Webinars, or “web seminars,” are a presentation or other educational talk that is hosted on and accessed over the Internet. Sometimes, the webinar is recorded so users can pause it whenever they need and come back to it later. But the webinar is often live and the lecturer can interact with the audience directly. Despite the dedication it takes to create a webinar, it is worth the time because it can save you time and money setting up a traditional conference.
Attending a Webinar
Webinars are very useful in expanding your knowledge and can be watched on a computer or tablet. Attending a webinar is not the same thing as watching a video. In a webinar, you are actively engaged and can interact with the speaker if they are live.
Since webinars are basically online lectures, users are often required to register for the event since there are a limited number of users who can attend, which is usually based on what the server can handle and the host’s subscription. Webinars are usually hosted by services that specialize in streaming webinars like Adobe Connect or even free services like Google+.
Ideally, you should never have to pay for a webinar. The reason being, unless it is a trusted source like CMI (and even then they’re free), you don’t know what you’re going to get. The host may not discuss all that was promised or end up offering irrelevant content. Always use discretion when deciding whether or not to pay for a webinar.
Making a Webinar
Businesses may decide to create and host their own webinar because not only will it connect them with clients regardless of their location, but it’s an easy way to:
- Generate leads for your business, whether B2B or B2C
- Educate the audience about a product, service, or idea
- Answer questions about your product or service
Only Unique, Helpful Webinars Are Worth the Investment
When choosing a webinar to watch or make, remember to ask yourself these questions:
- What is being discussed?: If the topic is unique and relevant to your industry or interests, it will be more engaging and educational than regurgitated material.
- Is the person discussing the topic informed and respected?: Research the speaker to make sure they are professional and relevant. A medical doctor speaking about tree care is going to raise some eyebrows.
- How long is it?: Webinars that are too long get tedious quickly, especially for people on a schedule, and if it’s too short, you may not get all the information you need. Try to aim for an hour or less.
- Is it a regular broadcast?: Regular broadcasts let people know when it will happen so they can schedule accordingly. Regular broadcasts can also continue the conversation from the previous webinar.
Doing your research beforehand will help you make sure that the webinar is worth your time and money.