Four tips to better reach participants during your seminar

Frank is fictional, of course. But as a trainer, you probably recognize one of your previous participants. And to be able to look back on a successful training, you want to reach and motivate everyone. Also Frank. How do you do that? We share four great tips with you.

#1 Speak the language of the group

What is the composition of the group? What is their preference in communication? As a trainer, you know the goals of a training. But how do you make sure you deliver it in such a way that everyone is involved and stays involved? By speaking the language of the group and the individual participants, the chance that they will hear what you have to say is many times greater. How do you do that? By consciously stopping at the start of a training. One group may need introductory information at the beginning. Then you calmly go through the program. Is it a group that prefers action? Then wait a moment with all the information and start immediately with an exercise. And then bring the information.

#2 Never run through a program

Always tailor your program to the group. That alignment contributes enormously to how engaged and motivated the group is. For example, pushing people into a role-playing game who are horrified by it doesn't work. Of course you can try to take someone out of his comfort zone. But only if it fits or is desired. Not because it is on your program.

#3 Provide a nice space and healthy food

Personally, we pay a lot of attention to the little things around a workout. Sensory stimuli, we call them. For example, a good space with lots of light. But also a healthy lunch, lots of fruit, nuts, you name it. Seemingly small things with a big impact, because they feel like presents. Because actually, as a trainer, you are saying: I find you worthwhile. I also care for you. And so your participants will be more open to the content of your program.

#4 Is your own battery charged?

We saved the most important tip for last: your own energy. Think back to our Frank. To reach and motivate him, you need to appeal to your own energy. How fit do you start your day and with how much energy do you stand in front of the group? Make sure your battery is charged (we wrote a blog about that by the way). Then you will be able to understand resistance and deal with it in a resilient way. A training course is all about learning and getting out of your comfort zone. So it is not surprising that not everyone is waiting for that.

Now you may be thinking: That all sounds nice. But how do I deal with Frank?

Actually, you'll find the answer in all four tips. A seminar all about making participants feel socially and emotionally safe. You do that by reaching them. And you do that by having the right energy and preparation in front of your group. By taking into account the preferences in communication and motivation. The chance of resistance decreases and the chance of a successful training with impact increases. The core is in HOW you give the training, then the content comes across much better. Then you make connection and contact, also with Frank. If you prepare well, you actually know very well where resistance comes from. With that knowledge you can do something. And you might even manage to see resistance as a gift.