While we are often introduced to new and shiny marketing technologies, webinars are still great ways to interact with our audiences.
They help you build relationships, teach, and discover and drill down on your audience’s wants, needs, objections, and problems.
But the thought of producing webinars can be overwhelming if you don’t have experience with them, and gaining that experience might cause performance anxiety and confusion about the technology you should use.
How can we get started, overcome technical obstacles, and host our webinars with confidence?
First, forget the word “webinar�
The word “webinar” can overcomplicate the platform and discourage you from trying one!
A webinar is actually similar to a Skype or FaceTime call with friends and family.
You’ll apply the same principles whether you’re using Google Hangouts, GoToWebinar, Zoom, Free Conference Call, or any other service provider.
To get started, you need:
- A mic
- A reliable internet connection
- Webinar software
- An audience
Don’t worry about anything else until you’re ready to get more advanced. If you have the equipment for an internet voice or video call, then you have the basic gear to run a webinar.
Next, practice in private
Your first session doesn’t have to be in front of your audience.
Practicing for a group of friends or colleagues will help you get familiar with your software and how long it takes to get through your material.
Review these important fundamentals:
- Were you able to start on time?
- Could attendees hear you and see your screen?
- Could you take live questions and answer them?
Well done! You’ve beaten the technology hurdle and now it’s time to calm those nerves …
Finally, the Q&A portion is not a test
Impostor syndrome often creeps in when you’re hosting a live event and want to be seen as an authority.
Instead of letting it distract you, focus on the value you’ll gain from interacting with your attendees and the value you’re providing.
Here are three simple ways to move past your Q&A fear:
- Ask attendees to submit questions beforehand, so you can pinpoint their needs and fine-tune your presentation accordingly.
- “I don’t know, but I will find out� is an acceptable answer.
- Some questions will go beyond the scope of your webinar topic, so don’t feel pressure to answer every question.
Want to learn how to deliver persuasive webinars (without feeling creepy or awkward)?
If you want to get much more effective at selling with webinars, we’re putting together a powerful resource we think you’ll find helpful.
To get all the details, click here and drop your information into the form …
You’ll be the first to know when it’s available!
Reader Comments (5)
Ryan Biddulph says
Drilling down is just such an easy way to build a thriving blogging business Chris, and of course, to host rocking webinars too. But it takes clarity-finding to make it happen. Sometimes these sessions are uncomfortable.
Big fan of keeping things simple. Just listen to your readers, after asking them what they need help with. Serve solutions via webinars, blog posts and products, and promote the living stuffing out of these offerings. Keep listening, asking and tuning in to those real pain points, to make the greatest impact.
Ryan
Chris Garrett says
> Drilling down is just such an easy way to build a thriving blogging business
And yet so few people do it 🙂
Dennis says
I will give this a try! Thank you.
jatin thakur says
Great idea. No-shows are the bain of the teleclass/webinar industry. Having an incentive to show up is such a deceptively simple technique, but great for encouraging attendance
Chris Garrett says
Sure, but making the webinar itself an incentive to show up is the best option 😉
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