514: The Way to Lead Online Events, with Tim Stringer

Feb 22, 2021

Tim Stringer, founder of Technically Simple and a productivity coach, dives into the art of leading online events. He discusses common pitfalls in transitioning from in-person to virtual formats, emphasizing the importance of early engagement strategies like icebreakers and polls. Tim highlights the role of dedicated technical support during larger events to keep hosts focused. He also shares insights on overcoming Zoom fatigue and the benefits of creating an inclusive atmosphere, ensuring virtual gatherings can be as impactful as in-person interactions.

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ADVICE

The Five-Minute Rule

Open online meetings early to allow attendees to settle in.
Engage participants within the first five minutes using icebreakers or polls.

ADVICE

Breakout Rooms

Use breakout rooms to facilitate small group discussions.
This increases engagement and allows for more inclusive participation.

INSIGHT

Benefits of Online Events

Online events can be more inclusive and less disruptive than in-person events.
Consider shorter, more frequent online events instead of long, infrequent in-person ones.

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Tim Stringer: Technically Simple

Tim Stringer is a coach, consultant, and trainer and the founder of Technically Simple. He provides productivity, technology and workflow coaching, consulting and training to people and organizations, large and small, all over the planet.

His technology specializations include Asana, Daylite, OmniFocus, and Trello. He supports many people in productivity though his website LearnOmniFocus.com — and also through the Holistic Productivity approach that he developed after coming face-to-face with cancer back in 2008. Tim consults to leaders and organizations on how to use Zoom effectively and recently launched a new course: Leading Effective Zoom Events.

In this conversation, Tim and I overview some of the common mistakes of online events, how online can produce even better results than in-person, and ways to engage people quickly. Plus, we review some of the key technology that will support your organization’s outreach efforts.

Key Points

It’s often a mistake to assume that you’ll be able to lead online events with the same planning and design for in-person events.
Opening a meeting early and using the five-minute rule to begin with icebreakers, breakouts, polls, or reactions will help engage people in the event quickly.
For events with many people or higher visibility for your organization, have a dedicated technology co-pilot so that hosts and speakers can stay focused on being present.
Virtual lounges (with a dedicated host), spotlight and multi-spotlight, practice sessions, and preassigned breakouts can all help the technology disappear and the human connections to take center stage.
Some organizations are discovering they are more successful with online events than past in-person ones. Many have had such a positive experience that they plan to continue leveraging virtual events after the pandemic.

Resources Mentioned

Leading Effective Zoom Events by Tim Stringer
Recommended Practices for Engaging Online Events (PDF download)

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