What is a Webinar?
A contraction of “web” and “seminar,” the term “webinar,” increasingly used in recent years, refers to an online conference in which participants can remotely engage. To do this, they will register online using a form that presents the session to them. There are no rules for the theme of a webinar. It could be, for example, a “hot” topic covering current events, the introduction of a new service, or even an interview involving interactions with the audience. Participants can also watch the webinar either in real-time or on-demand, depending on the availability mode chosen for the conference. These webinars typically last between 45 and 60 minutes.
Different Applications of Webinars
Are you looking to organize an online conference? There are various tools available to help you broadcast your webinar and organize it in the best possible way. Here are some of the main tools in the market that can meet all your expectations. This list is not exhaustive, of course.
Zoom: Undoubtedly, Zoom is currently the most successful video conferencing application. It has gained immense visibility in recent years, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic and various lockdowns. The tool offers numerous features for webinar organization, including virtual backgrounds, audio effects, and background noise suppression. Moreover, it can accommodate a large audience, up to 50,000 attendees.
Teams: Another widely used collaborative platform since the global pandemic, Teams is another major player in the field. The application enables the setup of interactive events, capable of hosting an audience of up to 1000 participants. You can create your live event, define who can attend, and configure other options.
LinkedIn: LinkedIn is a well-known social network aimed at professionals. Its functionality for organizing webinars is less known to the general public. Directly from the LinkedIn homepage, you can organize your session using the “Events” button. From there, you will be redirected to the event description and a form to create, along with other webinar criteria to define.
Facebook: The iconic social network, Facebook, has continually evolved and developed over the decades. Now, it also allows the setup of webinars, an essential tool for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). This is referred to as a “Facebook Live.” It can last up to 4 hours, although shorter sessions are generally more effective.
Ensuring a Successful Webinar
To set up an event like an online conference and especially carry it out successfully, it’s essential to follow certain steps and make the right choices. Here are some steps and suggestions that we recommend for a successful webinar.
Choosing the Online Conference Platform
As we’ve seen, there are numerous tools available for setting up online conferences. Applications or social networks like Teams, Facebook, Zoom, Skype, or LinkedIn offer this functionality. Therefore, you’ll need to consider various constraints regarding your event, especially in terms of audience capacity, to make an informed choice.
Preparing for the Webinar
Regardless of the tool you choose for organizing your online conference, you’ll need to provide a comprehensive description before opening it for registrations. This includes the specific theme of your webinar, its duration, and the number of participants. As for the attendees, they will provide their contact information. Also, remember to promote your event to encourage prospects to participate. You can do this through social media, your website, or even via an email campaign that leads your prospects directly to the webinar link.
Execution and Outcomes
During your webinar, it’s essential to conduct a lively and interactive conference. This not only keeps participants engaged but also promotes exchanges and interactions. You might even consider co-hosting to make your event even more dynamic. Most dedicated platforms offer numerous options to configure various aspects of your event. Afterward, it’s important to measure the conversion rate for both the live session and the recorded version available on a dedicated webinar page. Participants will also have access to the event replay, which can be accessed through the email they receive after registration. During your training with Quality Training, we will cover all of this together and provide you with the best advice for a successful webinar.
