NHPCO’s webinars are a popular format for professional development. NHPCO has hosted webinars for many years, and we can provide concrete suggestions from past participants to help you ensure an optimal learning experience. Understand the challenges inherent with an “invisible audience”: Participants only experience what they can see on screen; make sure your voice is engaging and energetic. Vary your tone and speed to project your personality. You won’t be able to gauge participants’ reactions or levels of comprehension; consider a “dry” run of your presentation to a live audience in preparation. Make sure that the content you deliver meets or exceeds the learning outcomes for participants. Use NHPCO’s PowerPoint template. Do not read your slides (this is a common complaint from participants). Use slides to highlight or summarize key points, but do not read them! In the words of one participant: “Just send me the slides and I can save time for both of us; I can read them myself.” Use a “conversational” presentation style. A conversational style of presentation is engaging, interesting and is perceived to be more “natural.” Balance theory and conceptual material with tools, skills, application and solutions. NHPCO audiences prefer presentations that include applications that can easily be employed to improve care, increase impact, satisfaction, performance, etc. It may help to stand up as you deliver your presentation. This simple strategy will put you in “presentation mode” and can positively impact your delivery. Vary your presentation by using creative approaches: Provide examples and case studies; stories help “paint a picture” and the audience responds very well to them. Provoke the audience with hypothetical questions to engage thought and personalize the information. Use audience polling questions to engage with the audience (you will learn more about this during an orientation call we will schedule with you). Use underlining, drawing, check marks and other “interactive” features of the website (this will also be demonstrated during your orientation). Include brief activities such as: “Write down 3 ways families cope with stress”. Suggest future activities (ask participants to write specific future agency or personal changes/improvements to implement in response to the webinar). Identify references, resources or learning activities for additional information and follow-up. You may include a references page and/or other resources as a handout to your presentation. Please note that copyrighted materials may not be distributed without the appropriate written permission.