Kranz On Copy: Insights and answers on copywriting and writing copy

Last week, I was in Sioux Falls, SD to lead a one-day web writing seminar for LodgeNet Interactive, the company that puts games, movies and Internet access in your hotel room.

I love teaching and training, but I have to wonder: Is asking participants for 8 hours straight too much? (OK, seven hours of instruction with a one-hour break for lunch and to check emails, etc.) I mean, in graduate school, the longest classes were 4 hours. And man, they were looong.

But when this seminar ended, the participants couldn't believe the day flew by so fast! "It felt like an hour," one said. "And I'm ready for more."

So, what was the secret?

The hands-on exercises.

I planned the day as a series of cumulative writing exercises of about 40 to 60 minutes each. For each exercise, I'd explain the concept, show an example, do one together as a group, have them write, then have them discuss their work to get feedback.

Then we'd be off to the next exercise. As a result, the day continually moved. And the participants learned new skills while having a good time.

Want to make a seminar fly by? Don't talk too much -- have participants do things.