1. In what ways can individual instructors stand out against other online classes?

With countless online classes already in existence, individuals might question whether there is space for their offering. 

Nonetheless, what individual instructors can provide that surpasses any mainstream class is a true personal connection. This is frequently appreciated by their participants, particularly when their methods can be customised to address the specific needs of those involved.

In the past, face-to-face classes and workshops were the standard approach. However, many organisations are now offering customised online sessions that connect diverse groups of individuals who may not have had the opportunity to gather in person. 
 

2. Where should you begin?

As with any project, it's essential to begin by understanding the reason behind your desire or need to pursue this. This clarity simplifies all subsequent decisions significantly.

Individuals will have their unique motivations for transitioning classes to an online format, such as:

Maintaining relationships for the time being 
Making sure that participants in the class enhance their skills and maintain their fitness levels. 
Ensuring steady revenue 
This then influences what actions you can take. For instance, actively mentoring students to enhance their skills demands greater effort than just maintaining communication.
 

3. Is it necessary to offer the same experience online as you do offline? 

Is it feasible to shift all your offline activities to a digital format that closely mirrors your current setup, such as maintaining the same schedule, class durations, and content? 

For businesses with a straightforward product or service, that approach may work perfectly well. 

However, altering the context of the class might not be feasible. It might be challenging for everyone to maintain their energy for a full hour. In that case, it could be more effective to divide an online class into two half-hour sessions or to blend pre-recorded content on technique with a live video session.

Adopt a test-and-learn strategy. Whatever you undertake doesn’t need to be flawless. In reality, striving for perfection can truly hinder your progress. Start something promptly and then gain insights from the experience: 

Understanding validate your suggested strategy with some clients 
Try out a few introductory sessions and observe the outcomes. 
Consistently assess the data regarding the usage patterns of your classes, seek feedback from participants, and be ready to adjust formats and schedules accordingly. 

4. What are the practical aspects to keep in mind when it comes to online classes?

The primary question we will address initially is: 

‘What type of feedback should you provide to each student to ensure quality and safety?’ 

In other words, we expect your students will require your attention, but do you also need to be able to engage with them or your clients? 

This will assist you in figuring out:
Whether you require interactive communication through video 
The largest group size you can effectively teach at once may be smaller in a video setting compared to in-person sessions, especially at the beginning. 
This is beneficial for assisting you in identifying the most suitable platforms to utilize.
After that, you can proceed to the specifics of your activities. Think about: 
- What is the total number of instructors in the team? 

- Are you planning for just yourself, a couple of friends, or a larger gathering? 
- Would you like to include multiple instructors in each class, if suitable? 
- Do most of your students typically enroll in just one class, or do they participate in multiple classes across various subjects? 
- Will participants in the class have assignments to finish between sessions? 
- Does your subject focus on students advancing through established units of content or consistently honing essential skills alongside their classes? 
This will assist you in figuring out whether you should integrate various platforms and manage the logistics of conducting each session effectively. 
 

5. Which tools are the fastest and easiest to utilize?

If you are engaging in one-on-one sessions or with a small group of up to three students, you can easily conduct a video call using your mobile phone. 

WhatsApp video calls are popular among users, but for those with Apple devices, FaceTime serves as a great alternative. If you’re connected with someone on Facebook, using Facebook Messenger for calls works well. Ensure that everyone has a reliable WIFI connection. 

The number of participants allowed differs among platforms: WhatsApp accommodates up to 8 users, FaceTime allows 32, and Facebook Messenger supports up to 50 users. While having a large audience may work well for a lecture-style session, if you aim to provide live feedback, it's advisable to maintain a smaller group size. 
 

6. What strategies do you use to work effectively with a larger team?

For bigger teams, think about upgrading to video conferencing solutions. If that brings to mind big corporations and global project teams, there's no need to be concerned -technology is now perfectly suited for online classes. Often, even those who are hesitant at first find themselves embracing the vibrant community spirit! 

Zoom is widely used and provides a free option that is user-friendly for sessions lasting up to 40 minutes with a maximum of 100 participants. However, for regular use, opting for the paid service might be more beneficial.

Google Meet and Microsoft Teams are excellent alternatives, both offering free access for up to 60 minutes and accommodating up to 100 participants. These platforms are particularly useful in a business environment, as many participants may already be familiar with them. 

If you require extra features like meeting recording, attendance tracking, accommodating larger participant numbers, and enhanced security, all these platforms provide paid packages with a range of features and advantages. 

For a workshop-style approach, it's essential to have digital whiteboard capabilities that allow participants to work together, generate outputs, document brainstorming results, and select their preferred choices through voting. These platforms offer various options for this. 

If the features do not align with your needs, you might consider exploring alternative whiteboard applications that work well with these platforms, like Miro. However, if privacy for your board is a priority, be prepared to invest in a paid option. 
 

7. When are social media platforms most effective?

Social media platforms can enhance your training sessions delivered via video, yet it is still possible to ensure a high-quality and secure experience without the necessity of visual interaction with your participants. And the great news is, there are no limitations on the size of your group. 

Facebook Live and Instagram Live allow you to broadcast your live class to your audience or a private group. Live events enable you to maintain a genuine connection with your audience, allowing for real-time interaction through messages and comments throughout the session. The video will be saved to your Facebook timeline, or you can share the replay on your Instagram Stories for 24 hours. 

YouTube can be a great platform if you plan to host multiple recorded sessions that participants can access anytime, and you're comfortable with non-class members viewing them as well. Keep in mind that if any of your videos are intended for audiences outside your private groups, it's essential to include relevant guidance and disclaimers regarding safety. 
 

8. What if you have a variety of classes and instructors?

A flexible approach may be necessary, blending various tools and platforms to provide all that you require. 
For instance, you can leverage Google Classroom as a foundation to organize all your content for private groups categorized by specific classes, instructors, or skill levels.
After that, you can share access details for live Zoom classes or provide links to permanent content available on YouTube. Participants can be assigned specific tasks to submit privately, allowing for personalized feedback and scoring on their work. If participants utilize the chat to seek further feedback on an assignment, you could subsequently organize individual WhatsApp calls.
Facebook offers Facebook Guides specifically designed for ‘social learning groups.’ These allow you to manage your classes as an online course - you can arrange your content into ‘guides’ and modify the sequence in which they are displayed. Group members can inform you once they’ve completed each unit by clicking ‘I've finished.’
Keep in mind that no matter what you choose, customers will require straightforward guidance on how to register, log in, and navigate the platforms you select. Feel free to share links to the general help resources available on your selected platform, but ensure you are ready to offer additional assistance to those who require it.
 

9. What are the most effective strategies for handling payments for online classes?

Using the tools we've discussed, it's essential to establish a distinct process for charging, similar to your in-person classes, where access is granted only after payment has been received. 

There are three primary approaches to handle this:

You are empowered to choose your contacts: The easiest approach when using WhatsApp, FaceTime, or Facebook Messenger for video calls is that you have complete control over who you invite to each video session.
Access through password: This is the platform where you create a password for services like Zoom calls or Google Classroom, which you will share exclusively with those who have made a payment. 
Establishing private groups: Create exclusive closed groups on Facebook and Instagram, allowing only paid members to join. When customers make a payment, request them to confirm their Facebook or Instagram username to identify who to accept. Online profiles of individuals might not correspond with the names you are familiar with.
If you’re not quite ready to set a fixed fee for your classes, consider using a donation or tip platform like Buy Me a Coffee or Patreon. This allows participants who appreciated your class to contribute by essentially buying you a coffee or donating based on the value they found in your session. Something to think about!
 

10. How is data protection handled? 

Many individuals typically adhere to data protection regulations by ensuring the confidentiality of participants' information, such as using blind carbon copy (BCC) when sending emails to multiple recipients. As you transition to online platforms, the details of participants become more accessible. For instance, in WhatsApp groups, the phone numbers of participants will be displayed. 

Individuals might overlook that on platforms like Google Classroom and during video conferencing, their names and possibly email addresses will be visible to other participants. It’s important to highlight this so that everyone is informed. In certain cases, if participants prefer not to share their personal information, they can opt for different usernames and create a new email address or Google account specifically for joining the classes.

Having a written code of conduct for all platforms, particularly in closed social media groups, is essential. It would be beneficial to establish a membership condition ensuring that all content shared in the group, whether through video or messaging, remains within the group. 
 

11. Are there any potential security concerns? 

In a physical setting, when the door is open, anyone has the opportunity to enter. On social media, you can establish closed groups that have restricted access. During video conferences, it's essential to set passwords for entry and secure the call by locking it once all participants have joined. 

In the real world, it makes no sense to secure something if you provide access to everyone. When operating online, ensure that you only accept members from closed groups whom you can verify. Share passwords securely through personal text or email, avoiding any public posts on your general social media platforms!

It’s important to recognize that you can’t ensure others won’t misplace or share the keys. Therefore, regularly updating the locks (or passwords) is essential for maintaining security. On platforms like Zoom and Teams, you can utilize the ‘Waiting Room’ feature to screen participants before allowing them into the call. 
 

12. Might this create new opportunities ahead?

Some instructors might consider growing from small private groups to providing courses to a broader audience on platforms like Teachable or Udemy, leveraging YouTube more effectively, or developing customised websites with password-protected content.