by Kristin Hilton, Operations Manager Multiple Stream Media, LLC.
Did you know that more and more businesses are using webinars to generate prospects?It’s true. In fact, the use of webinars is growing at a rate of 20-30% each year. But what is a webinar?
“Webinar” is really just another way of saying “web conference”. Webinars are live meetings or presentations held over the internet. Much like a teleconference, each participant sits at their own computer and is connected to the host via the internet.
Webinars are conducted using web-based software that is downloaded on each individual computer. The presenter has the ability to control what the participants see on the presentation, and they can communicate through telephone or computer microphone.
Webinars are a wonderful way to boost sales and signups, by simply demonstrating your product or service, and practical uses for them. It sounds simple, but careful planning is essential to hosting a successful webinar. Here are some helpful tips to make sure that your next webinar is a roaring success.
1. Choose Software That Best Meets Your Needs
If you simply run a search for “web conference”, search engines will dizzy you with the staggering number of possibilities available. This is where you will need to do your research to see what various applications offer, and which one is best suited to your needs.Would you like live streaming video or recording capabilities? Each webinar software will boast different features. What would be most useful for your presentation?
Personally, I’m partial to GoToMeeting for its user-friendly interface. GoToMeeting allows up to 15 attendees, and has integrated text chat as well as telephone-based communication. It is extremely simple to use, and each attendee can visit the website and type in the ID number of your webinar to access it.
Check out GoToMeeting here:
2. Schedule an Agreeable Date
When you are ready to set the time and date of your webinar, also take into consideration the different time zones and holidays. If you can, it may be best to ask potential attendees what date and time would work best for them.You may also want to create a webinar registration page on your website, so that anyone who wants to learn more about it can reserve an attendee spot at your webinar. You can also place a poll or comment box on that page, to allow the attendees to let you know of any scheduling inconveniences.
3. Tell Everyone About It!
Now that you have your webinar software and a prospective date, it’s time to spread the word! Promote your webinar through email, phone calls, or even postcards. Be creative—get your customers excited about it!In your webinar promotions, announce the number of spots allowed. This will create a sense of urgency that will attract more attendees. If you have a larger response than expected, you can send them the date and time of your next webinar.
4. Plan Your Presentation
Be sure to prepare a detailed outline of what will be covered. Remember to include adequate time to address questions and concerns during your presentation. I prefer to leave the middle of the presentation as well as at the end open for questions, as this helps me answer most questions as they come.To keep your webinar organized, use index cards or brief notes to make sure that your presentation flows well. Also, feel free to rehearse your webinar a couple of days in advance if possible. Have an associate attend your rehearsal to gain a different perspective.
5. Send Reminder Notices
If your webinar is two weeks away, you can’t expect everyone to attend without a reminder! Constantly remind your attendees of the time and date to assure their presence. I strongly recommend using this reminder schedule:
• 1st reminder – One week prior to your webinar
• 2nd reminder – Two days prior to your webinar
• 3rd reminder – One day prior to your webinar
• 4th reminder – The morning of the webinar
6. Ask Your Audience How You Can Improve
After your webinar, you’ll want some feedback from your audience. They may have wanted you to expand on one aspect, or go over something that could have been left out. Set up a survey to ask for your attendees’ opinions on content, and suggestions for improvement. You will find these extremely helpful when planning your next webinar! Hosting a well-planned and organized webinar can be a complex process, but it is a very effective tool when training new affiliates or developing sales leads—just by educating the prospect about your program!
| About The Author: Kristin Hilton is the Operations Manager of AdClickMedia.com, an online advertising network and a subsidiary of Multiple Stream Media. |
