Online safety data webinars: A call for creativity and conversation
In the ever-shifting landscape of online spaces, people’s constantly changing realities are at the core of the work we do. This begs the question of whether the release of data, study reports, etc. should follow the traditional approach to webinars.
With busy schedules and limited resources for some, I understand that when faced with the task of launching a study, our first instinct is to hit ‘play’ on producing a webinar with a four-person panel (fingers crossed, not a manel (all male panel)) that delivers key findings and leaves the final 10 minutes for Q&A. But what if we took a detour from the norm and handed over the mic to those we were trying to reach? Would they be more interested in the data we’re releasing? Will they contact our organisations more frequently? Would dialogue-inducing communications tactics set your work apart in the field? Absolutely, and this is not difficult.
Converting a one-hour webinar into a listening session or a good fireside chat can open up avenues for meaningful conversation. “Yes, this is the data,” sessions with the ability to delve deeper into “Now what?” “How do you interpret this data?” “What have you heard from other organisations in our field?” “How has your community’s lived experience been?” “How can we improve our inclusiveness?” How can we better answer your “Yeah but, yeah but…” reactions? To accomplish this:
💡Think collective effort. This isn't rocket science; it's about flipping the script. Sure, if you must launch that report via webinar (because the powers-that-be say so), do so, but focus your webinar on the top three key questions people you’re trying to reach have, and then sprinkle in your key findings! 🚀 This will help you turn passive attendees into active participants with questions, comments, and possibly a mic drop moment that will make your organisation memorable. 🎤💥
📝 Encourage post-webinar dialogue. Many of us in communications are frequently criticised for not devoting enough time or effort to what happens after the webinar. The post-event work usually takes a back seat in the midst of the extensive work that goes into planning the actual one-hour webinar. In the online safety space, continuous improvement is at the core of the work we do. So I urge many to not be tempted to send out a post-event note that feels like an automated 'thank you' message or a peer-reviewed op-ed or post-event report that is reviewed beyond belief.🙄 Instead, use your blog platform to elaborate on specific findings, making the complex digestible and sparking conversations. 💡💬
🗣️ Voices Matter. I don’t have to tell you that working on online safety requires us to get users to take an active role in their online safety. When users feel heard and understood, they are more likely to adopt recommended safety practises and contribute to making the internet a safer place. What if we invited those on the frontlines to share their reflections or observations? Reach out to the very people we aim to influence and ask for their thoughts on the data points we share, making the study findings a two-way street! 🛣️💬
This cannot be overstated. Encouraging conversation in online safety work, particularly data reporting, is crucial for gaining a deeper understanding of complex statistics, promoting inclusivity to capture diverse perspectives, and creating a feedback loop that will ensure continuous improvement and community empowerment. People find entertainment, information, and community in online spaces, so any efforts for the cause must focus on collaborative problem-solving.
In view of practising what I preach (encouraging dialogue),
Other than resources, what is stopping you from bringing users (of your online space) into the discussions?
What are your thoughts on the above recommendations? Is this doable in your organisation?
If you just recently released a study or data, what are top three questions people you are trying to reach would have that your findings can help answer?
Begin your webinar planning with these questions in mind.
