Simple Strategies for Successful Workshop Management
Do you have something to share with others? Are you interested in additional income for your studio, beyond working with clients? Maybe you want to travel and teach in other places, getting paid for it? Or perhaps all of the above! Great. So what’s next? How do you organize your thoughts and convey your knowledge in a dynamic and engaging way, so that participants are involved, excited, and satisfied with the content you provide? Read on and apply these simple tips and tricks that will help you develop your presentation skills!
Organize
Think carefully about the content you want to convey, and then start creating an outline. At first, let it be very simple. Divide it into segments and assign time frames or time markers to each one to stick to the workshop schedule. Be prepared for the fact that sometimes you will speak a little shorter OR longer — that’s why in the outline, mark places where you can shorten the material, and have additional content on hand that you can use to extend the presentation if needed.
Develop
Once you have a general outline, expand it by creating materials for the participants (handouts / takeaway materials). This is your opportunity to send them home with a “cheat sheet” from the workshop. Make sure to leave space for notes and consider an interactive format, such as fill-in-the-blank questions. If you are teaching material that benefits from visualizations, be sure to include images to use as references. Finally, always add your company’s contact information so participants can reach out to you later with questions or for additional materials.
Practice
One of the best ways to prepare for the “big day” is to record yourself on video. Short clips of the introduction, conclusion, and main part of the material will help you assess many aspects of your presentation before you go live. Although watching yourself on video can be awkward, it will allow you to work on your tone and pace of speaking, eliminate filler words, and reduce — or ideally eliminate — body language habits that you may not even be aware of.
Lead
Arrive at the room early (and ideally check it out beforehand) and prepare everything at least 15–30 minutes before starting, if possible. Create a friendly atmosphere for the participants by adding music or changing the lighting. As an “icebreaker,” interact and greet participants as they arrive. Learn something about them — where they are from, what experience they have, and what they do. Nerves on the day of the presentation can help you rather than hinder you, but remember that they can also make you speak faster — so at the beginning, speak slower than you think. Ensure a strong start and an equally strong conclusion. During the main part, engage and empower your audience, involve them in activities, and leave time for experiences and questions. Finally: BE YOURSELF! Don’t pretend to be anyone else. Speak authentically and don’t be afraid of feedback. As a presenter, it’s always good to have an open mind and learn from every experience, so that next time you step on stage, you come out stronger, calmer, and more confident.
The text is a translation of the article https://thecore.pilates.com/simple-strategies-for-presenting-an-award-winning-workshop/
I used to sell cheeseburgers—that’s a true story! Today, as a “Certified La Pistola,” I’ve been active in the international fitness and Pilates industry for over 20 years, training instructors worldwide. I’m the founder of Level Up MVMT, where I help instructors elevate their craft through creative programs and research-based strategies. As a Balanced Body® Principal Educator and presenter of Pilates Anytime, I combine my passion for integrated movement with a mission to help others build burnout-free careers.