Running a webinar as means of communicating useful information to people who need it most is very convenient and timely with our current global financial situation. Most of the guidelines that apply to traditional seminar, lecture, presentation, or workshops also apply to webinars. The only difference is that you can’t see your attendees and they also can’t see you. Here are some of the surefire ways how to run a successful webinar:
1. Try your best to keep away from interruptions – If you are in the office, to prevent interruptions, turn off your mobile phone, close your door, ask your assistant or co-worker that you need some time undisturbed. If you work at home, make sure the kids are busy with other stuffs and pets like dogs and cats do not enter the room.
2. Minimize anxiety – Anxiety causes nervousness and not being able to connect effectively with your webinar attendees. To minimize anxiety, think positive thoughts upon waking up on the day of your presentation. Also, be online and ready to start the presentation at least 15 minutes before the scheduled start time of conducting the webinar. Take a deep breath and focus on your presentation.
3. Maintain a pleasant demeanor – Although people can’t see you during the event, they can still feel your energy while you are conducting the webinar. So maintain a positive demeanor. Also, there are some webinar services that offer a video capability which allows people to see you via a webcam on your computer. If you opt this capability, you must be conscious and careful on your facial expression.
4. Speak with enthusiasm – Most attendees will do other stuffs while attending webinar. Speak with energy that will hold their attention.
5. Try your best not to be late for the webinar but once you start late, apologize
6. Get to the point quickly – Too much introductions bore people and people are usually always on the run. To avoid boredom from your attendees, start the webinar stating your objectives and reasons why your webinar topic is important. Then get on with your event.
7. Present, don’t sell – A common mistake among webinar presenters is delivering a sales pitch when it is not needed. Unless your stated objective is to sell a product, do not sound like selling a product to a customer.
8. Answer questions briefly and concisely – Some webinar programs allow attendees to raise questions directly just like in a traditional seminar. While some programs, allow questioning only at the end of the event or specific time like an end to a particular subject. Whichever way you choose taking questions, it is important for you to give responses briefly and concisely as possible to address various concerns in the time available to you.
9. Leave a contact number to your attendees for additional concerns – Some questions about a seminar, workshop, lecture, or training come up late. Leaving your number to attendees will not only build you a reputation of a good presenter but also give your attendees happiness on the webinar they attended.