# Speaking on Contrast

Quick start guide if you been invited to speak on Contrast

Written by Tim Minton  
Updated over a month ago

This guide provides step-by-step instructions for using the webinar studio to manage your live sessions, engage your audience, and brand your content.

🎥 Watch our quick start guide:

[Speaking on Contrast - YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E51JMgFJjvs)

## 1. Initial Setup and Access

### Accessing the Studio
You can enter the studio in two ways:

- Click the Share button in the top right corner of the platform.
- Go to the Events tab and click the Enter Studio button for your specific event.

### Camera and Microphone Setup
1. Upon joining, you will be directed to a setup page.
2. Click Accept to allow the platform to use your camera and microphone.
3. Enter your name.
4. Click to enter the studio.

Note: The studio acts as a "green room." Viewers cannot see or hear you until you hit the Go Live button. You can use this time to set up your branding and engagement features.

## 2. Managing the Backstage Area
The Backstage area is located on the left side of the studio.

- On Stage vs. Backstage: Only participants inside the white middle rectangle (the stage) are visible and audible to the audience. Participants in the backstage area are hidden from the audience.
- Production Uses: Use the backstage to keep speakers hidden during an intro by an MC, then bring them "on stage" for a produced effect.
- Moderator Role: A moderator can stay backstage to manage the chat, polls, and CTAs without ever appearing on camera.
- Layouts: Use the layout buttons at the bottom of the screen to change the look and feel of the stage.

## 3. Branding Your Session
Click the Brand button on the right to customize the session's appearance:

- Set brand colors and fonts.
- Upload your logo.
- Toggle speaker names on or off.
- Change the session background.

Branding settings will automatically apply to engagement features like polls and questions. These settings are typically copied over when you create new webinars.

## 4. Utilizing Engagement Features

### Audience Chat and Q&A
- Interaction: You can chat with the audience even before going live.
- Moderation: Hover over a message to delete it if necessary.
- Chat to Stage: Hover over a message and click the green plus (+) button to display a question or comment directly on the stage. This uses your brand styles.
- Q&A Queue: Click the bookmark icon on a message to add it to the Q&A queue for later use.

### Speaker Chat
Use the Speaker Chat tab for private communication between studio participants. This is not visible to the audience.

### Polls, CTAs, and Widgets
For these features, use the red plus (+) button to create new items:
- Polls: Create a poll and click Start Poll. Results appear in real-time and can be added to the stage.
- CTAs (Call to Action): Push links to external sites or speaker profiles. Interactions are tracked and can be pushed to CRMs like HubSpot.
- Widgets: Add a TV-style scrolling text bar for "soft" CTAs.
- Topics: Use full-screen animations or lower thirds to mark segments. These also create "key moments" or chapters for on-demand viewers.

## 5. Sharing Slides and Screens

### Using the Slides Tab
- Format: Upload presentations as PDFs.
- Management: You can upload multiple PDFs and drag-and-drop them to reorder.
- Content Types: You can also upload images, GIFs, and very short videos (under 1 minute).
- Navigation: Control slides directly within the studio so you can still monitor the chat.

### Screen Sharing
- Click the screen share button to share your desktop or specific windows (e.g., for product demos).
- Screen shares can be placed Backstage first, allowing you to bring them onto the stage when ready.

## 6. Inviting Speakers and Admins
Click the Invite People button in the top left of the backstage area to generate links:
- Speaker Link: Recommended for external guests. They have limited functionality and cannot stop the session.
- Admin Link: Provides full control, including the ability to start and stop the webinar.

Note: Guests do not need a Contrast account or any app downloads; they can join directly via their browser.

## 7. Best Practices and Technical Tips
- Dry Runs: Invite speakers a day or two early to familiarize them with the setup and test their connection.
- Browser Performance: Since the platform is browser-based, close unnecessary tabs (like Excel or extra Chrome tabs) and background apps.
- Bandwidth: Ensure a stable connection. Avoid having others on the same network streaming high-bandwidth content (like Netflix) during the session.