Forums/Getting Started and FAQs/Frequently Asked Questions
How to Use AutoPilot to Automate Playback of Pre-Recorded Events
Joel
posted this on June 28, 2011 13:45
What is Autopilot?
Autopilot broadcasts a pre-recorded audio over the phone and live webcast at a future date and time that you specify. Your audience experiences the call exactly as if it were a live event. You can set up as many autopilot events as you like up to 6 months into the future. Note that Autopilot currently works for audio-only events.
Setting up Autopilot: Preparatory Steps
Prep 1: Schedule a Future Event
If you don't have your event scheduled yet, set up an event like you normally would from the My Events page.
Prep 2: Decide Which Audio File to Use for Your Event
You can use any MP3 or WAV file, including files you create with a microphone on your computer, or audio files created during live events with Instant Teleseminar.
To use a recording from a past event, click on the name of the event from the My Events page. Then, from the Event Management area, click on the Event Recordings link near the bottom of the page.
Download the recording you'll be using to your computer:
Caution: Special Steps When You Use the Backup Recording
If you choose to use the backup recording for autopilot, you'll need to start your AutoPilot recording at the webcast start time since backup recordings usually include 15 minutes of on-hold music (the backup recording begins 15 minutes before event time). To do this, check the box next to "Show Advanced Autopilot Playback Settings" and then select "webcast starting time." If you are unsure of what to do here, please click the green Help button in your members area to get help from tech support.
Once downloaded to your computer, return to the Autopilot tab to upload the file:
Finalizing Your Autopilot
Step 1: Select the future event you'll be using for AutoPilot:
Step 2: Select the audio you want to broadcast into your event:
Step 3: Click the "Set Autopilot" button and wait for the confirmation message.
What's Not Automated with Autopilot?
At this time, autopilot is for audio-only events and will not work for events with slides.
Also, if you want the recording to appear automatically on your replay page, you still must login to the system to press the "Start Recording" button when the event starts, as we have not yet automated this step. However, if you record your call using Instant Teleseminar, a workaround would be to use the original recording URL as your replay page.
Comments
This is great news!
Two qs:
1. I log into one of my client's accounts and the events scheduled for a different account show up in the autopilot area - what's that about?
2. Are you planning on adding a feature so you can have an "event" scheduled to repeat every week, day, month, whatever - rather than having to schedule, for instance, the same call every week and then do the autopilot scheduling?
Thanks,
Hi Carrie -
1. If you're managing different Instant Teleseminar accounts, you'll have to log out entirely of one account before signing into the other account, otherwise the cookies may confuse the AutoPilot system.
2. We considered doing the repeatable scheduling but opted to release the feature sooner rather than spend additional dev time. So for now, it's a manual scheduling process.
Hi Joel,
1. I did that - more than once -even tried closing and reopening the browser, clearing cookies and trying Firefox v. IE - continued to happen.....
2. Oh well that's too bad - it's really an important feature to include.
Thanks,
Carrie, you should be able to get around this problem by clicking the "sign out" link in the lower left hand side of the page, and then signing in again. Under rare circumstances, you may also need to try and log in from the page: http://cti.nfinite.com/cgi-bin/login.cgi , click the "settings" tab, then click the "Logout" link on that page to sign into your own account. You should also have access to the "autopilot" page from the far right hand side of that page as well, if you continue to have difficulties accessing the feature. Let me know if that does not work for you, and I will be happy to give you a hand.
-Jon
503-290-5600
I can custom build a Web page that hosts Instant Teleseminar customers' autopilot event materials (Web player code, phone info code, submit a question, etc) and that also adds an iframe custom live chat. See my own example at
http://elderforestpublishing.com/AALive/Preview-South-Bend-Life-Sto...
I can do this for $100. If customer needs a custom slide show built, an additional $49 fee would apply (they supply the ideas/info, I build it)
Just a thought if anyone is interested. If so, please email markbottita@gmail.com or you could even reach my toll-free number at 1-800-428-0552 extension 1.
Great stuff, Xiosoft! Keep up the great work!