Virtual Vendor Guide: Transitioning From In-Person Workshops To Online Sessions
Transforming your in-person activity or workshop into a virtual experience is not as simple as copying your original layout and dropping it into an online platform. To help with the transition, we have created a list of helpful tips for bolstering your virtual offerings.
- Make It A 2-Way Conversation
Without an in-person audience, facilitators and speakers can often fall into a one-sided conversation that is unengaging. Be sure to scatter questions and discussions throughout your workshop so team members can participate, stay alert, and feel included. - Virtual Activities Don’t Have To Become Presentations
Don’t limit yourself to a spoken presentation just because your activity is communicated through a screen. Keep the essence of your experience in tact by continuing to include hands-on demonstrations and interactive experiences. Participants will love getting up from their desk to try something new. - Additional Platform Features
Take full advantage of the platform’s additional features to make your program interactive for ultimate engagement. Your activities and learning objectives may be better executed and received with different delivery methods. Examples of additional features: Live Chats, Breakout Rooms, Q&A Sessions, Polls, Whiteboards, and more. - Strong Internet Connection
A strong internet connection ensures your service is not interrupted by technical difficulties and keeps participants continuously engaged. Zoom’s required minimum bandwidth is 600kbps and recommends a bandwidth of 1.5 Mbps. You can check your Internet speed using Fast.com. - Use Creative Content
Like in-person presentations, it is important for activity and workshop providers to use visuals that support their message. With virtual platforms, facilitators can share their screen, powerpoint presentations, video clips and more to enhance the learning experience. Determine what content is best delivered with spoken word and what can be transformed into alternative content for more variety. - Make It Short & Sweet
Virtual experiences are typically shorter than in-person ones, lasting around 60-90 minutes. Find ways to save time and concentrate on main messages to avoid having participants feeling restless. If your experience requires a longer time period, be sure to account for breaks.
A Few Extra Thoughts
- Keep your energy up! Participants will feed off of your liveliness.
- Have compassion and patience for participants less experienced with virtual platforms.
- Use tools and materials that most people would have on hand at home.
- Send out feedback and reference materials immediately following the session while the content is fresh in participants’ minds.
- Position yourself in a room with sufficient lighting for a bright and clear image.
- Have everything you need by your side before beginning (a beverage, pen, paper, etc.).
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