WEBVTT 1 00:00:01.685 --> 00:00:02.305 Hi everyone. 2 00:00:02.765 --> 00:00:04.825 My name's Anish and I've been invited 3 00:00:04.885 --> 00:00:08.265 by the Fundraising Everywhere team to share my top tips on 4 00:00:08.285 --> 00:00:11.505 how to host one of their fantastic virtual conferences. 5 00:00:12.215 --> 00:00:14.025 I've done one of their conferences recently 6 00:00:14.125 --> 00:00:15.945 and I had a really, really great time. 7 00:00:16.455 --> 00:00:18.785 Part of that was 'cause the content was so fabulous, 8 00:00:19.205 --> 00:00:20.265 but also the support 9 00:00:20.265 --> 00:00:22.625 that I got from the team at fundraising everywhere 10 00:00:23.005 --> 00:00:24.065 was fantastic. 11 00:00:24.405 --> 00:00:28.205 So you are in really safe hands and also congratulations. 12 00:00:28.345 --> 00:00:30.805 You've been invited to host, um, 13 00:00:31.065 --> 00:00:34.325 so I really hope you enjoy your time like I did. 14 00:00:34.545 --> 00:00:36.405 And here's a few top tips from myself 15 00:00:36.675 --> 00:00:37.725 that definitely help me. 16 00:00:38.115 --> 00:00:40.165 They may help you. Let's see. 17 00:00:40.995 --> 00:00:42.695 So first of all, it's about getting 18 00:00:42.715 --> 00:00:44.575 to know the content and the speakers. 19 00:00:45.035 --> 00:00:47.695 You'll get a briefing document which will tell you a little 20 00:00:47.695 --> 00:00:51.095 bit about the sessions and the speakers in advance. 21 00:00:51.495 --> 00:00:53.815 I would advise to take a bit of time to get to know 22 00:00:53.815 --> 00:00:56.095 who those speakers are and what they're talking about. 23 00:00:57.035 --> 00:00:59.655 Now don't worry, it's not about memorizing everything 24 00:00:59.715 --> 00:01:01.175 or knowing all the biographies. 25 00:01:01.605 --> 00:01:04.415 It's just so you have an idea of who you'll be interacting 26 00:01:04.415 --> 00:01:05.935 with virtually on the day 27 00:01:06.235 --> 00:01:08.455 and the kind of topics that they'll be talking about. 28 00:01:09.205 --> 00:01:11.575 What also does it gives you a really good scope 29 00:01:11.595 --> 00:01:13.175 of the whole event that you are working on. 30 00:01:15.065 --> 00:01:17.235 Another cool thing to do is 31 00:01:17.395 --> 00:01:20.795 to really hone in on the key messages that you need to land 32 00:01:20.795 --> 00:01:21.795 during the conference. 33 00:01:22.255 --> 00:01:24.235 Now that might be clear from your briefing notes, 34 00:01:24.575 --> 00:01:27.235 but if it's not, ask the fundraising everywhere team. 35 00:01:27.865 --> 00:01:31.415 There might be key messages that are around the content and 36 00:01:31.475 --> 00:01:33.295 and the type of event that you're doing, 37 00:01:33.835 --> 00:01:35.215 but there might be key messages 38 00:01:35.235 --> 00:01:36.815 as well from the fundraising everywhere. 39 00:01:36.815 --> 00:01:39.775 Team. Certain things like memberships 40 00:01:40.155 --> 00:01:43.495 or stuff about planting a tree for everyone that's attended, 41 00:01:44.065 --> 00:01:47.375 those are really great nuggets to have in your back pocket 42 00:01:47.375 --> 00:01:49.735 because they also help you in those moments 43 00:01:49.735 --> 00:01:52.295 where you are transitioning from content to content. 44 00:01:53.115 --> 00:01:57.375 So keeping a, a view of those key points front of mind so 45 00:01:57.375 --> 00:01:59.135 that you can dabble them in in 46 00:01:59.135 --> 00:02:02.655 between the conference I find is really, really useful. 47 00:02:04.235 --> 00:02:07.335 Uh, the next thing is about understanding your audience. 48 00:02:07.995 --> 00:02:09.615 Now chances are you are being asked 49 00:02:09.675 --> 00:02:12.295 to host a conference in an area of work 50 00:02:12.295 --> 00:02:13.815 that you're pretty confident in 51 00:02:13.995 --> 00:02:15.135 and that you know what you're talking 52 00:02:15.135 --> 00:02:16.455 about, which is fantastic. 53 00:02:16.875 --> 00:02:19.615 So hopefully you'll have an idea of who your audience are, 54 00:02:20.195 --> 00:02:22.335 but it's always really, really good 55 00:02:22.875 --> 00:02:24.655 and also gives a great user 56 00:02:24.835 --> 00:02:26.895 and customer experience if you know 57 00:02:26.895 --> 00:02:28.455 who the people are you're gonna be talking to. 58 00:02:29.115 --> 00:02:31.455 So how long have they worked in the area of work 59 00:02:31.455 --> 00:02:33.615 that you're gonna be hosting the conference on? 60 00:02:34.165 --> 00:02:37.575 What kind of level of seniority, what kind of phrases 61 00:02:37.635 --> 00:02:40.095 or words will be useful and commonplace 62 00:02:40.475 --> 00:02:42.495 and what will come across as jargon. 63 00:02:43.225 --> 00:02:45.075 Once you know who your audience are 64 00:02:45.295 --> 00:02:48.275 or the breadth of your audience, it really gives you an idea 65 00:02:48.295 --> 00:02:51.675 of what to look out for when other content is on, 66 00:02:51.895 --> 00:02:53.715 but also how you deliver stuff. 67 00:02:54.255 --> 00:02:58.795 So you know, if there are certain sector wide jargon words 68 00:02:58.795 --> 00:03:02.205 that are used quite often may be take a note of those so 69 00:03:02.205 --> 00:03:03.805 that you know, oh, when that happens, 70 00:03:04.265 --> 00:03:07.045 it might be worth then saying to your audience, oh, 71 00:03:07.275 --> 00:03:10.165 when they said that, it means that for any of you 72 00:03:10.165 --> 00:03:12.165 that don't know that and what that does, 73 00:03:12.425 --> 00:03:14.045 you become a bit of the translator. 74 00:03:14.305 --> 00:03:16.445 You take away the jargon 75 00:03:16.625 --> 00:03:18.445 and you make the whole conference more 76 00:03:18.445 --> 00:03:19.765 accessible to more people. 77 00:03:20.145 --> 00:03:21.885 And that's essentially what we're here to do 78 00:03:22.345 --> 00:03:24.765 to tie it all together to make the conference 79 00:03:24.865 --> 00:03:27.965 and the content as most as succinct 80 00:03:28.145 --> 00:03:30.605 and inclusive for everyone that has joined. 81 00:03:32.195 --> 00:03:36.215 Um, so also get your setup right 82 00:03:36.915 --> 00:03:39.135 now it's really important to understand 83 00:03:39.305 --> 00:03:40.975 where you are most comfortable. 84 00:03:41.275 --> 00:03:42.375 You'll probably be able 85 00:03:42.375 --> 00:03:44.895 to see I'm standing up here in my living room. 86 00:03:45.535 --> 00:03:48.255 I choose this room because I've got a great window right in 87 00:03:48.255 --> 00:03:50.335 front of me so I get lots of natural light. 88 00:03:50.935 --> 00:03:53.855 I have a background here which is kind of bare, 89 00:03:53.995 --> 00:03:55.735 but it's not completely blank. 90 00:03:56.295 --> 00:03:58.895 I would suggest not having a completely blank background 91 00:03:59.045 --> 00:04:01.135 because if it was just my face 92 00:04:01.515 --> 00:04:03.695 and a white background, that's quite intense. 93 00:04:03.915 --> 00:04:06.255 So I like the fact that we've got some other stuff in the 94 00:04:06.255 --> 00:04:08.655 background which softens the view for the audience, 95 00:04:08.955 --> 00:04:11.935 but also it makes it a bit more interesting and exciting. 96 00:04:13.065 --> 00:04:15.285 You'll also might notice I've got a mic on 97 00:04:15.505 --> 00:04:17.245 that's purely for my preference. 98 00:04:17.525 --> 00:04:20.205 I like to stand, I like to move in and out of the camera. 99 00:04:20.625 --> 00:04:24.845 And so what that does is it maintains a level of voice and, 100 00:04:24.905 --> 00:04:28.685 and hearing that is really beneficial to the audience. 101 00:04:28.685 --> 00:04:31.645 So again, thinking about the audience, if you prefer 102 00:04:31.645 --> 00:04:33.805 to have a microphone stand 103 00:04:34.025 --> 00:04:37.565 or one connected to headphones, that's also fine. 104 00:04:38.165 --> 00:04:40.925 Whatever makes you feel more confident in your 105 00:04:41.165 --> 00:04:42.845 delivery, go for that. 106 00:04:43.065 --> 00:04:45.165 It really doesn't matter what it looks like. 107 00:04:46.295 --> 00:04:49.995 You'll also see I've kind of got my screen here, so I'm kind 108 00:04:49.995 --> 00:04:51.995 of eye level looking into the camera. 109 00:04:52.835 --> 00:04:55.235 I try and look as much into the camera as possible. 110 00:04:55.495 --> 00:04:58.955 So it feels like I'm talking directly to the audience. Now. 111 00:04:58.955 --> 00:05:00.635 It's also fine to look away 112 00:05:01.295 --> 00:05:03.955 if you are musing on something that's not a problem. 113 00:05:04.355 --> 00:05:06.955 I guess the idea is to be as natural as possible 114 00:05:07.575 --> 00:05:09.555 and that for me, looking straight into the 115 00:05:09.715 --> 00:05:11.115 camera works for me. 116 00:05:11.895 --> 00:05:14.835 Um, and also, yeah, so I've talked about camera, 117 00:05:15.185 --> 00:05:17.595 I've talked about the microphone, I've talked about light. 118 00:05:18.015 --> 00:05:21.675 Uh, also in terms of setup, have a drink nearby. 119 00:05:22.015 --> 00:05:23.795 Uh, as a host it's great. 120 00:05:23.815 --> 00:05:27.115 We get opportunities to sort of switch off and and break. 121 00:05:27.255 --> 00:05:28.915 So have water available. 122 00:05:29.415 --> 00:05:32.035 Uh, make sure your laptop is connected to power 123 00:05:32.395 --> 00:05:35.395 'cause you never know what the drain might be when you are 124 00:05:35.545 --> 00:05:38.355 recording or live streaming your conference. 125 00:05:38.735 --> 00:05:41.195 So make sure that you've got all the things in place 126 00:05:41.505 --> 00:05:44.155 that might go wrong so that you can mitigate that 127 00:05:44.155 --> 00:05:45.635 and be pretty confident 128 00:05:45.635 --> 00:05:47.555 and pretty calm when you, you're coming 129 00:05:47.895 --> 00:05:49.595 to host the conference. 130 00:05:51.185 --> 00:05:53.125 So that's a little bit about setup. 131 00:05:54.985 --> 00:05:56.405 Oh yeah, you didn't see that right? 132 00:05:56.545 --> 00:05:58.885 Uh, so that's another part of setup for me. 133 00:05:59.325 --> 00:06:01.325 I like to make cue cards of the key points 134 00:06:01.325 --> 00:06:02.605 that I'm going to talk about. 135 00:06:03.025 --> 00:06:05.365 Um, and with my laptop it's really easy 136 00:06:05.385 --> 00:06:06.565 for me to hide that there. 137 00:06:06.905 --> 00:06:08.645 No one can see it, but I have got notes, 138 00:06:09.225 --> 00:06:11.005 but that's just my preference. 139 00:06:11.275 --> 00:06:14.445 It's also fine to have notes, it's fine to read stuff 140 00:06:14.825 --> 00:06:16.245 that's, that's also fine. 141 00:06:16.635 --> 00:06:18.405 It's whatever makes you feel comfortable 142 00:06:18.585 --> 00:06:20.045 and helps you with your delivery. 143 00:06:21.635 --> 00:06:24.855 So let's talk about running the conference itself. 144 00:06:25.235 --> 00:06:27.975 So the conference is made up of parts of content 145 00:06:28.395 --> 00:06:30.455 and that's essentially what people are here for. 146 00:06:30.845 --> 00:06:34.055 Your role as host is to stitch those bits together. 147 00:06:34.955 --> 00:06:38.295 Now I talked about pre-event, getting to know each bit 148 00:06:38.295 --> 00:06:39.775 of content and the speakers. 149 00:06:40.115 --> 00:06:42.215 That's where this comes into use. 150 00:06:42.915 --> 00:06:45.055 So when you are teeing up each session, 151 00:06:45.485 --> 00:06:48.775 just give a little bit of a flavor of who is about to speak 152 00:06:49.315 --> 00:06:50.535 and what they're about to talk about. 153 00:06:50.915 --> 00:06:53.615 And if you want, you can add whether you're excited 154 00:06:53.755 --> 00:06:56.015 or really interested to hear what they're talking about. 155 00:06:56.475 --> 00:06:59.015 And that's essentially all we need to do as host is 156 00:06:59.015 --> 00:07:02.975 to tee it up and set that expectation for our delegates. 157 00:07:03.795 --> 00:07:07.575 Um, you will see a countdown clock in the backstage area, 158 00:07:07.785 --> 00:07:10.255 which is really good way of helping us 159 00:07:10.255 --> 00:07:12.295 to keep the conference running to time. 160 00:07:12.805 --> 00:07:15.535 Like delegates have been sent timings for the content. 161 00:07:15.715 --> 00:07:17.535 So it's really important for us to try 162 00:07:17.535 --> 00:07:20.295 and keep it managed on time so 163 00:07:20.295 --> 00:07:21.615 that they're getting the content 164 00:07:21.615 --> 00:07:23.015 that they're expecting at each time, 165 00:07:23.385 --> 00:07:25.095 especially when there's more than one 166 00:07:25.095 --> 00:07:26.295 room running at the same time. 167 00:07:27.405 --> 00:07:30.025 But again, the team at fundraising everywhere are really 168 00:07:30.025 --> 00:07:31.425 good at giving you prompts, 169 00:07:31.495 --> 00:07:33.825 telling you when you have a couple of minutes to fill. 170 00:07:34.165 --> 00:07:35.385 And that's absolutely fine. 171 00:07:36.885 --> 00:07:38.255 Once the content is started, 172 00:07:38.515 --> 00:07:40.935 you will go back into the backstage area 173 00:07:41.035 --> 00:07:44.015 and that's where you can, you know, have a break, take a sip 174 00:07:44.015 --> 00:07:46.615 of water, but really do encourage you to listen 175 00:07:46.615 --> 00:07:49.295 to the content and take notes on anything 176 00:07:49.295 --> 00:07:50.735 that resonates with you. 177 00:07:51.415 --> 00:07:53.735 I find that that makes it really easy for you 178 00:07:53.755 --> 00:07:55.535 to then transition into the next piece 179 00:07:55.645 --> 00:07:58.775 because you can show that you've been engaged 180 00:07:59.075 --> 00:08:01.695 and part of the conference with the rest of your delegates 181 00:08:01.915 --> 00:08:03.855 and share a bit of your own musings as well. 182 00:08:05.225 --> 00:08:08.245 So you'll get a bit of a prompt when there's five minutes 183 00:08:08.265 --> 00:08:09.965 to go, or two minutes to go 184 00:08:10.215 --> 00:08:12.685 until you are next back on stage. 185 00:08:13.385 --> 00:08:14.925 And at that point you'll be prepped, 186 00:08:14.925 --> 00:08:17.965 you'll have a few notes from what was gone, 187 00:08:17.995 --> 00:08:19.485 what had gone on in the session before. 188 00:08:19.905 --> 00:08:21.725 And then you'll also have a bit of background 189 00:08:21.745 --> 00:08:22.845 as to the next session as well. 190 00:08:23.385 --> 00:08:25.655 So depending on how much time you've got, 191 00:08:26.285 --> 00:08:29.295 once you come back into the room, thank your speakers, 192 00:08:29.705 --> 00:08:32.055 thank them for their time, share something 193 00:08:32.055 --> 00:08:33.615 that might have been interesting to you. 194 00:08:34.035 --> 00:08:36.935 And then I would encourage you to get your delegates 195 00:08:36.935 --> 00:08:39.015 to share something that might have been interesting to them. 196 00:08:40.135 --> 00:08:41.795 Now remember there is a bit of a time lag. 197 00:08:41.795 --> 00:08:46.515 So if you ask a question first, then it gives them a bit 198 00:08:46.515 --> 00:08:47.835 of time to hear that question 199 00:08:47.895 --> 00:08:49.515 and put their thoughts in the chat. 200 00:08:49.975 --> 00:08:51.275 And whilst they're doing that, 201 00:08:51.615 --> 00:08:54.395 you share your reflection and then it'll move 202 00:08:54.675 --> 00:08:56.765 Seamlessly into, oh, what are you saying in the room? 203 00:08:57.325 --> 00:08:59.645 I find that that works really, really well. 204 00:09:00.265 --> 00:09:02.365 And if you can pick out some 205 00:09:02.365 --> 00:09:04.645 of the chat from the other people in the room, 206 00:09:04.955 --> 00:09:06.765 give them a shout out, use their name. 207 00:09:07.465 --> 00:09:11.605 It shows that as a host this is live, you are doing it live. 208 00:09:12.105 --> 00:09:13.965 Um, but also you are really willing 209 00:09:14.265 --> 00:09:15.605 and interested to hear 210 00:09:15.835 --> 00:09:18.765 what your audience are receiving as well. 211 00:09:20.355 --> 00:09:22.735 So that's this end of a section 212 00:09:22.875 --> 00:09:25.135 and then again, teeing up for your next section. 213 00:09:25.435 --> 00:09:27.295 So being really clear 214 00:09:27.395 --> 00:09:29.295 and being like showing your excitement 215 00:09:29.295 --> 00:09:30.375 for who's coming up next 216 00:09:30.435 --> 00:09:33.815 and what they're about to share just to tee it up again, 217 00:09:33.815 --> 00:09:37.375 setting that expectation for your audience. 218 00:09:38.275 --> 00:09:42.015 Now if you can find links between the two parts of content 219 00:09:42.015 --> 00:09:43.775 that you're linking, that's fantastic. 220 00:09:43.995 --> 00:09:47.015 Or even if a session at the start of the conference links 221 00:09:47.015 --> 00:09:50.665 to something later on, that time that you are taking in 222 00:09:50.665 --> 00:09:51.945 between sessions to hear 223 00:09:51.965 --> 00:09:55.305 and listen to soak it up gives you the opportunity to sort 224 00:09:55.305 --> 00:09:59.905 of build any links or anything that you think is related and 225 00:09:59.905 --> 00:10:03.025 therefore you can then also shout out the other 226 00:10:03.025 --> 00:10:04.505 content a bit later on. 227 00:10:05.065 --> 00:10:07.795 Another thing that's really great about these conferences is 228 00:10:07.795 --> 00:10:10.475 that you don't need to take it in all in one go. 229 00:10:10.775 --> 00:10:14.195 So they will have access to the content later on. 230 00:10:14.495 --> 00:10:15.755 So you can say in there, 231 00:10:16.005 --> 00:10:17.595 don't worry if you miss this session, 232 00:10:17.975 --> 00:10:19.635 you will be able to see it later on. 233 00:10:19.775 --> 00:10:21.355 And I think that's a really thing, really, 234 00:10:21.355 --> 00:10:24.275 really important thing to bring back to delicates 235 00:10:24.355 --> 00:10:27.555 'cause it shows the value of them attending this conference. 236 00:10:29.115 --> 00:10:33.455 Um, and then I guess trying to continue to build 237 00:10:33.455 --> 00:10:36.815 that interaction with your audience, I is really important 238 00:10:36.915 --> 00:10:38.695 and, and do that in a way that suits you. 239 00:10:38.915 --> 00:10:40.895 So for me it's about asking questions. 240 00:10:41.515 --> 00:10:44.335 Um, also when I'm, when I'm in that backstage area, 241 00:10:44.965 --> 00:10:46.735 I'll take time to look at the chat 242 00:10:46.755 --> 00:10:48.095 and see what people have been saying. 243 00:10:48.325 --> 00:10:52.495 Sometimes it's not questions directly to the content maker 244 00:10:52.555 --> 00:10:54.655 or the person that's been in that session, 245 00:10:54.875 --> 00:10:57.335 but it might be questions to each other as well. 246 00:10:57.805 --> 00:11:00.055 Does anyone have any examples of this 247 00:11:00.235 --> 00:11:02.215 or does anyone have this issue? 248 00:11:03.035 --> 00:11:04.815 And what I find really, uh, 249 00:11:05.235 --> 00:11:09.895 useful in like making it feel like a connected space is 250 00:11:09.895 --> 00:11:12.695 to bring some of those questions to the rest 251 00:11:12.695 --> 00:11:15.135 of the delegates in those transition periods. 252 00:11:15.395 --> 00:11:17.935 So opening up the floor, opening up conversation. 253 00:11:18.635 --> 00:11:21.215 Um, one example is someone was asking, 254 00:11:21.565 --> 00:11:24.735 have you got an example of marketing materials? 255 00:11:24.795 --> 00:11:28.135 And, and what happened in the conference that I was doing is 256 00:11:28.135 --> 00:11:31.655 that people were sharing their, uh, their experience of 257 00:11:31.655 --> 00:11:33.695 where they've created marketing materials 258 00:11:33.715 --> 00:11:35.615 and sharing a bit of advice or, 259 00:11:35.875 --> 00:11:38.055 or sharing even their email addresses so 260 00:11:38.055 --> 00:11:39.095 that they can link up with each other. 261 00:11:39.555 --> 00:11:42.975 And you know, that is also an essential part of, uh, 262 00:11:42.975 --> 00:11:45.575 networking and that's an essential part of the conferences. 263 00:11:46.355 --> 00:11:49.935 Um, another thing that worked quite well out 264 00:11:49.935 --> 00:11:52.695 of asking people to, to share things in the chat is that, 265 00:11:53.345 --> 00:11:55.805 uh, people wanted some extra information 266 00:11:56.385 --> 00:11:59.685 or, uh, some actual examples of materials 267 00:11:59.685 --> 00:12:01.165 that other charities have set up. 268 00:12:01.865 --> 00:12:06.165 So, uh, instead of an individual having to share that 269 00:12:06.165 --> 00:12:09.725 with hundreds of people that were part of that conference, 270 00:12:10.765 --> 00:12:13.525 I uh, chatted to the team at fundraising everywhere 271 00:12:13.525 --> 00:12:15.125 and said, is this something that we could do? 272 00:12:15.185 --> 00:12:18.085 Is this something that we could add into the delegate bag? 273 00:12:18.745 --> 00:12:22.285 Now, you know, that's an extra part of work for the host, 274 00:12:22.425 --> 00:12:24.645 but if you do see opportunities in 275 00:12:24.645 --> 00:12:27.285 where fundraising everywhere can add value 276 00:12:27.285 --> 00:12:30.365 to the delegates experience, put it in the chat 277 00:12:30.585 --> 00:12:33.045 and the team will do it and they'll make it happen. 278 00:12:33.095 --> 00:12:34.565 There won't be anything extra there, 279 00:12:34.865 --> 00:12:37.365 but if you do have ideas whilst you're in the conference, 280 00:12:37.365 --> 00:12:40.525 which which often happens, do put it in, uh, 281 00:12:40.665 --> 00:12:42.005 to the backstage chat 282 00:12:42.305 --> 00:12:45.285 and let the fundraising everywhere team work their magic. 283 00:12:47.135 --> 00:12:49.435 Now those are a few points in, 284 00:12:49.835 --> 00:12:53.555 I think make the hosting experience really, really fun, 285 00:12:54.195 --> 00:12:56.635 exciting, but ultimately gives the delegate the best 286 00:12:56.635 --> 00:12:57.875 experience of the conference. 287 00:12:58.335 --> 00:13:00.035 So I hope it's been helpful. 288 00:13:00.575 --> 00:13:03.675 Um, I really do wish you luck on your hosting experience. 289 00:13:03.835 --> 00:13:05.995 I hope you have a great time and you'll come back 290 00:13:05.995 --> 00:13:07.555 and do it over and over again. 291 00:13:07.935 --> 00:13:09.515 Uh, and I hope to see you hosting 292 00:13:09.735 --> 00:13:10.915 one of the conferences soon. 293 00:13:11.505 --> 00:13:11.925 Thanks.