Let's start with this post a series of posts about webinars. And to begin with, we will answer the simplest questions: what is a webinar, how it is held and for what purpose it is held.
What is a webinar
A webinar is an analogue of a live seminar, only online. Those. the speaker broadcasts in front of the webcam, and the participants listen to the report and watch the presentation on their computers. The webinar can be held in one-to-many format (one speaker, many listeners) or many-to-many (several speakers, many listeners). At the same time, all webinar participants can be hundreds and thousands of kilometers from each other, all that is needed to participate in the event is a computer (tablet, phone) and a high-speed Internet connection.
How the webinar goes
Preparation for a webinar begins long before it starts, because the organizer needs to prepare material, make a presentation, and invite the audience. Usually, the organizers ask participants to register for the webinar in advance, leaving their contact mail, where they send an invitation and a link to enter.
To conduct online broadcasts, a special service is used - a webinar room, where all participants of the event gather. This can be either software that you need to install on your computer, or a web service, for which you need to register on the site. The first option is not convenient because the participants, as well as the organizers, will have to additionally install the program on their computer. The second option is easier to use, the organizer encourages the use of the web service and can invite listeners via the link to the broadcast (login password is optional).
A webinar is held, as is an offline event: the speaker gives a report, demonstrates a presentation or other media files, and answers questions from the audience. Participants can communicate with the presenter via chat: ask questions, write their opinion.
This format of the seminar is convenient because it is not tied to a specific place, anyone can visit it. For organizers, this means savings in renting premises and a wide audience coverage. Plus, it is easier to analyze and establish communication with the audience after the webinar.
For what purposes to conduct webinars
For listeners, this is always the same goal, to gain new information in a convenient format. Agree, this is a much more convenient and productive method than just reading text information or watching a video. You can always clarify with the speaker unclear points and ask clarifying questions.
For organizers, this is, as a rule, making a profit. But the options for achieving this goal may be different, here are the most common:
1. Conducting paid webinars or training courses. It can be either a one-time webinar or a series of online broadcasts; to participate in the bark, listeners need to pay a fee.
2. Collecting a base of potential customers. To do this, the organizers hold free webinars, for which they ask listeners to leave their contact details (name, email, phone). They later use these contacts for email marketing or telephone sales.
3. Online product presentation. It's better to see once than hear a hundred times - this is just about online presentations. No other way of transmitting information on the Internet will tell you about a product better than live streaming. More often they make presentations of new products and services, during which listeners can ask questions and finally make a purchase decision.
In the next post, we'll look at how to engage your audience and what tools to use to make your webinar as engaging as possible for your audience.
Over time, the Internet appeared in almost every apartment. Now everyone can register anywhere and take an active life on social networks. In this article we will look at a useful and very common event called a webinar. Let's talk what it is, how to sign up for it and how it goes.
Webinar (English "web" + "seminar") - video seminar taking place on the Internet in real time (online)
The aim of the webinar is, first of all, to gain new knowledge. This is not a conference, but a seminar. If everyone takes an active part at the conference, then here you have to participate only in the form of questions.
How the webinar goes
Typically, webinars are held using specialized sites. To get on it, you must first register. Some time before the start, a letter with a link to the event will be sent to the mail (e-mail).
Usually a webcam speaker talks about something (sometimes we don't even see him). Most often there is some kind of presentation that appears on your screen.
Watching the webinar live, each viewer can leave their comments in the form of a chat. The presenter, as a rule, after the report or right during it, looks at the chat and tries to answer the questions. The result is actually live communication, as in a real seminar (lecture).
Benefits of the webinar
Webinars have colossal advantages over live communication, as they save time for being present in a real room. For residents of the outskirts and villages, this is practically the only way to improve their knowledge in some area. Usually, not everyone has such an opportunity to travel to cities.
Also a plus is that you can watch it at home and from anywhere on Earth.
The number of participants is usually not limited and there can be hundreds or even thousands of them here. If the webinar is paid, then this reduces the overall costs, which means we receive information cheaply.
Typically, webinar recordings are uploaded to the public and you can listen to them again. For example, on Youtube.
Webinar topics
Webinar topics are very different. For example, SEO-website promotion, discussion of new algorithms in search engines, training seminars on Forex, motivation, communication, etc. There are a lot of topics.
Most often, signing up for a webinar is free. This is done by sending an application, or without a record at all. The main thing is to know the time of the event.
Webinar (synonyms webinar, online seminar, web conference) - conducting online meetings or presentations over the Internet in real time. Another definition of a webinar can be found online - an event that is held online.
The main feature of webinars is interactivity - that is, the ability to discuss, send, receive information in real time. During the webinar, you can start polls, invite other participants to the microphone, chat, show the screen and all kinds of materials. You can read about that in our blog.
Key features of webinars
- performance by one or more presenters;
- the ability to download and view presentations and videos;
- text chat;
- electronic board;
- polls and voting;
- sharing the speaker's desktop screen;
- recording of the broadcast for further viewing.
Benefits of webinars
Online seminars are convenient for presenters and participants. Therefore, this format of online events is becoming more popular every year. Webinars make conferences and meetings convenient and efficient. Anyone can participate in the webinar without leaving the workplace or at home, on a business trip or vacation. You no longer need to worry about renting a hall, coffee breaks and moving, you can hold a conference in a few clicks!
Webinars are successfully used in education, marketing, sales, corporate training. You can create your own conferences, training courses and seminars on any topic and for any audience. Our colleague Katya spoke about how to start independently conducting webinars.
What do you need for a webinar?
To conduct a webinar, you do not need to install additional programs or special equipment. To start a web conference, you just need to have a computer with Internet access, sound card and microphone. Almost all modern computers already have everything they need. In addition, you do not need to have any specific technical knowledge. If you know how to use search engines or watch videos on YouTube, then you can host a webinar.
To organize a high-quality and effective broadcast, you need to carefully choose where you will conduct your events and a headset. But remember that carefully selected webinar equipment is not a guarantee of success. A webinar is a responsible event that requires serious preparation and certain speaker skills.
Now that you know what a webinar is, you are ready to start creating your own.
In connection with the development of technology, the format of events has ceased to be limited only to the physical presence of participants. Online seminars, conferences and meetings held in real time via Internet webinars are gaining more and more popularity.
This format allows you to save money organizing a meeting and gives the opportunity to participate interactively for people from completely different places. All you need to participate is a camera, microphone, speakers or headphones and access to the network.
The term itself comes from the English webinar - an online conference, and is written with an "e" - according to the original name (that is, the webinar is written incorrectly).
Webinars, like any other event, divided into types in different classifications:
- By focus
- Selling;
- Image;
- Skillful;
- Advertising (before paid);
- By access
- Open;
- Closed;
- By price
- Paid;
- Free;
- By format
- Through a browser;
- Through the app;
In addition to the listed types, there are hundreds of different variations of the conduct, which are pointless to list. In any case, they will be relatively similar in general form, limited by the concept.
Why are webinars held? We list main cases:
- Distance learning courses
- Meetings
- Business promotion
In each of them, this format gives many advantages, in contrast to a live meeting: saving time, ease of organization, etc.
Whichever type the conference belongs to, almost always its organization will fit the standard template. How does a webinar usually go?
Webinar organizers inform in advance potential participants about the date of the seminar and the requirements for participation. Depending on the format, the broadcast can be watched either directly in the browser, simply by clicking on the link, or using a special application chosen by the organizer. A portion of the screen in the corner will occupy the speaker's face, and most of the screen will be reserved for presentation or other information.
Highly will vary greatly webinars depending on how the speakers will work with the audience. The most popular format is with a general online chat, where attendees can send their questions without disrupting the process.
In case of any problems (interruptions in the broadcast, the disappearance of the picture), it is recommended to reconnect to the conference (restart the browser or program). If that doesn't work, make sure your computer is working properly and you have Internet access. Check the online chat, ask the participants about such interruptions, to find out if your case is an isolated one, and which side has problems with work.
How to participate in the webinar
The format can be completely different depending on how the organizers planned it. Will there be live communication with the audience, or a simple broadcast with an online chat? In any case, consider the main actions on the part of the participant:
- The main point is in advance register to a meeting. If the seminar is paid - pay accordingly.
- Get the link or another type of access to the conference, according to the standard, this happens a day before the start.
- Make sure you have the right equipment: a device with Internet access, headphones, a microphone.
- Closer to the scheduled time, follow the link or open the application (depending on the format)
How to host a webinar
From the organizing side, there are many options for what is happening. But, almost all of them will fit the standard plan:
- Decide on the site for the event. There may be options here from an online platform that opens in a browser to special custom applications.
- To finally establish itself in choosing a topic, prepare the text of the speech.
- Notify potential participants about the date and format of the meeting, disseminate information about the meeting, arrange registration.
- Prepare necessary equipment and choose the place from where the broadcast will be conducted.
- Conduct a seminar, answer questions from participants.
YouTube can be considered the main free platform for hosting. The broadcast will be guaranteed to work with high quality, but it will not be possible to invite only specific people - the video will be available to any person who follows the link.
On the net you can find many servicesspecialized in webinars, with their pros and cons. It is worth making a choice based on the feedback and capabilities of the site.
Text it is important to prepare in advance, focusing on the planned performance time. Trying to improvise in such cases is not a good idea. Few people want to listen to a speaker who will be confused and constantly lost in thought.
Dissemination of information and registration of participants is extremely important. No attendees - no adequate webinar. For registration a beginner can use Google Forms to easily organize the collection of data about participants. 
To perform you will need, at least: a microphone, speakers or headphones, a computer with fast Internet access. Also, you need to choose a quiet room from which the broadcast will be conducted. Choose an environment with a static, neutral background and no strangers present.
According to statistics, after about five speeches, a person will fully master the art of conducting webinars.
