Webinars can be a powerful online tool for building an online business. But to be successful they also require planning, practice, and a certain level of expertise.
10 Steps to a Successful Webinar
1. Outline your goals for the webinar
What do you want to accomplish? You can:
a. Sell products or services
b. Recruit others for your business
c. Provide training and other information
Decide on your objectives and keep it simple. Don’t try to do too much or you will lose your audience.
2. Select your webinar platform
There are many webinar programs out there. Some are complex and expensive. Others are free – usually for a small audience. We have used DimDim and have found it to be a very good program.
3. Learn how it works
Take time to check out all of the features. You will want to look like the professional you are when your audience shows up. At first it may appear to be complicated, but remember it is just like making a presentation in person only using the latest technology to reach a broad audience.
4. Make it simple for your audience
Many people who would be interested in hearing what you have to present are not going to be technical wizards. So make it simple by using a simple link that anyone can use. Most programs don’t require participants to download software onto their computer. All they need is an internet connection and a phone line for hearing you.
5. Prepare your presentation materials
In most cases you already have your presentation materials on hand. They can be in PowerPoint or even PDF files. You can also use videos and even show the audience your web site as part of the webinar. You just need to be prepared in advance.
6. Practice first without an audience then with a select audience
If you think of the webinar as just like talking to a small group in your office, then you know that you need to practice what you are going to say first. By using the program you will quickly learn how to make the best impression. Then when you have it down, invite a select audience you know to view your presentation so you become more comfortable with the format.
7. Use all of the tools available
A webinar can be a multi-media event. There are many tools such as using PowerPoint so everyone is following along at your pace. But you can show videos, web sites, and even use the screen to type information that is important for everyone to see. You can use a web cam during the presentation so all of the participants can see you. There will be a chat feature where you and your staff can interact with participants; answering any questions that come up.
8. Promote your webinar
You will want to set a schedule for most of your webinars. You can then invite anyone to view them. By using a link to your webinar site you will be able to invite people to come see what you have to say.
9. Record your best webinars for others
Most webinar programs allow you to record the presentation. You can then post that recording on your web site for others to view at any time in the future. This is a great feature to make sure that others can see your information even if they weren’t able to make it to the webinar.
10. Ask for and learn from feedback
At the end of the webinar always ask for feedback. You want to hear what the participants have to say. Learn from their input to make future webinars even more productive.
We know from experience how important it is to reach a large audience – anywhere in the country or even around the globe using this latest technology.
Have fun!
PS: If you are looking for ways to build your online business – including how to have insane results from your webinars, click here to check out the program that we have been using. It works for us and can work for you too.