Tori McElwain
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
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.
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.
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.
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