Previewing a Journey

NextSteps, a powerful digital tool developed by the Jesus Film Project, offers a robust preview feature that allows you to experience your journey from a user's perspective. This guide will walk you through the process of previewing your journey and gathering valuable feedback to enhance its effectiveness.

The Importance of Previewing

Previewing your journey is a crucial step in the content creation process. It allows you to:

• Ensure your journey flows logically
• Verify that all elements are displaying correctly
• Experience the journey as your audience will
• Identify areas for improvement before launch

Step-by-Step Guide to Previewing Your Journey

Step 1: Access the Preview Feature

1. Log in to your NextSteps account.
2. Navigate to your journey in the journey builder interface.
3. Locate the "Play" button at the top of the interface.

Step 2: Launch the Preview

1. Click the "Play" button to launch a live version of your journey.
2. The preview will open in a new tab or window, showing your journey as users will see it.

Step 3: Explore Your Journey

1. Start with the first title card, which serves as the introduction to your journey.
2. Navigate through each card in your journey, paying attention to:
   • Text readability
   • Image and video quality
   • Button functionality
   • Overall flow and coherence

Step 4: Test Calls to Action

1. Interact with any calls to action (CTAs) in your journey.
2. Ensure that all links are working correctly and leading to the intended destinations.
3. Verify that CTA buttons are clearly visible and compelling.

Step 5: Mobile Responsiveness

1. Test your journey on different devices (desktop, tablet, mobile) to ensure responsiveness.
2. Check that all elements adjust appropriately to different screen sizes.

Best Practices for Journey Testing

Gather Real User Feedback

1. Share your journey preview with a diverse group of test users.
2. Ask for honest and constructive feedback on various aspects of the journey.
3. Consider using structured feedback methods like the "I Like, I Wish, What If" technique to organize responses.

Iterate Based on Feedback

1. Analyze the feedback you receive from test users.
2. Identify common themes or issues in the feedback.
3. Make necessary adjustments to your journey based on this input.

Regular Testing

1. Preview your journey at various stages of development, not just at the end.
2. Conduct multiple rounds of testing to ensure continuous improvement.

Important Notes

• URL Changes: If you modify the URL of your journey, you must relaunch the preview to see the updated version.
• Real-World Testing: While the preview feature is powerful, nothing beats testing with real users. Encourage honest feedback to make your journey as effective as possible.
• Cross-Platform Compatibility: Ensure your journey works well across different browsers and devices.

Leveraging NextSteps Support

For more detailed information on using NextSteps and its features, including the preview function, visit the NextSteps Support Page. Here, you can find additional resources, troubleshooting guides, and answers to frequently asked questions.

Previewing your NextSteps journey is an essential part of creating an engaging and effective digital experience. By following these steps and best practices, you can ensure that your journey resonates with your audience and achieves its intended goals. Remember, the key to a successful journey is continuous improvement based on real user feedback and thorough testing.For more resources on digital ministry and tools, explore the Jesus Film Project Tools page, where you can find additional information on leveraging digital platforms for impactful outreach.