Tutorials, videos, live streaming… these are all great ways to get yourself and your business out there.

If you want to make something people will share, knowing your stuff isn’t enough, you have to know how to teach.

So is teaching some magic thing?

Well, for some people it is, they instinctively know what to do.

But for the rest of us, we need a bit of structure.

You’ll be a natural.

Follow these steps, and you’ll be a natural, too.

Tip 1: Who will you teach?

Think about who you want to attract, and speak or write in their language.

Make it fun and personal, so they feel at ease learning from you.

Never assume.

Don’t assume anything.

It’s easy for us to forget how much we really know.

Try to imagine what it was like when you were just learning your craft.

Don’t use jargon without explaining what it means.

Students learn when they feel comfortable, and if you’re talking over their head, they’ll get frustrated.

Even if you’re teaching an advanced technique, be sure to cover the basics first.

If someone already knows the basics, they’ll just feel smart, and that’s a good thing.

Tip 2: What do you want them to learn?

Teach one concept at a time.

Don’t commit information overload, trying to teach too many things at once just leads to confusion, and nothing is learned.

Even if you’re target audience knows your craft, you still want to teach just one concept at a time.

Tip 3: Plan your lesson before you teach

Plan ahead!

Make an outline, even if it’s just in your head.

If you’re going to teach live, practice first.

When you’re ready to record, put a sticky note on the tripod with reminders of what you want to cover.

Keep the note simple so you can refer to it easily as you teach.

After you live stream a few times it will get easier, and you can probably just wing it and forget the notes.

People like to see you as a person, and if you make a mistake, it’s no big deal!

When you make a video lesson, it’s a lot easier to just film your demonstration, then add the audio later.

That way you won’t be fussing over what to say while you’re trying to keep track of your camera and your demonstration.

Tutorials should be planned out before you start your project.

What will you need pictures for?

What can be more easily explained with words?

I personally do not think you can take too many photos.

I hate it when I forget to capture a step along the way!

Take a bunch of pictures, even if you’re not sure you’ll use them.

When your painting is finished, your bag is sewn up, or your chicken is cooked, you can’t go back and take a picture of something you forgot to capture along the way.

Tip 4: Show, don’t tell

Actions speak LOUD.

Writers use this phrase to remember that action is way more interesting than words.

Of course, you’re going to tell what you’re doing, but you need to remember to demonstrate each step clearly.

If you’re on camera, talk slowly and take time to show exactly what you are doing, never rush.

If you’re writing a tutorial, don’t write a long explanation without any pictures.

Remember, people will first skim over your project, then decide if they want to try it out.

Lots of pictures will entice them to stay.

Tip 6: Keep it simple

This doesn’t mean you can’t teach a challenging project, just be sure to take it one step at a time.

Maybe you can turn the project into a series, then your people will keep coming back for more!

Tip 7: Reflect and review

Always reflect and review.

At the end, review what you’ve just taught.

Reviewing makes it all cement into their brains, and they remember it better.

Here’s the formula good teachers use:

• Tell them what they’re going to learn.
• Teach it to them in detail.
• Tell them what the just learned.

Tip 8: Be the ultimate tour guide

When you teach a class in person, you’re able to demonstrate, see how well they’re understanding, and then guide your students while they try it out.

Teaching online it can be tricky because you can’t see your students, and you can’t watch over their shoulder to catch their mistakes.

Live streaming allows you to answer questions, but you still can’t help the way you can when you’re right by their side.

But wouldn’t it be a great gesture to offer your help?

Tell your students to leave a comment or contact you with questions.

You’ll learn a lot too, and it improves your teaching.

I’d like to help you!

If you have any questions or need a little teaching advice, send me an email at lucy@thecreativitypatch.com.

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Lucy Jennings is a craft teacher specializing in weaving at The Creativity Patch. She teaches crafters of all ages, but has a soft spot for helping children develop their creativity through art!

You can find Lucy on Instagram where she helps you be more creative and talks about slow living.

Get her latest free Skillshare class on How to Make a Paper Flower Headpiece with Bottle Caps or learn how to weave and make your own loom with a book here.