The Secret Sauce of virtual Instructor Led Training (vILT)—Why Every Session Needs a Technical Producer
You’ve built an amazing virtual instructor led training session. Your slides are polished, your content is aligned to learning objectives, and your engagement activities are ready to go. But something still feels… off. That’s where the secret sauce comes in: a technical producer.
If you’re leading vILT sessions without one, you’re not just multitasking—you’re sacrificing learner experience, tech flow, and your own sanity.
My First Time with a Producer (And Why I’ll Never Go Back)
The first time I had a producer, it was for a high-stakes session with 100+ learners. For years, I had been juggling chat questions, tech issues, and facilitating all by myself. Not only was it was exhausting, it was also unorganized, choppy, and just plain messy. Then came Sarah.
She greeted participants, helped kick off the session with a soft opening activity, managed breakout rooms, launched polls, and fielded tech questions while I focused on teaching. The session flowed. Learners stayed engaged. I stayed present. Game. Changer.
What Is a Technical Producer, Really?
A vILT producer is your co-pilot. Their job? To manage the technical logistics, so you can focus on delivering an engaging learning experience.
They handle:
- Tech troubleshooting
- Admitting participants
- Chat moderation
- Launching polls & screen sharing
- Managing breakout rooms
- Time checks & private facilitator messages
They’re like a stage manager for your virtual classroom—essential for professional, smooth-running sessions.
What Makes a GREAT Producer?
A good producer manages tech. A great one anticipates your needs, communicates behind the scenes, and supports the flow like an invisible hand guiding the experience.
The best technical producers are more than button-pushers—they’re strategic partners in learning. They have a solid grasp of adult learning principles and know how to support instructional flow without stepping on the facilitator’s toes. They’re calm under pressure, troubleshoot tech issues on the fly, and communicate clearly in high-stakes moments. A great producer anticipates transitions, manages timing, keeps an eye on engagement tools, and acts as a backstage director so the facilitator can shine. They’re detail-oriented, quick-thinking, and have mastery of the platform’s backend features (think Zoom, Teams, or WebEx). Most importantly, they stay learner-focused and are fully invested in creating a seamless, distraction-free learning experience. When you find a producer like this, hold on tight—they’re pure gold.
5 Reasons Every vILT Needs a Producer
- Less Cognitive Load for You: You teach. They tech.
- Learner Focus Stays on Content: No distractions from “You’re on mute.”
- Faster Tech Fixes: Tech hiccups handled in real time.
- Seamless Transitions: Between activities, screens, and speakers
- Support for Engagement Tools: Polls, chats, and whiteboards don’t run themselves.
Want to know what producers do behind the scenes?
Set your producer up for success and provide them with a Producer Guide.
Download our Sample vILT Producer Guide for real-world checklists, scripts, and best practices to run a smooth session.