FolksOnline (FO) - With your experience as a cybercoach for the last two years, we thought it would be really interesting for our community to hear about how you have been able to transfer your coaching experience to the online medium. In particular, I'd like to invite your insights on how someone can take their area of expertise, whether it's photography, organic gardening, Latin history, whatever, and be able to teach and transmit their knowledge via the Web.

Harriet (HS) - I feel this idea of virtual teaching is the beginning of something really big; the possibility of sharing, collaborating, and transmitting our own "oral legacy" through the world-wide extended community now available because the Internet.

FO - Your have been using the Internet for your area of expertise; being a personal coach. What is a personal coach?

HS - I essentially partner with my clients to help them stay on track toward their personal and professional goals. Examples of goals could be something like getting a new job or losing weight. Rather than being their advisor or counselor, my job is to help my clients get in touch with their own knowledge about what to do.

FO - I understand a coach would normally deal with their clients in person or through phone contact and you have added the e-mail component to these other interactions. What was the key ingredient necessary for you to successfully incorporate the Internet contact?

HS - The ability to read between the lines. In the space of e-mail, I can't see their face or hear their voice so I have to "hear" in a different way about what they really mean at times.

FO - So how does someone with in-depth experience in an area go about analyzing whether their knowledge is transmittable through the Web? What kind of questions should they be asking themselves?

HS - How would you want to transmit your information? Through a learning program? Do you just want to be an e-mail mentor? Will there be any materials transferred? via document exchange? through snail mail? How often would you want to interact with your students or clients? Do you conduct one-way e-mail lectures? Do you need to incorporate phone meetings into the program? What should be the frequency of either e-mail, phone or face-to-face contact?

FO - I see what you mean now about how the potential in this area can be really big. There are so many possibilities for interactivity! The virtual teacher or consultant can also conduct forums and live chats and eventually go live on video.

So it appears two important starting points are the development of the program format and determining the different ways the information could be delivered. It is essentially planning the "packaging" of the delivery of your expertise.

HS - That's right. Another consideration is your objective for doing this. Do you want to offer your knowledge freely as a service to others or do you want to get paid for your time? To fine tune your program, you may need to offer it as a free service in the beginning.

FO - On a personal level, what are some qualities and characteristics a person need to have in order to be a successful virtual teacher or cyberconsultant?

HS - Are you a good writer or do you have access to a good writer? We're dealing with the written word here. It is important to have some sense of humor and be able to use emoticons :-))).

FO - What does it mean to be a good writer for the Web?

HS - You must be able to write in-depth information in a very bottom-line way. I wouldn't want to work with a lot of heavy text. Otherwise, I'd read a book. (For writing tips for the Web, go to "How to be a Cyberwriter"

FO - What other personal characteristics are important?

HS - You have to be okay about not having direct personal contact with your clients. Some people may find that lack of personal contact to not be very satisfying.

You also have to be able to manage breakdowns in communication that could occur through a remote communication vehicle, without the benefit of body language and voice cues.

Another important point is the ability to evaluate the suitability of your clients for the online medium. After all, this is essentially self study or independent study so it's to your benefit to screen out people who are not really compatible for this approach.

I had already mentioned that the skill to read between the lines is very key.

FO - Do you think the skills to be an effective virtual teacher or cyberconsultant can be developed or do you think they are innate qualities?

HS - This is a really good question and I'm not sure what the answer is. I tend to think that a good communicator in general can adapt to become a good communicator via the Web. They must be a strong listener and a good "listener" via e-mail.

FO - This is great information, Harriet! What is your last piece of advice for prospective virtual teachers or cyberconsultants?

HS - You must have a good product and be a good communicator. Whatever your area of expertise is, you have to really know your stuff. And just Try it!!!!

Harriett Simon Salinger MS is a personal and professional coach. She works with clients by phone and email. She can be reached at harriett@hssalinger.com or visit her web site. To learn more about how Harriet joined the online world and became a cybercoach, read her True Story Check out Class on Call for information about distance learning and to participate in Harriet's class called Spiritual Partnership for the late 90's.