Webinars – Meaning and everything you should know about webinars in 2022
Webinars are effective tools for brand awareness, educational purposes, and a means to reach a wider range of audiences. In fact, gone are the days when you join a webinar just to take in information.
Today, small businesses as well as big enterprises around the world leverage webinars because of their tremendous benefits. In fact, if your business hasn’t started leveraging webinars, the time to start is now.
In this article, we will discuss explicitly all that you need to know about webinars in 2022. This includes how it works, the benefits, ways to conduct a successful webinar, the type of equipment you need, and lots more.
Without further talks, let’s get started.
In this article, we will discuss explicitly all that you need to know about webinars in 2022. This includes how it works, the benefits, ways to conduct a successful webinar, the type of equipment you need, and lots more.
Without further talks, let’s get started.
What is a webinar?
Webinar is a coinage of two words, Web and Seminar. So, it is safe to say that webinars are seminars that take place on the web. Also, it is a medium that helps you to turn your presentations into real-time conversations wherever you are in the world.
Today, webinars are everywhere. The industry has boomed because of Covid-19. Although a vast majority of webinars tend to take on the educational role, the extent to which webinars are used is expanding rapidly.
In the past, you would rock up to a webinar knowing that you would be spoken or presented to. Today, webinars have become a highly inclusive and engaging forum.
Attendees are no longer passive spectators. Now, there is an expectation that attendees are engaging via chat features, polling, Q&A, and more.
The history of webinars
Webinars date back to the ’90s when Microsoft launched a NetMeeting product, allowing users to communicate in real-time and exchange data.
PlaceWare, a product developed by Xerox PARC, was the first of what we know to be webinars today. The software offered polling features, private chat, and the option for attendees to join the session as presenters.
How do webinars work?
It is imperative for any individual or organization hosting a webinar to understand how a webinar works. Having a detailed understanding of how the process works makes the webinar effective.
So, how does a webinar work? The first thing you must have in mind is that an effective webinar starts with three major roles. These are the organizer, presenter(s), and the attendees. Should any of these major roles be absent, then the webinar seizes to be effective.
It is common practice for webinar hosts to start the sessions by asking attendees to share where they are streaming from, or their level of knowledge on the topic presented. Speakers and organizers can then get an idea of who their attendees are and what is imperative to discuss in the session.
During the webinar, the host can share their PowerPoint presentations as well as other multimedia content.
7 incredible ways to conduct a successful webinar
A good and successful webinar will leave the audiences inspired, wonderful, and most importantly ready to act about the webinar. However, a bad webinar is not organized, boring and would keep the audience leaving one after the other before the end of the seminar
We are very sure you want to conduct a successful webinar that your audiences would like. Should that be the case, this section of the article will be of great help.
So, how do you create a successful webinar?
1. Know the main objectives of the webinar:
We cannot overemphasize the importance of this. In fact, many hosts fail to ask this question before diving into the whole process. This should not be so. And, as a matter of fact, therefore there are lots of boring and unproductive webinars out there.
As a host, whether an individual or organization, it is important to ask yourself if what you are offering is valuable. If you are not sure, then you can place yourself in the shoes of the audience. Will the webinar interest you? Are you ready to dedicate 2 hours of your time to the webinar? You need to check all these boxes before going ahead to host your webinar.
2. Choose the right speakers
The Host of a webinar is the engine that runs the show. Therefore, it is important that you ensure your webinar is hosted by knowledgeable and skilled experts. Asides from this, they must have a vast understanding of the chosen subject. They must know the topic in and out, like the back of their hand.
3. Create an amazing slide deck:
A common mistake many make is that their slide decks contain all that’s in the script. This should not be so. Your slide deck is expected to contain the main points in your script, not the script itself. Asides from this fact, ensure that you have enough facts and figures, data, charts, etc. All these will make the webinar an entertaining one.
4. Choose the right webinar format:
Choosing the right webinar format is crucial to setting the tone of your seminar. Before you start, ensure that you make this decision. Do you want your webinar to be a Q&A or more of a panel discussion? How complex your webinar is, and the availability of skilled and knowledgeable experts will determine what the format of your meeting would be.
5. Write a powerful script
The script is an essential part of a successful webinar. In fact, it is the foundation upon which your webinar hinges on. Therefore, it is important that you invest in writing a quality script. Having a quality and well-written script will give your host direction, help reduce the possibility of repetition, etc.
6. Invest in quality Audio
Nothing ruins a webinar as much as poor-quality audio. What’s the point of being on a webinar where you can’t even make out anything the host is saying? To make your webinar a success, ensure that you invest in quality audio. Do not use your system’s inbuilt mic. The result of this could be a distorted or tiny sound at the receiver’s end. Therefore, we advise that you use a cabled headset with microphones or wireless microphones.
7. Run a test webinar:
Assumption is not safe in any circumstances. In fact, it means you are not certain if you assume. Therefore, we advise you don’t assume all will pan out as planned during the webinar. Test all the equipment you are going to use before the day of the webinar. We advise you to do this several times before the day of the webinar.
Are webinars dead?
Not at all. Webinars are still going strong in 2022. It is evident as we see more and more webinar software and webinar planners introducing themselves to the market daily.
Webinars have evolved tremendously, especially in the post-Covid world. The need for webinars has increased, and with more research done to use the platform more effectively, we are starting to see platforms and features that consider the plight of people fighting Zoom fatigue.
Can you host a webinar on click funnels?
Yes, you can host a webinar on click funnels. Click funnel is a powerful tool that allows you to host webinars with the ability to sell your services to the public through online events. With this tool, you can sell various items, such as courses, software, products, etc. You can be sure to generate more leads and make more money using Clickfunnels.
All you need to do to host a webinar on click funnels are:
- Get enough people to register for your webinar
- Appreciate them for registering for the webinar
- Host the Live Web Seminar
- Share the recorded version of the webinar
3 best ways to make your webinars interactive
Webinars can be highly interactive and engaging if done correctly. Many platforms offer tools and features to create an interactive experience. Here are 3 ways to make your webinars interactive
- Polling, chat, and Q&A The most common way for attendees to interact with webinars is through polling, chat, and Q&A features. These allow attendees to make decisions together or for the presenter to understand the needs of attendees.
- Breakout rooms can help attendees get to know each other better. They can also help to reinforce a learning environment where attendees can discuss topics or share experiences on a smaller scale.
- Networking roulette In-person seminars serve as a great way to meet like-minded individuals. Webinars can help to bridge that gap virtually. Features like InEvent’s networking roulette can randomly pair attendees up with one another to create space for virtual networking.
Dos and Don’ts of a webinar
Don’ts
- Don’t see a webinar has an opportunity to get your product sold without thinking of your audience
- Don’t use presentation slide that are text heavy
- Don’t schedule your web seminar last minute
- Don’t assume all is well on the technical aspect of things
- Don’t host a webinar without a script
Do’s
- Make good use of imagery, photos, and infographics
- Do give your audience the privilege to ask questions
- DO ensure to interact with your audience during the webinar
Present-day webinars
Today, webinars are everywhere. The industry has boomed as a result of Covid-19. Although a vast majority of webinars tend to take on the educational role, the extent to which webinars are used is expanding rapidly.
In the past, you would rock up to a webinar knowing that you would be spoken or presented to. Today, webinars have become a highly inclusive and engaging forum.
Attendees are no longer passive spectators. Now, there is an expectation that attendees are engaging via chat features, polling, Q&A, and more.
Can webinars have breakout rooms?
Yes, depending on the platform you choose. Breakout rooms can be more conducive for bigger audiences, as people may feel intimidated by engaging in larger groups.
Breakout rooms can be beneficial for:
- Group tasks or activities
- Educational purposes
- Networking
Breakout rooms help to get multiple conversations going simultaneously and can encourage networking.
How to make the most of webinars
Production value
Bob Bejan in FastCompany wrote: “in-person events are more theatrical in nature; virtual events require a cinematic approach.”
When planning a webinar or any virtual event, break up the session into smaller segments, changing camera angles and frames to give the attendee some diversity.
Single-camera segments are dead and gone.
InEvent’s Live studio
Live studio offerings can turn boring webinars into TV-like experiences with high-quality video streaming and premium broadcasts. Customize your webinar by including chyrons, lower thirds, icons, background images and videos, and other creative options.
Prepare your speakers
Many speakers feed into the theatrical nature of events too. Since we are all adapting, event planners need to keep speakers up-to-date with webinar software features to make the most of their experience.
Platforms can be very similar, but they may be very different too. Don’t assume that your speaker is familiar with the capabilities of your platform.
Engage your audience
No, really engage your audience. Just this week, I attended a webinar where the speaker spent the entire session asking people to type ‘yes’ or ‘no’ in the chat. This is an example of unauthentic engagement.
Outdated means of solicitation under the guise of engagement tell the audience that there is no space for them or their actual thoughts and opinions.
Make it a conversation and encourage your attendees to share their insight and experience.
Make it inclusive
Webinars can cross borders that many other events can’t. They can reach people from all over the world and offer a new level of inclusivity.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can the host see you in a webinar?
Yes. As an attendee, the host of the webinar can see you. In short, he or she can see all the attendees in the webinar. However, it is important to note that a webinar is a view-only platform. This means that you can only see the host, but not other attendees.
Q: Can webinars have breakout rooms
Yes, depending on the platform you choose. Breakout rooms can be more conducive for bigger audiences, as people may feel intimidated by engaging in larger groups. Breakout rooms can be beneficial for:
- Group tasks or activities
- Educational purposes
- Networking
- Breakout rooms help to get multiple conversations going simultaneously and can encourage networking.
Q: Can attendees be seen in a webinar?
As an attendee, you may not be opportune to see other attendees. This is because a webinar is a view-only means. All you have access to is the host of the webinar and the moderators.
Q: Can you make money from a webinar?
The answer is a big Yes, you can make money from a webinar. There are lots of ways to make money from webinars, but one of the most common is charging entry from audiences. People who value knowledge will pay thousands of dollars to learn from skilled and knowledgeable experts about certain topics.
Another way is through the use of your screen time for the sale of your products. Admission into this type of webinar is usually free. This is because the aim is to get more traffic for brand awareness and sales.
Q: What kind of equipment do you need for a webinar
To make your webinar eventful and successful, you must have the following equipment:
- Microphone; this can be wireless or wired,or a headset. You will need this for good audio quality
- Camera. This is to show your face, and also a means of communicating with the attendees. You can use your phone camera, or a webcam. However, if you want to have clear visuals, you can use a DSLR camera.
- A webinar software. This more or less a platform where you host, market and sell your products
- Presentational tools. You will need this to create slide decks that suit your brand.
Q: Does it cost anything to participate in a webinar
In most cases, webinars are usually free, but they can be paid as well. Free webinars are most times aimed at lead generation, sales, brand awareness, or training purposes. However, paid webinars on the other end aim at the value in exchange for a price. In other words, you pay a fixed amount of money to get knowledge from a skilled and experienced expert on a specific topic.
Q: Can I get a copy of the slides used in a webinar?
In most cases, the host makes available the slides used in a webinar, in others they do not. Those who do not make available slides used in a webinar do this to protect the intellectual property of the host.
Q: Can i watch a webinar later
Yes. The majority of webinar hosts give room for the audience to watch a webinar later. In most cases, the host will give you a link to the cloud recordings of the meeting.
Q: Can i put webinars on my resume
Yes, you can. You can add webinars and other training you have attended to your resume. However, we do advise you to ensure that the specificity of the webinar tallies with the position you are applying for.
Q: Can webinars be interactive?
Yes. Webinars can be highly interactive and engaging if done correctly. Many platforms offer tools and features to create an interactive experience.
Conclusion
Taking advantage of webinar features live captioning or incorporating features that will make the content accessible. Some platforms even offer sign language interpretation to reach an audience with different needs.
While webinars may have been around for a while, it is not going anywhere. Webinars have only improved with time, as technological advancements have taken them to the next level. As technology continues to advance, who knows what the future holds.
Go beyond webinars!
Did you like this?
Check out our blog resources and sign up for our newsletter to keep updated on the latest trends, features, and more regarding virtual events across the world:
Everything you need to know about hybrid events
6 fun virtual events ideas for events and team meetings in 2021
[hubspot portal=”5958648″ id=”de0c0cbb-e144-4596-8bde-5ca391770991″ type=”form”]About the Author / Akeem Okunola
