Dr Shaunna's Answer
A virtual workshop is essentially a webinar - and my favourite webinar is a VSL (video sales letter).
So you can do a very similar workshop as in person but ...
Keep it short. (because they can tune out)
Hook their attention with a great title (in person or virtual) Hook to the end.
Give them something to stick around to the end for ... such as ...
Let them know what they will learn.
Ask them questions to engage.
Early on have them type in the zoom chat (I recommend zoom) either - where they are from (if not all local) or What they are most excited about learning etc.
Good lighting. Non distracting background. Good internet.
You can have PROPS but your visual window is smaller than in person
You can SHARE YOUR SCREEN for visuals to explain your point which you can't in person. So sometimes your "visuals" could be digital - ie diagrams/ infographics etc.
Encourage people to keep the cameras on. Maybe have some friends attend that WILL keep their cameras on. People tend to follow what others will do.
It is near impossible to present to a bunch of blank squares with names AND the person who has their camera off is NOT even close to receiving the information that you are sharing. They are distracted.
This is hard to get strangers to do. But people do what others do. So you could have them introduce themselves and share what they are looking forward to from the event. So they put cameras on if they are speaking. And then it becomes the opposite. Everyone wants a turn at the mic.
Helpful to have a ZOOM ANGEL. Someone who can moderate the chat especially if you have more than 6 people. If I have a call with 15 people, it is tough to teach and administrate at the same time. This person can let people in so you don't disrupt your flow. Remove people if you have someone who is going rogue (coaches have had this). And overall someone who has your back. This is something a friend or even another coach can do - you can do zoom angel for each other.
So if you keep it short and let them know if they give you their undivided attention as much as possible for the next 20-40 min for example where they will learn XYZ, and let them know you'd love to see their smiling faces and you have at least one other zoom angel with camera on helping people mute or unmute that can help to have them keep cameras on.
Sometimes people give prizes at the end. And let people know you are doing a drawing of the people that are there for something.
Sharing your screen and having slides is a great way for them to follow along and engage the senses. Then if their cameras are off while you are sharing a slide, it is not distracting for you. You are in "teaching mode" and not really looking at their faces or lack thereof. You are going over the slide and that helps keep attention so it is not just your voice they are listening to.
I would also ideally RECORD it. Don't make a big deal of it. But then you can repurpose all of it or a portion of it for future teaching/ marketing/ virtual workshops. You will have the recording in case people want a replay. (and also for you to see what went well/better/different)