Online events: people over presentations

People, not presentations, make great online events. I think that’s pretty obvious. But it’s not obvious to everyone, apparently! Often, when I start working with a client to design their event, the draft plan involves loads of presentations.

Maybe it’s because the organisers are so used to endless talk-over-slides webinars that they can’t imagine things any other way. Maybe they’re afraid that their people are too shy, or too disengaged, or have such dreadful broadband that they won’t join in. Maybe there are some presenters who have to be invited to trot out their thing: the same thing they always do, whether that’s great or not.

But when I manage to persuade organisers to take the ‘risk’, so far it’s always proved worthwhile.

My event-design approach is fairly predictable – at least to those who know me. I rely on tried-and-tested approaches such as our own Web Events That Connect model, or on Liberating Structures, maybe with a little Clean Language facilitation thrown in.

Both organisers and participants are reliably delighted. They see and hear real connections being made, real friendships forming, real collaborations taking place.

“It is possible to have an online event that remains as engaging, if not more, as face-to-face meetings.”

Hani Mansourian, Co-Coordinator, Alliance for Child Protection in Humanitarian Action

Organisers and participants see for themselves that one of the big arguments against online events – that social learning, community building and true collaboration can’t happen over Zoom – is simply untrue.

The specifics of the conversations, of course, are anything but predictable: it’s the people who bring the variety!

But what needs to happen for more people to get this whole idea?

“Rees McCann sessions leave one feeling inspired, re-energised and motivated to try their methods to enhance the quality of online events.” 

Henre Benson, Director, CASME

I’m putting the finishing touches to a new edition of our Web Events That Connect how-to guide.

What should I include that might persuade more organisers to give participation a try in their next online event? What might persuade you? Please comment below.