Communicating through the digital world has been a prevalent part of our society for some time now. Yet, with self-isolation, the use of video communication is more popular than ever! Platforms like Zoom have become a leading communication tool on the market as they allow people from across the globe to stay connected. While video conferencing is now seen as an essential communication channel, this has set a foundation for the value of online workshops.

At The Acquisition Group, we have always sought to conduct daily workshops with our team members. We believe that workshops enable our team to explore an array of innovative topics that help further enhance their career and personal growth. With video conferencing considered a main mode of communication, our team has begun integrating online workshops into our daily routines. From our experience so far, here are a few tips we suggest you use when conducting your online workshops!

Set Guidelines

Many people have never participated in online workshops before, in which case, it becomes your responsibility to provide a clear understanding of how participants can get involved during the workshop. This can comprise of sharing rules of engagement at the beginning of your workshop. For example, a rule could be that participants should use emoticons in the chat function if they have a question. Setting these guidelines at the start is one of the key elements to fostering a friendly and collaborative workshop environment for your audience.

Keep it Short & Sweet

What is true for an in-person workshop is doubly true for a virtual workshop. According to a study led by Microsoft, the average person has the attention span of 8.25 seconds! So, trying to cram too much information in a workshop can be off-putting for your audience. Instead, keep your messages concise and to the point. Less is always more!

Encourage Involvement

Encouraging engagement is a wonderful way to make your workshop seem less like a lecture and more like an interactive discussion. While directly calling on individuals has become a popular way to keep consistent involvement, sometimes people get nervous about speaking up or find it difficult to jump into a discussion. With this in mind, try to switch things up! If you choose to use a platform like Zoom, they have various features including screen sharing, annotating shared content, polls, and a chat function. You can also split up your participants into video breakout rooms, or send them to a website to have them fill out a Google Doc. By integrating diverse tools, you will boost audience presence and effectively drive more conversations throughout your workshop!

Find a Co-Facilitator

When running an online workshop with a larger audience, it can sometimes be overwhelming for the facilitator. An easy strategy to mitigate this problem is by finding a co-facilitator. This individual can manage aspects of the online workshop such as incoming questions in the chat, coordinating any of the interactive activities planned or providing technical support. With the co-facilitator dedicated to making sure the workshop is running smoothly, the facilitator can completely concentrate on conducting a successful workshop.

Practice

Like any presentation, you must practice in order to feel confident. Try talking in front of a mirror or record yourself conducting your workshop. This is a terrific way to prepare and hone your presentation skills. In addition, take the time to check over the technical components of your workshop. Triple check your slides, visual aids and interactive features. Practice your workshop with a friend over the video conference platform you choose to use. This will be a useful test to ensure everything is functioning properly. Although, be mindful that technical difficulties still may occur. With this in mind, create a backup plan in the event that you do experience any problems. It is always better to be prepared!

Have Some Fun

Lastly, bring some excitement to your online workshop! With the time you have with your audience, it is your goal to bring them together to engage in meaningful discussions. By adding some fun elements and exercises, this creates a more comfortable space for your participants to share their ideas and collaborate with others. No matter what the topic of your workshop may be, there are a plethora of directions you can delve into with making your online workshop fun. So, take this opportunity to elevate your workshop by just having fun with it!