Is there really a need to write another article on how to improve virtual events?

It's been more than a year since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, so it's safe to say that most of us are probably already short of virtual events. Whether you are running a virtual session or contributing to one, we all earn our merit badges for learning the ropes of countless videoconferencing, persistent chat, instant messaging, and live virtual collaboration tools.

But does this mean that our events are happening consistently? Unfortunately no. Many times people start a session with less energy than when they started. Zoom fatigue is always present, despite all the articles, YouTube videos and seminars held on how to conduct effective virtual meetings.

Principles before practices.

Embora se sejam úteis resources, many of them concentrating on practices, tools and specific facilitation techniques that neglect the general flow of energy throughout a session. Therefore, instead of covering the "how" of effective virtual facilitation, we are going to delve into the "what" and "why", adopting an approach based on principles for the topic. Embracing the practices and tools that are context-specific, the principles are (in most cases) universally applicable and provide a powerful lens to adapt the design of your virtual event to better serve your people and your purpose.

The following set of 10 guiding principles to energize virtual facilitation does not satisfy the principles (sem trocadilhos) of mutual exclusivity and collective exaustão. There are overlaps between some two principles, but enough value in each of them to compensate for the redundancies. There is also no priority for the list – the merits of each one complement each other. Our intention was to find out what contributes to optimal virtual facilitation, so that you can plan sessions that are enveloping and stimulating, rather than exhausting.

10 guiding principles to energize virtual facilitation

1. Be clear and aligned about your objectives and desired results before choosing the process and the tools.

2. Please note that this is a virtual facilitation and not a personal facilitation.

3. Define clear expectations about engagement rules.

4. The context counts, therefore, slight-o em consideration.

5. Know the people where they are and practice empathy.

6. Prepare your participants to be the heroes of the experience.

7. Take care of your audience.

8. Say when it's time to force a little more and when it's time to take a break.

9. Don't be flat!

10. Don't be too serious!

The original article was published on Miro's blog at https://miro.com/blog/10-principles-of-energizing-virtual-facilitation/