You have so much you wish to share with the world, and you’ve booked your workshop. How do you fit it all in in only a few hours? The obvious answer is, you don’t. Trying to cram everything you know about your subject into a single workshop usually creates a jumbled mess that confuses your audience and loses their interest. Content organization is key.
How to avoid this problem? The answer lies in focus and timing. Please review the tips below for further elaboration.
1. Write two to three clear, specific, demonstrable learning objectives or concepts (content) for your workshop that can be taught within the given time period.
2. List all of the content you would like to share with your audience, then ruthlessly cross out everything that is not directly related to your learning objectives.
3. For each learning objective, allow time for examples or stories to illustrate its significance, activites so the audience can apply and absorb the information presented and any q & a for needed clarification of the concept.
4. Know your audience’s needs and plan accordingly. For example, does your audience have the background knowledge needed to easily understand your concepts, or do you need to take the time to lay that foundation for them? Another consideration may be age group. For example, if you’re speaking to children, you could need up to four times the time needed to present a concept as opposed to adults.
5. Make a committment not go off on any tangents whatsoever during your workshop. Stick to your chosen objectives. If an audience member asks a tangential question, invite them to speak with you during a break as opposed to losing time during the workshop.
6. Allow time for your opening, introduction, closing call to action and/or product offering.
7. Allow extra time for an early ending. You’ll have more time to make sales and have individual conversations with prospective clients, and people will be grateful to be able to go home a little early. Also, this serves as a cushion if you do end up running late.
8. Review your learning objectives again. Eliminate those a) of secondary importance that b) you simply won’t have time to cover. Save these for a follow-up workshop later.
Remember, less is more. The expert presenter is one who makes complex concepts simple and clear to their audiences.
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