I am Said, the Facilitainer.
I empower facilitators, trainers, and event hosts to deliver engaging virtual experiences using and combining tools such as OBS Studio, Zoom, Butter, Stream Deck, Mentimeter, and some you might not have encountered yet.
My passion is blending content, technology, and human interaction. If you aim to elevate your virtual events or workshops, I'm here to guide you.
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👀 [FIRST NAME GOES HERE], Eye Care About Your Well-being & Virtual Presence. Comfort & Productivity Hacks!
Published 7 months ago • 5 min read
Hey Reader, welcome back to another edition of the Facilitainer.
I'm here to help you elevate your virtual facilitation, teaching, and event hosting skills.
In this issue, we're focusing on creating the perfect ergonomic workspace and mastering eye contact during Zoom calls. These simple yet effective hacks will boost your comfort and engagement, ensuring you always perform at your best.
Plus, don't miss out on the next cohorts of th Facilitainer Masterclass starting July 17, and some exciting upcoming courses to master OBS Studio, Stream Deck, Luma, and Miro. 👀
Let's dive in and get you "sitting pretty" for your next virtual session!
🧘 Crafting Your Perfect Workspace
Is your workspace set up to support your body’s needs? 🤔
Remote work makes an ergonomic workspace essential for comfort and efficiency. By tailoring your environment to your body, you can significantly enhance your productivity and well-being.
A poorly designed setup can lead to lasting pain in your neck, back, and wrists, affecting your health and productivity over time. Here’s how to create an ergonomic workspace:
🪑 Chair Adjustments
Height: Ensure your feet are flat on the floor with your knees at a 90-degree angle. Use a footrest if your feet do not reach the floor.
Backrest: Adjust the backrest to support the curve of your lower back. Add a lumbar pillow if your chair lacks sufficient support.
Armrests: Set the armrests so that your shoulders are relaxed, and your elbows are bent at 90 degrees.
🧑💻 Desk Setup
Height: The desk should allow your arms to rest comfortably with wrists straight and hands at or below elbow level.
Distance: Place the monitor an arm's length away, with the top of the screen at or just below eye level to avoid neck strain.
🖥️ Monitor Positioning
Height: Use a monitor stand or a stack of books to elevate your monitor to the correct height. The top of the screen should be at or just below eye level to reduce neck strain.
Angle: Tilt the screen back slightly to reduce glare and strain on your eyes. This angle helps maintain a comfortable and natural viewing position.
⌨️ Keyboard and Mouse Placement
Position your keyboard and mouse within easy reach on your desk. They should allow your wrists to remain straight while typing or navigating.
Image: Created with CNVS and 💛
🔧 Tools for Non-Adjustable Workspaces
If you’re working with furniture that doesn’t offer adjustable features, here are some tools and tips to help achieve an ergonomic setup:
Keyboard Trays: Install under-desk keyboard trays to adjust the height and angle of your keyboard.
Foot Stools: Use a foot stool to maintain proper leg position if your chair or desk height is not ideal.
Monitor Arms: An adjustable monitor arm can help position your screen at the perfect height and distance.
💻 Extra Tips for Notebook Users:
📚 Elevate Your Laptop
Use a Laptop Stand: Elevate your notebook using a stand or a stack of books to bring the screen to eye level. This helps reduce neck strain by ensuring that you are not constantly looking down at your screen.
Separate Keyboard and Mouse: Use an external keyboard and mouse to maintain proper hand and wrist positioning. This setup allows you to place your notebook at a more ergonomic height without compromising typing comfort, reducing the risk of developing repetitive strain injuries.
These adjustments can transform your notebook into a more ergonomic workstation.
👀 Here’s Looking at You, Kid
Maintaining eye contact during virtual meetings can be challenging but is crucial for effective communication and engagement. Unlike in-person interactions where eye contact is straightforward, video calls require a bit more setup to simulate this important aspect of communication dynamics.
Here’s a simple yet effective hack to improve your eye contact on Zoom without needing expensive equipment like a teleprompter:
📺 Positioning the Zoom Gallery View
Adjust the Zoom Window: Shrink the Zoom gallery view so that it's small enough not to be distracting, yet large enough for you to clearly see the faces of other participants.
Move it Up: Drag this smaller gallery window to the top of your screen, positioning it directly beneath your webcam. This setup mimics a more natural line of sight similar to that in face-to-face conversations.
Camera Alignment: Ensure your webcam is at eye level. You might need to stack your laptop or webcam on a few books or use a stand to achieve this height. The goal is to align your eyes with the camera lens.
📹 Why This Works
By placing the gallery view right below your camera, you minimize the distance between looking at the participants and looking into the camera. This slight adjustment means you only need to move your eyes minimally up and down to make "eye contact" with your audience, rather than looking significantly off to the side or down.
This positioning helps mimic the natural movement of your eyes in a regular conversation, making the interaction feel more personal and engaging.
📝 Additional Tips
Practice Your Setup: Before your meeting, spend a few minutes adjusting your setup to find the perfect position for the gallery view relative to your webcam.
Use Minimal Movements: Try to keep your head and eye movements subtle when shifting your gaze between the camera and the gallery view. Quick or extensive movements can be distracting.
📢 The Facilitainer Masterclass Is Back!
Are you ready to level up your virtual facilitation skills, Reader?
I'm excited to announce that the next cohorts of the Facilitainer Masterclass are starting on July 17!
This is your chance to take your virtual facilitation, teaching, and event hosting skills to the next level.
Whether you're a seasoned pro or just getting started, this masterclass is designed to provide you with the tools, techniques, and confidence to create engaging and interactive virtual experiences.
Start Date: July 17
Duration: 5 Weekly Live Sessions (2hrs)
Class Size: Limited to 8 participants for personalized attention
What You’ll Learn:
Master tools like Zoom, OBS Studio, and Stream Deck
Boost productivity by streamlining workflows
Create a unique and branded look for your sessions
Enhance participant engagement with interactive techniques
For more information and to secure your spot, check out the more here ...
You have already attended one of my OBS Studio or Stream Deck Starter trainings in the past? Reach out for a special discount. 👀
Let me know if you have any further questions. 😀
🤡 Enough Said.
How I picture you while reading this newsletter 🤓
🚀 Level Up Your Skills
Interactive Courses, Webinars, and Events 👇🏽
Want to get started using OBS Studio, Stream Deck, Luma, or Miro for your sessions? I’ve got you covered.
Check out my beginner-friendly courses, workshops, and webinars designed to help you master these tools and bring your online sessions to the next level.
If you like my videos, I would appreciate it if you could subscribe to my YouTube channel to not miss future videos. Your support means a lot! 🙏
Thank you for reading and being part of the virtual facilitation community! Your feedback is really important to me. What topics do you want to hear about next? What challenges are you facing in your virtual sessions?
Feel free to reach out! Just reply to this email with your questions, feedback, or suggestions. Your input helps me create content that really matters to you.
I’m excited to hear from you and keep improving together. Let’s make our virtual experiences even better!
🤓 Stay tuned for more tips, tricks, and fun – 'til next time!
I am Said, the Facilitainer.
I empower facilitators, trainers, and event hosts to deliver engaging virtual experiences using and combining tools such as OBS Studio, Zoom, Butter, Stream Deck, Mentimeter, and some you might not have encountered yet.
My passion is blending content, technology, and human interaction. If you aim to elevate your virtual events or workshops, I'm here to guide you.
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