Getting Started with Templates

1. Consider Your Use Case

Before you start building a template, take time to define the purpose and goals of the video. A clear use case ensures that the template meets your organization's needs and is easy for Contributors to customize. Ask yourself:

• Who is the target audience for this video?
• What is the main message or action I want to drive?
• What level of personalization is needed? The answer to this question will help determine which input fields you will create later in the process.

2. Create a Template from Scratch

Start by creating a new template in SundaySky. Click Create in the sidebar and then select New template from scratch.
Next, enter the key details that will help Contributors identify and use the template:

• In the Template name field, enter a clear, descriptive name that reflects the purpose of the template (for example, Post-Meeting Recap or New Customer Welcome). This makes it easier for Contributors to recognize the right template at a glance.
• In the Template purpose field, select the relevant purpose. Templates in Amplify are organized by purpose, making it easier for Contributors to find them. If the purpose you need is not in the list, you can add a new one.
• In the Description field, write a concise description that explains what the template should be used for.

3. Define the Global Video Settings

In the Studio, start by configuring the global settings that will apply to the entire video. These settings include the brand, theme, background music, and AI voice.

For detailed instructions on these settings, refer to the following sections in the SundaySky Create Help Center:

• Defining Your Brand
• Defining the Look & Feel

4. Add Scenes and Content

Build your template by adding scenes and content. Select layouts with the elements (such as bullets or buttons) that best support your message. Configure the various placeholders (text, media, narration) with content that will be available to all viewers. Personalization will be handled in a later step, so focus on the core structure and messaging at this stage.

For step-by-step instructions on any related topic, visit the SundaySky Create Help Center and search for the topic.

5. Set Up the Input Fields Library

Add the input fields that will be used to personalize the video. These fields determine what content Contributors in Amplify can customize.

Here are some examples of input fields for a post-meeting recap template:

• A free-form text field for entering an action item
• A multiple choice field for indicating the next step
• A media upload field for displaying a company logo

The Input Fields Library is divided into two sections:

• Template Fields: Fields specific to the current template, defined by the Editor.
• System Fields: Fields automatically populated from the contact information that the Contributor enters in Amplify.

Define your input fields carefully to make it easy for Contributors to personalize the template and create accurate, relevant videos.

See Setting Up the Input Fields Library for detailed instructions.

6. Configure Input Fields for Contributors

Once you've set up all the input fields you want to use, you're ready to personalize your template. Templates use the same personalization methods as standard videos, including audience messaging, 1:1 personalization, and show/skip scene.

When working with templates, there are two important distinctions to keep in mind:

Input Field Configuration: When you add an input field to a scene, you must define how Contributors will interact with that field. You configure these settings using the Input Form Builder, which appears on the right side of your screen when adding input fields to scenes.

Personalization Process: The actual video personalization happens in Amplify, where Contributors use the customized form you've created to generate personalized videos for specific recipients.

See Configuring Input Fields in a Scene for detailed instructions.

7. Preview and Test Your Template

Once you've finished creating your template and configuring all input fields, it's essential to preview how it will work for Contributors.

The preview window shows you exactly what Contributors will see:

• Left panel: The input form that Contributors will fill out
• Right panel: The video that updates as form fields are completed

You can use this preview to test the complete user experience. Fill out the form and watch how your entries are reflected in the video. This allows you to:

• Verify that all input fields work correctly
• Check that the input field labels are clear and easy to understand
• Confirm that personalized content appears correctly in the video as you fill out the form

If you notice any issues while previewing, you can easily return to the Studio to make adjustments.

See Previewing a Template for detailed instructions.

8. Set Sharing Methods for Your Template

As the Editor, you need to define how Contributors can share videos generated from the template. These sharing methods are configured on the Template Page and determine which methods will be available to Contributors.

The available methods are web-based sharing, email, and MP4 download. With web-based sharing, Contributors can either share videos via a landing page hosted by SundaySky or embed the video on a website. Both the landing page and the embed code must be configured before they can be enabled.

See Setting Up Sharing Methods for a Template for detailed instructions.

9. Publish the Template to Amplify

Publishing your template is the final step in the workflow. Once published, the template becomes available in Amplify and can be accessed by all Contributors in your organization.

From there, Contributors can use the template to quickly create and personalize videos for their audiences.

If you make any changes to the template in the future, you will need to publish it again to ensure Contributors have access to the latest version.

10. Monitor Template Performance

After publishing your template, track its performance using the available dashboards.

You can view:

• How many templates are currently in use
• The number of active Contributors
• Total videos created and sharing methods used
• Per-template metrics such as views, button clicks, and engagement

Monitoring these metrics helps you optimize your templates and ensure they deliver results.