True Confessions of an Event Producer
When your plans don’t do according to plan.
Am I really going to do this? Yep, I guess I am. This incident is still a bit fresh and I’m working hard to promote my services as a virtual event producer and online instructional designer, so why would I want to tell the world that I screwed up? Because it happens to everyone and we need to get over the idea of thinking we are going to perfect.
So, here’s the story. I produce a monthly virtual networking event for Women in Networking, a group that brings together women from all over the world to practice networking skills and make meaningful connections to advance their business and career.
Yesterday was our February event. I decided to try something new. A new tech set up for me. From the other side everything should remain the same. I tested it. Several times. I had the host, Teresa Thomas come on 30 minutes early to test it with me. It was working as planned and all was well. I told Teresa not to freak out if something doesn’t seem to be working right away, it might just be taking a bit longer to make the switches.
So, we get started, I launch my opening slide deck, music is embedded and all is well. I open the waiting room, start letting people in and we are underway. When the time comes, I stop the rolling show, end my sharing and open the program. We’re off to a great start, everyone is talking, engaging and smiling.
I did it! My new set up worked according to plan.
Then, while all of the attendees were in breakout rooms speed networking, Teresa said to me, “You know we couldn’t see the opening slide deck or hear the music.” My heart dropped. What? It was working. I tested it!
Truth. No one but me and Teresa knew there was supposed to be an opening slide show and music. Until now. HAH!
What do you do when things don’t go according to plan? Freak out? That seldom, actually NEVER makes it any better.
I had a mentor once who used to say, “When you lay an egg, stand back and admire it.” So, yesterday I laid an egg. My cool new tech set up didn’t work according to plan. And now, I’m admiring it and sharing it with all of you. My hope is that you will find some solace in knowing, shit happens and it only derails us if we let it.
The lessons in this tale of failed plans?
- Have a good back up plan
- Test — test — test. And test again.
- And if you still lay an egg — stand back and admire it. You’re guaranteed to learn from it. I did.
