There’s nothing that grinds my gears more than a boring workshop where the presenter reads straight from their slides, asks rhetorical questions, and fails to truly connect with the audience.
I completed my doctorate in higher education, earned a graduate certificate in college teaching, and have facilitated hundreds of workshops and learning experiences over the years.
Translation: I know how to design workshops that not only engage attendees but also deliver real, lasting learning outcomes.
But here’s the thing: being a subject matter expert in your field doesn’t automatically mean you know how to create an impactful presentation.
Fortunately, there are proven strategies you can implement to make your next learning experience more engaging, impactful, and memorable. Let’s dive in!
How To Make Your Next Workshop More Engaging And Memorable
Workshops are a fabulous way to educate, inspire, and connect with your audience. Whether you’re presenting in person or online, here are some practical steps you can take to elevate your next workshop:
1. Switch up the room layout.
Start by thinking strategically about the layout of your space. The way your room is set up can significantly impact how participants interact with each other and engage with the content. Personally, I like small tables that encourage collaboration and conversation among attendees.
If you’re hosting a virtual workshop, think about how you’ve structured the digital environment. Have you created opportunities for participants to connect? For example, using the chat function in your teleconferencing software can be a great way to engage quieter participants and foster meaningful dialogue.
2. Use intentional icebreakers.
Icebreakers are a great way to set the tone for your workshop, but they need to be purposeful. Instead of choosing an activity just because it’s fun, pick one that truly aligns with your workshop goals.
I’ve found that a really well-thought-out icebreaker can help your participants feel comfortable and connected from the get-go while also reinforcing the purpose of the session.
3. Introduce movement.
Movement can keep energy levels high and prevent fatigue during long workshops. If you’re meeting in person, consider activities that get people up and moving, such as switching seats for each activity.
In a virtual setting, you can replicate this by moving your participants between the main room and breakout group rooms.
4. Create breakout opportunities.
Breakout sessions are an excellent way to foster deeper conversations and allow your participants to apply what they’re learning in smaller groups. Whether in person or online, I’ve discovered that these moments give all participants a chance to connect on a more personal level and share their insights in a more intimate setting.
Importantly, be sure to allocate ample opportunities for participants to share with each other when they return to the main room, as it helps reinforce learning and keeps everyone engaged.
5. Add friendly competitions.
People love a little friendly competition! You can tap into this by introducing challenges that align with your workshop objectives.
For example, you might ask, “How many creative solutions can your team come up with?” or “Who can solve this problem the fastest?”
Competitions like these not only make the session more fun but also encourage active participation and collaboration among attendees.
6. Leverage different teaching media.
Using a variety of teaching methods will keep your workshop dynamic and engaging. You can mix things up with:
- Short lectures
- Group discussions
- Teach-backs (where participants explain concepts to others)
- Journaling exercises
- Thought-provoking questions
The more diverse your approach, the more likely you are to keep everyone’s attention while addressing different learning styles.
7. Harness the power of experiential learning.
Experiential learning is one of the most effective ways to help your participants retain information and apply it in real-world scenarios.
For instance, I recently facilitated a social media workshop where participants had just eight minutes to create a mock campaign. They found working under time pressure both exciting and impactful!
Think about how you can incorporate hands-on activities like case studies or role-playing exercises into your session for deeper engagement.
8. Add games.
Games are another great way to make your workshop fun and interactive, as long as they’re relevant to the topic at hand.
For example, I recently used a puzzle-building activity to teach leaders how stepping outside their comfort zones could lead to innovative solutions.
Just make sure the game ties back to your learning objectives so it feels purposeful rather than random.
9. Use interactive tools.
You can take advantage of interactive tools like whiteboards, polls, or annotation features on platforms like Zoom or Miro. I’ve learned that tools encourage active participation and help keep everyone engaged throughout the session.
Polls are especially useful for gauging opinions or sparking discussions in real time, and they can be done both in person and virtually.
10. Incorporate mini quizzes throughout.
Quizzes are an easy way to reinforce key concepts while keeping participants focused. They don’t have to be overly technical, as fun or reflective questions work just as well!
Plus, research shows that pre- and post-session quizzes improve retention among learners by helping them process what they’ve learned more effectively.
11. Play music during transitions.
Music is an underrated tool for setting the mood in workshops! Whether it’s upbeat tracks during introductions or calming tunes during breaks, music can help energize participants or create moments of reflection during transitions between activities.
Pandora’s Coffee House Radio is one of my favorite stations for workshops, as it strikes just the right balance between energizing and soothing!
12. Avoid forced engagement.
While engagement is important, forcing participation can backfire if someone isn’t feeling up for it. Please do not call on people randomly! They might be a major introvert (raises hand!), having a bad day, or uninterested in speaking up at that moment.
Instead of pressuring attendees, create an environment where people feel comfortable contributing when they’re ready.
13. Encourage organic participation.
Avoid forced engagement and instead aim to design activities that naturally invite participation without putting anyone on the spot.
If you’re hosting virtually, you can use tools like emoji reactions or polls as low-pressure ways for people to interact without feeling singled out.
14. Keep your slides to a minimum.
Slides should enhance your presentation, not dominate it! You want to minimize text-heavy slides and focus on visuals that support your message instead of distracting from it.
My rule of thumb: If your slides disappeared mid-workshop, could you still deliver your presentation effectively? If not, refine your storytelling skills or consider hiring a professional facilitator who excels at this.
15. Hire an external facilitator.
Lastly, sometimes bringing in an external facilitator is the best way to take your workshop to the next level. A skilled facilitator brings fresh perspectives and expertise in keeping audiences engaged while ensuring everything runs smoothly from start to finish.
Final Thoughts
I encourage you to try implementing some of the strategies above and watch your next workshop transform into an engaging and memorable experience. Importantly, you don’t need to implement them all at once. Just try one (or two) each time to see what resonates and what might need adjusting.
If you’d like to discuss the idea of bringing an external facilitator to your event, please feel free to contact me. I’d love to collaborate. I’m here for you! You’ve got this!
