The other side of the online virtual workshop
Over the past year, I’ve been facilitating over fifty online classes and virtual training sessions, and this year it will be even more. More and more companies are opting for virtual training rather than in-person, as it caters to an increasing number of people working remotely or in teams that are spread throughout multiple locations.
Over time I’ve tested a variety of ways to deliver these training sessions, so my work with clients would be even more impactful, entertaining and easier for me to facilitate.
Initially, I delivered them sitting at my desk, with simple room light and a headset microphone. I felt stifled and unable to bring across the energy and impact I offer in an in-person presentation. Something wasn’t right.
I’ve been asked many times about how I do it, so here are the two main aspects I changed, hoping that this will be useful to you as well.
Structure: electronics, furniture, and tools I’m using
Managing the online workshops: how to set up your screens, zoom windows, PowerPoint, etc., so you can manage everything on your own
Structure
I thought that the main thing for me was to “unshackle” myself from the constricting structures around me: my desk, my office chair and the microphone wires connected to my head. Plus, as a true Italian, I needed space to express myself fully and allow for hand movements and gesticulation.
So, step one, I decided that I would deliver my workshops standing up. I have an old wooden kitchen table for a desk, and I didn’t want to replace it as it provided the right amount of space for my monitors. Instead, I removed the legs and replaced it with four fence posts that I cleaned up, sanded down, stained and cut to my height. Now, I could deliver standing! And just in case I wanted to mix it up, I also bought a high office chair for when I felt like sitting down.
Second, I needed a microphone that allowed me to move around without any wires hanging from my neck. I got an AT2020 Microphone and placed it on an adjustable mic suspension scissor arm stand to my left. That way I could swivel it close to me during the workshops and move to the side when unneeded.
I also upgraded to a Logitech HD Pro webcam and placed it on the center monitor. I can raise the monitor so it will be at eye level when I stand.
Lighting needed to improve as well as I looked pale or yellow or sometimes even red depending on the time of day and the light. So, I chose to add a dimmable LEF Video light which I placed on the side—cheap and easily adjustable. I added a stand to raise it at a level about one foot higher than my head.
I have two monitors + the laptop screen, an additional keyboard, and a mouse.
I got an ethernet cable and always connect to my Wi-Fi box during my online workshops. Even if you believe the Wi-Fi connection is fast enough, with cable the connection is always faster, and you’ll avoid problems. Remember, sharing your screen, video, plus sound will use quite a bit of bandwidth.
Managing your workshop windows
Now here is how you can set up your applications, so they’ll be easier to manage. When you are delivering, you want everything accessible and visible. The way I set mine up is very simple and