Behind The Scenes of Hosting a Webinar

Lights. Camera. Sound. Powerpoint. Backdrop. ACTION!

Let me take you through the journey of the planning and preparation of the entire event.

I had been receiving many messages from women worldwide requesting information on my talks and seminars. However, owing to the current pandemic we are all facing I was unable to provide further details on dates. So, guess what I decided to do? I decided to put it out to twitter. I asked my followers how many of them would want an online event and how many would be fine with just waiting? The 5-day poll indicated that 75% of the women wanted an online event and 25% said they could wait until COVID-19 passes. So, I listened. The people had spoken. I got working. I decided to go ahead with the event from the 11th of March and I had the poster advertising the event on the 21st of March.

“How To Conquer Through Crisis Like A Queen” was a fitting topic I wanted to address because right now we are going through so much emotionally, financially, physically and psychologically. I wanted to give women practical steps on dealing with crisis based on my own past experiences, the experience of others as well as the Word of God. I decided to make the first event free because this was my way of giving back during this difficult time.

I got working and I put the information together in writing. Narrowing it down to a 28-minute talk was so tough! I had soooo much information I wanted to share. I wanted to add everything I knew and I wanted to reference so many other people and how they dealt with difficult situations they faced in their lives but I couldn’t. I had to stick to the brief.

Once I had written all the information down on Microsoft Word, I got cracking with my favourite part: the powerpoint. Now, anyone who knows me from University will know that whenever it came to powerpoint presentations – that’s where I got to shine because I love doing anything creative with the aim of relaying an important message. The powerpoint took me 6 uninterrupted hours to put together. The modifying of the slides took place until right before the presentation. I had to change things here and there. Then, I had to reduce the number of slides I had because of time (after tirelessly designing each one). Wow, it was a lot of work! However, those of you who know me will know that I tend to be quite particular when it comes to presentation. So, it was all the more worth it.

The behind-the-scenes work required time and effort as well as precision. We sent out individual emails to each person who RSVP’d. They received their very own ticket to the event. Without my team, none of that would have been possible. 24 hours before the event, we sent out communication regarding the zoom link then further communication regarding the password. This was during the time I was trying to figure out how the zoom platform works for large numbers of people. 

The few hours leading up to the event, I called one of my friends so I could do a trial run. I figured out how to upload the powerpoint presentation as well as how to zoom out and show myself on screen again (for the Q & A). There were a few nuances I was unfamiliar with and it helped having the test round just to have a feel of everything. 

1 hour before the event - I was so nervous. I was freaking out. I felt like sending an email to everyone saying, “the event has been cancelled because of COVID-19” (yes, I blame COVID-19 for everything these days haha). I quickly said a little prayer and played a bit of music. I reminded myself that the event was not about me. I reminded myself that I am just a vessel relaying a message of hope and inspiring others to make it through this difficult time.

Lights? Check. Camera? Check. Sound? Check. Powerpoint? Backdrop in full view and ready? Check.

ACTION!!!

“Hello ladies. Welcome, dear Queens….” the rest is history.

I learnt so much through the entire experience. I learnt the fundamental difference between hosting a webinar and giving an actual talk in front of people. I realised just how much of the human element I miss. I miss being able to see the body language, appreciate the smiles and hear the laughs. 

But you know what?

I am so grateful for what I have learnt and what I continue to learn. Imagine going LIVE with an entire audience of people listening to you and watching you while controlling your own lighting, controlling your own camera and controlling your own sound. Any mistake you made is seen in public – there and then. I was very well aware of my voice being a bit shaky in the beginning even though nobody else could see. I remember saying “there’s no backing out now!” My mother even called me during the talk and I gracefully declined the call and kept speaking without anyone noticing haha! My watch fell off my wrist but I kept it cool. So many things were taking place but I made sure to not let any of it take away from the message and presentation.

I’m so glad that people were able to get a sense of my personality in a live talk. My own passion had to fuel me until the end of the talk.

And it did.

The response was amazing. So many women from all over the world have since reached out to me expressing their appreciation of the webinar and how insightful and helpful they found it to be. Those that missed it for one reason or the other have expressed how much they cannot wait to be a part of the next one! 

YAY!!!

With that said, I will be uploading the presentation onto my YouTube channel on Wednesday the 15th of April. This will be a retake of the presentation as the actual presentation on the day was not recorded.

You can subscribe to my channel and click on the bell notification to get notified when I upload.

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Twitter: @stha_mavundla

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Sending you love and light.