Everyday Archives - Maria Doyle

Everyday: Content and Client Systems

Systems. You're either into them, or you're not. And when you're not, things start to fall into some sort of organised chaos.

Does this sound like you?

~ You have a to do list a mile long, and it never seems to get shorter no matter how much you cross off...

~ You're struggling to remember where all your clients are at, when you should be checking in to see how they're going, and if asked, you'd have no idea how many clients are leads, paying clients or clients who have finished their time with you.

~ You have oodles of ideas for articles and blog posts, you've got scrap pieces of notepaper or notebooks full of ideas, your filing system is a complete shambles, and if someone asked you to pull a workshop full of worksheets and activities out tomorrow, you'd end up close to a panic attack.

What will you learn?

You'll learn how to: stay organsied and efficient by using economical systems, programs and apps that help you manage your clients, their progress and all your content including blogs, lessons, programs and feedback mechanisms.

Systems overview for running a small educational business

I use a number of systems, apps, programs, systems and technical solutions to run my small business. There isn't a right or wrong app to choose, it's more about what works for you and your business needs. See the low cost, low fuss options I've decided to run with! COMING SOON

Client records, contracts, invoicing and lead management

The system I use, to keep it all together. I used a variety of different systems until I found one that did everything I needed. Everything is automated, I get reminders so I never forget anything, my clients are informed and I can find, at a glance, everything I need to know about where they're at. Priceless! See how I use 17 HATS to make the admin side of my business life efficient and stress free, without a PA!

Business development and project management

The system I use, to keep it all together. There are lots of project management tools on the market, but Asana is the tool I use with 4 different organisations - my business, a not-for-profit I volunteer as Vice President of, and another two corporate organisations I manage projects for. Keep tasks in order, create workflow templates, assign tasks and due dates to team members, keep track of all conversations without the head fry associated with email tennis.

Content planning for workshops, courses and libraries

If you're not using a system, it'll all get a bit out of hand. Use this 3 part template to plan, and keep organised, your content; whether they're articles that lead into opt-ins, lessons, workshops, courses or whole libraries.

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Everyday: Apps and Tech Solutions

There is SO MUCH TO LEARN when it comes to creating DIY instructional learning materials, especially if you want them to be part of an online learning experience.

Does this sound like you?

~ You know you have fantastic content but the thought of getting it into an online offering terrifies you.

~ You really don't want to spend hours pulling your hair out working out how to take and edit videos into something that looks professional and is visually effective.

~ You don't want to spend a fortune on software, apps or plug ins and are willing to spend a little time to learn the basics around using free to low cost alternatives.

What will you learn?

Produce high quality presentations, webinars, group learning experiences and video tutorials, for online and offline clients.

Ways of producing stunning visual aids

There are a lot of ways to produce stunning visual aids to accompany your presentations. Take a guided tour of my favourites - Articulate, PowerPoint and Prezi, and learn the quick hacks I use to make the process as efficient and streamlined as possible.

Running successful webinars

How to keep your audience engaged, without waffling unnecessarily, going off topic, or turning it into a 45 minute tease which results in a sales pitch.

Producing DIY Instructional Videos

Part 1: Preparing

All the things you need to do BEFORE you start shooting - to do with setting up your set, lighting, cameras, equipment, scripts and other preparation that will save you hours of editing later.

Producing DIY Instructional Videos

Part 2: Shooting

All the things you need to think about while you're shooting, so that you're getting the best raw footage possible - again, helping you to save hours of editing later.

Producing DIY Instructional Videos

Part 3: Editing

You really don't need to outsource this part to the professionals - especially if you're the content expert, make sure that you're editing out the right parts, and doing it in a way that is efficient and effective for a professional, polished finish.

Producing DIY Instructional Videos

Part 4: Combining presentations and video footage

How to insert your visual aids into your video footage. Working out how to do this effectively took me days - find out how the quick and easy way!

Embedding free chat rooms, surveys, quizzes and challenges into your WordPress site

You don't need to use fancy plugins or software to create a basic user experience. See some of my favourite hacks, that are low to no cost to set up and use.

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Everyday: Group Learning Activities

Keeping a group of learners engaged isn't as simple as it might sound. Whether you're teaching offline or online, these activity ideas will make your group learning experiences much more engaging, motivating and fun.

Does this sound like you?

~ Your group learning sessions have become a bit lack lustre and you're looking for fun, easy ways to lighten the mood, get people engaged and encourage your clients to nail some long awaited results.

~ You really want more discussion, debate and engagement from your clients in group learning situations but you seem to be stuck in the same old same old loop of activities that you've been using for years.

~You really just want some fresh ideas, some inspiration for making your group learning experiences as fun and engaging as possible.

What will you learn?

Learn how to: facilitate group learning activities where clients are learning, discussing, and achieving their outcomes based goals. Learn the art of how to create discussions, debates and shared group learning experiences.

Warmers

Ideas for getting people thinking, talking and getting to know one another before you get stuck into the nitty gritty.

Review and application activities

Ways of getting your clients to review what they've just learnt, and apply it in practical ways.

Debating skills

The basics behind setting up and facilitating a successful debate. A great way to get your clients thinking about both sides of an argument and building their ability to negotiate, see a different side of the coin and fight for a cause.

Setting up group activities (think, pair, share)

The age old paradigm of think, pair, share, exists for a reason. Find out how to effectively create group learning experiences by diversifying the number of participants in each client centred activity.

Group presentation skills

The dreaded group presentation - no one wants to be in one right? When they're set up properly they're a phenomenal opportunity for personal and professional development. Learn the tricks behind setting up and facilitating effective group work activities.

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Everyday: Advanced Facilitation Skills

Facilitating group learning experiences isn't always easy; sometimes you have difficult personalities or hit situations that you've never encountered before, like clients not responding well to each other, or making the learning space a difficult place for everyone to learn.

Does this sound like you?

~ You may have hit a bit of a stumbling block in some of your group sessions and you have no idea why your classes are gelling, why your clients are working at cross purposes or why the whole program just doesn't seem to be 'clicking' the way you thought it would be.

~ You have difficult clients who aren't working well with others and you can't really work out what the problem is.

~Your clients aren't motivated to complete their homework tasks and you're getting disappointed with the lack of engagement.

~You know your clients have the skills and capabilities but they're just not taking the next step in terms of creating that change they came to you to make originally.

What will you learn?

Learn how to: master the art of facilitating group learning by addressing factors that may affect performance such as behaviour issues, a lack of confidence or team work skills, cultural misunderstandings and motivation issues.

Managing teams and classes of clients

Multicultural communication

Behaviour management

Project and change management 101

Motivating students for attendance or homework

Building confidence and rapport

Ready for more courses in this level?

Ready for another level?

Want to keep up with best practice?

If you want to be kept up to date, make sure you 'Like' the page, and in the menu that hovers below the 'Like' button, enable 'Notifications'. Looking forward to seeing you over there!

JOIN US AT CREATE REAL CHANGE