Beginner’s Guide to Joining iHomeschool Hangouts as a Panel Member

Guide to Joining iHomeschool Hangouts as a Panelist

Here are your step by step instructions on how to join an iHomeschool Hangout on Air as a panel member. This means that you will be visible both during the live broadcast and later in the recorded video.

If you want to watch the broadcast or recording, see the main hangout page or our event page.

1. Join Google Plus

Create a personal profile on G+ and fill it out completely.

2.Turn on notifications

When you’re logged in to G+, look on the left hand side, under Home → Settings to customize your notifications. You’ll notice a section specifically for Hangouts. You can have notifications come to your mail and even to your phone.

3. Be ready at least ten minutes early

The equipment you need for a Google Hangout on Air is minimal. You need a computer with a webcam (or iPad) along with headphones. If your headphones have a built in microphone, that is best.

4. Don’t forget to check your camera view

What can you see in the background? Declutter the view behind yourself.

Also, take care with what you’re advertising: no branded material (besides your own) is allowed on YouTube. Old Navy t-shirts, Coke-a-Cola signs, or Starbucks coffee mugs would be examples.

5. Wait for your invitation from the host

If you’re a member of the panel, you’ll get an invite from iHN to join a Google Hangout on Air (or it may say video call).

Click join to enter the hangout. Your mic may be automatically muted when you join, so you’ll need to look in the upper right hand bar to turn it back on.

6. After you join in

When you join the hangout, look on the left to install Google Toolbox (add more apps). Click on Lower Third, and fill in the fields for your name and website. It is easier to edit the lower third when it is turned off. Then turn it on, preview, and turn it back off to make changes.

You can set up lower thirds beforehand by holding your own practice session. You don’t even have to broadcast it. For ultimate personal branding, you’ll want to create your own overlay with your logo and colors.

7. Make sure you’re looking at the camera, not the screen.

You might want to create a reminder note near your webcam saying, look here!

8. Taking a break

If you need to leave the hangout or handle a situation at home, you can turn your camera off in the upper right hand corner so your motions are not distracting. You can also mute your microphone in the same way.

9. Have an introduction ready

When we start the hangout, we’ll have quick self-introductions.

Example:

Hi, I’m Dianna Kennedy, and you’ll find me at The Kennedy Adventures, writing about homeschooling, being Catholic, and managing a large family. I also write at New Evangelizers, The Homeschool Classroom and Catholic Mothers Online.

10. Promote the Event

Share your upcoming appearance on iHomeschool Hangouts with your followers. Use the event link from Google+ and/or the iHomeschool Hangouts page here on the iHN site. For advanced promotion tips to market yourself through your panel appearance, see these suggestions.