The need for fairness may be one explanation why people experience internal rewards for doing volunteer work to improve their community; it is a sense of decreasing the unfairness in the world. Today we will talk about fairness as an important component of online learning and training and one of the main 5 domains of online engagement.

If you have not yet seen my 4 previous videos describing  other domains of engagement, check them out here:

http://www.wiredatheart.com/2013/04/17/the-status-of-engagement/

http://www.wiredatheart.com/2013/04/24/irrestistibly-engaging-creating-certainty-online/

http://www.wiredatheart.com/2013/05/01/the-ikea-effect-how-to-be-irresistibly-engaging-online/

http://www.wiredatheart.com/2013/05/08/how-to-be-irresistibly-engaging-on-tribes-foes-oxytocin/

HERE IS A BRIEF SUMMARY FOR YOUR CONVENIENCE:

How to increase fairness online?

#1. The threat from perceived unfairness can be decreased by increasing transparency, and increasing the level of communication and involvement about the online program. All expectations need to be discussed and listed before the program begins.

#2. A sense of unfairness can result from a lack of clear ground rules, expectations or objectives. Setting clear objectives and rules of engagement with the course is a must for any program. Allowing participants to identify their own rules can also help increase the sense of fairness as your participants will feel that they have a hand at  their own destiny.

#4. If the work is to be evaluated– clear guidelines, rubrics and examples should be provided.  Check out my post on rubrics:

http://www.wiredatheart.com/2012/01/25/rubrics-for-assessments-of-online-activities/

#5 When you engage your participants in a group work,  each person’s responsibilities need to be clearly stated. Check out my posts on team work:

http://www.wiredatheart.com/2012/03/07/social-loafers-free-riders-and-sucker-roles-in-online-group-projects/

http://www.wiredatheart.com/2012/02/01/my-secret-recipe-for-team-building-online/

WHAT TO DO NOW:

In the comments below share YOUR strategies on how to increase fairness online
If you liked this blog post, please like and share it with others.

How is your online engagement? Take a 2 minute test to find out your Online Engagement EKG!

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If you have not seen the first 3 videos in the “Irresistibly Engaging” video series, watch them here:

http://www.wiredatheart.com/2013/04/17/the-status-of-engagement/

http://www.wiredatheart.com/2013/04/24/irrestistibly-engaging-creating-certainty-online/

http://www.wiredatheart.com/2013/05/01/the-ikea-effect-how-to-be-irresistibly-engaging-online/

Here is a brief summary for your convenience:

Here are some suggestions on how to increase relatedness:

1. Create virtual groups such as a FB private group and try to connect with your participants before your program begins.
2. Use icebreaking activities to build relationships among others. Spending a little time in the beginning of the program on getting to know each other will pay off at the end. Try to create activities that will reveal similarities among your participants.
3. Create a welcome video and use video throughout the course. Many businesses and programs try to develop  a professional looking video spending thousands of dollars on its production. While I encourage you to strive for good quality, a real video that is shot with a not-so-fancy camera and an internal mic will produce much better results.
4. Use programs such  as Voice Thread, wikis, forums, etc. to let your participants express their opinions and comment on each others’ posts.
5. Try to learn personal information about your participants and then use it to show you care. For instance you can ask your participants, “How is that job search going?” or “How is your dog feeling after that surgery?” This will instantly make them feel related to you.
6. Use phrases such as “our class”, “our group”,  ”our team” to encourage the feeling of belonginess.
7. Allow your participants to create communication rules, netiquette guides and  common list of values.

WHAT TO DO NOW:

In the  comments below share YOUR strategies on how to increase relatedness online
If you liked this blog post, please like and share it with others.

How is your online engagement? Take a 2 minute test to find out your Online Engagement EKG!

Let’s connect:
Like my Facebook page to stay in touch:

Get some up-to-date tweets on psychology, connection, engagement and enjoyment in the online context:

Subscribe to my YouTube Channel:

If you have not seen the first 2 videos in the “Irresistibly Engaging” video series, watch them here:

http://www.wiredatheart.com/2013/04/17/the-status-of-engagement/

http://www.wiredatheart.com/2013/04/24/irrestistibly-engaging-creating-certainty-online/

Here is a brief summary for your convenience:

1. Introduce main concepts but  allow the participants to figure out their own solutions. You can, for instance, assign your participants to different groups, and then ask them to discuss what kind of solution they came up with.
2. Provide different options for assignments. When a person has a choice, he feels empowered and thus will be more engaged  with your content.
3. Ask your participants to co-create course content with you! Maybe they will  submit a case study that will be used as an illustration of a key concept, or maybe they can find images or other examples for your materials.
4. Whenever possible present information in various formats. We live in the time when learning happens on the go. Maybe your participants will listen to a podcast and then continue with a downloaded PDF, or watch a video clip to get a better understanding of the material.
5. Allow participants to set their goals and monitor their progress towards these goals. This will increase their sense of ownership and will heighten engagement with you.
6. If your forums are kind of dull, try setting up contests. For instance, those who show the most participation will win a free consultation with you?!
7. Whatever you do, try to give your participants some space to find their own solutions, make mistakes, struggle and overcome their fears. However, in order for this to work in the online environment, you need  to provide a VERY strong emotional support, checking on those who seem to withdraw, reminding your participants on a regular basis that you keep their success in mind, that you are available for  any questions, encouraging them and rewarding them along the way.

If you liked this blog post, please like and share it with others.

How is your online engagement? Take a 2 minute test to find out your Online Engagement EKG!

Let’s connect:
Like my Facebook page to stay in touch:

Get some up-to-date tweets on psychology, connection, engagement and enjoyment in the online context:

Subscribe to my YouTube Channel:

Why do familiar songs have such a strong affect on us? Because your brain recognizes patterns and increases high levels of dopamaine. Our brain is a gap filling machine that craves certainty & prediction. Without prediction, the brain must use dramatically more resources, to process basic experiences. In this episode we will discuss how certainty affects  engagement online:

If you have not seen the 1st video in the “Irresistibly Engaging” video series, please watch it here: http://www.wiredatheart.com/2013/04/17/the-status-of-engagement/

Here is the summary of the main points for your convenience:

Any kind of significant change generates uncertainty. Online, such uncertainty doubles because this context feels different: isolated and not as controlled as the traditional setting.Yet, uncertainty can be decreased in many simple ways:

1. Provide step-by-step explanations of the processes on your sites. If your customers buy your online programs, explain to them EXACTLY what is going to happen when the purchase  occurs. Will they get a welcome email with the passwords? Will they instantly be redirected to another page?
2. Post course navigation cheat sheets. Do not assume that everyone is tech savvy. If your product involves, say, a private Facebook group, or a forum- give clear directions on how to set up profiles in these sites, and how to interact with others.
3. List objectives for each unit of your program and then show that these objectives were met by your customers in some tangible way: will they need to pass a test? Perform? Apply what they learned? How will you and they know that these objectives were achieved?
4. Create an expectations list for your clients- explain when you will be available, how often will you reply to their inquiries, etc.
5. When possible provide tech support. If your budget does not allow you to hire a permanent tech support person, –create a list of FAQ with trouble shooting techniques.
6. Consistently evaluate your customers expectations through mini evaluations.

If you liked this blog post, please like and share it with others.

How is your online engagement? Take a 2 minute test to find out your Online Engagement EKG!

Let’s connect:
Like my Facebook page to stay in touch:

Get some up-to-date tweets on psychology, connection, engagement and enjoyment in the online context:

Subscribe to my YouTube Channel:

Did you know that research found that higher status monkeys have lower baseline cortisol levels, live longer and are healthier? In his research Michael Marmot makes the case that status is the most significant determinant of human longevity and health, even when controlling for education and income. So let’s see how status affect engagement online, shall we?

Here are the main points of the video for your convenience:

Status is about relative importance, ‘pecking order’ and seniority.

1. Status can go up when people are given positive feedback, especially public acknowledgment. Whenever possible, try to highlight the best in your customers so others can see and hear it too.

2. Make sure your customer’s point of view is validated. No comment is bad when it comes to engagement online.

3. If you see that your forum or private group is dominated by more expressive types of people, stir the conversation to the direction which can bring the shyer participants out.

4. People experience a status increase when they feel they are learning and improving In any types of communication with your customers whether in a daily chat on FB or in online info product you want to make sure that your client feels that his or her interaction with your company changes their lives for the best AND BE ABLE TO HAVE A TANGIBLE proof of that.

5. Finally, status is about one’s relative position in a community of importance such as a professional group or social club based on what is valued. Make your audience active contributors to your work. Allow them to share their content, assign roles to them and let them co-create your brand with them! As a result you will build engagement , trust and loyalty.

What to do now:

In the comments below please share YOUR strategies for boosting status online.

If you liked this blog post, please like and share it with others.

How is your online engagement? Take a 2 minute test to find out your Online Engagement EKG!

Let’s connect:
Like my Facebook page to stay in touch:

Get some up-to-date tweets on psychology, connection, engagement and enjoyment in the online context:

Subscribe to my YouTube Channel:

If you liked this post you might also enjoy the following:

How to engage your audience through your webinars: http://www.wiredatheart.com/2012/02/29/webinar-superstar-how-to-engage-your-audience-during-your-online-presentation/

How to create engaging podcasts?

http://www.wiredatheart.com/2013/03/12/how-to-create-a-podcast-that-captivates-and-enchants/

As you know, my new course Multiply Your Impact and Income: 3 Steps for Creating Engaging and Profitable Online Programs That Turn Your Clients Into Raving Fans is now open for registration.
This program will help you to move from 1 -1 model to package your expertize online so you can serve multiple clients at the same time and keep reusing the same program for more impact and income. You will also know how to build in engagement and connection into every step of the product so your clients will complete it, get great results, and spread the word about you and your business.

The program starts on April 15 and will go on for 6 weeks. You will have access to self-paced videos and application activities, and will be a part of a private FB group. You will have a 1 one on one consultation with me, as well as 3 live calls where you can ask ANY questions about your products. To learn more about the program go here: www.multiplyyourimpact.com/program.html
If you have not yet seen my webinar that describes each step watch it by midnight TONIGHT to enjoy fast action bonuses and your free gift at the end: www.multiplyyourimpact.com  (click “sign in” and watch for an automated email with the link to the replay!)

Now, many of you have many questions about the program, so I decided to put together a FAQ list:

Register for our FREE Online Training on April 4, 2013 @ 7:30 pm CST:

www.multiplyyourimpact.com

Here is the video summary for your convenience: 

You have to weave connection and   engagement into the every step of the product development. Then you will have   a super successful product with highly engaged customers. An engaged customer   will: Buy your product Complete it Get great results Become your raving fan who will spread   the word about you and your products That is the type of success you should be looking for! What I suggest is that engagement is something YOU must offer.  It cannot be ‘required’ as part of your client’s contract with you. According to the scientist Evian Gordon,  the organizing   principle of the brain is to minimize danger and maximize reward   (Gordon, 2008). The neural basis of engagement is closely linked to this threat/reward function. In the reward state (the engaged state) people: • Have  increased cognitive resources • Are more creative • Solve more problems • Come up with more ideas for actions • Have a wider field of perceptual view Now I am going to get a bit scientific on you: When your client is engaged, there is increased activation of reward and self-regulation circuitry in the brain. On the biological level, the striatum releases   dopamine directly into the prefrontal cortex, ACC, and other associated regions and positively affects a  wide range of cognitive and emotional functions through increasing brain resources and functional connectivity.On the contrary,  disengagement activates the brain’s threat circuitry. Threat   circuitry is not just fear. It includes anything that we want to avoid, such as:  sadness, anxiety, lack of safety, depression and mind wandering.This disengagement state can occupy large amounts of brain resources and decrease the efficiency of attention resources,  lead to mental fatigue and come with long-term consequences, such as negatively impacting overall health due to increased cortisol. So yes, if you create  disengaging online products and programs you might actually negatively affect   people’s health!So what creates  high levels of rewards and engagement or   lead to threats and disengagement?The SCARF model(Rock,   2008) summarizes a wide range of social cognitive and affective neuroscience   findings into five domains of threat or reward. The five domains are Status, Certainty, Autonomy, Relatedness and Fairness. I’m so passionate about helping you  understand the role of engagement in-depth and reveal the main principles of   engagement as well as some key elements of engagement that you can mix together to create highly engaging courses and products. I’m going to share my own 3 step system to   help you stand out, earn more and make marketing easier. AND I’m going to   show you how to infuse connection and engagement in each step so you can make   it your own.Register for our FREE webinar on April 4, 2013 www.multiplyyourimpact.com    to learn about: 1.  Product’s Big Idea: Finding your product’s main idea that will instantly connect with your clients.2. Product’s Design: Weaving connection and engagement into the design of your product.3. Product’s Delivery: Building connection and engagement during delivery of your product

Almost two years ago I was at a conference where I saw this incredibly charismatic and knowledgeable speaker, Julie Cottineau — a former Vice President of Brand at Virgin USA — who  generously shared her wisdom about how to build a unique brand for your company that makes you stand out from the crowd. I was so enchanted by all of the information that she provided:  I remember writing every single word down so I would not miss anything this ingenious woman had to say. I was blessed to later on work with her to design my brand which is now known as Wired@Heart.

 I decided to create a FREE online training “Multiply Your Impact & Income” that can help you overcome the challenges highlighted in this video and get your online connection groove on!

Have you ever tried to lead an online discussion? How about a group discussion? If you did, you probably struggled with figuring out how to guide your participants towards the desired goals without dominating the conversations and “giving” them the answers? Today I will give you several strategies that will ensure everyone’s participation and avoiding the situation when 1-2 participants colonize the conversation while others disappear into the cyber abyss.

Here are the highlights of this video for your convenience:

Strategy #1 Analyze post trends

While you are reading posts from others, try to think about some general themes that show up throughout this discussion. Start new threads with these “themes”.

Strategy #2 Narrow down discussion

Your discussions should have a very narrow goal. Strive for depth and not breadth… when you see that your participants are straying away from the main purpose of the threat, guide their discussion to its original narrow focus.

If there is a controversial point, try ending your comments with a question. This suggests a variety of perspectives on this issue as opposed to the “my way or the highway” approach. If you want to guide someone to another idea, or correct someone’s trail of thought, you can start your sentence by saying” Have you considered?  “What do you think about…?”

Strategy # 3: Support minority perspectives

Pick up on some ideas that have been sidelined by the main stream ideas and then gently bring them back for others’ consideration. Think- what might be the merits of these points? Are they founded on valid information? How could they be beneficial for others?

Strategy #4: Model Behavior

Everything about you (including your message) should reflect what you preach. Your message posts and message replies should reflect the standards that you require from others. When you compose a message, set it aside for a while. Then come back to it and ask yourself – is the message clear? Is it emotionally charged? Does it express the desired perspective? What feeling does it provoke? Make sure to never post anything when you are in a negative state of mind.

Strategy #5: Make your silent participants shine

 It is your job to bring in the silent participants, make them feel comfortable, and give them room to expand.

If you see that someone is not involved in the discussion, shoot them a private email asking if everything is ok. If you see them doing something great, bring in their name and tag them, make an example of them, and encourage them to share their experience with others, make sure to give the spotlight to everyone in your group.

WHAT TO DO NOW:

In the comments below please share YOUR strategies for building engaging discussions online.

If you liked this discussion, please subscribe to my blog to receive timely updates and your FREE “5 Bulletproof Strategies for Creating Meaningful Connections Online” report:

Let’s connect:

Like my Facebook page to stay in touch:

Get some up-to-date tweets on psychology, connection, engagement and enjoyment in the online context:

Subscribe to my YouTube Channel:

If you liked this post you might also enjoy the following:

How to engage your audience through your webinars: http://www.wiredatheart.com/2012/02/29/webinar-superstar-how-to-engage-your-audience-during-your-online-presentation/

How to create engaging podcasts?

http://www.wiredatheart.com/2013/03/12/how-to-create-a-podcast-that-captivates-and-enchants/