As the global pandemic took place in the past few years, it compelled people to work from home. Webinars have renewed in popularity and usage across every industry in the world. It has become a staple for captivating large online audiences, educating students, and leading your business’s generation.
This article sheds light on the working process of webinars, its benefits, and tips and tricks to successfully host one. So, go through from top to bottom to elevate your career or business.
Understanding of Webinars- A Brief Overview
A web-based seminar, also known as a webinar is a global real-time online platform for meetings, presentations, and workshops that facilitates group communication and interaction. Webinar software is typically used to host these virtual gatherings. It is now the go-to strategy for instructors and companies trying to captivate, inform, and win over participants.
Webinars are a two-way communication form where you can receive and share information with global participants. It is easier and more effective than organising a lecture or seminar in real life. You can also record the webinar for future reference or send it to people who are unable to join.
How Does Webinars Work?
Just like a real-life seminar or workshop, a webinar usually consists of one host and a group of participants. You can join the conference using any mobile device or computer via an invitation link. Hosting a webinar allows you to share all kinds of documents, including videos, PDFs, voice notes, presentations, and others with the audience.
Your audience can be anyone from new or existing customers, students in your classroom, or industry peers if you host a webinar. Attendees can share their thoughts, ask questions, and chat in the discussion forums. Webinars are an effective way of communicating and an outstanding factor in your professional and personal success.
Types of Webinars
The type of a webinar depends on its purpose and shared content to achieve a specific goal. Here are some of the popular types of webinars you can use while planning to host one. Keep in mind, that each type might be different based on the webinar software you are using.
Types by Purposes
- Educational webinar
If you want to run a conference to educate your audience, educational webinars are one of the most effective ways. There must be an expert to share knowledge and a group of participants who can ask questions and get knowledge.
- Product webinar
Businesses host product Webinars to showcase new launches with a lot of people. It includes a detailed presentation of its features and advantages and answering the questions regarding its working procedure. Running a product webinar requires educating participants and getting their attention to convert them into customers and make a sale.
- Training and Meeting
Running a webinar to connect with the team members is beneficial for business growth. Through this, you can create a meeting and train your employees, pass knowledge, and teach practical skills to increase productivity. Hosting Webinars is both engaging and effective than providing written materials.
Types by Contents
- Live Video
Creating a webinar in a live video format builds stronger communication and bond with the participants. It creates a very positive environment where people can interact in real time across the globe.
- Slide Show
People also host Webinars to share knowledge and educate the audience. The slide show Webinar provides accompanying educational visuals and presents what you want to convey through slide presentations.
- Pre-recorded Video
If you are sharing some presentations and giving the same lecture more than once, you can record the first webinar and play the pre-recorded video on the next webinar. It is a great option if the guest speaker is unable to schedule the meeting at the same time.
- Screen Sharing
When you run a webinar and the topic needs a step-by-step demonstration, there is no better way than sharing the screen with the audience. It is a great way for software companies to onboard new users to the software. The same goes for educational webinars. Educators can share their screens to present the spreadsheets and files to develop a better understanding of the process.
Benefits of Webinars
Hosting a successful webinar has numerous uses and benefits. Here are some potential advantages and reasons you should host a webinar:
- Hosting a webinar is the best way to build a new customer list. Audiences need to register before joining the meeting, and this way, you can create a new contact list in your database.
- Hosting webinars allows you to record the meetings and share them later as content material.
- It is one of the best ways to connect and engage students. Students can learn from the comfort of their own homes during sudden circumstances like pandemics.
- These type of seminars establishes you as a trustworthy and reliable expert in the industry. You can target the market and audiences to showcase and deliver information about your product directly and clear out any doubts.
- Webinars can help you onboard and train new employees enjoyably and effectively. It is always better to discuss critical issues through live conversations.
- Hosting a webinar always ensures influential branding opportunities. You can build brand awareness and set the brand voice.
Tips and Tools to Run A Successful Webinar
The market is filled with lots of paid and free webinar tools and software. Running a successful webinar and accomplishing your objectives while staying within your budget ultimately determine which technology is ideal for you. Here are some of the best free and paid webinar tools you can use to host one:
- Zoom: Zoom is the most popular and widely used webinar tool to host an online meeting. It has a user-friendly interface that allows the host and attendees easy navigation. The platform starts with a free plan and offers paid business plans with robust features.
- Webinar Jam: This platform starts at a $400 per year subscription plan and offers outstanding features such as automated recordings and live chat.
- Google Meet: Google Meet is one of the best platforms to host webinars and online classes for educational purposes.
- Webinar Ninja: It is a paid webinar tool that starts with a subscription of $39 per month for up to 100 participants. You can also get a 14-day free trial before going for the subscription.
Final Thoughts
Webinars are often less effort yet more effective than in-person or hybrid events. From sharing knowledge to establishing an organisation as a leader, this virtual meeting method plays a crucial role in your event program. It is important to choose the webinar tool carefully to successfully meet your goal and prove your expertise. So, be the leader and host webinars strategically and thoughtfully.
FAQs :
What is a Webinar?
Webinars web-based seminars, workshops, and meetings that allow a group of people to participate, connect, and share thoughts in real time.
What are the advantages of webinars?
The core advantages of Webinars are it is one of the best ways for students to learn from their homes during sudden circumstances, such as the global pandemic. It is also helpful for businesses to target potential customers, showcase their new products, train employees, and increase productivity.
Are there any specific equipment needed to run Webinars?
There is not much equipment needed to start a webinar. You need to have a webcam, reliable webinar software, a steady internet connection, and an optional headset.
What are some best webinar tools?
Some of the best and most popular webinar tools are Zoom, Google Meet, Webinar Ninja, and Webinar Jam.
