar at the top of each pod, along with the text, can be colored.\u00a0 While it might seem like a small aspect of your branding, it nonetheless remains a valuable option.<\/p>\n

We would suggest you use a lighter color, like a grey or white, for the Pod Bar, and a more vivid color for the Text.\u00a0 A red is ideal if it’s in your brand’s palette.\u00a0 Doing so ensures the text stands out and catches the eye.<\/p>\n

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App Colors<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Customizing Adobe Connect rooms also entails branding the App colors.\u00a0 But what are we referring to when we say “App colors?”<\/p>\n

Well, we’re basically talking about the prominent bar at the top of your room, and the color of the text running along that bar.\u00a0 A strong contrast is again important.\u00a0 We would suggest a darker color for the\u00a0bar,\u00a0and white for the text.<\/p>\n

Let’s look at MeetingOne’s branding.\u00a0 Our primary colors are red and orange.\u00a0 We also use contrasting colors, specifically three shades of blue.\u00a0 By using a dark blue in the app bar, we give a definite border to the room that doesn’t demand too much attention.\u00a0 Your eyes are still drawn to the text color – red – of our pods.<\/p>\n

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You can also place your logo at the top left in the App bar.\u00a0\u00a0The logo you upload should be 50 x 31px for best resolution.<\/p>\n

There’s one other cool thing I\u2019d like to point out about the logo.\u00a0You can embed an URL in it.<\/strong>\u00a0Every time someone clicks on the logo in the top left corner of your room, they\u2019ll be redirected to the web page of your choice!<\/p>\n

\"customize<\/a><\/p>\n

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<\/h5>\n

Other Colors<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Customization doesn’t end there, though.\u00a0 You can also\u00a0add colors\u00a0for\u00a0the following three options:<\/p>\n