Showing posts with label Videoconferencing. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Videoconferencing. Show all posts
What Are Webinars?
As the name implies, webinars are seminars which are web-based. They are also referred to as online workshops or online seminars. Webinars have many uses such as building a brand, generating sales leads, training groups of people, press conferences, corporate announcements and focus groups.Webinars are similar to conference based seminar; the only difference is that the participants listen to the audio through telephones and view the presentation by their web browser. The main feature of webinar is the interactive element which is the ability to discuss, give and receive information. It is different to “webcast” which doesn’t allow interaction between the audience and presenter.
Numerous companies have started offering webinar as an exchange to the traditional face-to-face seminars. Companies are acquiring the advantages that webinars give. These vary from flexibility to cost efficiency. Participants will not have to travel just to attend a seminar; they can learn on the comfort of their homes and their most convenient times. Other benefits are cost reduction, ability to reach much larger audience, lets future playback and can be recorded digitally.
Companies can save a lot from traveling budget and other expenses relative to trainings. A computer, an internet access and a phone line are just the items needed to attend a webinar. Materials like handouts can be printed and are downloadable and can be maintained as reference file.
Webinars also help marketers reach larger audience immediately. The geographically scattered colleagues may be able to work and collaborate as a team. Announcements can be posted to all the employees no matter where they are. Attendees and presenters can collaborate and interact through Q&A, document sharing and live polls; thus attendees can easily participate and learn from the activity.
The usual model for a webinar may be to offer a 5 week course and during which diverse lecture and module is uploaded on a specific day, for example, Monday. Registrants will have 1 week to take in the information.
If you are not into webinar hosting, you can just attend or let your employees participate on one. There are those with reasonable price and some are offered free. There are those which can be viewed and archived on demand. The archived webinars are made available for the viewing public; this can be accessed at Archived Webinars Page.
Looking for a webinar to attend will take a little research. If you’re always receiving invitations to online seminars, wait for the provider’s broadcast of an event. Also keep your eyes on upcoming webinars on trade magazines. Check websites for any webinars that have appealing topics since technology and universities are holding them.
Before registering on a webinar, do your homework first. Research the credentials of the presenter and the costs accompanying it. Even if the online seminar is free, try to analyze if it will be worthy of your and your subordinate’s time.
At first glance, webinars may seem less effective and meeting a person is better. But in various ways, the discussion group is a more effective method of communication. The discussion boards allow exchange of knowledge and information wherein the speaker also participate. The discussions are maintained online and anyone can review it anytime; this will let information propagate in many ways physical meeting cannot.
Webinars are fastly becoming the latest choice in web conferencing. Through its accessibility and low cost, companies can hold interactive meeting. Take advantage of the internet communication through attending or having your own web based seminars. You can also let your employees attend them for their development. Just do your research first and let your webinars help you with your success.
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Host A Successful Webinar
Webinar hosting requires utilization of a special software that lets presenter bring an interactive presentation through the web. Today, numerous vendors offer web based seminar services. Software applications differ tremendously in price and features. The examples of varying features include ability to: show animation, attendee reporting and pre-registration, use audio via public internet or integrated audio conferencing, allows audience to see a presenter’s live product demo through his computer screen, present questionnaires and audience polls, answer dialogs and manage live questions during a presentation.To host a webinar, you will need a recording, a bridge line, a transcript, an outline, an autoresponder, and squeeze page. You may want a video presentation and a slide show for your webinar. You need to decide on the visuals for your webinar at an early time. A great video presentation or powerpoint takes some time to prepare so be ready with it.
The secret to a successful webinar hosting is the preparation. Webinar is not a sure thing compared to a business which can be quite easy to pull off. You’ll need to remember that while you are not directly in front of your participants, you are still on the spotlight so the things that will apply in the traditional presentation are still important here.
Be very prepared without any stumbling or fumbling over all your materials. You can extend your reach to a larger audience rather than the traditional seminar. If your seminar is recorded, this can be your marketing tool later on.
Included in the preparation is the outline. This will ensure that the presentation will progress smoothly and goes off without any hitch. Your outline will also help you track your allotted time frame; this will also give you the sense of professionalism. You can also give your participants the outline so that they can follow you and take notes.
Hosting your webinar also needs promotion. Start with your promotions early. Make sure that you load your autoresponder and that your squeeze page is ready. Present your guests with good materials and make it easy for them. If you’ll be hosting a webinar with a busy speaker, ensure that you book his time as early as possible. Give him all the materials needed so that he will be well versed about the webinar he’ll present.
Aside from the guidelines, there are other simple tips to guide you in hosting a webinar. First is to keep a drink near you especially if you’re the presenter. You must ensure that you sound clear so you must prevent your mouth from being dry. Second, you must have a backup plan. If you’ll be interviewing a guest during the event, ensure that you have a secondary guest in case something comes up.
Third, your call length must be for about an hour only. Remember that your guests are on their homes and it will be hard for them to join the seminar for more than one hour. Fourth, you need to give clear directions to your callers since some of them will be first timers on the webinar. Teach them what to do in case of background noise; teach them how to unmute or mute and other things necessary for the seminar.
Fifth, always make your recording of the event. You can use it later or offer it to those who will not be able to make the call. Make sure that you acquire a webinar service which lets you record. Sixth is the Q&A time; to add value to your call and encourage your listeners to participate, try to have time for the Question and Answer session.
Lastly, end your webinar with the call to action for the guests. Ask them to give their feedbacks, give them assignments and a link to your special offers.
A webinar properly hosted can be a good endeavor. Since entrepreneurs are looking for productive and cost effective means to interact with staff, prospects and customers, webinars can be an excellent way to reach this goal. Turn your business into a wealthy one with frequent use of your webinars.
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