If you haven’t read the previous post, How to Live Your Best (Virtual Conference) Life, start there.

The idea of a virtual conference can be intimidating–especially if you don’t consider yourself a tech wizard–but the reality doesn’t have to be stressful.

Below, and in the next few posts, I’ll share strategies to fully enjoy your virtual conference. Feel free to add YOUR tips in the comments.

Virtual Conference Success: Prepare to Focus

Maybe focusing is your talent.

It’s never been mine, and Covid-brain* doesn’t help.

♦ The key to FOCUS during your conference is preparation.

*Been feeling attention-deficient since Covid started? You’re not alone. After you finish this post, Google “why can’t I focus?” For now, keep reading. Focus, grasshopper!

Focus on the details. 

• Read, read, read! Familiarize yourself with the website and all information provided by the conference organizer.

• Find the following ahead of time:

  Conference schedule.

  How to log on (if you have questions, email the conference contact AHEAD of time; avoid the stress of trying to figure it out as the first session begins).

  Tech support chat, FB or email contact info.

  Deadlines and rules for contests, how to sign up for one-on-one meetings, payment due dates, etc.

• Focus on taking great notes. 

• • Create a folder or project in your favorite familiar note-taking program and save the following:
  • Digital notebook and/or session notes, if provided.
  • Conference schedule (cut and paste it into a document if necessary).
  • Name a few documents ahead of time, like, “Great Quotes,” “Takeaway List,” “Websites to Check Out Later,” “Contacts,” etc.
  • Create an “emergency” document, listing ways to contact tech support.
  • Trying to keep up can be stressful. Your first conference is NOT the time to start a OneNote trial. 
  • Pro tip: I use Scrivener‘s note-card function to summarize each presentation.

• Focus on your tech. 

• • Charge your phone, laptop, tablet, etc. ALL of them, full charge.

• • If you have multiple devices, consider watching on one (tablet/phone) and taking notes on another (tablet/laptop).

• • Plan for power failure.
    • Know how to reset your WiFi.
    • If your phone has hotspot capability, know how to use it.

• • Know how to turn off phone and computer notifications.
    • Minimizing distractions is MUY IMPORTANTE.*
    • Before the conference, turn off your ringer and stop notifications from FB, Insta, messaging, etc.
    • If you can, use the Do Not Disturb option, which blocks all incoming notifications and calls. Don’t forget to re-enable notifications…people freak out when you don’t answer the phone for two days.
    • If your situation requires you to be available by phone, leave only the ringer on. Be sure the people who need you know they must CALL you.

*Fun fact: regaining focus after a distraction requires about 20 minutes. It’s true. Google it–AFTER you finish reading here. Stay focused! 🙂 

• • Learn about the conference platform.
    • A pre-conference option to log in, send messages, etc., is often available.
    • If you’re not tech savvy, Google “Zoom tutorial.” Learn how to raise your hand to ask question, how to find the chat, how to change the view to/from full screen, how to put the chat to the side of the screen, how to see multiple participants Brady Bunch-style, etc.
    • Most VC platforms are similar. Even if they don’t use Zoom, familiarity with Zoom should give you enough knowledge to figure out how to do those things if the VC uses a different platform.

Focus on your extras and necessities.

Gather paper, pencils, pens (the good ones). Even if you prefer note-taking on a device, backup is a good idea.

You may want to print all or part of the conference notebook. If they only provide a full-color digital option and you’re short on ink, you can usually cut/paste the text into a document. The extra work is worth the trouble if your laptop decides to play ‘possum.

If the conference will require outside reading (e.g., Christian conference speakers may ask you to look up a passage in the Bible), be sure to have materials handy.

Today’s takeaway:

Don’t try to complete everything on this list, especially if you’re new to the virtual conference experience. Pick a few, then follow through.

Click here for Part 2

Still overwhelmed by your new conference experience, or maybe feeling a little sad about missing personal interaction?

I’m sending you a big, Becky-sized virtual hug riiiiiiiiiiiiight….NOW.

You’re not alone. Not ever.

Featured image Photo by Skitterphoto on Pexels.com