Hello friends,
Greetings from Barcelona.☀️
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 sharing a simple but often overlooked method for getting instant feedback on your live sessions that I’ve been reminded of over the past week.
It will give you immediate insights and quick wins you can apply straight away to your live sessions. And it won’t cost you a penny.
Let’s dive right in.
What if I told you there is a really easy way to get valuable feedback on your live sessions?
It’s a method used by top athletes and politicians preparing for high-stakes debates. And if you lead live online sessions it can quickly level up your skills.
What is this magical method?
✨Watch yourself on camera.✨
I know – this may feel awkward. And if you are like me you may cringe at the idea of seeing yourself on camera. But once you push through the awkwardness there’s gold in that replay.
Why does it work?
Because you can see yourself from a new angle, and spot things that you might miss in real time.
I’ve discovered some easy-to-fix issues.
For example, I realized I was moving around the screen a lot. I have a habit of saying “OK, um” a lot. Once I even noticed that my glasses were crooked. 😅
And I know what I need to work on.
For example, looking at the camera and making eye contact. Eliminating filler words. And smoother transitions when sharing screens.
Approach it like a detective (not a critic)
It’s easy to fall into the downward spiral of self-criticism. Trust me, I’ve been there! Instead, think of yourself as a detective. Your job is to uncover clues that will help you get even better. 🔎
But you need to know what you are looking for.
Here are 6 clues to look out for that will help you improve your design, delivery, and confidence.
1) ✨Energy level:
Your energy sets the tone. But being on screen has the effect of dampening your energy level – without you even realizing it.
Ask yourself: How animated are you? Where’s your energy level where you want it to be?
Tip: When in doubt dial it up a few notches to counter the camera’s energy-sapping effect (while still feeling natural).
2) 👀Eye contact:
It’s easy to get distracted by notes, slides, and gallery views. But eye contact is key to engaging your audience.
Ask yourself: How much eye contact are you making with the camera? Where do you tend to look?
Tip: Position your webcam so you are looking straight into the camera keeping your notes and slides in your peripheral vision.
3) 🎙️Production quality:
You don’t need a professional studio. But your audience can connect with you way better if they can see and hear you clearly.
Ask yourself: How’s your lighting, framing, and sound quality?
Tip: Make sure your face is well-lit, and consider investing in an affordable mic for clearer audio.
4) 💡Session flow.
You might think your session flows well, but watching the replay helps you see where things might drag or rush.
Ask yourself: Are you spending the right amount of time on each section?
Tip: Take detailed notes on your outline and where you may need to make tweaks so it flows.
5) 🗣️Air time
The more your participants talk, the more engaged they’ll be. That’s a proven fact.
Ask yourself: Are you talking too much or too little? How engaged are your participants?
Tip: Aim to let participants speak more than you do.
6) 💬Filler words
Those “uhs” and “ums” can sneak in without you even realizing it.
Ask yourself: How often are you using filler words? Which ones do you use? And when do you use them?
Tip: Start by identifying your most common filler words and use a voice recorder to reduce them over time.
Watching your own replay is one of the best ways to hone your craft. You’ll know to focus on. what Your confidence will grow. And your live sessions will get better and better.
Put it into practice 💪
Find a recording of one of your live sessions. If you don’t have one, record a short video of yourself on Zoom.
Grab the 6 clues, watch the replay, and write down 2-3 areas you’d like to work on.
Start small, and remember, you’re not aiming for perfection—just progress.
Once you’ve done that, hit reply to this email and let me know what you learned. (I read every email that comes my way)
This Week’s Facilitator Finds 💪
In this section, you’ll find curated resources, tips, and tools worth checking out.
1/ 🎥 5 Ways to Eliminate Filler Words . A YouTube video by expert virtual presenter Cat Mulvihill with concrete tools and techniques to eliminate filler words like “um”, “like”, and “ah”.
2/ 🎥How to be Confident on Camera. A free mini-course by YouTube legend Ali Abdaal with 5 pro tips for growing your confidence on camera.
3/ 📅IAF Facilitation Summit Oct 17 – 18 – 19. Join me and facilitators from around the globe for a three-day summit where together we’ll be shaping the future of facilitation.
💌 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:
👉Custom coaching & team training. Book a free 15-minute zero-commitment call with me to see how I can support you and your team.
👉 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.
