Tori McElwain
As a quilt or craft teacher, you know the joy of engaging with students in live workshops. But have you ever considered transforming your live sessions into a digital course that students can access on demand? It’s a simple way to extend the life of your workshop, reach a broader audience, and create a lasting resource for your students. Here’s how you can easily turn your live workshop into an on-demand digital course.
Record a Separate Intro and Closing
Your digital course should feel tailored for those watching later. A well-crafted intro and closing can do just that! Before you start editing, take the time to record a separate introduction and closing specifically for your on-demand audience than the one you typically use for a live audience. This ensures that your course feels cohesive and welcoming, regardless of when students are watching. It also allows you to add in key details about how the recorded class is expected to go. For example, add in how the software will work (where to click to get the resources, how it tracks the learner's progress, etc.) and how to contact you since you won't be there live.
I typically to this at the end of the workshop so its fresh in my mind or if I have time I will record this in the beginning before the students arrive when I am fresh and energized. However, you can do this whenever you have the time, but a tailored intro and closing allows you to set your students up for success.
Be Strategic with Your Script
If you’re using a script or outline, plan for editing. Be intentional about leaving pauses where natural breaks could happen, allowing you to cut the video into smaller sections. You might add prompts like, “We’ll dive deeper into this in the next section,” which can help make smooth transitions when editing later. This also makes it easier to focus your editing on content rather than fixing transitions that weren't planned.
Many recording/live hosting software allows you to pause the recording rather than fully stopping allowing you to cut out break times and save time editing.
Create Strategic Discussion Points
During your live workshop, there will likely be questions and discussion. While these are valuable, when converting to a digital course, you’ll want to keep only the most important questions or discussions. Think of adding strategic discussion times that are planned in advance and ask your students to hold their questions until you ask for discussion or questions. Then in editing, consider how these discussions will help future students who aren't in the live setting and pick and choose the best questions and discussions for a recorded class.
Inclusive Language for Both Audiences
When teaching live, it’s easy to address the group in front of you. However, when planning for a digital course, be mindful of your language. Consider using phrases like, “whether you're here live or watching later,” to make both your live and future audience feel seen. Or using "you," as in referring to an individual, rather than addressing your class as a group. This subtle shift ensures your course feels relevant for students at any time, which is key to making a seamless transition from live to recorded content.
Making Your Digital Course Feel Personal
One of the challenges of turning a live workshop into a digital course is maintaining that personal connection. Here are a few ways to ensure your course feels intimate and engaging:
Eye Contact and Body Language
Even though you’re teaching over Zoom or recording a course, body language and eye contact matter. Look directly into the camera as much as possible. This simulates eye contact, helping students feel like you're speaking directly to them. Maintain open and approachable body language—smile, gesture, and show enthusiasm for what you’re teaching.
Speak Like You’re Talking to One Person
While live workshops might make you feel like you’re speaking to a group, digital courses are often consumed by individuals. Adjust your tone to feel more personal, like you’re having a one-on-one conversation. This subtle shift in how you address your audience can make a world of difference in how connected they feel to the material.
Record a Separate Intro and Closing
It’s worth repeating! By recording an intro and closing specifically for your on-demand audience, you create a personalized experience that ties the course together and makes it feel relevant whether watched live or recorded.
Use Real-World Examples
In both live and digital formats, personal stories and real-world examples will resonate with students. Talk about your own experiences, successes, and even struggles to show students that challenges, like free-motion quilting (FMQ), can still yield great results, even if they aren’t perfect. Address common pain points and low-confidence areas to help your students feel supported and understood.
By following these steps, you can easily transform your live workshops into engaging, on-demand courses that feel just as personal as your live events. Not only will you expand your reach, but you’ll also offer your students a resource they can return to time and time again.
Need help with your classes, workshops, or courses?
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Workshops Unleashed is your blueprint for creating hand-on classes that don’t just educate—they captivate, reach more people, and boost your bottom line.
Learn how to craft classes that resonate with your audience, attract more participants, and keep them coming back for more. With practical tips on teaching techniques, templates, and marketing strategies, you’ll discover how to turn your passion for teaching into a thriving business. From setting clear objectives and pricing your workshops to building an engaged community, this book has everything you need to make your workshops a hit.
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Publication date: September 28, 2024
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