A successful webinar is not like any other – it leaves a lasting impression. Does it sound hard?
Maybe, but if you have the right tools for automated webinars, you can make something inspired and wonderful content for your audience. If you want people to actually want to watch your next webinar, this article will show you some tips and best practices to follow.
Table of Contents
1. Offer Value
Before you even start creating a successful webinar, ask yourself first whether what you have has true value. If you’re in doubt, try asking yourself if you’d want to watch your own webinar.
Don’t make the assumption that your audience will be ready to drop everything and enjoy an hour-long video presentation. Keep in mind that most people are too busy to stop what they’re doing just to watch a webinar that doesn’t interest them.
2. Live up to Your Promise
Does your webinar fit your content? Deceiving your attendees with a promise of sensational content only to fail is a nice way to disappoint your audience and tarnish your business reputation. Once you claim that you’re offering something amazing, be sure to live up to that promise in your webinar.
Come up with an idea for interesting and useful webinars and refrain from talking about a general topic. Instead, choose a specific topic idea that you can discuss in great detail. This way, you can focus on the topic and minimize going off in another direction. For instance, rather than talk about paid search in a broad subject, focus on a specific topic like bid management strategies.
3. Pick the Right Speaker
Webinars need a host that has the skills and expert knowledge in their field. This will make it easier for the host to speak authoritatively regarding a certain subject. When you choose a speaker, make sure it’s someone who knows the topic inside out and feels comfortable speaking in front of the camera and a big audience.
4. Choose the Right Format
You should first decide on the right format for your topic before creating slides. Is it going to be hosted by a solo presenter? Will you have an interview-type webinar with two speakers? Your chosen subject, the number of qualified speakers should determine your choice of format for your webinar.
5. Consider Search Potential
Just because you have great webinar content and knowledgeable speakers don’t mean that many people can see it easily. Once you’ve finalized your ideas, think about whether your topic has solid Search Engine Optimization (SEO) potential.
Think about content marketing and how you will publicize your webinar. Are you going to send out emails with links to the invite? Are you going to promote it to different social media channels?
6. Create Concise and Interesting Slides
Ever joined an online event in which the presenter simply reads through a series of boring slide decks? Don’t make a similar mistake with your PowerPoint presentation, and make sure your slides emphasize the points you intend to make.
Back up your points with data and evidence, and don’t forget to make it entertaining. Your attendees will either be looking at you or your slides, so don’t lull them to sleep with a boring webinar.
7. Ready a Script
Even the most famous hosts rely on a script for their webinars. Talking for an hour or more, even if it’s something your passionate is hard, which is why you need to prepare a script.
A script will be your compass and map rolled into one during the presentation. It helps you stay on topic and keep track of time. You can also incorporate your script into your slide deck to avoid repetition and minimize the risk of simply reading your slides.
8. Choose a Reliable Webinar Platform
Choose a solid webinar platform that has all features you need. The size of your business and audience determine your hosting solution needs. Think about all the technical aspects you’ll require to run a successful webinar and check which webinar platforms have all of it.
9. Run a Test
Do a dry run to check if all things are in place during your event. This will help you resolve technical problems like slow internet connection, conflicting time zones between attendees before the actual presentation.
Also, don’t forget to keep backup power cables and batteries ready just in case they drain out during the broadcast. If you’re hosting from a home office, you have to also make sure that your pets, kids, or neighbors won’t make noise. Set up a quiet room where you can’t be disturbed, and make sure your studio space is clean and free from clutter that can distract your audience.
10. Set Up Campaign Tracking
Webinars are an excellent lead generation tool if you set up campaign tracking parameters ahead of time. Create a checklist of all things you need to do, such as setting up tracking links for offers and offering “live” time for specific time zones. Once you’ve determined your targeting and segmentation, focus next on the logical steps.
Not Everything Will Go Smoothly
You need to learn to accept that things can still go wrong no matter how much you plan your webinars. Always do a dry run to test everything out and minimize missteps. As long as you follow the ten tips mentioned above, you’re on your way to producing a successful webinar.
