Hello friends,
Many thanks for reading The Quest, your weekly round-up of tips and insights to help you design and lead exceptional online sessions that your group members will love.❤️
I’m excited to share a simple 3-question framework for getting to know your audience.
It’s the secret to designing a value-packed live session that your audience will rave about.
Let’s jump right in!
Have you ever been in a live session that completely missed the mark?
You know the one. The presenter has great content, but something’s off. It feels generic like they’ve delivered it a million times before. That’s because, well, they probably have.
The problem?
They didn’t design the session with their specific audience in mind.
It’s one of the most common mistakes live session leaders make.
And it happens all the time—especially with webinars and online courses. It’s like trying to hit a target while blindfolded. You might get lucky, but chances are, you’re going to miss.
Here’s the thing: Every live session has a SPECIFIC audience.
I’m talking about the exact people who show up for your session (or catch the replay). When you understand who they are you’re far more likely to create a session that’s engaging, valuable, and exactly what they need.
Getting to know your online audience can be tough.
Unlike in-person work, you will likely have zero contact with your online audience. So how do you get to know the people you’re designing for?
Enter the ✨Audience Analysis✨
It’s a simple 3-question framework that helps you design sessions that are right on target for your audience.
In the Audience Analysis, you answer three main questions about your specific audience. It helps you go beyond the surface into the things that make your group truly unique.
Here are the 3 questions to ask👇
1️⃣ Who are they?
It’s not enough to know their job titles. Go deeper.
What’s their background? What’s their experience level? How are they similar, and how are they different?
By understanding these nuances you’ll be able to design a session that speaks directly to their experiences and needs.
2️⃣ What are their expectations?
We’ve all heard the question, “What are you hoping to get out of the session?”. That’s a good starting point. But let’s dig deeper.
Why did they choose your session? What challenges are they hoping to solve? What do they want to walk away with?
Knowing this, you can tailor your session to provide exactly what they’re looking for, making it genuinely useful and immediately valuable.
3️⃣ What are their hesitations and concerns?
This is a big one that often gets overlooked. But this is where you’ll find some of the most valuable design insights.
What might hold them back from fully engaging? Are they there by choice, or did someone send them? Are there power dynamics at play? Is Zoom fatigue a factor?
By addressing these unspoken concerns in your session design, you create a space where people can fully engage.
🤔How do you get the information you need for your Audience Analysis?
You might be wondering, “Okay, but how do I actually find out this stuff?”
Here are 5 tried-and-true methods:
1/ 📋Pre-Session Surveys: When people register for your session, ask them 1-2 key questions. For example, I always ask what types of sessions they lead and their biggest challenge with online facilitation. Simple, but super insightful.
2/ 🤝1:1 Interviews: I like to do quick, 15-minute calls before my Breakthrough Facilitation course to get to know participants better. This helps me understand what success looks like for them.
3/ 🙌 Client Consult: If you’re running a session for an organization, tap into your client’s knowledge. They can tell you about the audience’s experience, group dynamics, and what would make the session most valuable.
4/ 👀Audience Member Research: Spend some time on LinkedIn or company bios. This can give you a solid understanding of who’s in the room so you can design with the actual participants in mind.
5/ ✋In-Session Surveys: Sometimes, you won’t have all the info upfront. That’s okay! Use polls, chat prompts, or word clouds during the session to get a quick read on things like experience levels or biggest challenges.
Remember, the more information you have about your specific audience upfront, the better equipped you are to design a session that truly resonates.
So, how do you get to know your specific audience? I’d love to hear your tips – just hit reply and let me know!
This Week’s Facilitator Finds 💪
1/ Strategies to Keep Your Virtual Audience Connected and Focused. A Forbes article by friend and StreamAlive founder Lux Narayan with brilliant insights for better virtual meetings.
2/ Why Designing for Introverts is Better for Everyone. A newsletter post by Priya Parker with tips on how shy hosts can design gatherings for everyone.
3/ Jan Keck’s Foundation Facilitation Methodologies. A LinkedIn post with a comprehensive list of Jan’s go-to proven facilitation methodologies.
💌 Thanks for reading The Quest
I always love hearing your feedback and suggestions. Just hit reply to share your thoughts and ideas.
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Creatively yours,
Whenever you are ready there are 2 more ways I can help you:
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👉 Live Session Design Video Course. Live Session Magic gives you a proven system for designing consistently high-quality online sessions. Join the interest list here and be the first to get access.
👉5-week Live Online Course. The Breakthrough Facilitation course gives you tools, personalized feedback, and a proven framework for designing and leading high-engagement live sessions. Join the interest list and be the first to get the next cohort dates and discounts.
