Screen-Sharing at Aim High
We're trying something new... opening up the privilege of screen-sharing during your presentation, for any member who qualifies ahead of time.
If you've ever wanted to walk the chapter through your website, show off your portfolio, or run them through a live demo... now you can. With some guardrails. Because nothing kills a presentation faster than 90 seconds of "hold on, let me figure out this share button" while everyone watches your inbox notifications pop up in front of God and country.
Here's the standard. Here's how to qualify. Here's how to do it well.
Two Ways to Share
Zoom's Built-In Share
The default. It's what most members will use. Simple, it works, and it gets the job done.
OBS (Power Option)
If you want scene switching, picture-in-picture, or any kind of presentation polish that goes beyond "here's one window"... OBS is the tool. Steeper learning curve. You don't need it for most presentations.
Pick the one that matches what you actually need. Don't overbuild.
The Two Etiquette Rules
Both matter. Both are non-negotiable.
1. Begin during YOUR introduction
Not before. If you start sharing while the previous speaker is still wrapping up... you cut them off. The chapter sees your screen, not theirs. Their close gets stepped on. Don't be that member.
2. Stop the INSTANT you finish
Not when you finish your last sentence. The instant. If you linger on the share... you cover whoever's up next. Their intro is happening on top of your homepage. Stop the share. Then sit back.
Be ready to share within 15 to 30 seconds of "it's your turn." Practice that part. The chapter will wait for you... but only for so long.
How to Get Qualified
It's a 15-minute Zoom where you show me you can do this smoothly... and your computer can handle the load. You arrive ready. I'm not teaching you Zoom share or OBS during our 15 minutes.
- Book at least two weeks before your speaking slot. Use my 1-2-1 calendar to find a 15-minute window: family.quietlyworking.org/121-with-tig
- If nothing's available within two weeks of your speaking date... Email me at tig@quietlyworking.org with three day-time options between 11 AM and 4 PM Pacific. We'll make one of them work.
- Show up ready. Download the Pre-Qualification Checklist below. Run through it before we meet. Be ready to share within 30 seconds of me saying "go."
What I'm Looking For
During our 15 minutes, I'm checking four things. That's it.
1. Can you start your share in 15-30 seconds?
I'll simulate the moment. I'll say "it's your turn." You start sharing. I'm watching the clock.
2. Does your computer handle the load?
Screen-sharing taxes your CPU and GPU. 4K monitors, high-resolution video, too many tabs open, Chrome eating your RAM, virtual backgrounds running in Zoom... all of it adds up.
3. Are you sharing what you mean to share?
Window, not desktop. No inbox visible. No private tabs. No notifications enabled. We catch this stuff before your chapter does.
4. Do you know the etiquette?
Begin during your intro. Stop the instant your presentation ends. I'll ask you to demonstrate both.
If all four are good... you're qualified. If something needs work, we'll talk about what to fix and book a quick re-test.
Prep Before You Book
The qualification isn't training. So the prep matters. Here's what to do before you book.
Zoom Share Path
For most members.
Watch a Zoom screen-share walkthrough on YouTube (search "Zoom screen share window vs entire screen").
Download the Zoom Share Cheatsheet PDF. Run through it on the computer you'll use during your actual presentation.
Download Zoom Share Cheatsheet (PDF)OBS Path (Optional)
For members who want scene switching, picture-in-picture, or live presentation polish.
OBS is free. It's powerful. It takes some learning. Don't pick this path unless your presentation actually benefits from it.
Watch a 15-20 min OBS Studio intro on YouTube.
Download OBS Share Cheatsheet (PDF)Pro Tips for a Clean Share
- Share a specific window, not your entire screen. Privacy plus no popups.
- Close everything you don't need. Slack, email, browser tabs, music apps. All of it. Every program running steals CPU you might need.
- Disable notifications before you share. macOS: Focus mode. Windows: Focus Assist. Linux: Do Not Disturb. Whatever your flavor.
- Test on the actual machine you'll use. Not your backup laptop. The exact setup.
- If your video has audio... enable "Share computer sound" in Zoom. Without it, the chapter watches a silent movie.
- OBS users: pre-build your scenes. Don't build them live. The qualification session is not the time to discover OBS scene switching.
- Have a fallback. If something melts down, what's your "tell the story without the screen" version? Know it cold.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is this new?
Aim High hasn't formally allowed presenter screen-sharing before. We're opening it up now... but with a qualification gate, because a chapter meeting isn't the place to debug your setup live.
What if my presentation is in less than two weeks?
You don't qualify in time for THIS one. You can still qualify for future presentations. Book the session now and you're cleared for everything after.
What if my computer chokes during the qualification?
We'll talk about what to fix. Close apps, update drivers, switch machines, lower video resolution... whatever the issue is. Then we re-test. No shame. Better to find it with me than with the chapter.
Can I qualify on one computer and present on a different one?
No. The qualification is about the specific machine, in the specific configuration, you'll use during your actual presentation. Different machine means different test.
What if I get qualified and then upgrade my computer?
Re-qualify. New hardware means new test. It's 15 minutes... worth it for the confidence that nothing breaks on stage.
Do I have to use OBS?
No. Zoom's built-in share is the default and works fine for most presentations. OBS is the optional power tier.
What's the etiquette again?
Begin sharing during YOUR introduction (not before). Stop sharing the INSTANT your presentation ends (not when you finish your last sentence). Be ready in 15 to 30 seconds.
Who do I email if I have a problem the day of?
Email tig@quietlyworking.org. But if you're qualified and you've done the prep, you shouldn't need to.
Ready to Get Qualified?
Two weeks before your slot. 15-minute Zoom with TIG. Show up ready.
Book your session:
family.quietlyworking.org/121-with-tig
Calendar full within two weeks of your date?
Email tig@quietlyworking.org with three options between 11 AM and 4 PM Pacific.