Post by kathleen on Jul 14, 2007 10:11:57 GMT -5
Hosting a webinar can bring your business or organization to the next level. Webinars are not hard to prestent but, you must plan your webinar.
Listed below are 8 tips for hosting a powerful webinar.
1. Let your event determine the technology, not the other way around: Is it important for your attendees to communicate with the presenter during the presentation? Is a valuable element of your presentation to show live software? Do you want the option to record and archive the event for playback?
2. Offer something valuable: Don't be disappointed if your attendance numbers are only at 40-50% of your registration numbers, that's the industry standard for attendance at Webinar events. Increase your numbers by offering a prize or valuable item at the end of the program. A special gift that only those that registered, signed on, and attended the entire event are eligible to receive. Also, a recognizable speaker is the best way to draw attendance.
3. Make it interesting: To keep your attendees interested in your event, and not off reading checking their e-mail, make sure it's designed to be appealing, fast moving, and interesting. This doesn't mean that you need to become an expert using all of the robust Webinar event tools; it means that the presentation material itself should be exciting. Webinar event tools help you get your point across; they should not be a replacement for good content. Hire a professional moderator to help “DJ” your event and transition topics.
4. Reminders are the key to increased attendance: "It's so easy to attend a Webinar event". We've heard it over and over again, but it’s also just as easy NOT to attend. A Webinar event is designed to 'fit' into your busy schedule, and it can easily get forgotten. E-mail and phone call reminders are key to increasing attendance.
5. Start and end the event on time: Unlike a live face-to-face audience, where you physically scan the room for familiar faces, search for a seat and greet your neighbor, Webinar audience members are generally sitting quietly in their offices reading e-mail, and checking the clock for the event to begin. A slight delay in a face-to-face event generally goes unnoticed, but at a Webinar event, a few minutes can seem like a lifetime.
6. Create a welcome slide that let’s them know they are the right location and what to expect. When starting your event go through ground rules such as how to use chat and polling features.
7. Troubleshoot before the event begins: It's important to know what to do in case of an emergency. Review all possible catastrophes such as what to do if the presenter loses his/her connection, or what happens if you can't hear the presenter's voice. It's important to be prepared, and to stay calm.
8. Proofread and test everything twice: It can be devastating to a Webinar event if the 'log-on link' doesn't work, or if the date and time of the event on the confirmation is incorrect. One of the most common -- and avoidable -- mistakes in producing a Webinar event is providing incorrect information. Remember, you don't get a second chance to make a first impression.
Have you seen our recorded presentation on "How to Create Powerful Webinars"? If not then click here to gain free access to the presentation.
Kathleen Dixon
256-778-8269
[url-http://thewebinarpros.com]The Webinar Pros [/url]
Listed below are 8 tips for hosting a powerful webinar.
1. Let your event determine the technology, not the other way around: Is it important for your attendees to communicate with the presenter during the presentation? Is a valuable element of your presentation to show live software? Do you want the option to record and archive the event for playback?
2. Offer something valuable: Don't be disappointed if your attendance numbers are only at 40-50% of your registration numbers, that's the industry standard for attendance at Webinar events. Increase your numbers by offering a prize or valuable item at the end of the program. A special gift that only those that registered, signed on, and attended the entire event are eligible to receive. Also, a recognizable speaker is the best way to draw attendance.
3. Make it interesting: To keep your attendees interested in your event, and not off reading checking their e-mail, make sure it's designed to be appealing, fast moving, and interesting. This doesn't mean that you need to become an expert using all of the robust Webinar event tools; it means that the presentation material itself should be exciting. Webinar event tools help you get your point across; they should not be a replacement for good content. Hire a professional moderator to help “DJ” your event and transition topics.
4. Reminders are the key to increased attendance: "It's so easy to attend a Webinar event". We've heard it over and over again, but it’s also just as easy NOT to attend. A Webinar event is designed to 'fit' into your busy schedule, and it can easily get forgotten. E-mail and phone call reminders are key to increasing attendance.
5. Start and end the event on time: Unlike a live face-to-face audience, where you physically scan the room for familiar faces, search for a seat and greet your neighbor, Webinar audience members are generally sitting quietly in their offices reading e-mail, and checking the clock for the event to begin. A slight delay in a face-to-face event generally goes unnoticed, but at a Webinar event, a few minutes can seem like a lifetime.
6. Create a welcome slide that let’s them know they are the right location and what to expect. When starting your event go through ground rules such as how to use chat and polling features.
7. Troubleshoot before the event begins: It's important to know what to do in case of an emergency. Review all possible catastrophes such as what to do if the presenter loses his/her connection, or what happens if you can't hear the presenter's voice. It's important to be prepared, and to stay calm.
8. Proofread and test everything twice: It can be devastating to a Webinar event if the 'log-on link' doesn't work, or if the date and time of the event on the confirmation is incorrect. One of the most common -- and avoidable -- mistakes in producing a Webinar event is providing incorrect information. Remember, you don't get a second chance to make a first impression.
Have you seen our recorded presentation on "How to Create Powerful Webinars"? If not then click here to gain free access to the presentation.
Kathleen Dixon
256-778-8269
[url-http://thewebinarpros.com]The Webinar Pros [/url]