Online Event Checklist

Organizer Resources · Running Events

Print this page or copy this list into a document so you can prepare for an event.

1 Week Before Your Event

Promote your event! Post on your social media accounts, and print out flyers to post locally.

1 Day Before Your Event

Meetup Message the members on your attendee list with any relevant info about your upcoming event.

Check your event listing on shutupwrite.com and make sure your room link is correct.

The Day of Your Event

Log into your virtual room 5 minutes before your event's start time

Turn on security settings (if using Zoom, this is accessible via the Security Button at the bottom of the screen)

Turn off: "Allow participants to share screen"

Turn off: "Allow participants to rename themselves"

During Your Event

As people arrive, let them in from the waiting room and welcome them to your Shut Up & Write! event!

Introduce yourself and get to know your writers: where are they located, how is their day going?

Officially start the event by sharing what you'll be working on. Keep this part brief! This helps keep the event moving forward.

Call on people by name to avoid any confusion about who goes next.

Once everyone has stated what they're writing, let the group know you're about to set the timer and that it's time to Shut Up & Write!

Remember to set your timer!

Shut Up & Write! ⏱️

After the timer goes off, ensure people can unmute themselves (if using Zoom, check the Security button.) Unmute yourself and welcome everyone back. Tip: Try welcoming your group back softly because an enthusiastic "welcome back" can make some writers jump!

Lead a round of check-ins with your writers: How did the session go?

Feel free to linger as long as you like to connect with writers and foster additional conversations. This is the fun part of community building!

Thank the group for showing up, invite them to come back again, and paste the link to your next event in the chat.