5 Mistakes to Avoid When Creating a Writing Workshop

Conducting workshops can be a good way to get your name out there, gain new readers, and broaden your network.

It can also help you sharpen your message, and learn more about how you can help others.

I’ve spoken and presented at many writers’ events around the country, and I’ve seen other presenters fail to capitalize on their opportunities because they made one or more of the following mistakes. To increase your chances of building a strong speaking/presenting piece of your writing platform, make sure you don’t do the same.

1. Failing to craft a good opening.

When you first stand up in front of a group of people, you have about two minutes to gain their attention. If you do that successfully, they’ll stick with you to see what you have to say, but if you squander that time on a boring or (even worse) unprepared opening, you’ll most likely lose them to their cell phones for the rest of the workshop.

I have seen so many speakers make this mistake. Here are some examples of poor and unprepared openings:

• Fumbling with papers or the computer
• Talking about who you are (“my name is…”)—your bio will most always be in the workshop materials, and typically someone introduces you
• Sharing how you didn’t sleep the night before, or how nervous you are
• Telling the group what you’re going to talk about (they already know the title of the workshop)
• Apologizing (for anything)
• Asking a banal question, like, “How everyone is doing?”

There are many other examples. You’ve no doubt seen some if you’ve attended a conference or workshop. Avoid all of them. Instead, prepare an attention-getting opening and practice it a few times so you’ve got it down.

The best way to start a workshop? You can’t go wrong with a story. Tell a story that relates to your topic, and you’ll draw people in. It works every time.

If you’ve got an intriguing question—something that peaks the interest of your listeners—that can work too. An example might be something like, “How long do you think it takes the average writer to achieve a bestselling book?” The question needs to intrigue your audience so they’ll tune in.

2. Putting too much text on your slides.

In your workshop, you may use a slideshow to support what you’re saying. It’s a good idea not only because it provides attendees visual reinforcement of the concepts, but it can help keep them entertained if you use it the right way.

Where many writers fail is in adding too much text to their slides and then reading that text off of every slide. I’ve seen this done countless times at workshops and conventions. It’s boring for your audience and defeats the purpose of the slides in the first place.

Yes, we’re writers, and we’re good with words, but when it comes to creating slides for your presentations, you want to use as few words as possible and make your point with visuals. Stick to headlines and short subheads instead, and use images that will help attendees get the point in a glance.

Another great use of images is to add humor. Find an image that illustrates a funny point or example and you’ll win friends among your audience.

3. Leading a boring workshop.

This is perhaps the biggest mistake you can make when speaking or presenting, and it’s also the most common one. How many workshops have you attended that bored you to tears? Too many, I imagine.

You don’t want to be boring, but how do you prevent it? There are several ways you can add interest to your workshop. Here are just a few of them:

• Add an amusing image or video to your slideshow
• Tell another story
• Ask questions and take attendee answers
• Use printed handouts and invite attendees to fill them out as you go
• Use props and visual example
• Perform an experiment right there in class
• Ask volunteers to help you make a point via an exercise

When thinking about how to spice up your presentation, use your imagination. How can you demonstrate your points in a fun way? How can you get the attendees involved? It takes more work on your part to create this type of workshop, but it will be much more successful as a result.

4. The workshop has no attendee interaction.

I made this mistake early on when I was teaching workshops—I didn’t think about how I could get the students (or attendees) involved. I now know better.

Your students will get much more out of your workshop if you make it interactive at some point. That doesn’t mean the entire thing has to involve the attendees. It’s better if you add the interaction in later, to provide a nice variety (and avoid boredom).

Again, all you have to do is use your imagination. Think of an exercise or example that you can use to get attendees involved. Some of the examples listed above will work—asking questions, using handouts, or asking volunteers to help you present visual examples.

I attended a workshop once where the presenter had made up a series of cards with titles on them. She was explaining the difference between a traditionally published writer and a self-published writer. She asked for volunteers to come up and hold the cards. On one side of the room, she positioned volunteers holding cards that read, “writer,” and “editor.” On the other side, she had volunteers holding cards that read, “writer,” “editor,” “cover designer,” “publisher,” “distributor,” and “marketer.”

The point was that a self-published writer performs many additional tasks besides writing and editing. It was a simple demonstration, and the volunteers didn’t have to do anything but stand there and hold the cards, but it made her point in a clear and fun way, and it got people moving—which is always a good way to liven things up.

Imagine you have a room full of 2^nd graders, and plan accordingly. Adults like fun exercises too, and they will respond to something creative lively. Remember, too, that you’re competing for your attendees’ attention. At any point, they may turn to their cell phones. Keep their eyes on you.

5. Not knowing your stuff.

If you are accepted or invited to speak or present at an event, the worst thing you can do is arrived unprepared, but again, this is one of the most common mistakes I see writers make.

Don’t squander your opportunity. If you do, you aren’t likely to be asked to return, and worse, word will get around. The conference community is a small one, particularly in the writing industry.

Spend some time creating your workshop and yes, practicing it. Practice what you will say and where you will tell your stories, as well as when and how you will conduct your interactive activities.

Practicing your presentation also reveals the holes in it. You know how it is when you edit your story. You find all the flaws in it. The same thing happens when you practice your presentation. You’ll find spots where it stalls, or you’ll think of better ways to illustrate your points.

Finally, make sure your presentation fits the given time frame. Workshops vary in length, depending on the event. Set a timer and practice to be sure you’re not going over or under the time you’re given. Give your attendees their money’s worth, and end with an impactful closing, and they’ll come back for more.

What mistakes have you noticed in the workshops you’ve attended?