Monday, November 02, 2009

12 Tips for Engaging Your Virtual Audience

Keeping Your Clients Engaged Virtually is a key consideration when leading phone, or web based programs. Without the visual cues of the face to face world, it's difficult to know what participants are "up to" throughout the process.

As more and more trainers, coaches and speakers move to the virtual environment, as well as professionals leading meetings in their virtual environment, it's important to give thought about the envrionment you are creatin virtually. Here are 12 quick tips to keep your virtual audience more engaged.

12 Key Ways to engage participants in the virtual world:
- Start your call with a check –in so everyone is heard
- Take a pause every 7-10 minutes and see how everyone is doing
- Vary your approach in delivery – ask questions, provide a mini-lecture/teach piece
- Ask participants questions
- Complete short exercises by phone (i.e. Mindmapping, vision question, drawing)
- Note who is contributing and who is not
- Check in regularly with how the pulse of the group is going
- Start on time and end on time. Creating an environment where you see that your time is valued, helps to keep people on track
- Provide a clear direction of where you are going
- Create ground rules at start
- Encourage everyone to be off mute and engaged throughout the call
- Look at different roles group members can take (time keeper, scribe etc)


What additional tips or approaches do you have for keeping people engaged during phone based, or web-based, calls?

Have a great start to the week!

Warm regards,
Jennifer

Jennifer Britton, PCC, CPCC, CHRP
Potentials Realized
Group Coaching Essentials
Phone: (416) 996-TEAM (8326)
Email: info{at}potentialsrealized{dot}com

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