There are a lot of things most people don't know about running remote workshops.

For example, did you know...

• The co-facilitators keep messaging each other in the background, to align on what comes next

• Discussions take ±50% longer online than in an in-person workshop

• Voting has an additional purpose besides prioritization - it forces everyone to actively read all the options votedon (instead of just skimming them)

• Once you get the hang of the virtual whiteboard tools, virtual workshops become much easier to prepare than in-person workshops.

For any experienced facilitator, this is common knowledge.

But to those who haven't facilitated a remote workshop themselves, some of these might come as a shock.

Now, here's the weirdest thing most people don't know about remote workshops:

Remote Workshops with 8+ Participants Are Mostly Ineffective

Crazy, right?
But why? Many people think: "The more the merrier."

Look, I get it: More heads know more.

Booking a physical space for a 30-person workshop would be a challenge. Not even speaking of feeding them.

Hosting 30 people virtually - easy!

From the perspective of the boss, it feels good: "Aaah, all my people are here in this online meeting doing SOMETHING."

But the "average" participant gets only minimal speaking time (if any). They are often asking themselves the question: "Why am I even here?"

It's not just about "people not having fun." All those people in the workshop cost you a LOT of money.

Think twice about every single participant you add to a remote workshop.

And if you must work with a bigger group: Make 400% sure you are putting every single person to good use.

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What is your experience with "big" remote workshops?

What are your tips to "make them still work," when you just have to do them?