How I learned to run good video calls, as an introvert

Hi 👋 I'm an introvert.

I know a lot of people in this IH group are looking to build community and grow startups, all while working on personal growth. If anyone is struggling with the same shyness limitations as me, this post is for you!

Personally, I prefer to watch rather than be watched; I tire in front of people quickly; the zoom mic actively ignores my voice. That's all fine, I still can create good product.

👎 The problem comes with marketing and growth — it's hard to be out in front of people so much without exhausting myself. I'd avoid it, but then we wouldn't grow. And also... I'm building an online event tool. Which means I need to actually run GOOD online events.

🎉 There's good news: I've found a ton of great work-arounds to help preserve my sanity and growth targets. Here's how I make online meetings / group video calls / remote events good for my audience, and easy for me as an introvert.

ONE - I BUILD IN INTERACTIVITY
The more your audience participates
-the more they're engaged
-the more they like it
-the less you have to do and the less they're looking at you ;)

How to build this in:

1. Remove barriers to entry (if unmuting yourself in front of 80 people is the only way to participate, few will). Coach your audience through exactly how to interact: Here's a good example: 🙋‍♀️"Let's do a chat waterfall! Open your zoom chat—bottom right—and type in where you're from."
2. Make rules!
   Question: 👍👎Would you act like a monkey in the middle of a meeting?
   Follow up Q: 👍👎 Would you act like a monkey in a game of charades?
   Rules & structure can set us free. Free your audience! Play games / pass the mic / ask an icebreaker Q / ask for contributions (while giving structure for how to respond).

TWO - I MAKE IT INTERESTING
How to get your audience interested: plan your content well, and add 🤪fun & 🥳excitement. Sounds hard, is actually easy 💪

Here's a full article with specifics (and tons of useful, actionable examples) for how to do this: https://slideswith.com/blog/how-to-host-an-exciting-event-as-an-introvert