CMS training videos

These videos will walk you through everything you need to know to create engaging, accessible, and well-organized digital experiences.

Each video focuses on a specific feature or workflow, making it easy to learn at your own pace and revisit topics. By the end of this series, you'll have the knowledge and practical skills to create a guide that helps visitors discover, navigate, and connect with your organization's stories.

Video 1: Navigating the CMS

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Before you begin creating content, it's important to understand how to navigate the Content Management System and where to find the tools you'll use every day. In this video, we'll take a guided tour of the CMS interface, highlighting the key areas that help you build, manage, and review your guide.  

You'll learn how to identify whether your guide is public or private, how to preview your work before publishing, and where to access your account settings and support resources. We'll also explore the five main sections of the CMS: Content, Assets, Guide, Reports, and Tools. Along the way, we'll explain the purpose of each area and share important tips, such as how assets are used throughout your guide and why reports are only available after your guide goes live.  

By the end of this video, you'll feel confident moving around the CMS and know exactly where to go to create content, manage media, and prepare your guide for visitors.

Video 2: CMS Content Types

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Understanding the different content types in your guide is the key to building a clear, engaging experience for your visitors. In this video, we'll walk through the core content types available in the CMS and explain how each one is designed to help you organize and present information effectively.  

You'll learn the difference between Items, Botanical Items, Exhibitions, Tours, and Events, including when to use each type and how they appear to users in the guide. We'll also explore real-world examples that demonstrate how these content types can be adapted for a variety of storytelling and interpretive goals—from showcasing artworks and plant collections to creating timelines, guided tours, and event-based experiences.

Whether you're creating your first guide or refining an existing one, understanding these building blocks will help you structure content in a way that is intuitive, flexible, and engaging. Let's get started by exploring the foundation of every guide: content types.

Video 3: Content Types: Items & Botanical Items

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Items are the foundation of content creation in Bloomberg Connects. Whether you're showcasing an artwork, historical object, plant specimen, or piece of interpretive content, every visitor experience begins with an item. In this video, you'll learn how to create and publish an item in the CMS, from entering essential information to preparing content for review and publication.  

We'll walk through each field in the item form, including titles, creator information, dates, materials, descriptions, and supporting media. You'll also learn how to connect items to exhibitions and tours, assign lookup numbers, and use related content to encourage deeper exploration of your guide. Along the way, we'll discuss best practices for writing meaningful interpretive text and explain the difference between saving content as a draft and publishing it for review.  

By the end of this video, you'll understand how to build complete, engaging item pages that provide visitors with valuable context and create the foundation for a rich guide experience.

Video 4: Content Types: Exhibitions

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When you want to present multiple pieces of content as a cohesive experience, exhibitions provide a powerful way to organize and connect information within your guide. Whether you're showcasing a curated collection of artworks, telling a multi-part story, or grouping related resources together, exhibitions help visitors explore content in a clear and meaningful way.  

In this video, you'll learn how to create an exhibition in the Bloomberg Connects CMS, from adding images and descriptions to selecting display dates and organizing items. We'll cover the different display period options, explain how exhibitions can support both physical and digital experiences, and demonstrate how to choose the best layout and section titles for your audience. You'll also learn how to incorporate audio and video, connect related content, and manage visibility settings for temporary exhibitions.  

By the end of this video, you'll know how to build engaging exhibition experiences that help visitors discover connections between content and navigate your guide with confidence.

Video 5: Content Types: Tours

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Want to create a guided experience that leads visitors through your space and tells a story along the way? Tours are one of the most powerful content types in Bloomberg Connects, allowing you to connect objects, locations, and narratives into a structured visitor journey.  

In this video, you'll learn how to create a tour in the CMS and understand what makes tours different from other grouped content types like exhibitions. We'll walk through the key fields you'll need to complete, including titles, images, display periods, estimated duration, and multimedia assets. You'll also learn how to add tour stops, organize content in a meaningful sequence, and ensure that each stop is properly mapped for visitors.  

We'll cover common issues, such as missing location information, and explain how location data affects what users see in the guide. By the end of this video, you'll be ready to build engaging, location-aware tours that help visitors navigate your space and experience your content in the order you intend.

Video 6: Content Types: Events

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Events help visitors stay informed about the programs, performances, screenings, talks, and special experiences happening at your organization. In this video, you'll learn how to create event content in the Bloomberg Connects CMS so that visitors have all the information they need to participate.  

We'll walk through the event creation process, including adding images, titles, dates, times, and descriptions that clearly communicate what the event is about and who should attend. You'll also learn how to manage event visibility, including how to automatically remove outdated events from public view once they have passed. In addition, we'll cover optional enhancements such as audio, video, and related content that can help provide visitors with additional context and resources.  

By the end of this video, you'll know how to create informative, engaging event pages that keep your guide current, organized, and easy for visitors to navigate. Let's get started and learn how to share your organization's upcoming events with confidence.

Video 7: Assets: Images

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Images are often the first thing visitors notice when exploring your guide, making them one of the most important assets you'll manage in the Bloomberg Connects CMS. In this video, you'll learn how to upload, edit, and optimize images to create a visually engaging and accessible experience for your audience.

We'll explore the different ways to add images to the CMS, whether you're uploading them individually, adding them in bulk, or attaching them while creating content. You'll also learn how to adjust image crops for different display formats, write effective captions, and create meaningful alt text that improves accessibility for all users. Along the way, we'll discuss image credits, legal considerations, and best practices for ensuring your images accurately represent the stories and experiences you're sharing.  

By the end of this video, you'll understand how to manage image assets efficiently and ensure every image in your guide is informative, accessible, and presented exactly as intended.

Video 8: Assets: Audio

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Audio content can transform a guide from a simple collection of information into a rich, engaging experience that brings stories, voices, and expertise directly to your visitors. In this video, you'll learn how to upload and manage audio assets in the Bloomberg Connects CMS, ensuring your content is both compelling and accessible.  

We'll cover the different ways to add audio files to the CMS, explain the importance of completing audio metadata, and share best practices for creating clear, informative titles and descriptions. You'll also learn why transcripts are a required part of every audio asset and how they support accessibility for visitors who are deaf, hard of hearing, or simply prefer to read along. Additionally, we'll discuss how audio information appears within the guide and on users' devices, helping you create a polished listening experience.  

By the end of this video, you'll know how to prepare audio assets that enhance your content, meet accessibility requirements, and provide meaningful engagement for every visitor.

Video 9: Assets: Video

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Video can be a powerful storytelling tool, helping visitors experience movement, demonstrations, performances, and other visual moments that can't be fully captured through text or audio alone. In this video, you'll learn how to upload, manage, and optimize video assets in the Bloomberg Connects CMS.  

We'll review supported video formats, recommended specifications, and best practices for deciding when video is the right medium for your content. You'll also learn the different ways to add videos to the CMS, how to complete the required metadata fields, and why transcripts and captions are essential for accessibility. In addition, we'll cover video credits, thumbnail images, and tips for creating a polished viewing experience that helps visitors understand what your video is about before they press play.  

By the end of this video, you'll know how to prepare video assets that are engaging, accessible, and ready to enhance your guide with rich visual storytelling.

Video 10: Assets: Creators

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Maintaining consistency across your guide is essential, especially when you're presenting information about artists, makers, and creators. In this video, you'll learn how to use the Creator Library in the Bloomberg Connects CMS to standardize creator information and ensure it appears accurately throughout your content.  

We'll explore what makes the Creator asset unique, how it differs from other asset types, and when it's most useful to use. You'll learn how to create creator records, add names and life dates, and understand how these entries can be reused across multiple items in your guide. We'll also discuss the benefits of maintaining a centralized creator library, including improved accuracy, consistency, and a better experience for your visitors.  

By the end of this video, you'll know how to build and manage a Creator Library that keeps your guide organized, professional, and easy to maintain as your content grows.

Video 11: Related Content

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Not every connection in your guide fits neatly into a tour, exhibition, or content hierarchy. Sometimes the most meaningful relationships exist between content that lives in different areas of your guide. That's where the Related Content feature comes in.  

In this video, you'll learn how to use Related Content to create connections that help visitors discover additional information, explore deeper context, and navigate your guide more intuitively. We'll look at common use cases, such as linking artist biographies to artworks, connecting pieces by the same creator across different exhibitions, or highlighting related events and resources. You'll also learn how to search for content within your CMS, add multiple related items, and write clear relationship labels that help users understand why content is connected.  

By the end of this video, you'll know how to create thoughtful content pathways that encourage exploration, improve discoverability, and help visitors uncover the rich connections that exist throughout your guide.

Video 12: Previewing Your Content

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Before publishing your guide, it's important to see your content the same way your visitors will. Bloomberg Connects provides multiple preview options that allow you to review your guide throughout the creation process, helping you catch issues early and ensure every detail looks exactly as intended.  

In this video, you'll learn how to preview both individual pieces of content and your guide as a whole using the CMS. We'll explain the difference between visitor view and internal review mode, show you how to preview published and draft content, and demonstrate the tools available for quick quality checks during development. You'll also learn how to access Internal Mode within the Bloomberg Connects app, allowing you to experience your guide in the same environment your visitors will use.  

By the end of this video, you'll understand how to use preview tools effectively to review layouts, verify content, test functionality, and ensure your guide delivers the best possible experience before it goes live.

Video 13: Home Screen

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Creating content is only part of building a successful Bloomberg Connects guide. To make that content visible and accessible to visitors, it must be organized and presented on your guide's home screen. In this video, you'll learn how to structure your guide's homepage to create a clear, engaging experience for your audience.  

We'll walk through how to create and manage sections, organize content into meaningful categories, and control the order in which visitors encounter information. You'll learn how to add content to sections, customize existing layouts, and understand why content won't appear in your guide until it's placed on the home screen. We'll also explore best practices for organizing sections such as "Start Here," "On View," and other visitor-focused experiences.  

By the end of this video, you'll know how to transform a collection of content into a well-organized guide that helps visitors quickly discover what's most relevant, making navigation intuitive and exploration effortless.

Video 14: About, Hours, Locations

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The information in your guide's About section helps visitors understand who you are, where to find you, and what they can expect from their experience. In this video, you'll learn how to complete and maintain the About area of your Bloomberg Connects guide, ensuring visitors have access to accurate and helpful organizational information.  

We'll walk through how to add locations, manage hours of operation, upload logos and organization images, and write an effective organizational description. You'll also learn how location information affects your visibility within the Bloomberg Connects Explore feature and why it's important to include only public-facing locations. Along the way, we'll discuss best practices for communicating closures, special circumstances, and other updates that may impact a visitor's experience.  

By the end of this video, you'll understand how to create an informative About section that helps visitors find your organization, plan their visit, and gain a clearer understanding of the stories and experiences your guide offers.

Video 15: Publishing & Visibility

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Creating great content is only part of managing a successful Bloomberg Connects guide. It's equally important to understand how content visibility works so that visitors only see what you're ready to share. In this video, you'll learn how published and draft content behave within the CMS and how those settings affect what users can discover.  

We'll explain the relationship between publishing, searchability, and placement within your guide, including an important distinction: published content can be found by users even if it hasn't been added to your home screen. You'll also learn how to manage content visibility using the More Actions menu, where you can publish, unpublish, generate QR codes, and remove content when necessary. Finally, we'll discuss best practices for keeping works-in-progress hidden from visitors and ensuring that only finalized content is available to the public.  

By the end of this video, you'll understand how to confidently control what visitors can access and maintain a guide that is organized, accurate, and ready for exploration.

Video 16: Exterior Maps

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Maps help bridge the gap between your digital guide and the physical spaces your visitors explore. A well-designed map makes it easier for users to navigate your organization, discover nearby points of interest, and understand how content connects to real-world locations. In this video, you'll learn how to create and manage an exterior map in the Bloomberg Connects CMS.  

We'll cover the purpose of exterior maps, how they support wayfinding for visitors, and the steps required to set up your map correctly. You'll learn how your organization's address influences the map's location, orientation, and zoom level, why accurate location information is essential, and how exterior maps support institutions with multiple buildings, campuses, gardens, parks, and offsite locations. We'll also explain how the Bloomberg Connects Google Maps integration works and what visitors will actually see when using the guide.  

By the end of this video, you'll have a strong foundation for creating an exterior map that helps visitors find your organization and navigate your spaces with confidence.

Video 17: Interior Maps

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Maps play a critical role in helping visitors navigate your organization and connect digital content to the physical spaces around them. In this video, you'll learn how to create and manage maps in the Bloomberg Connects CMS to provide a seamless wayfinding experience for your audience.  

We'll explore the difference between exterior and interior maps, why both are important, and how they help visitors locate exhibitions, objects, buildings, and amenities. You'll also learn how to add and position buildings, upload floor maps, organize multiple floors, and choose the best default view for your visitors. Along the way, we'll cover practical tips for naming buildings, placing map pins accurately, and structuring floor maps to reflect your real-world environment.  

Whether you're managing a single gallery or a multi-building campus, these mapping tools help visitors feel confident exploring your space. Let's get started and build a map experience that makes your guide easier to navigate and more useful for every visitor.

Video 18: Interior Pins

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Interior map pins help visitors navigate your building by connecting digital content directly to physical locations. Whether you're guiding guests to exhibitions, artworks, galleries, service areas, or tour stops, well-placed interior pins make it easier for visitors to explore your space with confidence. In this video, you'll learn how to create and manage interior map pins within the Bloomberg Connects CMS.  

We'll walk through the process of adding pins to floor maps, attaching guide content, and creating clear location names that align with your building's signage and visitor experience. You'll also learn how to position pins accurately, understand the difference between "Show on Map" and "Feature on Map," and use each feature to improve navigation and content discovery. Along the way, we'll share practical tips for avoiding map clutter and ensuring your floor maps remain intuitive and easy to use.  

By the end of this video, you'll know how to build a visitor-friendly indoor navigation experience that helps users find exactly what they're looking for while exploring your organization.

Video 19: Exterior Pins

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Map pins are one of the most important tools for connecting your digital guide to real-world locations. They help visitors find exhibitions, artworks, events, tour stops, and other points of interest by showing exactly where content is located on your exterior map. In this video, you'll learn how to create and manage exterior map pins in the Bloomberg Connects CMS.  

We'll walk through the process of attaching content to a pin, creating clear and useful location names, and placing pins accurately on your map using either drag-and-drop placement or geographic coordinates. You'll also learn how the "Show on Map" and "Feature on Map" options work, when to use them, and how they help visitors discover and navigate your content. Along the way, we'll share best practices for designing maps from a visitor's perspective, keeping information clear, reducing clutter, and ensuring every pin serves a meaningful purpose.  

By the end of this video, you'll be able to create an intuitive exterior map experience that helps visitors explore your organization with confidence.