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Webinars 101: how to create a webinar, share this article.

Welcome to the dynamic world of webinars, where 73% of B2B marketers and sales leaders have found their goldmine for generating high-quality leads. If you’re aiming to connect, educate, or inspire from any corner of the globe, you’ve hit the jackpot. In this guide, we cut through the complexities of webinar creation, offering you top-notch insights to craft your successful online event.

From pinpointing the ideal topic that sparks curiosity to leveraging the powerhouse of tools like Thinkific for your webinar courses, we’ve got your back. Dive into the nitty-gritty of engaging content , nail your technical setup, and discover the art of keeping your audience hooked. And when the curtain falls, we’ll show you how to keep the applause going with savvy post-webinar strategies.

Are you ready to boost your digital presence and create the best webinar for your audience? Let’s turn that virtual stage into your playground!

Skip ahead:

What is a webinar?

Planning your webinar, preparing your webinar content, selecting the right tools and software, promoting your webinar, hosting and delivering your webinar, post-webinar activities.

A webinar is an online event that connects individuals with viewers across the globe. Imagine an online stage where the world is your audience. That’s a webinar for you — a digital bridge connecting you with viewers globally — a virtual event that promotes connectivity and collaboration without borders. 

Picture real-time chats, presentations zipping through the internet, and interactive discussions. Webinars are your go-to for everything from snappy workshops and enlightening lectures to dazzling product demos, catering to an array of fields like education, marketing, and business training.

Benefits of hosting webinars

Let’s explore why hosting your first webinar can be your best bet for lead generation, expanding your reach, and much more:

• Expert positioning: A webinar positions you as an expert in your field, enhancing credibility and trust with your audience. It’s a platform to showcase your in-depth knowledge and address pain points directly, making your brand synonymous with solutions and expertise.
• Lead generation powerhouse: Webinars are fantastic for lead generation. By offering high-quality content that resonates with your target audience, you attract potential clients who are genuinely interested in what you have to offer.
• Global reach: The digital nature of webinars breaks down geographical barriers, allowing you to reach a global audience. By considering different time zones, you can schedule your live event to maximize attendance from around the world.
• Building personal connections: Live webinars provide an opportunity for real-time interaction, helping you build personal connections with your audience. This interaction fosters a sense of community and loyalty towards your brand.
• Flexibility and convenience: Webinars offer the host and the attendees flexibility. They can be accessed from anywhere, making it convenient for a broader audience to join in without the need for travel.
• Content repurposing: The content from your webinar can be repurposed in various formats like blogs, social media posts, and email campaigns, extending its value beyond the live event.
• Immediate feedback and insights: Hosting a live event gives you the advantage of immediate feedback. You can gauge audience reactions, gather insights, and understand the effectiveness of your content on the spot.
• Cost-effective marketing: Compared to in-person events, webinars are a more cost-effective way to reach out and engage with your target audience, reducing expenses on venues, logistics, and more.

Incorporating webinars into your marketing strategy can significantly boost your brand’s visibility, authority, and lead-generation efforts. They are an effective tool for addressing your audience’s pain points while positioning your first webinar as the best solution they’ve encountered.

Types of webinars

There are several types of webinars, each serving different purposes:

• Zoom webinars: The crowd-pleasers, known for user-friendliness and peppy interaction. They’re perfect for live chit-chats, engaging polls, and breakout brainstorming sessions.
• Webinar presentations: The structured, often pre-recorded type, delivering your content with crystal clarity. Ideal for educational nuggets, sleek product demos, and in-depth lectures.
• Webinar courses: Like a series of educational episodes, these webinars unfold over multiple sessions, diving deep into topics, complete with bonus materials like readings and assignments.

Ready to jump onto the webinar bandwagon? Let’s unwrap the planning essentials. Picture your webinar as a masterpiece, blending your know-how with your audience’s curiosity.

Choosing a topic

When picking a topic for your webinar, it’s essential to balance what you’re passionate about and what sparks interest in your audience. Here’s how to nail it:

• Trendy and relevant: Pick a specific topic that’s buzzing right now. A webinar on emerging technologies like AI could draw a crowd if you’re in tech.
• Passion meets demand: Choose a subject you love that also has a strong audience interest. If you’re into fitness, a webinar like “5 Home Workouts to Transform Your Fitness Routine” could be a hit.
• Unique perspective: Offer something different. If you’re a cooking expert, instead of a generic cooking class, how about “Cooking Gourmet Meals in 30 Minutes”?

Target audience

Knowing your audience is key to a successful webinar. Here’s what to consider:

• Who are they?: Figure out their age, job, and interests. If your webinar is about advanced photography techniques, you’ll likely target professional photographers or serious hobbyists.
• Customize your content: Tailor your webinar topic to fit your audience’s expertise level. Beginners in digital marketing? A “Basics of SEO: Getting Started” webinar would be ideal.

Setting goals and objectives

Clear goals are crucial for a successful webinar. Keep them specific, measurable, and aligned with what you’re all about:

• What’s your aim?: Clearly define whether you want to educate, generate leads , or sell something. If lead generation is your goal, aim to capture a certain number of email addresses.
• Reflect your brand: Make sure your webinar embodies what your brand stands for. If your brand is about simplicity, your webinar should, too.
• Measurable outcomes: Set goals you can track. Want to educate? A quick quiz at the end can measure how much your audience learned.
• Efficient planning: Save time with a solid plan. Cover everything from prep to how you’ll promote the webinar , conducting the webinar, and the follow-up process. For on-demand webinars, consider the timing of their release for the best impact.

With a well-chosen topic, a clear understanding of your audience, and defined goals, you’re all set to create a webinar that engages and drives your brand’s message home.

Crafting the content for your webinar is where you get to blend creativity with strategy, ensuring every element aligns perfectly to deliver an effective webinar. Let’s dive into how to make your content engaging, structured, and visually appealing.

Creating engaging content

Your content is what will inspire, educate, and empower your webinar attendees to come back for more. Here’s what to keep in mind when creating your content :

• Dynamic interaction: Transform your webinar from a standard presentation to an interactive experience. Incorporate live polls to engage your audience, spark discussions with Q&A sessions, and include interactive exercises encouraging active participation.
• Clarity and relevance: Ensure every piece of content is clear, concise, and relevant to your subject matter. Your audience’s time is precious, so make every minute informative and engaging.
• Storytelling and examples: Use storytelling techniques to make your content relatable and memorable. Bring in real-world examples to illustrate your points, making complex ideas easier to grasp and more tangible.
• Guest speakers: Inviting guest speakers can add a fresh perspective to your webinar. Choose experts who can contribute valuable insights and experiences related to your topic, enriching the overall content.
• Step-by-step guidance: If your webinar is instructional, provide step-by-step explanations. This approach is particularly effective in digital marketing webinars where practical, actionable advice is crucial.

Structuring your presentation

Your presentation structure is the skeleton that holds your webinar together. Be sure it includes the following:

• Personal introduction: Start with a warm, personal introduction that establishes a connection with your audience. This sets the tone for the rest of the webinar.
• Logical flow: Organize your content in a logical sequence. Break it down into digestible segments, each focusing on a specific aspect of your webinar’s subject matter.
• Interactive segments: Intersperse your presentation with interactive elements. This can include live Q&A sessions, polls, or short discussion breaks, keeping the audience engaged throughout.
• Powerful conclusion: End your presentation with a strong conclusion. Summarize key takeaways and leave your audience with a call to action (CTA), motivating them to apply what they’ve learned.

Visuals and media

In the visual arena, it’s all about complementing, not overwhelming. Here’s what to keep in mind:

• Relevant visuals: Select visuals that are directly related to your content. Each visual element should add value and enhance the understanding of your topic.
• High-quality media: Use high-resolution images and videos to maintain a professional standard. This reflects on the quality of your webinar.
• Balanced design: Avoid cluttering your slides with too many visuals. Aim for a clean, aesthetically pleasing design that captures attention without overwhelming your audience.
• Format consistency: Maintain consistency in your visual presentation. This includes using a cohesive color scheme, font style, and layout that aligns with your webinar format and brand image.

The tools and software you pick can be game-changers for your webinar. They’re the unseen heroes working behind the scenes to make your webinar a hit.

Zoom webinar setup

Zoom has become a go-to platform for webinars, offering a range of features to facilitate interactive and engaging sessions. Follow these steps:

• Sign Up/Login: Start with a Zoom account, and opt for a plan that suits your needs.
• Schedule your webinar: In the Zoom portal, select ‘Webinars’ and then ‘Schedule a Webinar.’ Fill in the details like date, time, and description.
• Customize settings: Choose options for registration, audio, video, and interactive features.
• Invitations: After setting up, use the provided link to invite attendees.
• Rehearse: Test your setup before the event to ensure everything runs smoothly.

Presentation tools

When it comes to crafting engaging presentations for your webinars, the tools you use can significantly influence the impact and clarity of your message. Here are some top tools to consider:

• PowerPoint: A pillar in the presentation world, PowerPoint offers a familiar, user-friendly interface with a vast array of templates and design options. It’s ideal for creating slide-based presentations that are both professional and visually appealing. With PowerPoint, you have the flexibility to incorporate various multimedia elements, create custom animations, and leverage its widespread compatibility.
• Prezi: For those seeking a more dynamic and visually engaging approach, Prezi is a standout choice. Unlike the traditional slide-based format, Prezi allows you to create non-linear presentations with a zoomable canvas, making it perfect for storytelling and keeping your audience engaged. Its unique presentation style emphasizes relationships between concepts and offers a memorable visual journey.
• Canva: Canva has gained popularity for its simplicity and stylish design capabilities. It’s a go-to for users seeking to create presentations quickly without sacrificing aesthetic appeal. With a vast library of templates, easy-to-use design features, and the ability to collaborate in real time, Canva is an excellent tool for those who prioritize ease of use and visual impact.

Course platforms

When it comes to hosting webinar courses , the platform you choose can greatly impact the success and reach of your program. Here’s a closer look at some top platforms:

Thinkific is a top choice for those seeking a comprehensive solution for creating, marketing, and selling online courses. Here’s what makes it stand out:

• Intuitive course builder: This feature is designed for ease of use, allowing anyone to create professional courses without needing technical skills. It’s a straightforward, user-friendly way to bring your course to life.
• Advanced customization: You have the freedom to customize the look and feel of your courses and landing pages , ensuring they align perfectly with your brand’s identity. This customization extends to course structure, design, and user experience.
• Diverse content types: Thinkific supports a variety of content types, including videos, quizzes, surveys, and downloadable resources. This flexibility allows you to cater to different learning styles and keep your content engaging.
• Marketing and sales tools: The platform comes equipped with an array of marketing tools, such as the ability to offer coupons, run email marketing campaigns, and set up affiliate programs. These features help in attracting and retaining students.
• Student engagement tools: You can create an interactive learning environment with forums and discussions. Certificates of completion add an extra incentive for students to complete the course.
• Detailed analytics: Monitor your course’s performance and student engagement with Thinkific’s analytics. These insights can help you fine-tune your content and teaching approach.
• Community and support: Join a thriving community of course creators where you can share experiences, ideas, and get inspiration.
• Secure hosting and data ownership: Your content is hosted securely and remains under your control, ensuring your data and intellectual property are protected.

Teachable is renowned for its user-friendly approach, making it ideal for those new to online course creation. Key features include:

• Easy content upload: The platform offers a drag-and-drop functionality, simplifying the process of building your course. It’s a great way to quickly get your content online without any hassle.
• Customizable landing pages: Create landing pages that attract and captivate students, with easy customization to fit your branding.
• Integrated payment options: Teachable simplifies the monetization process, allowing you to focus more on content creation and less on the technicalities of payment processing.

Kajabi provides a comprehensive all-in-one solution for course creators. Its standout features are:

• Robust course creation tools: Build and structure your course with a range of powerful tools. Kajabi gives you the flexibility to design your course exactly how you envision it.
• Marketing capabilities: With built-in tools for email marketing, landing pages, and sales funnels, Kajabi is not just a course platform but also a marketing powerhouse.
• Membership site creation: This feature allows for ongoing engagement and revenue, providing a space for your community to grow and interact beyond the course.

While Teachable and Kajabi offer excellent functionalities, Thinkific stands out with its blend of user-friendly course creation, extensive customization options, powerful marketing tools, and a supportive community. This makes Thinkific an ideal platform for creators looking to launch, market, and scale their webinar courses effectively.

Laying out the red carpet for your webinar registration means more than just spreading the word — it’s about creating a buzz that resonates with your potential audience. Here’s how to ensure your webinar is the talk of the town:

Marketing strategies

To maximize attendance, use these promotional strategies:

• Email marketing: Whether you’re preparing to launch a webinar for the first time or emailing attendees that have attended previous events, your webinar email flow should be enticing, empowering, and inspire readers to register. Craft compelling emails that entice readers with the promise of valuable insights. The subject line should grab attention, and the body of the email should succinctly convey the benefits of attending your webinar. Don’t stop at one — keep the momentum going with a series of reminder emails, stirring up anticipation as the webinar day approaches.
• Social media savvy: Harness the power of social media platforms to amplify your reach. LinkedIn is perfect for targeting professionals, X for snappy, attention-grabbing announcements, and Facebook for broader audience engagement. Customize your content for each platform, using graphics or video teasers to pique interest. Remember, your social media posts are not just notifications — they’re invitations to a can’t-miss event.
• Collaborative charm: Partnering with influencers or brands can catapult your webinar’s visibility. These collaborations open doors to new audiences and add a layer of credibility to your event. Choose partners whose audience aligns with your webinar’s theme and message, creating a synergy that benefits all parties involved.
• SEO-optimized landing page: Create a landing page that looks good and ranks well on search engines. Utilize SEO best practices to ensure your registration page appears in relevant searches. The content on this page should clearly articulate the value of your webinar, encouraging visitors to take the next step and register.

Registration process

For a smooth registration process:

• Keep it simple: Your registration form is the gateway to your webinar. Design it to be straightforward and user-friendly. Request only the essential information to minimize barriers to entry, making the sign-up process quick and effortless.
• Confirmation and reminders: Automation is key here. Set up an automated system to send out a confirmation email as soon as someone registers. Leading up to the webinar, schedule reminder emails. These can include a sneak peek of the slide deck, special messages from your guest speakers, or any last-minute information about the live stream, keeping your webinar fresh in the minds of your registrants.
• Crystal clear instructions: Clarity is crucial. Ensure your emails provide explicit instructions on how to access the webinar. If your webinar platform might be new to some attendees, consider including a simple ‘how-to-join’ guide or a link to a tutorial. This approach helps reduce any anxiety or confusion about attending the live event, especially for first-time webinar attendees.

By implementing these strategies, you set the stage for a successful webinar, filled with engaged attendees ready to absorb what you have to offer. Whether it’s your first webinar or one of many, these approaches ensure a smooth experience for your participants and a rewarding outcome for your efforts.

When it’s time to host your webinar, think of it as your moment to shine and connect. It’s about bringing all your preparation to life and creating a memorable experience for your audience. Here’s how to ensure your webinar is an event that resonates:

• Test your tech: Before the big day, do a trial run to ensure all your technical equipment is in tip-top shape. Check your internet connection, audio and video clarity, and familiarize yourself with the webinar software’s features. This will help avoid any technical hiccups during the live event. You can also use a moderator on the day of to ensure your tech is working, the conversation is flowing, and everyone is enjoying your webinar. 
• Create a welcoming environment: As you start your webinar, set a warm and engaging tone. A friendly introduction can put your audience at ease and build a connection right from the start.
• Engage and interact: Throughout the webinar, encourage participation. Use interactive features like polls, Q&A sessions, and chat functionalities. This keeps the audience involved and provides valuable feedback and insights.
• Deliver high-quality content: Ensure your content is well-researched, relevant, and presented in an engaging manner. Use your slide deck effectively to highlight key points and maintain audience interest.
• Manage time effectively: Be respectful of your attendees’ time. Start and end the webinar as scheduled, and keep each segment of your presentation concise yet informative.
• Provide value: Your attendees are there for a reason. Make sure they leave with new knowledge, insights, or skills. The content should address their needs and offer real solutions.
• Follow up post-webinar: After the webinar, send out a follow up email , share a recording of the session, or provide additional resources. This follow-up is an excellent opportunity to keep the conversation going and nurture your relationship with the attendees.

Hosting a successful webinar is about blending seamless technical execution with engaging content delivery. By focusing on these aspects, you can ensure your webinar not only imparts knowledge but also leaves a lasting positive impression on your attendees.

The work doesn’t stop when your webinar ends. Post-webinar activities are crucial for maximizing the impact of your session and setting the stage for future success.

• Collecting feedback: Gather those immediate reactions with post-webinar surveys and direct chats. It’s like having a backstage pass to your audience’s thoughts.
• Repurposing content: Turn your webinar into a content treasure chest. Share recordings, spin off blog posts, pepper your social media with highlights, and enrich your emails with webinar wisdom.
• Analyzing success: Measure your success by attendance rates, engagement levels, and feedback quality. It’s like taking a telescope to your webinar stars, helping you navigate better for the next one.
• Engage your attendees: Touch base with past attendees and offer value with content that will resonate. You can even use your webinars to promote your online courses and other helpful content. 

You now have a roadmap to creating and delivering a successful webinar. From planning and preparation to post-webinar activities, each step is crucial in crafting an engaging and impactful experience. 

Remember, the key to a great webinar lies in understanding your audience, delivering valuable content, and continuously improving. So, start creating your webinar today and unlock new opportunities for growth and engagement!

What equipment do I need to host a webinar?

To host a webinar effectively, you’ll need a few essential pieces of equipment:

• Computer: A reliable computer with sufficient processing power is crucial. It should be able to handle your webinar software smoothly.
• Microphone: Good audio quality is essential. Invest in a quality microphone that can clearly capture your voice without picking up too much background noise.
• Webcam: A good webcam is necessary for visual engagement. Ensure it provides clear, high-definition video.
• Stable internet connection: A consistent and high-speed internet connection is key to prevent buffering or connection issues.
• Headphones: To avoid audio feedback and enhance sound clarity, consider using headphones, especially if your webinar involves interactive components.

Are there any free webinar hosting options?

Yes, there are several free or low-cost options for hosting webinars:

• Zoom: Offers a free basic plan with a 40-minute time limit for group meetings.
• Google Meet: Free for users with a Google account and supports up to 100 participants.
• Skype: Suitable for smaller, more informal webinars.
• Cisco Webex: Has a free version with limited features.
• Jitsi Meet: An open-source platform that is completely free and doesn’t require an account.

How long should a webinar typically be?

The ideal length of a webinar varies based on its type and purpose:

• Educational webinars: Typically last between 45-60 minutes, with additional time for Q&A.
• Product demonstrations: Usually shorter, around 20-30 minutes.
• In-depth workshops or training: Can extend up to 90 minutes or longer, with breaks.

The key is to ensure that the duration aligns with the content’s depth and the audience’s attention span.

Can I charge for my webinar course?

Yes, you can charge for your webinar courses. When monetizing, consider the following:

• Value proposition: Ensure your course provides significant value and unique content that justifies the price.
• Market research: Understand what similar courses are charging and position your pricing competitively.
• Platform capabilities: Use platforms like Thinkific or Teachable that facilitate course monetization.
• Payment options: Provide multiple, secure payment options for accessibility.

How do I handle technical issues during a live webinar?

To manage technical issues during a live webinar:

• Pre-webinar testing: Conduct a thorough test of your equipment and software before going live.
• Backup plans: Have alternative options ready, like a backup microphone or a secondary internet connection.
• Quick fixes knowledge: Be familiar with common issues and know how to quickly solve them, such as restarting the software or checking audio settings.
• On-call support: If possible, have a technical support person available during the webinar.

What are the best practices for promoting a webinar on social media?

Effective strategies for promoting webinars on social media include:

• Teasers and countdowns: Generate excitement with teaser posts and countdowns leading up to the event.
• Engaging visuals: Use eye-catching graphics and videos to grab attention.
• Hashtags: Create a unique hashtag for your webinar for easy tracking and visibility.
• Influencer partnerships: Collaborate with influencers to expand your reach.
• Live snippets: Share live snippets or behind-the-scenes looks to engage your audience.

How can I improve audience engagement during my webinar?

To enhance audience engagement:

• Interactive polls and surveys: Use these tools to encourage participation and gather instant feedback.
• Q&A sessions: Allocate time for questions and encourage audience interaction.
• Engaging visuals: Use slides and visual aids to make your presentation more dynamic.
• Real-time chat: Utilize chat functionalities for instant engagement and feedback.
• Breakout rooms: If your platform allows, use breakout rooms for small group discussions.
• Storytelling: Incorporate stories and anecdotes to make your content more relatable and engaging.

Stephanie is a content marketing expert with a passion for connecting the dots of strategy and content. She has worked with industry leaders including HubSpot, Oracle, Travel + Leisure, and Forbes.

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How to create a webinar presentation to win over attendees

March 29, 2021

If you want to convert your webinar attendees, get our tips on how to create a webinar presentation. They’re straightforward and will help you wow your audience.

You’re getting ready to put together your slide deck for your next webinar presentation.

And you find yourself staring at a blank laptop screen.

Sure, you can open PowerPoint and quickly bust out some presentation slides.

But, what’s going to make it an engaging webinar that actually converts?

The last thing you want to do is waste time creating a lengthy slide deck that prematurely ends up in your archive folder.

Today, we’ll fill you in on how to put together a successful webinar, including seven straightforward steps, plus webinar slide examples.

Let’s hop to it.

7 steps to create a high-converting webinar presentation

Step #1. begin with your title slide concept.

Before beginning any design work for your presentation slides, it’s worth outlining the content for your slide deck, starting with your title page.

While your title page should be a visually pleasing slide that’s easy to digest, it’s also important to carry this general rule from your title slide throughout your entire slide deck:

Stick to the 1-to-1 ratio rule of including one concept per slide.

It’s very similar to the 1-to-1 attention ratio when designing a high-converting landing page. The highest converting landing pages include one single link .

The reason why the single-focused approach works so well is that it’s a way to keep your target audience away from overchoice and cognitive overload .

Specifically with your title slide, you can leverage this less-is-more idea by sticking to these basic elements:

Your webinar title

A subheading

The webinar presenter’s name

A compelling visual

We’ll address more details about the visual design later, but for now, just understand that the main goal for your title page is simplicity, and the visual image is a prominent part of it.

This also means it’s a great branding opportunity where you can show off your brand identity and personality a bit.

To put it into context, check out this title slide template , which is both compelling and simple.

Alternatively, this one from leading branding expert Mark Lack includes his webinar title, his headshot, and four quick visual points about what to expect.

The gist is to start with a clean title slide that leads into an equally simple slide deck presentation.

Before diving into the meat of your presentation, there are two steps that help you build credibility and trust among your attendees.

Step #2. Include a brief overview of your experience

To say that building trust and credibility is important is a big understatement.

A mighty 81% of consumers need to trust the brands they purchase from.

On top of that, another 66% of consumers believe transparency is one of the most attractive qualities of a brand.

That being said, it’s vital to give your target audience a reason to trust you.

Presenters can accomplish this in the form of sharing a bit of their own story.

Back to our Mark Lack example, at the intro of his webinar, he shares his transformation from a “punk and failure in school” to becoming a “multi-millionaire and top personal branding expert by the age of 30”.

If you don’t want to divulge how you’ve morphed from your teen years, you can also share your business experience.

Like webinar presenters Aidan Booth and Steve Clayton did, who started their first online business ideas back in 2005 and 2003 respectively.

While Aidan and Steve squeeze in a lot of info on their background slide, they’re able to share credibility-boosting qualifications, like their “30 years of combined online business experience” and how they “run multiple 7-figure businesses”.

In sum, provide a few slides explaining why people should listen to you. It doesn’t have to be elaborate — just share some points that build your credibility as an expert in your field.

Your background story isn’t the only aspect that builds trust, though.

There’s also your happy customers’ stories — head to our next step for more.

Step #3. Introduce testimonials and social proof

Your next step for creating a successful webinar presentation is to include a healthy dose of testimonials and social proof.

Testimonials are so powerful that 72% of consumers claim positive testimonials and reviews increase their trust in a brand.

Not to mention, if people see that others are getting results, they’ll believe they can get results, too.

To feature your happy customers, you can include screenshots of people sharing their wins in social media posts, like in this example from Mark Lack’s webinar .

Or individual client success stories that are more drawn out.

Of course, the more you have, the better. Here’s how to show off a range of client testimonials in one slide .

Basically, the point here is short and sweet:

It’s a good idea to include testimonials and social proof both before and after your main webinar content.

It’ll help your viewers pay more attention to your main lesson and be more inclined to follow your next steps.

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Now, for your webinar’s main course.

Step #4. Outline your main webinar topic

Whether it’s jotting down bullet points or scripting out your key points, it’s important to lay out the main chunk of your webinar content in a clean and clear way before heading into any slide deck design work.

Simply map out the flow of your tutorial and try to keep your perspective scaled back when outlining your main webinar content.

Bonus tip: While you may be the expert in your field (and you certainly want to position yourself as a thought leader in your niche), it’s important to stick to a specific topic in your webinar.

The point of your webinar presentation is less about sharing everything you know about your webinar topic or subject matter, and more about sharing a very focused tutorial that teaches your audience how to achieve one main goal.

One way to stay focused while crafting your webinar slide content is to think of your outline in terms of an agenda or table of contents.

In slide form, here’s another screenshot from Mark Lack’s Masterclass webinar presentation. It puts you in the mindset of the purpose of your webinar, anticipating the upcoming lesson layout.

If you want to dig a little deeper, you can map out a simple framework for your webinar tutorial, like in this Introduction to Blockchain webinar description, which breaks up the presentation into three main points:

Introduction

Who the webinar is most beneficial for

Just adapt the format to suit your specific topic.

Pretty simple, right?

This simplicity applies to not only the flow of your presentation slides, but also the content of each slide.

Given that a whopping 90% of marketers believe that visual content is either very important, quite important, or that their strategy is nothing without visuals, it’s wise to rely heavily on graphic content throughout your webinar presentation.

Take, for example, successful entrepreneur and expert marketer Blake Nubar’s Partner Program webinar presentation.

It’s not unusual for one of Blake’s slides to include mainly visual content, like this one:

Even his text-heavy slides include images, like this one:

Notice that, while Blake includes several bullet points, they’re all super short.

His slides that are text-only are also very focused, like this one that highlights a single idea.

The main point to glean is: If there’s an opportunity to slim down the information while still getting your main point across, do it.

With graphs, for instance, cut out any clutter possible, like in this chart that grays out the extra colors making it super simple to understand the graph’s trend.

At the risk of sounding like a broken record, less is more. Keep it simple — from your presentation flow to the content on each presentation slide.

After the meat of your webinar presentation is mapped out, you’re ready to inspire your webinar attendees to take action — our next tip.

Step #5. Focus on your call-to-action

The final slides of your webinar presentation should focus on your main call-to-action (CTA).

In question form, what specific action do you want your attendees to take next?

This is particularly important if you’re selling with webinars .

KIBO Code Quantum ’s CTA is to redeem a free discount gift for enrolling in their program by heading to their featured URL.

Coach Trainer Kendall SummerHawk ’s CTA is to click the button below her webinar or head over to her site URL to join her coaching program.

Course creator David Siteman Garland even adds a layer of urgency to his final CTA page with a blue timer at the top right of his slide screen.

In addition to his CTA’s URL at the top of the slide, David also adds a CTA at the right of his webinar screen to time the countdown of his 20-minute closing Q&A session, which you can do using WebinarJam’s webinar platform.

Fancy CTA boxes aside, the common theme here is your attendees take the next step toward converting into customers.

Even if it’s not to purchase on the spot, make it an obvious CTA that urges your attendees to take action.

Beyond your CTA, it’s also important to include a Q&A if you’re hosting a live webinar.

After all, out of all webinar resources, people see Q&A sessions as a resource that’s 81% better than all other webinar resources.

This makes sense, especially when you consider the overwhelming 92% of attendees that want a live Q&A session at the end of webinars.

If you can, invite a colleague to be your webinar moderator, so they can feed you questions from the webinar platform ’s chatbox. This allows you to focus on answering questions instead of fishing through comments.

If you’re worried about going over your set webinar time, just be sure to build the Q&A time into your presentation time.

These days, the average time attendees spend consuming webinar content is 53 minutes .

So try to find a slot in there, and of course, experiment and iterate as needed.

In a nutshell:

At the close of your webinar, include a Q&A for live webinars to overcome any objections, and end with a very clear CTA that your attendees can follow next.

As far as your webinar slides go, that’s a wrap. It’s time to put your ideas and bullet points into an actual slide deck design.

Step #6. Use a slide deck template to design your presentation slides

Now that you’ve done most of the heavy lifting, the fun part is to add your webinar content to actual slides.

To do this, we recommend using presentation slide templates.

Why? For one, it saves a ton of time.

As in, going from between 5–8 hours to between 45–120 minutes when you start with an existing presentation template.

Another reason why we love templates is most of them are beautifully pre-designed and available at a low cost, without having to hire a designer.

Venngage , for instance, offers a wide range of professionally designed templates to choose from.

Same with Canva , which offers hundreds of customizable presentation templates.

And if you’re a Microsoft Office user, PowerPoint has built-in slide deck templates that you can customize and design as you input your content.

If you do the pre-work, this step is also short and sweet:

After you’ve completed the bulk of work by outlining your webinar flow and content, transferring it to presentation slides should be straightforward if you use a slide deck template.

If you’ve made it this far, congrats . You’re well on your way to presenting an impressive webinar. We’ll leave you with just a few more details to seal the deal.

Step #7. Practice and prepare for your webinar presentation

Beyond your slide deck, there are a few more key points worth sharing, the first being — practice.

Do a dry run and rehearse your webinar presentation as many times as you need to feel comfortable.

The more you run through your subject matter, the more you’ll overcome your presentation jitters .

And to help boost your camera confidence , look the part. People who dress the part have more confidence.

In fact, your attendees will subconsciously take you more seriously, and most importantly, so will you.

Even if you focus the majority of your webinar on your slide deck, you can still face your webcam and present face-to-camera, either at the beginning or end of your webinar.

Another option is to show up in a small corner alongside your webinar slides, which most webinar software lets you do.

Like in this recording layout using Zoom ’s webinar platform, for example.

Or in Buffer’s Optimizing your Social Channels for Success webinar, which displays their presenter’s face-to-camera shot in the corner of the main presentation window.

Either way, it’s worth making an appearance in front of your target audience to build credibility and get your audience to know, like, and trust you.

From a tech standpoint, it’s also vital to have your audio quality come through as crystal clear.

No matter the webinar format — whether you’re presenting as a guest speaker at a live event or hosting your own webinar as a prerecorded online event — make sure your audio set up is clean.

It’s also worth getting your hands on a reliable headset, so you can express yourself hands-free. The last thing you want to do is get distracted by unclear audio or fumble around with your tech setup.

And, last but not least, our final bonus tip is to nurture your email list and follow up with your webinar attendees.

Given that 80% of sales are made in the fifth to twelfth contact, it’s important to continue nurturing your webinar attendees.

Here’s the recap:

While your slide deck may be the meat of your webinar presentation, it’s not the only thing that needs fine-tuning before, during, and after your big day. Don’t forget to practice, check your equipment, and snag yourself a spot for some face-to-camera interaction during your webinar.

And, of course, don’t forget to follow up. No one likes to be left on read, and that definitely includes your audience.

Here’s to hosting a successful webinar presentation and growing your business

While there’s no shortage of webinar presentation formats and types out there, if you focus on your main goal of teaching your attendees how to achieve one main result, the rest should take care of itself.

Especially with a trusty structure to follow.

Just follow our seven steps to craft a successful webinar presentation:

Start with a compelling and simple title page that sets the stage for your whole webinar.

Build trust by sharing a story that positions you as an expert in your field.

Nurture even more credibility by sharing testimonial stories and social proof.

Outline your main webinar content in a clean streamlined format. Use lots of visuals.

Include a clear CTA at the end of your webinar (and Q&A if it makes sense).

Transfer your webinar content to a slide deck format using design templates.

Practice your webinar, dress on-brand, properly set up tech details, and continue to nurture your target audience.

In the market to sell your webinars ? Podia is the perfect platform to manage, schedule, and sell your webinars — along with all of your other digital products like online courses and digital downloads.

Get started for free today.

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About the author

Cyn Meyer was a content writer for Podia , an all-in-one platform where online courses, digital downloads, and communities scale with their creators. Cyn also enjoys playing music, helping retirees live active, healthy, engaged lifestyles, and hopping into the ocean.

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Blog Beginner Guides

What Is a Webinar & How Does It Work? [Beginner’s Guide With 10+ Presentation Templates]

By Aditya Sheth , Apr 08, 2021

With a global pandemic taking the world by storm and forcing people to work from home, webinars have seen a resurgence in popularity and usage across the globe.

In the last decade (especially in the last few months) webinars have become a staple for educating students and potential customers, lead generation for your business, and captivating large online audiences.

If you’re new to webinars, you’re probably asking yourself…

• What is a webinar?

How does a webinar work?

• Why are webinars so effective?

What are the different types of webinars?

• How do I create and host a webinar?

In this guide, I’ll give you a crash course on what is a webinar, how you can create a webinar and showcase plenty of presentation examples to answer all your webinar-related questions!

Let’s dive right in.

What is a webinar? Webinar definition:

According to  Merriam-Webster , a webinar (or web seminar) is “a live online educational presentation during which participating viewers can submit questions and comments.”

You might be wondering, “well, what is a seminar?” Seminar definition: “a meeting for giving and discussing information.”

Webinars are events, video presentations, workshops, seminars, training sessions, or classroom lectures hosted and delivered online using webinar software .

What makes webinars effective is that they’re a two-way form of communication where the attendees and presenters give, receive and share information with each other, in real time.

Webinar vs. Webcast

A webinar is not a webcast. Webcasts are pre-recorded sessions that broadcast online (on TV or YouTube). Webinars are live sessions allowing real-time interactivity between the presenter and attendees.

For example, our growth by content live webinar teaches business owners how to use content marketing to drive business growth without a massive budget:

If you’re new to webinars, a great way to familiarize yourself is to attend other webinars (like the one above) and take notes.

Hosting webinars has plenty of uses and benefits, but before we dive into creating a webinar it’s important to understand how and why webinars work in the first place.

Webinars allow presenters to share documents of all kinds including but not limited to voice notes, videos, presentations and other documents, etc with their attendees.

Webinars have plenty of uses (often business-related) but the most important and biggest use for webinars is to educate and engage an audience).

Your audience could be anyone from new or existing customers, industry peers or even the students in your classroom.

This means webinars are useful in any industry where communicating with your audience is a key factor in your personal or professional success.

Webinars can also help you with all of the following: 

• Educate your audience about your business.
• Build authority in your industry or niche.
• Demonstrate your product to customers. 
• Onboard new customers to your product. 
• Training both new and existing employees. 
• Generating leads for your business. 

In the marketing world, the main use for webinars is lead generation.

For example, our “ Infographic Design 101 ” webinar is aimed at helping our current customers visualize their ideas and attracting potential customers to sign up for Venngage:

If you’re new to webinars or want to learn how to visualize your ideas, I highly recommend checking out this webinar.

Another way marketers use online webinars is to build authority, credibility and thought leadership in their industry.

Drift ’s approach to thought-leadership webinars is a prime example:

Drift leverages webinars for multiple purposes ranging from educating new and current customers, establishing thought leadership, and collaborating with other SaaS companies.

This helps Drift position themselves as a subject matter expert in the SaaS industry.

Another example is  R&D tax credit software  Boast.AI.

Boast Events  produces two webinars per week in their community, branded Traction, bringing founders and leaders from some of the fastest-growing companies to share actionable, tactical advice on business growth.

If you’re creating a marketing plan and your goal is consistently generating high-quality leads for your business, webinars should be a crucial piece of your strategy.

Webinars are also used extensively in eLearning. As an educator, your ability to reach more students expands dramatically. Right from the comfort of your home.

Students don’t need to travel and with the current crisis that’s forced everyone to stay home, online webinars can be the most important learning tool in a teacher’s arsenal.

Here’s an example of how HBR approaches educational webinars:

After reading this guide in its entirety, you’ll have a better understanding of how to replicate their approach to webinars for your own institution or classroom.

Why are webinars effective?

What makes webinars effective (compared to physical events or workshops) is that with webinars, you don’t need to rent out a physical location or deal with complex logistics that arise from hosting in-person events. 

In fact, in 2020, the number of organizations planning a virtual event has doubled .

With a plethora of webinar pros (vs physical events), rich-feature sets, support for multiple content types, the possibilities are essentially endless.

Advantages of webinars

Since webinars are online events , they’re convenient for both presenter and attendee as you can host and attend webinars right from the comfort of your office (or home.) 

Whether it’s presenting to a small group or a group of 100+ attendees, webinars work in both these scenarios.

Webinars can be pre-recorded and played at any time for participants. This makes them easier to set up, repurpose, and budget-friendly compared to in-person events.

Offline events have their own merits, but with live webinars you don’t need to spend time agonizing over venue rentals, food, beverages or making sure your presentation equipment works. 

People have used webinars creatively for education, marketing, sales, branding, human resources, user onboarding, etc. So when it comes to what you can do with webinars: the sky’s the limit.

A lot of webinar tools come with interactive whiteboards, surveys and polls, live-chat features which make them far more personalized, engaging and interactive for your audience.

These are just some of the reasons why webinars have been exploding in popularity in recent times. 

Webinar formats

Webinars come with tons of customizable features as well as support various content formats such as:

• Live video: the most common type of webinar. Live webinars tend to garner the most engagement.
• Pre-recorded: most webinars are live, but you can always record a live webinar and future participants can register for them as they please. Most Ideal for evergreen topics.
• Text: Most webinars tools come equipped with text chat features. Ask and answer your audiences’ questions, in real time.
• Whiteboard: used to draw out and explain important concepts.
• Surveys and polls: want to keep your audience engaged? Use surveys and polls to get attendees to answer questions and organize it all in one place.

But the most common way to conduct webinars is by creating and presenting a slide deck presentation .

Here’s an example of a webinar presentation you can edit and customize right now:

Once you learn how to make a great webinar presentation, you can always kick things up a notch by experimenting with different webinar tools as well as whiteboards, polls, surveys, etc.

Venngage has a fair amount of experience when it comes to participating and hosting webinars for marketing, lead generation, and joint collaborations.

But that’s not their only use. Here are just some ways you can harness the power of webinars:

Webinars for marketing, lead generation and partnerships

When it comes to lead generation, there’s a lot you can do: 

• Creating in-depth industry white papers , 
• Publishing case studies to promote your product, and 
• Designing ebooks and offering them up as lead magnets.

But, the greatest bang for your marketing buck can come from hosting webinars due to the high-quality leads they help generate.

Companies like Drift , ConvertKit , G2 , etc have successfully leveraged webinars to scale their lead generation and in turn, increase revenue.  You just need to learn some essential webinar statistics if you’re planning to create one. If webinars worked for them, they can work for you too. 

For example, G2 hosts webinars regularly with the goal of generating leads for their software:

G2 covers a wide variety of topics in their webinars. Not only that, joint webinars are the perfect way to team up with other companies and subject matter experts in your industry. 

Conducting joint webinars allows you to:

• Partnering with other companies gives you access to their audience. They could even be potential customers who would otherwise be oblivious about you. 
• Collaborating with other companies adds credibility and authority to your content establishing you as a thought leader in your industry. 

At Venngage, we use webinars to educate our audience and lead generation becomes a natural by-product of this goal:

With this webinar our goal was simple: helping businesses navigate the pandemic by outlining how they can grow using content marketing (like we have).

With physical event cancellations and the world being forced to work from home, companies are slowly transitioning from hosting physical events to events hosted virtually (with webinars).

For example, Wishpond opted for a virtual event to make it easier for participants and attendees to partake (even from home):

Pro Tip: If you provide massive value to your audience in your webinars, chances are you won’t even need to promote your product. Help your audience with their struggles, and they’ll not only become a customer but also a raving fan.

Webinars for education

Webinars have exploded in popularity in the last few years as a powerful learning tool, not only for marketers but also for schools and universities.

For educators, webinars are the best way to reach and engage students. No classroom required. For students, they get to learn from the comfort of their own homes.

Due to the pandemic, colleges and universities have transitioned to distanced learning. So webinars as a learning tool have surged in popularity.

My alma mater, Seneca uses educational webinars for all occasions—from educating potential students to onboarding new students and also hosting virtual open houses:

If you’re a college or university trying to onboard incoming students for the new semester, webinars are an absolute no-brainer. Here’s an onboarding webinar template you can use:

I f you’re a professor looking to experiment with webinars as a learning device, you can use this webinar presentation template for your next online class:

Pro Tip: Want to make your webinar even more engaging? Invite external educators and subject matter experts to collaborate with you on your next webinar.

Webinars for product demos

Companies have started adopting webinars for product demos to strategically sell their products and build a deeper relationship with prospective customers.

But when is the ideal time to start using webinars for product demos? The answer: Now!

Today’s buyers are digitally savvy and comparing competing products to make the best buying decision. Sending over a business proposal and hoping for the best isn’t going to cut it anymore.

A product demo webinar is an opportunity for you to showcase real case studies of your current customers, how they’ve used your product successfully, and how your prospect can achieve the same results.

OroCommerce, the B2B eCommerce platform  does a great job with product demo webinars . Every time they release a major product update they hold product demos going over the benefits of every new feature.

When presenting a live webinar that targets your audience’s pain points , strategically tie in your product into your presentation and how it helps your attendees solve their burning problems. 

Here’s an example of a product demo webinar presentation you can use to demo your products or services:

Pro Tip: Product demo webinars also helps you gather critical customer feedback . If you’re a startup, start conducting regular webinars to gather crucial feedback to make your product better.

Webinars for employee training

Webinar tools can double as meeting software and training tools for training both new and existing employees.

This is especially useful if you’re communicating with a remote team . Or even a team that’s too big to sit in one room together.

You can start by including webinars in your onboarding materials or conduct a webinar-esque orientation where you outline your company’s expectations, vision, mission and address questions your new hires might have.

They can also be used to showcase your company’s culture and how it will matter to your new recruits. 

Related : How to Create a Successful Employee Training and Development Program

Webinars are the perfect tool for educating your employees on niche but important topics like productivity, workplace diversity, safety, employee engagement, etc.

Want your next company-wide webinar to cover the topic of workplace accessibility? Here’s a presentation you can use for your next webinar:

Webinars for user onboarding and retention

Webinars have been among the most popular marketing  trends among SaaS businesses .

If you’re a digital storefront or Software as a Service (SaaS) company like us, you know how important customer onboarding and retention is for the bottom line of your business.

You may already have onboarding flows in your product, but it’s never a bad idea to explain to your new customers how your product works by inviting them to a user onboarding webinar. Also, utilizing a user onboarding software can help create a seamless user journey.

With your user onboarding webinar, make sure you cover the most important aspects of your products, keep the learning curve as low as possible and invite users to ask questions while you’re presenting.

Saas company Drift takes the cake with their ingenious use of webinars (especially the third one) to onboard new customers:

Once you sign up for Drift, they send you an email with a webinar-style video tutorial on how to get started with Drift. Genius.

Pro Tip: It’s 5x more expensive to acquire new customers than to retain an existing one. Use tools like onboarding emails, push notifications, webinars, etc. to retain your new customers so they stick around, upgrade to your paid plans and spread the word about you.

How to create and host a successful webinar

There are plenty of free, paid as well as ad-supported webinar tools available in the market. And most of these webinar hosting tools come with similar features.

Picking a webinar tool that’s right for you comes down to your business goals, budget as well as what you value in a webinar tool.

Here are some webinar tools to help you get started:

• Zoom (freemium): The most well-known online meeting tool also doubles as a webinar tool. Starts with a free plan and offers paid business plans with robust features.
• WebinarJam (paid): Starts at 499$/year and includes features such as live chat and automated recordings.
• WebinarNinja (paid): Starts at 39$/month for upto 100 attendees. It also comes with a free 14-day trial so you can take them for a test drive.
• ON24 (free trial): Comes with powerful attendee, reporting and marketing features. Integrates with plenty of other tools, but every integration is priced.
• Zoho Meetings (paid): Starts at 15$ for 25 attendees. You can also host up to 250 attendees for just 63$/month.

Want to dig deeper? Our friends at G2 have reviewed every popular webinar tool to help you make the right buying decision for your specific needs.

Create your own webinar in five steps:

Once you’ve spent the time on picking the right webinar hosting tool, now onto better things: creating your first webinar!

Creating your first webinar can be overwhelming but I’ll outline the exact steps you need to follow to make your first webinar a roaring success. Here they are:

1. Identifying the goal of your webinar

Webinars have many uses and by extension, webinars also help you accomplish different goals.

Start by asking yourself, “What’s my goal with this webinar?” Is it:

• Generating more leads for your sales team?
• Educating your students studying from home?
• Selling an idea or concept to potential customers?

Once you’ve identified the goal of your webinar, think about what your key performance indicators ( KPIs ) will be to determine the success of your webinar. 

After determining your goals and KPIs, make sure everything you do: creating your webinar content, promoting it, etc ties back to this goal.

If the goal of your webinar is to teach potential clients motivation 101, your best bet would be a purely educational and non-salesy presentation:

Pro Tip: Above all else, put your audience first. What are their pain points? What kind of content do they care about? If you tailor your webinar to your audience’s needs and pain points, success is imminent.

2. Attend other webinars

The best way to plan, create, and host a webinar successfully is to scope out the competition.

Look at your industry and start researching companies that are successfully using webinars to educate or sell to their audience.

What can you do differently or do better? Can you better interact with your audience? Can you ask better questions? Can you improve the content of your webinar?

Be curious and take notes whenever you can.

Once you attend a few webinars, you’ll have a general understanding of which webinars are hits and which are misses. All that’s left is to emulate webinars that were a roaring success.

To start, check out our webinar on driving business growth with the help of content marketing:

3. Plan and outline your content

In this step, you’ll start putting together your webinar outline and lay down the groundwork i,e. Invite your attendees, plan your event logistics, and decide on a webinar promotion strategy.

Creating an outline for your webinar content is easy if you already have a goal in mind.

For example, if the goal is to educate new users on how to create an infographic using Venngage, here’s what an outline might look like:

• Introduction
• What is an infographic?
• Use cases for an infographic
• How to make an infographic?
• How companies use infographics

A webinar outline can help you stay focused on the topics your audience cares about (based on research) and prevent you from getting side-tracked. 

The best part? You will eventually end up with a webinar presentation like this:

Pro Tip: Like any presentation, you need to rehearse for your webinar. This is even more important if you’re presenting to a large crowd online many of which could be potential customers. First impressions are everything, as they say.

4. Design your webinar presentation slides

Once you’ve identified the contents of your webinar, time to start designing the actual webinar presentation!

To start off, hop onto Venngage and pick a presentation template you like. We’ve got 100s of templates for all occasions and types ranging from professional to quirky:

Starting from a blank presentation is hard. Trust me, I’ve tried. 

So pick a presentation template you like, you can customize it to your heart’s content anyway.

Start playing around with the template, editing various elements like fonts, headers as well as the presentation layout .

If you’re on our business plan, you can use MyBrand Kit to automagically import your brand guidelines (logos, colors, and fonts) into your designs:

Need a helping hand? Bring on your team to edit your presentations and bring your webinar to life! Turn on real-time team collaboration (a business plan feature):

Once you’ve put all the final touches, export or download your presentation:

The real kicker? Venngage’s presentation maker can export your presentation in a .pptx format for importing within Powerpoint. Pretty cool right?

If you’re a fan of keeping it simple, you can present your webinar from right within Venngage using our presenter view feature.

And that’s it — once you’ve made an engaging presentation , prepared your speaking notes, and tested your webinar you’re officially ready to present your webinar to a live audience! 

Pro Tip: Don’t forget to collect feedback from your audience after the webinar! A tool like Paperform can help you survey attendees and improve your future webinars.

5. Marketing (or Promoting) your webinar

You’ve front-loaded the most important work: planning your webinar, setting up webinar tools, goal setting, competitor research, etc.

But unless you promote your virtual event , nobody will know how valuable it will be for them. So the final piece of the puzzle is webinar marketing.

Webinar marketing isn’t complicated, all you have to do is create event posters , social media visuals as well as event timelines informing attendees about the agenda of the event.

Here’s an example of a virtual event poster template you can edit (paid plan only) right now:

If you’re a business that engages in email marketing and has an existing email list, leverage it.

 If not, use email marketing software like Brevo or Hubspot to build your email list and automate your email marketing campaigns.

We promote all our webinars to our customers through our email newsletter and I recommend you do the same. 

Here’s a webinar invitation newsletter template you can send out to your email list:

Promoting your webinars on different social media networks is the lowest hanging fruit you should go after.

Head over to our templates page and you’ll find a huge collection of eye-catching designs for every social network (all sized to the right dimensions).

Need to promote your next non-profit webinar on Instagram? But don’t want to use boring stock images? We’ve got you covered:

Creating, customizing, and sharing promo materials for your next webinar is easy and intuitive with Venngage.

With access to 1000+ professional templates, an ever-growing collection of icons and illustrations (all of which are free), features like Brand Kit and real-time team collaboration :

Looking for a one-stop shop to design event posters , banners , social media graphics , email newsletters , and much more? Sign up for Venngage today!

Now you know the basics of everything from what’s a webinar, how to make a webinar, and the webinar conferencing software you will need to host a webinar. 

If you’re ready to start creating webinars that educate and captivate your audience regardless of industry or profession, make sure you keep the following webinar hosting best practices in mind:

• Pick the right webinar tool. This comes down to your budget, goals as well as features you want in your webinar hosting software.
• Identify your goal. What are you trying to achieve with your webinar? What content does your audience care about? What are their pain points? Clarity on your goals is crucial above anything else.
• Snoop on your competitors. How are your companies leveraging webinars? Take notes and think about what you can do differently or better with your webinars.
• Promote your webinar. You’ve worked days, weeks (or even months) to create an awesome webinar. Let the world know about it! 

This article is also available in Portuguese: O que é um webinar e como ele funciona? [guia para iniciantes]

Did you enjoy this in-depth guide on webinars? What was your favorite tip? What are you struggling with? Drop them in the comments below, and let’s talk about it! 

Check out some of our other popular design and how-to guides:

How to Make an Infographic in 5 Steps (Guide)

How to Write a Business Pro posal [Examples & Templates]

20+ Amazing eBook Templates + Design Tips [Beginner Guide]

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How to Create Webinar Presentation Slides

Founder, WebinarNinja

Omar Zenhom founded WebinarNinja, an all-inclusive, easy-to-use webinar platform to teach, improve marketing, and grow sales. With over a decade of experience in entrepreneurship, Omar brings a wealth of practical insights into generating passive leads and sales with webinars.

Live or automated , your our webinar presentation slides are the heart of your webinars.

It’s the roadmap for your whole presentation. It keeps you grounded, on track, and moving steadily towards the goal (that’d be sales conversions ).

So, let’s nail it.

Based on my experience with WebinarNinja, let’s explore the structure, key elements, and flow of a slide presentation that keeps the audience enraptured.

6 Steps to Create Webinar Presentation Slides

These webinar presentation tips will benefit both presenters and the audience by ensuring that webinars are informative, engaging, and impactful.

1. Find a Relevant Topic to Cover

“The secret of getting ahead is getting started.”

The first step is to choose a topic that is relevant and interesting to your target audience. Consider their needs, challenges, and interests to ensure the content is valuable to them.

You can conduct market research, analyze trending topics, or seek feedback from your audience to identify a topic that will resonate with them.

For example , if you are hosting a webinar for a marketing audience, you might choose a topic like “Mastering Social Media Marketing Strategies” or “Building an Effective Email Marketing Campaign.”

Remember , the goal is to select a topic that not only aligns with your expertise but also addresses the needs or curiosities of your audience. Pro Tip: Use social media platforms, discussion forums, and surveys to gather insights into the topics your target audience is interested in. This can help you create a presentation that meets their expectations.

2. Determine the Outline of the Presentation

Outline the key points and structure of your presentation. Decide what information you want to cover and in what order. This will help you organize your thoughts and ensure a logical flow of content during the webinar.

The outline should clearly define the flow of your presentation, starting with an introduction of yourself and the topic, followed by the main content divided into manageable sections, and concluding with a summary and Q&A session.

The outline will ensure that the webinar is coherent and maintains the audience’s interest throughout.

What You Can Do: Use the rule of three – break your content into three main sections or key points. This will help your audience absorb and remember the information better.

Example: For a webinar on social media marketing strategies, the outline could include sections on understanding the target audience, choosing the right webinar platforms , and measuring success.

3. Decide the Template

Choose a professional and visually appealing template for your webinar slides. The template should align with your branding and enhance the overall visual experience for the audience. It should also be easy to read and navigate.

Choose a template that reflects the theme of your webinar . Many platforms provide a variety of customizable templates designed for webinars and you can select one that best fits your content.

For instance , Google Slides and Microsoft PowerPoint offer a variety of pre-designed templates to choose from. They can help you understand the different webinar presentation examples you can deploy.

Ensure the template is not too cluttered, has enough space for text and visuals, and includes a consistent color scheme and font style to maintain visual harmony. Use high-quality images or graphics.

Choose a clean design that allows the content to stand out. Make sure it conveys your brand identity.

Note: If you’re representing a corporate brand, you might choose a template with a clean and minimalist design. If your webinar is aimed at a creative industry, you could opt for a more vibrant and visually engaging template.

4. Keep Slides Light & Engaging

“If you can’t explain it simply, you don’t understand it well enough.”

Your slides should support and enhance your presentation, rather than overwhelming or distracting your audience.

Keep the text concise and use bullet points or visuals to convey information effectively. Images, graphs, or charts can make the slides visually appealing and break the monotony of text. But avoid overcrowding slides with too much text or complex graphics; add what is just required. 

Remember , the slides should support your spoken content, not replace it, by highlighting key points and keeping the audience focused.

Pro Tip: Use visual elements like infographics or icons to represent complex information. Use animations sparingly to add interest to your slides without distracting from the content.

Here’s what you can do : Instead of listing detailed information about social media statistics, use a graph or chart to represent the data and highlight the key points visually.

Unsplash and Pexels offer free high-quality images that you can use in your webinar slides.

5. Include a Call-to-Action Slide

Towards the end of your presentation, include a slide that prompts your audience to take action. It could be a request to sign up for your newsletter, follow you on social media, register for a future event, or purchase a product/service.

A call-to-action (CTA) slide is crucial in a webinar presentation as it directs your audience on what to do next.

Make sure your CTA is clear, compelling, and easy to follow. Use concise language and bold visuals to draw attention to the CTA, and explain the benefits of taking the action to encourage participation. Provide the necessary links or contact information.

Example: “Sign up for our weekly marketing tips newsletter to stay updated with the latest industry trends. Visit www.example.com/newsletter to subscribe!”

6. Review Your Slides

Before finalizing your webinar presentation, it’s important to review your slides thoroughly. 

Check for any typos, grammatical errors, or inconsistencies in design and content. Ensure that the flow of the presentation is smooth and logical, and that all visuals are high quality and relevant.

It’s also helpful to rehearse the presentation using the slides to ensure that the timing is appropriate and the content aligns with your speech.

Make sure all the slide transitions, animations, and visuals work as intended.

Getting feedback from colleagues or friends can also provide insights for improvement to ensure your webinar is polished and professional.

Additional Resource: SlideShare is a platform where you can find inspiring presentations and gain ideas for your own slides.

That was all about how to create a webinar presentation using slides. Continue reading for additional information on the topic.

Creating a Webinar Presentation Slideshow Flow

For maximum impact, I’d recommend that you follow this slideshow structure. It’s designed for maximum engagement, retention of information, and likelihood of follow-through on your CTA or offer.

The Webinar Title Slide

It’s First Impression time. The opening slide should have the following elements:

• The webinar title. It should be the most prominent thing, but not just because it’s the title slide. The title is your promise, the reason attendees came, the solution to their pain point.
• Your company name and logo (see the “Tips on Branding Your Slides” section below for more on that).
• Your company URL.

The Webinar “Table of Contents”

This is where you lay out exactly what attendees can expect. In bullet points, list the learning outcomes of the webinar — this is how you expand and get specific on the “promise” of the webinar title.

Ambushing attendees with an offer does not create trust. Instead, assure them that you are there to give them something first, and that 90% of the webinar will be about fulfilling what the title promises, not opening wallets.

Your “About” Slide

This is where many hosts run into trouble. It can be very tempting to babble about oneself, listing your accomplishments and “sharing your journey.” Not that you shouldn’t do those things; stating your qualifications is key to your credibility, and journey-sharing is crucial to making a personal connection.

But too much of either will quickly turn people off.

Keep this part short and sweet, and remember that most of your attendees are patiently waiting for you to deliver on the promise. They don’t give a squirrel’s tail how proud you are of yourself, or where you spent your vacation. There’s a fine line between being relatable and being off-topic.

The Meat: Creating Webinar Instructional Slides

These are the most important or interesting parts of a presentation.

Now, we often think “more is better,” and therefore, more information is more valuable. But we have to remember one thing: attendees can only use the amount of information that they can process and retain.

That means stripping it down. 

As discussed in this post, your webinar should be narrowly focused in the first place. Think How to Build 10 Pounds of Lean Muscle in 6 Months , not How to Get In Shape . Beyond that, your instructional slides should be limited to what an average person can actually keep in their brain long enough to act on.

Don’t Forget the Testimonials

You can be compelling. Your instructions can be understandable and actionable. You can have experience and accolades. But nothing convinces people to buy like user reviews or social proof. 

It’s the 21st century. Consumers don’t trust salespeople. They don’t even trust “influencers” and “thought leaders” that much. They trust fellow consumers. That’s why Amazon is so effective: each of its product pages includes a wealth of reviews. 

In other words, don’t expect your audience to take your word for it. Give them someone else’s.

A testimonial page should include three things:

• A short quote that makes your product/service sound effective and wonderful.
• The name of the person whose quote it is (and a picture, if possible).
• The person’s company, or some other “consumer credential” that establishes the quote as credible.

Here’s an example:

“Pet Style Coach helped me take my labradoodle’s holiday sweater game to the next level, and 4 of my 6 guinea pigs can pull off black tie. Now I have TOO many offers from pet food companies.”

Bring it Home: The Offer Slide

And here it is. The part where all your webinaring literally pays off. At this point, you should have given your attendees all the value they came for, and fulfilled your promise to empower them. Now, they trust you enough to be open to an offer.

Include three things on this slide:

• The offer, in as few words as possible. “6 months of coaching for $XXX”
• A bonus. “Sign up today and get 2 months free!” 
• Whatever info is needed to redeem the offer/bonus, either by following a link, entering a coupon code, etc.

Keep it minimalist and to the point. Emphasize the value of the specific offer, not the value of the product.

Q&A Slide

Not much to this one. Just create a branded slide to mark the point in the presentation where you open the floor to questions.

Thank You Slide

The final slide, where you express your gratitude for everyone who stayed to the end. To get the last bit of juice out of this webinar for your business, include the following:

• An expression of gratitude (“Thank you” tends to work, but feel free to get creative.)
• An email address for post-webinar questions or concerns
• Instructions for accessing the replay (live webinars only)
• Instructions on accessing your offer, again

For live webinars, the replay part is especially crucial — you’ll find a significant percentage of registrants skip the live show and convert on the replay.

Tips on Branding Your Slides

“Branding” is a nebulous concept that involves the full spectrum of human-company interaction. Words, ideas, shapes, colors, it’s all part of the subconscious seduction that is marketing.

All of this is a wildly pretentious way of saying that your slides have to look like your own, even when you use a template.

Every slide should include your logo. On the title slide, go big, literally. Have a large version of it, centrally located above or below the title itself.

On subsequent slides, I recommend leaving a smaller logo discreetly (but not too discreetly) in one corner.

You’ll also want to keep your brand’s color scheme consistently woven throughout the slides. As long as it’s reading-friendly and visually appealing, I recommend that your company’s primary color be the background color of each slide.

That’s it. You now know the steps of how to make a good webinar presentation – the structure, the flow, the narrative, and the tone. It’s time to put them into action to start seeing the results.

Get Your Webinar Presentation Slides Right the First Time!

With slides as with most marketing materials, the fewer words, the better. Think of the slides as guideposts for a conversation.

Always remember to see things from the attendees’ perspective. As someone who’s sat through many terrible presentations, I can tell you nothing is worse than being read to. If you read, attendees will only wonder why you can’t just send them the thing you’re reading! It totally negates the value of a spoken presentation.

Put the effort into your slides, and they’ll reward you. They’ll give you the confidence to relax, speak naturally, and let yourself shine — which is the whole point of a great webinar.

A robust webinar software system can help you hit the ground running, whether you’re a teacher, coach, corporate trainer, or consultant. Create effective live, automated, series, and hybrid webinars with ease. Get Started Free or Get a Personalized Demo today.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. what is a webinar presentation.

A webinar presentation is an online event or seminar where information is presented, exchanged, and shared in real time using webinar software. These presentations can include slides, video, audio, and multimedia components, and are a popular format for various industries and educational purposes. For more on this, watch this video: What’s a webinar? (and how to run one)

2. How long should a webinar presentation be?

The ideal length of a webinar presentation can vary, but most experts recommend keeping it between 30 and 60 minutes to maintain attendee engagement and attention. However, the length can also depend on the content being delivered and the audience’s preferences.

3. How do I engage attendees during a webinar?

To engage attendees during a webinar, consider using interactive elements such as polls, Q&A sessions, live chat, and breakout rooms. Encourage participation by asking questions, sharing engaging visuals, and ensuring the content is relevant and valuable to the audience. Here’s a quick guide on how to answer the audience’s questions during a live webinar .

4. How can I measure the success of my webinar presentations?

Success metrics for webinar presentations can include factors like attendance rate, engagement level (questions asked, polls answered), post-webinar surveys, leads generated, and conversion rates. Analyzing these metrics can help evaluate the effectiveness of a webinar and identify areas for improvement.

About the author

Omar zenhom - founder, webinarninja |.

Omar Zenhom founded WebinarNinja, an all-inclusive, easy-to-use webinar platform to teach, improve marketing, and grow sales. With over a decade of experience in entrepreneurship, Omar brings a wealth of practical insights into generating passive leads and sales with webinars. Omar and WebinarNinja have been featured in Inc, Forbes, Fast Company, Entrepreneur, and Product Hunt. He is also the host of the Best of iTunes podcast - The $100 MBA Show.

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Written by Molly Hocutt

Drive webinar registrations with this webinar promotion Ebook.

When hosting webinars and meetings, it's easy to lack emphasis and rhythm. This impacts the end goal of your presentation: passing a message.

Getting your audience hooked to your presentation while being as clear as possible can be harder online than in the real life. You will have to fight for their attention: after 30 minutes, people start to lose interest.

In this article, we'll show you how to design a deck for your webinar presentation, the right tools to use, and how to use them efficiently.

You can learn some other webinar best practices in our complete guide.

Webinar Promotion Handbook

Everything you need to promote your webinars and increase attendance.

How to design a deck for your webinar presentation?

The design of your presentation will set the tone of your webinar. A good design creates a professional look that reassures your attendees. Here are some tips on how to design your webinar presentation:

Tip 1: Choose a presentation tool

Determine where you’ll design your presentation. You can always create your slides in tools like Canva, PowerPoint, or Adobe Illustrator and share your screen.

But if you want to have control over your presentation and interact with it without changing screens, pick a tool that integrates with your software for live events .

If you’re using Livestorm, choose Visme, Slido, or Miro.

Tip 2: Outline your webinar presentation

Working on the skeleton of your presentation will help you determine what needs to be said and in what order. A webinar presentation deck usually includes the following slides:

• Title slide
• A brief introduction of the topic
• The main points or agenda of the webinar
• A slide for each main topic
• A summary of the key takeaways
• Additional resources

From showcasing a product demo , delivering customer training , or hosting a sales webinar , establishing an outline straight away will make designing your slides much easier.

Tip 3: Start your webinar with a powerful introduction

A compelling title slide and engaging introduction will reel in your audience from the start. The title slide should be simple and to the point, giving your audience an idea of what to expect.

Here are a few ideas of what to include:

• An intriguing question
• A statistic or data point
• Stating the outcome
• How-to-formulas
• List of best practices

When creating the intro slide, ask yourself the question: what will my audience learn from this presentation?

Tip 4: Use bullet points to break down the main points

Follow the “keep it simple, stupid” (K.I.S.S) rule, and avoid writing a full script on your slides.

Too much text will distract your audience and encourage presenters to simply read the slides aloud instead of adding value for your audience. Don’t go over 30 words and 8 lines per slide.

Use the same font family throughout, but use different sizes or bolding options to add texture.

Bullet points are easier to digest than large paragraphs of text. Use short sentences or phrases to keep your audience engaged and prevent information overload.

But it is important not to overdo it with the bullet points.

The "2019 Annoying PowerPoint Survey" by David Paradi revealed the top three things that annoy people the most about PowerPoint:

• when the speaker reads directly from the slides
• slides with small text
• slides that are text-heavy.

If your presentation ticks the above points, your audience is trying to read and listen simultaneously. So they're not focusing on either.

The solution here is to use bullet points strategically to break down complex topics, list key points and takeaways, and guide the viewer's gaze.

Tip 5: Use your company branding

Webinars mostly help you increase brand awareness and invite your audience to connect with your company. Not all of your attendees will be people who’ve heard of your company.

Subtle branding across all communications and assets will make everything more visually appealing and keep attendees focused on your brand.

Pro tip: Choose a video engagement platform, like Livestorm, that lets you customize your room design and add plugins—for actions like file sharing.

Tip 6: Use strong visuals in your webinar slide deck

Switching things up helps keep webinars interesting. Use image-only slides or videos to give the audience a rest from intently reading slides or listening to your voice.

Every webinar should include visuals to illustrate the content and highlight key points, especially if the aim is to share complex data or statistics. Here are some ideas for visuals to use in your webinar presentation:

• Graphs and charts
• Infographics

Visualizations are memorable and can help your audience retain information.

Tip 7: Emphasize important information with colors

Color plays an important role in your presentation. You can use it to communicate your brand, and to highlight the keywords or phrases you want your audience to remember

You can also use color to show a connection between two ideas or to highlight a cause-and-effect relationship. For example, you can use a green arrow to show an increase or a red arrow to show a decrease.

Tip 8: Add simple fonts in your webinar presentation

When choosing fonts for your webinar presentation, less is more. Stick to one or two simple fonts that are easy to read. Sans serif fonts are typically the best choice for presentations because they are legible from a distance and easy to read on a screen.

Some of the best fonts for presentations include:

You can experiment with bold fonts and text weight to draw attention.

Tip 9: Use templates to save time

Designing a presentation from scratch can be time-consuming. Luckily, there are many free and paid templates available online. Simply choose one that fits your brand identity and style. Then, add your own text and visuals.

When using templates, ensure you don't simply replace the placeholder text with your own content. Templates are meant to be a starting point, not a crutch.

Here are a few ideas to help you make the most of a template:

• Opt for a minimalistic template with plenty of white space.
• Choose a template with built-in animations and transitions.
• Look for a template that is compatible with the software you are using.
• Replace the placeholder text with your own text.
• Add visuals, such as images, graphs, and charts.

Tip 10: Plan interactive elements

Webinars that rely on the presentation alone tend to get boring fast, especially online. If people aren’t summoned to participate they can start to feel like they’re not there and zone out. Make interactivity a core part of your presentation.

Use an interactive whiteboard, ask poll questions, and invite them to participate in the chat or by raising their hands. Plan these interactive interventions ahead so they don’t get forgotten.

Tip 11: Include a call-to-action

The last part of your presentation should include a call to action (CTA). CTAs direct your audience to take the next step, whether that's to follow your social media accounts, download more resources, or sign up for future events. With Livestorm, you can add a clickable CTA directly in your live webinars, which is handy!

Follow these best practices for writing a CTA:

• Make the offer sound appealing
• Include a sense of urgency
• Be clear, concise, and actionable
• Use strong language

What are the top webinar presentation tips ?

Our list of webinar presentation tips can help you create a successful presentation that engages your audience and drives results.

Tip 1: Know your attendees

When you host a webinar , always prioritize your audience. If you don’t understand their pain points and desires, you won’t be able to create a rapport with them or give them the information they need.

Ask yourself questions like:

• Who are my attendees?
• What is their level of expertise?
• What challenges do they face?

The more specific you can be about your target audience, the easier it will be to create a webinar that appeals to them.

With Livestorm’s contact profiles feature, you can collect information about your attendees (job profiles, demographic info, social media profiles, etc.) when they sign up for your webinar. You can use this information to segment your audience and send them targeted follow-ups after the webinar.

Tip 2: Encourage audience engagement

If you want your webinar to be successful, you need to encourage audience engagement. You can do this by using webinar live polls and surveys .

• Use an engaging opening : get your audience’s attention from the beginning with an interesting story, statistic, or question.
• Include polls and surveys : pose questions to your audience throughout the webinar to gauge their understanding and get them involved.
• Encourage questions and comments : make it easy for your audience to ask questions by providing a dedicated chat box or Q&A section. And don’t forget to answer the question with the most upvotes!

This two-way interaction can help break barriers between the presenter and the attendees, increase viewing time and improve attendee satisfaction.

Using rich media elements like images, GIFs and videos can also help to make your webinar more engaging.

Tip 3: Be passionate and energetic

When it comes to webinars, energy is key. Keeping your audience's attention will be difficult if you’re not passionate about your topic. Showcase your personality and let your energy levels shine.

This doesn’t mean you have to be bouncing off the walls – but try to avoid sounding monotone or bored. Instead, sound like you’re having a conversation with a friend.

Remember, webinar scripts are meant to guide. So don’t rely on them too much – improvise and have fun.

Tip 4: Keep your time limit in mind

Be respectful of everyone’s time and write an agenda that you’ll stick to. Get a moderator to help you with backstage processes like handling the Q&A panel and changing your slides, but also, to message you in private and alert you on how much time you have left.

Practice the presentation with the moderator before the event to ensure you have enough content to meet the proposed duration or determine if you need to cut things off.

Tip 5: Keep your webinar presentation concise

Your webinar should be focused and to the point. No one wants to sit through an hour-long sales pitch masquerading as a webinar.

The best webinars are those that get straight to the point and deliver valuable information in a concise way. So, before creating your webinar, ensure you have a clear idea of what you want to achieve and what points you need to hit.

Once you know this, it will be much easier to structure your webinar and keep it on track.

Tip 6: Gather feedback

Meeting the expectations of your audience, or serving user intent, can only be done if you know what they are.

For example, if your webinar promotion guarantees registrants that you’ll teach them ‘How to improve website conversion rate in 5 minutes,’ but your webinar only covers the basics of copywriting – you would have failed to meet their expectations.

Gathering feedback is a great way to ensure that you’ve delivered on your promises and that your attendees found your webinar valuable. This can be done in a few ways:

Surveys : use surveys to collect data before, during, or after your webinar. This is a great way to gauge interest levels and get detailed feedback.

Polls : include interactive video engagement elements in your webinars such as polls to encourage audience engagement and make it easy for them to provide feedback.

Tip 6: Practice, practice, practice!

Webinars are live events, which means anything can happen. That’s why it’s important to be prepared for anything that might come up – from technical difficulties to awkward silences.

One of the best ways to ensure a smooth webinar is to practice, practice, practice! Before going live, test that your microphone and webcams for the webinar are working properly.

It’s also a good idea to do a few run-throughs of your presentation with friends or colleagues to get feedback and identify any areas that need improvement.

By taking the time to prepare and practice, you can avoid any stressful surprises on the day of your webinar.

What are the best webinar presentation tools ?

When selecting webinar software , consider a few factors such as ease of use, useful features like virtual backgrounds , price, and integrations. Here are the best tools for engaging webinar presentations:

Simple plugins for a better screen-sharing experience

1 . Mouse Pointer Highlighter 2 . Muzzle 3 . Clean

Whiteboards for an engaging webinar

4 . Prezi 5 . Miro

Audio and video tools for a flawless webinar presentation

6 . Krisp 7 . Manycam

Live chat tools for an interactive webinar

8 . Intercom 9 . Drift 10 . Help Scout

Let's take a look at each one in more detail.

Simple plugins for a better screen-sharing webinar experience

Webinars are all about sharing information in an engaging way – and one of the best ways to do this is by sharing your screen.

Screen-sharing tools allow you to show the audience your computer screen in real-time. This is a great way to showcase presentations, product demonstrations, or step-by-step instructions.

Here are a few:

1. Help your audience follow along with Mouse Pointer Highlighter

For: Mac OS - free

This chrome extension is specially designed for presenters who give webinars or presentations frequently. It makes your mouse pointer more visible on the screen so your audience can easily follow along.

This simplicity makes it a great plugin for those who want to focus on their presentation without worrying about the technicalities.

2: Silence embarrassing notifications with Muzzle

For: Mac OS only — Free

Speaking of external disturbance, we're overwhelmed with desktop notifications all day. So, when you are hosting a webinar presentation, you want to avoid all of those distractions.

On Mac and Windows OS there are already built in features to mute your desktop notifications.

But you can also look at Muzzle. The beauty of Muzzle is that it turns on automatically as soon as you start screen sharing, and it works with Livestorm!

Plus, it's 100% free.

3: Clear your desktop with Clean before your webinar presentation

If you're like us, your desktop is probably your main computer folder, which means that it's probably filled with a few hundred screenshots and random files.

Webinar presentations are like staging houses for sale, if there's too much "you" in the room, people won't be able to contextualize the demo for their use case. Removing the clutter of your desktop will definitely help.

On Mac, Clean does just that. In a single click, you can turn on and off the icons on your desktop. PC users may want to test Fences as an alternative.

Whiteboards for an engaging webinar presentation

Whiteboards are an essential part of any webinar presentation. They help you engage with your audience, add visual interest to your presentation, and make it easy for viewers to follow along.

Here’s a list of the best whiteboard tools:

4: Powerful presentations with Prezi

For all devices - Starts at $3/mo

Prezi is a cloud-based whiteboard tool that allows you to create engaging, visually-stunning presentations. With Prezi, you can zoom in and out of your presentation to highlight important information. This makes it easy for viewers to follow along and understand your message.

Prezi also offers a wide range of templates and tools to help you create your presentation.

5: Collaborate visually with Miro

For all devices - Offers a freemium

Miro is a cloud-based whiteboard tool that allows you to collaborate with team members in real-time. Miro also offers a wide range of templates and plugins to help create an engaging and interactive webinar presentation.

Pro tip : use Livestorm’s Miro interactive whiteboard integration to share and get feedback or ideas from team members during your presentation.

Perfecting your audio and video quality is essential for any webinar presentation. After all, if your audience can't see or hear you, they won't be able to engage with your content.

There’s a wide range of audio and video tools available, but here are a few of the best:

6: Krisp for zero noise distractions

For all devices - Offers a freemium and starts at $3/mo

Krisp is an AI-powered noise-canceling software for your microphone. It also adds a virtual filter between your microphone and your calling app. This ensures that your audio is crisp and clear of any background noise.

Pro tip : use Livestorm's integration with Krisp to boost the quality of your webinar presentation

7: Manycam — Virtual webcams

For: Mac OS and Windows — Free and starts at $29 / year

Manycam, just like Loopback, enables you to virtualize devices. This means that you can use different sources as video inputs and combine them into one single video input compatible with the browser, and, therefore compatible with Livestorm.

With Manycam during your webinars, you will be able to:

• Manage multiple cameras with a different setup for physical round tables,
• Use YouTube as a video source,
• Use web pages as video sources,
• Add overlays of text on top of your videos, webcam, etc. for your live events,
• Play different media as a playlist for pre-recorded webinars,

Interactions are key before, during, and after a webinar. You'll want to hear from your attendees, take questions, and give the audience a voice. Here are some of the best live chat tools to do just that.

8. Intercom to boost registrations and nurture leads

For: Mac OS and Windows — Starts at $11.99 per user/month.

Intercom is a live chat tool that aims at building customer relationships. It's a great way to nurture your leads and give them the right information at the right time.

With Intercom, you can:

• Add a live chat widget on your registration page
• Automatically send follow-up emails to registrants who didn't attend
• Send personalized emails to webinar attendees
• Track how many people registered, attended, and watched the replay

Pro tip : use Livestorm's Intercom integration to scale registration conversion rates and webinar attendance.

9. Generate qualifying leads with Drift during virtual events

For: Mac OS and Windows

Drift enables you to build relationships and engage with attendees by answering questions, scheduling a demo, qualifying leads, and more—right from your live chat. You can set triggers for certain actions to happen based on how your attendees interact with you.

With Drift, you can:

• Start a live chat with an attendee to answer their questions in real-time
• Prompt conversation with FAQs
• Schedule a demo with a lead after the webinar
• Send follow-up emails to attendees

Pro tip : use Livestorm's Drift integration to start conversations with your attendees and turn them into qualified leads

10. Use Help Scout Beacon to provide answers to common questions

Help Scout Beacon is a live chat tool that allows you to provide quick answers to common questions. It's great for FAQs, product information, and webinar details.

With Help Scout Beacon, you can:

• Display different messages based on which page of your website someone is viewing
• Customize the look and feel of your live chat widget

Pro tip : use Livestorm's Help Scout integration to add Beacon to your webinar registration pages and on-demand event rooms.

Ready to create a webinar presentation?

Webinar presentations are a great way to engage with customers and increase leads. Now that you know the basics of how to create a webinar presentation, it's time to start planning your content. Remember to keep your audience in mind and make sure that your content is engaging and useful.

With the right tools and a well-rounded webinar platform like Livestorm that integrates seamlessly with your existing tools, your webinar presentation will be a success. You can also use Livestorm features like automatic email reminders and calendar syncing to help automate your workflows. Compelling events inspire action and leave a lasting impression.

Frequently asked questions about how to create a webinar presentation

How to create a webinar presentation on zoom.

To create a webinar presentation on Zoom, create an account or sign in, click on the 'Webinars' tab, and click start.

How to prepare a webinar presentation?

To prepare a webinar presentation, you must first create an outline of your presentation, create or use a presentation template, add visuals and a CTA, and finally upload your presentation to a webinar software to ​​avoid any technical glitches during your live presentation.

How do you structure a webinar presentation?

The structure of your webinar presentation will depend on the purpose of your presentation. A typical webinar presentation structure includes an introduction, the body of the presentation, and a conclusion.

How do I start a webinar presentation?

To start a webinar presentation, have a clear idea of what you want to present, and have an outline of your presentation and any supporting materials such as slides or an infographic.

What makes a good webinar presentation?

A good webinar presentation is well planned and structured, has interesting and relevant content, and is easy to follow. Keep your audience engaged with Livestorm's live Q&A, polls, survey, and chat features.

Increase webinar attendance

Read this Ebook to grow your webinar attendance rate and generate leads.

About the author

Molly Hocutt - Content Manager

Molly joined Livestorm in 2019 as a Content Manager and manages written content production. Her work focuses on lead generation and organic website traffic.

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Best Webinar Practices

Tips on creating a good webinar presentation.

Have you ever imagined that you can captivate an audience even when they are miles away? Yes, you can with the power of webinars. However, you should admit that hosting a successful virtual event is more than technical know-how. You need to have a deep understanding of delivering an engaging presentation that resonates well with your audience and urges them to take action.

Luckily, we have done the hard work for you and created this comprehensive guide on how to create a webinar presentation. Here, we will discuss all the things from crafting an attention-grabbing introduction to leveraging interactive techniques. In short, you will know all the secrets of creating and managing webinar presentations that are memorable and force your attendees to talk about the event even when it is over.

So, consider these best webinar presentation tips to transform virtual events into best-in-class experiences!

9 Webinar Presentation Best Practices 

Here are some essential tips that you should consider for presenting webinars. 

1. Understanding the Audience and Goals

The first and most important webinar presentation tip is to know your target audience. Why? Knowing your audience inside out allows you to cater to their needs and deliver a successful webinar presentation. 

To determine your audience, define your rough topic for the webinar and then find a relevant audience. You can identify the audience by considering the demographics of the audience, like age, occupation, location, education, and more. You can even search for your audience on social media groups, professional networks, etc. You can then create an outline of the webinar and present it according to their needs.

The next important thing is to define the goals of the webinar, its direction, and its purpose. The purpose denotes whether you want to inform the audience or solve a critical problem. The goal indicates what target you want to achieve with the help of the webinar. 

Now, it’s time to customize the content & deliver it to the audience. You should focus on understanding needs and offer practical tips, solutions, and insights. It would be best if you also considered using language & tone that they know. Lastly, it would be best if you leveraged attractive visuals to keep the session interactive.

2. Choosing a Compelling Topic for a Webinar

There are a lot of public speakers who try to present so much valuable information that they end up leading a dense, unnecessarily complex webinar. Cramming too much information into your webinar also forces you to rush through your points to finish in the allotted time. Hence, it would be best if you chose a relevant webinar topic that satisfies the need of the audience. 

“Slow down, and keep your message simple,” recommend the experts at Mindvalley . “It is better to deliver less information that people can actually follow and understand than to try to put as much content as possible into a shorter time frame.” It is one of the best webinar presentation tips that you should consider.

Another thing you need to focus on is researching the latest industry trends. Knowing what cooking is in your industry helps you to determine relevant and timely subjects for your webinar. Also, studying the interests of the audience is necessary. 

But the question is, how to know audience interests? Simply conduct surveys or engage with the target audience on social media channels. 

Based on the research, you can list out all the topic ideas. Look at the ideas from different perspectives and angles. Then, shortlist a few options that set well with your goals and provide value to the audience.

3. Planning & Organizing the Content

After deciding on the webinar topic, one of the best webinar presentation tips is to research, plan, and finalize the content. You need to go deeper and obtain information, examples, and other details about the presentation. You can even obtain information via industry reports, case studies, and expert opinions for the content. 

Now, it’s time to structure the webinar’s content in a way that is easy to digest. You can divide the long content into small manageable chunks. Every section should justify the header and relates well with the sequence in which it is presented. Utilize subheadings that convey the meaning of the presentation to the audience efficiently. And how can you achieve this?

The best way to present a webinar is to create and organize an outline that helps you while you are presenting. It should consist of main headings along with the key points. You also need to ensure that every section delivers an excellent message to the audience. 

Planning and organizing content will give you a highly interactive and engaging podcast.

4. Designing Captivating Webinar Slides

When you have finalized the content of the webinar and organized how you want to present it, you need to choose the slides. 

Initially, you need to decide on the template or the theme that aligns well with the topic you are presenting. In other words, the design should match the content you want to deliver, like educative, creative, etc. Hence, you need to choose color, typography, and other aesthetics effectively. You need to ensure that the title slide of the webinar is intriguing as it leaves the first impression.

The second thing you need to focus on is keeping the text in the slides clear and easy to read. To achieve the same, you need to leverage proper fonts & typefaces, integrate bullet points and make smaller sentences & phrases. 

Thirdly, people now don’t like to read the text a lot; they love images, videos & other media content. Hence, you should consider integrating high-quality charts, graphs, images, etc., into the webinar. 

Besides this, most people get bored with the text and look for examples to understand any topic. Therefore, you should include real-world examples to explain content effectively. 

Lastly, focus on keeping the branding the same throughout the entire webinar slides to pass your message effectively to the audience. It creates a compelling brand identity.

5. Deciding Engaging and Interactive Elements

Nobody likes a webinar that has a monotonous tone, as it leaves the audience to sleep. Then, how to ensure that the audience doesn’t get bored with the webinar?

To make the webinar interactive and engaging, you should include different elements like polls, surveys, and quizzes. All of these things help you obtain feedback, test the knowledge base of the audience, and spark better conversions in the webinar. 

You can also integrate various video or audio clips in the webinar to make it more interactive. Here, the best strategy is to explain complex topics through examples & case studies. 

In addition, people love to get live demonstrations of new things they are learning. Hence, explaining concepts with action helps users understand things better. This event allows the audience to become familiar with the complex idea by experiencing them.

Another thing you should include during a webinar is Q&A. It allows users to ask questions, share feedback, and get instant clarification. By this, you not only improve engagement but also offer a more personalized experience.

See Also : 13 Effective Post Webinar Survey Questions

6. Scripting and Rehearsing the Presentation

It is crucial to prepare your webinar script in advance before presenting it to the audience. It helps you to deliver webinars and create a positive impact. But the question is, what things to consider for scripting webinars?

First of all, create a script that goes well with your slides. For the same, you can outline the key points, use language that is easy to understand, and ensure each slide supports the script. To make it more engaging & interactive, you can even leverage storytelling, anecdotes, etc.

Engage, Educate, and Empower: Webinar Script Template

Craft compelling webinars with our free, comprehensive script template download.

The second thing you need to focus on is practicing the webinar a lot until you become fluent in it. But why? Speaking in front of a group is quite different than thinking about the topic in your head. If you try to “wing it” off just a few notes, there’s a good chance you’ll forget important points, blow through complex topics, and fail to connect the pieces (because, in your head, they’re already connected). How to resolve this?

Practice the webinar loud and make sure there is a proper flow of information from one slide to the next. Decide a time frame in which you want to complete the entire webinar, for example, 60 minutes. The best way to judge yourself is to ask a friend or a colleague for feedback.

One more thing you should focus on is practicing the webinar presentation along with a timer. It helps you determine how much time you are taking for the webinar. Also, keep a buffer time to handle any kind of interruptions like poor internet connection, technical glitches in software, etc.      

Lastly, record the rehearsal to review and improve the content delivery in your webinar. By doing this, you can analyze all the good things and make improvements related to the tone, body language, and flow of the webinar. You can even modify the script of the webinar and make any kind of corrections if needed.

7. Preparing for a Successful Webinar

There are several critical webinar best practices that you should consider to prepare a successful webinar. What are these?

Firstly, you need to focus on testing the webinar platform and the audiovisual equipment you will be using. You should leverage the best platform for webinars. Get a proper understanding of how the platform works. For instance, if you use WebinarPress , you should explore all the functions of the platform. You should ensure that audiovisual equipment is connected and functions well. See if your mic is working properly and delivering the perfect and clear speech. In addition to that, check the internet connection and bandwidth.

See Also : Best Microphones for Webinars  

One more factor you should consider to make your webinar successful is setting a destruction-free environment. For this, you need a quiet place with proper lighting.

In the end, you should have a proper backup plan in case of any difficulties related to technology, like audiovisual equipment malfunction or software error. 

8. Delivering a Compelling Webinar Presentation

Ensuring to deliver an engaging and informative webinar is one of the best tips for public speaking for presenters . And how do you achieve this?

Introduce yourself and your expertise on the topic. It lets you build credibility with your audience and provide them with a clear understanding of what they can expect from you.

You can grab the audience’s attention with an intriguing question or statistic or start a webinar with a story. 

Besides this, try to gauge the audience’s attention throughout the presentation by including relevant trivia, polls, chat, etc. 

In addition to this, providing actionable takeaways at the end of the webinar helps users understand things better. 

Lastly, including a strong call-to-action like a newsletter subscription or course link forces users to remain connected with your business for a long time if they like the webinar.

9. Post-Webinar Follow-up and Evaluation

One of the most well-known webinar presentation tips is to have a proper follow-up after the webinar. 

First thing first! Send them a post webinar thank you email . It’s a quick way to show gratitude to whoever attended the webinar. Also, for those who did not show up at the event, provide a recorded webinar session to all the participants. It allows participants who have missed the webinar to become familiar with the topic. In addition, it will enable all participants to revise everything they have learned and share the webinar with others.

The second crucial thing that you should focus on is analyzing the feedback of the participants through different mediums like Q&A, polls & quizzes, surveys, etc.       

The next crucial thing you should emphasize is responding to the questions & answers of the users. You can even create a frequently asked questions page that answers all the questions that users might have during the webinar.

Lastly, you can gather all the valuable insights about the webinar and make improvements accordingly for future presentations.  

By following the tips & strategies we have shared in this guide, you can design highly engaging webinar presentations. However, it would help if you allocated sufficient time & effort. 

Eventually, you can connect with your audience and build great relationships through webinars. Always remember to keep learning new things and integrating them into the webinar. 

In the end, whether you are a seasoned webinar presenter or just starting your journey, taking frequent webinars and incorporating new things will help you deliver impactful webinars, engage with your audience, and remain connected with them for a long time. 

Frequently Asked Questions

How can i evaluate the success of my webinar presentation.

To assess whether or not your webinar presentation is successful, you need to consider essential metrics like attendee engagement (via polls, surveys, and comments), viewing time, lead generation, ROI, social media shares & feedback, and post-webinar survey responses. 

How do I effectively incorporate multimedia elements into my webinar presentation?

To integrate multimedia elements into your webinar presentation, you require high-quality & relevant videos, images, etc. Further, you need to find possible areas of integration, optimize multimedia elements for quality, and then add them to the website. 

How do I promote and market my webinar presentation to attract participants?

To promote & market your webinar presentation, you can start with your existing network. You can reach out to existing contacts via email, social media, and newsletters and urge them to share webinar details with their networks. You can even create attractive webinars and promote them on social media platforms. 

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• Published: June 19, 2023

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How to Create an Effective Webinar: Step-by-Step Guide

Libi Rynkyu

Customers don’t want to just buy anymore. They want to be educated; they want to be informed. In both the B2B and B2C markets, consumers are looking for valuable information and solutions to their problems and desires.

This is where content marketing comes in, and webinars are a great way to position a brand or service as authoritative, helpful, and exciting. 

Webinars, short for ‘web seminars’, are online presentations, meetings, or workshops where consumers and businesses can interact in real time. The growing popularity of video marketing has made webinars a preferred type of content for businesses to educate, engage, and convert their audiences. But are webinars still the huge hit they were back in 2020?

Should I Even Host a Webinar? 

From 2019 to 2020, the use of webinars among businesses jumped from 46% to 62% . No need to guess why…

However, the trend continues even now.

This is not just due to the pandemic restrictions that curtailed live events and meetings. Although businesses were ‘forced’ to turn to webinars a couple of years ago, the advantages of webinars are still felt and still make an impact. Today, almost all businesses in B2B tech say that webinars are part of their strategy.

Webinar Goals: What Are Webinars Good For?

A webinar is an online event that can be run with minimum cost, and it is convenient and accessible, allowing participants to join from anywhere without having to travel or physically attend. It saves time and breaks down the barriers of in-person events.

Webinars are a powerful revenue-generating or revenue-uplifting tool, and can be used for the following goals:

• Lead generation: Webinars attract individuals who are interested in the topic or industry related to the webinar content, creating a channel to drive leads into the marketing funnel.
• Increasing customer LTV: Webinars encourage customer retention by educating them, fostering engagement, showcasing additional offerings, and establishing the brand as an authority.
• Customer acquisition: Webinars attract potential leads by offering targeted content, engaging activities, and personalized connections with participants. By demonstrating the business’s expertise, addressing customer pains, and collecting valuable contact information, webinars are great for driving further engagement and conversion.
• Onboarding: 31% of businesses use webinars for customer training and onboarding. Webinars are highly appealing due to their ability to deliver engaging multimedia content, including presentations, videos, and demos, which can be tailored to meet the specific needs and preferences of the audience.
• Education: Webinars educate and train customers about the product’s value, features benefits, and usage through live demos. 
• Customer engagement: Webinars provide an interactive experience, enabling real-time engagement through features like live chat, polls, and Q&A sessions. This fosters a sense of community and encourages active participation. Customers are more likely to engage, as they are already participating.
• Feedback and improvement: Webinars enable businesses to gather direct feedback from customers, helping them improve their offerings, customer support, and overall experience based on valuable insights and suggestions.
• Personalization: Webinars can be customized to address specific customer needs, showing that businesses care about individual challenges and providing personalized solutions.
• Customer relationships: Webinars are a great way to connect directly with customers, virtually face to face, helping to build long-term relationships and loyalty among the customer base.
• Content re-purposing: Recorded webinar content can be repurposed as short videos or training clips for other initiatives and projects.

Step-by-Step: How to Create a Webinar

So you’ve decided to go ahead with a webinar. Awesome! Now let’s go through the process of how to prepare for a successful webinar:

Step 1: WHY? The reason

Firstly, you need to understand why you are conducting this webinar. 

Do you want to promote your product/service? Is it an educational webinar? Training?

The type of webinar will impact its content, structure, and how you will measure its success (webinar goals/KPIs – see step 2 below). 

Step 2: WHAT? The goal

Secondly, and most importantly, what is the goal of this webinar? To get a certain number of signups? To build awareness? To encourage participants to adopt a new feature of the product?

As a main stakeholder, you have to have a clear understanding of what is your goal. This will 

help you to create a very precise webinar journey.

Webinars can provide a range of useful data, beyond your goal. However, having one main and specific KPI will help you to determine the success of the webinar.

And marketers, remember, webinar content cannot be measured 100% by the revenue it generates. By educating your audience and providing the best practices to engage with your business, you are building loyalty and helping customers succeed. This will translate to more revenue down the road.

Step 3: HOW? The tactics

After setting your goal, you can move on to the tactics you need to achieve it.

Webinar structure: 

Create a webinar agenda and split it by minutes: webinar introduction, speakers introduction, main content of the webinar, closing, and Q&A section. 

The Q&A section at the end of the webinar is very important. You can engage your customers in real-time and provide them with answers to their specific and individual questions..

Needless to say, your content has to be relevant, captivating, and provide value for your audience. Let’s focus now on the presentation of content, which is perhaps the most important part of a successful webinar. 

The most common way to present your webinar content is through slides. Make sure that your slides are clear and clean. Each slide should contain a summary of the content you want to present. Even better, use bullet points. Long sentences can make it hard for the audience to follow. 

Imagine that a member of your audience loses attention for a moment, and then glances at the slide on the screen to refocus – they need to instantly understand what you are talking about after a quick look at the slide. 

Always take into consideration these three things when writing copy for the slides:

• If your audience is global, some of the participants may not speak English fluently. Use simple and effective language.
• Some participants may not be familiar with the content presented. Make sure to give context, but be brief.
• Don’t use internal company language. We as marketers are used to it, but the webinar is not for us, it’s for the customers. Use industry-accepted naming conventions.

32% of attendees say they feel more engaged when the host is passionate and excited. The best practice is to invite a speaker who is an expert in the field of the webinar topic; someone with the knowledge, job title (and enthusiasm!) that signifies they are an authority on the subject.  

Webinar invitation:

Emails are the most effective way to promote webinars for existing subscribers. Our best practice is to send two invitation emails.

• Email #1: Send it X days before the webinar. 
• Email #2: Send the follow-up email to those who did not register 1 to 3 days before the webinar. 

The emails should contain essential information about the webinar: webinar title and description, summarized agenda, date and time, and speakers. 

The email copy should be clear, engaging, and appealing to potential registrants. They need to understand clearly why they should register for the webinar. That means of course including a bold, clear call-to-action (CTA), which entices them to click and register. We’ll talk about what happens after the registration below. 

Take note: We also recommend sending reminder emails to those who registered for the webinar. Sending an email to remind participants of your event could increase attendance rates by 20%. Plus, include an “Add to calendar” button, which allows customers to block a calendar slot for the webinar in case they forget to. 

Registration:

The first rule of webinar registration is this: If the sign-up process is complex, it will lower the number of registrants. That’s why it is so important to make the registration process as simple as possible, with the least possible ‘barriers’.

The most common webinar registration process involves a purpose-built landing page. The customer lands on a webpage that contains all webinar details. After completing the form, the registrant receives a confirmation email. This option is great for lead-gen webinars, as the registrants must provide their personal details, such as email address, company, and job title, to sign up. 

If, however, the webinar is targeting existing customers, you already have their contact information. Taking them through the process of providing their information again is unnecessary for you and annoying for them. 

To solve this issue, the team at Outbrain created a new registration process that is quicker and more efficient. We call it 1-click registration . 

Here’s how it works: We send a webinar registration email to our existing customers, whose information we already have (ie. name, email address). 

The customer receives the email, which includes a very clear and simple CTA button, plus a short copy that explains that by clicking on this CTA, customers will be registered for the webinar. 

The moment a recipient clicks on the button, they are automatically registered to the webinar, redirected to a “Thank you” page, and receive an automated confirmation email with all webinar details. 

Basically, this process “loops” the customer information into the webinar registration process by leveraging the email and other customer fields. 

At first, we weren’t sure if customers would understand that by clicking on the button, they would be automatically registered to the webinar. Yet by providing clear information about the webinar in the emails and having a strong CTA button, we actually succeeded in increasing our registration rates. 

Post-registration – confirmation email:

After customers register for the webinar, make sure to send a confirmation email. The confirmation email should contain the webinar description, date and time, and link to join the webinar. We also find it very important to include the “Add to calendar” option in the confirmation email. That way customers can add the webinar directly to their calendars. This functionality potentially increases the attendance rate. 

In the 1-click registration process, the confirmation email is a crucial element. Why? Because the registration happens automatically and ‘behind the scenes’. The confirmation email indicates to the participant that the registration process was successful. 

Post webinar – nurturing phase: 

Make sure to record your webinar.

As mentioned before, the webinar video recording is a great resource that can be broken down into multiple smaller content pieces and re-purposed as training videos, demos, or how-to videos for a knowledge base or help center. 

Also, make sure to send a follow-up email with the recording to all webinar registrants. Those who attended may want to re-watch it. Those who registered but did not attend showed intent and interest in your content. Share it with them.

There can be several reasons why people did not attend the live webinar, such as bad timing, previous commitments, different time zones, etc. Nowadays, most companies offer webinars and it’s close to impossible to attend them all live. People can watch the recording in their own free time. 

Besides the webinar recording, you can include additional resources in the post-webinar email, such as interactive surveys, demos, and polls. This is a great tactic to create post-event engagement and keep the webinar buzz going a bit longer.  

In terms of driving demand, webinar content offers a powerful strategy for brands that are committed to producing consistent content. Webinar content can be repurposed to fuel demand generation efforts and promote future webinars.

Use ‘golden nuggets’ of webinar content as teasers. These concise segments can last as little as 30 seconds to 3 minutes, offering a taste of the value presented in the full webinar. 

In addition to being an impactful snippet, this approach creates anticipation and curiosity, leading to higher attendance rates at future webinars. Also, with smart recycling of content, webinars continue to bring value long after their initial delivery, maximizing engagement and expanding the brand’s reach.

Webinar Analytics

Here’s another huge advantage of webinars: they provide marketers with valuable data and insights about their audience, starting from the registration process all the way to the post-event stage. These include participant registration information, the number of participants who registered from specific channels, attendance rates, engagement rates, what questions were asked during the Q&A, and more. 

During the webinar itself, make sure to follow the live attendance rates. Knowing how many people joined or dropped out at different moments helps you determine the quality of your webinar content. We recommend splitting the webinar agenda into sections. Then, you can check the attendance rate of each section. 

Engagement metrics during the webinar, such as live polls, and post-webinar feedback surveys are also useful to measure the effectiveness of your presentations and refine them for future webinars.

Webinars are Both an Awareness and Retention Tool

Webinars help businesses reach new audiences and build connections with potential customers who may be interested in the product or service. They are also effective in retaining customers, giving them valuable information, sparking dialogue, answering their questions, and strengthening relationships over time. Perhaps most overlooked is this: webinars enable companies to gain important feedback directly from customers, so they can continuously refine their products and tailor experiences that will help differentiate them in a competitive market.

Webinars are a longer-term investment that can deliver incredibly powerful results, so start building your webinar strategy today.

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How to Create a Webinar in 10 Easy Steps

If you’re wondering how to create a webinar, chances are you’re already familiar with its relationship-building capabilities. 

But if you’re not, here’s a 30-second introduction. 

A webinar is an interactive online seminar that lets you present virtually to anyone in the world. 

You can invite people to attend in real-time, as well as record the presentation and send the replay to those who registered but weren’t able to attend the live event.

Meanwhile, you get to collect attendee information you can use to conduct personalized outreach. 

What’s more, you can integrate a Q&A session into your webinar to directly address any queries or concerns your audience may have. 

So how do you create a webinar? Follow these 10 steps to learn how to set up a webinar, and start engaging your audience today.

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How to create a webinar presentation

1. choose a specific topic .

Your webinar can be about anything, but make it about one specific, relevant thing that your audience will find useful. 

For example, if you’re targeting people interested in ecommerce marketing, you can host a webinar on ecommerce SEO in particular.

To find out what will most likely resonate with your audience, try one of these methods:

• Analyze your social media pages. Look for posts and images with the most shares. These will lead you to content that could convert nicely into a webinar. 
• Review your FAQs. Do your customers and prospects always ask the same questions? Identify any gaps in knowledge that you might be able to address.
• Research your customers’ queries: Use a tool like AnswerThePublic to find out what people are asking. Look through the results and choose the questions you could answer through your webinar.

Once you have an idea of your audience’s interests, you’re ready to finalize the webinar topic. Expertise is very important here, so be sure to choose something that aligns with your capabilities and skills.

2. Select a webinar format

Identifying the best way to present your topic can help you structure your webinar more efficiently. This comes down to choosing a format that will complement your personality and goals. Here are some popular formats:

Presentation

This is one of the most used webinar formats. 

Presentation webinars involve a single presenter delivering a PowerPoint presentation with audio or video running in the background. 

You can choose this format if you’re targeting a small audience. 

Pro tip : Add polls and Q&As to create a more visually stunning webinar and keep your audience engaged.

Another option is to invite an expert from your field to discuss a particular topic and answer attendee questions.

This could be a thought leader, a knowledgeable professional, or a micro-influencer . 

To get the most out of this webinar format, provide your expert with a list of questions beforehand, asking them to prepare answers in advance. 

Product 

Product webinars allow you to demonstrate how to use your product or service effectively.

You can show the participants how to use a product physically on camera, or with tools such as screen sharing if it involves software. If someone is still wondering how a certain feature of your product works, they’ll have their answer, after which they may decide to purchase. 

3. Choose a webinar platform

There are many paid and free webinar tools you can use to host your webinar. 

For example, there’s WebinarJam and GoTo Webinar if you’re looking for a well-established platform.

There’s also YouTube Live , which allows you to host webinars for free. 

Then there are livestreaming platforms that let you deliver many types of webinars.

When deciding between options, consider your needs. How many participants are you expecting? Do you need a record function? What’s your budget? And can you do without customization and branding? 

Based on these questions, pick a webinar software that makes sense for you and start using it. 

Pro tip : Use a free tool to record your first webinar. Doing so will help you get a practical feel of how webinars work and what additional functions you may need to enhance the attendee experience. 

4. Create the registration page

Once you’ve chosen your platform, you can set up your webinar registration page. This is essentially a landing page that encourages people to sign up. 

First, write a few pointers highlighting the agenda of your webinar. Next, mention the background of the hosts and what they’ve achieved in a professional capacity. Then, put a registration form where attendees will leave their contact information and close it with a clear call to action.  

If you’re using a paid webinar tool, you should see an option to create a registration page. But if you don’t, or if you’re using a free tool for webinar hosting, consider using a landing page creator like Leadpages .

Leadpages has pre-made webinar templates for you to choose from. Pick your desired template, then customize it using a drag-and-drop builder. 

Another tool is JotForm . It’s free to use for up to five registration forms and up to a hundred registrations. If you’re hosting a webinar for a small audience, this might be the perfect option for you.

But regardless of whether you use Leadpages or JotForm, you should be able to integrate them with your webinar solution.

Important: Don’t forget to mention the date and time of your webinar on the registration page. If you’re targeting working professionals, it might be best to choose an evening or weekend slot. Be sure to mention the timezone if you expect attendees from all across the globe.

5. Sort out the space and equipment 

It’s best to record your webinar in a quiet room, as it’s likely to be free from outside noises and disturbance. 

Before the recording, talk to your family members and explain that you have work to do and don’t want to be disturbed for the next few hours.

Also, put your phone, tablet, and other devices on silent. You don’t want notifications to interfere while you’re in the zone.

Having the right equipment is another important prerequisite for conducting webinars. While you don’t need to invest in a lot of gear, make sure that you have access to the following:

• Camera: You don’t have to jump straight into buying an external HD webcam for your webinar. Test your inbuilt computer camera first (in a setting with plenty of light). You can also test your smartphone’s camera for webinar recording.
• Microphone: Unlike the camera, I don’t trust the quality of built-in computer mics. That’s why I recommend investing in an external unit. Blue Yeti and Samson are two good microphones for hosting webinars. They’re also easy to set up, as you only need a USB cable to connect them with your laptop.

When planning a webinar checklist, make sure to add these essentials under the equipment section.

6. Produce your content

Here’s where all your hard work shines.

As we discussed earlier, your webinar can take several forms, like a slide deck, a video of you using your product, or a video of you interviewing a guest.

Regardless of the format, there’s one golden rule on how to host a webinar that accomplishes your goal: It has to be engaging. Another way to think of this is that it can’t be boring!

So put on your creativity hat. How can you make something special that keeps people interested and logged on for the entire webinar?

Don’t be afraid to break some expectations. Now’s the time to stand out.

Even if your webinar stays on the tame side, there are some webinar best practices to keep in mind for your content:

• If you have the resources, create beautiful custom visuals to make your brand and mission stand out.
• Keep your slides short and sweet, with one main idea per slide.
• Focus on visuals over words. Include videos, GIFs, and animations where you can — just to shake things up and keep people’s attention.
• Don’t type out giant blocks of text. Instead, type a few key words for attendees to follow, then elaborate on them verbally.
• Include a poll in the middle of your presentation. This is another technique to shake up the structure and flow while making sure your audience is engaged.
• The average webinar is 45 to 60 minutes long. I recommend staying in this timeframe, especially if you want to add engagement opportunities like a poll and Q&A session.

Pro tip: I recommend using Canva to design your slide deck. Canva offers a free plan while you learn the ropes of making amazing webinar presentations. It also has plenty of presentation templates to choose from.

7. Send out invitations

You won’t have any webinar attendees if nobody knows about it, right?

Send an email to your marketing list to let them know.

When you write this email, focus on the benefits. What’s in it for them? Why should they attend? Why should they even care?

In general, showing your audience the benefits will be much more effective than just boringly listing the details of the webinar.

But of course, you do need to give them the main details, like the title, what you’ll cover, and the date and time. Add a clear call-to-action (CTA) button that takes them directly to your landing page so they can sign up.

Here’s a short and sweet example from project management platform Asana:

8. Promote the webinar outside your email list

If you don’t have an extensive email list (and even if you do), the best way to get more attendees is with solid promotion.

Just like any event or sale, there are plenty of digital marketing techniques you can use to generate interest for your webinar.

Let’s go over some options.

Social media platforms

In the one-to-two weeks leading up to the webinar, post regularly on Facebook, Twitter, and other social media channels. 

You can use Canva to create promotional images, as well as record yourself talking about the webinar.

Another option is to create a webinar event page on platforms like Facebook and LinkedIn, which allow you to invite your followers directly and lead them to the landing page to register.

Don’t forget to create a special hashtag for your webinar, and do some research on other popular hashtags that can generate extra attention.

Paid promotions and advertisements

If you can swing the extra investment, paid ads will help you reach a bigger audience than your organic channels.

You can run ads on platforms like Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and Google.

Another option is influencer marketing, where you pay influencers in your industry to promote the webinar and ask their own audience to register.

If you’re not sure how to run paid campaigns, check out these helpful resources:

• The Definitive Guide to Facebook Advertising
• Instagram Ads Made Simple: How to Create Instagram Ads In 2023
• The Ultimate Guide to LinkedIn Ads: How to Get Started With Your First Campaign
• How to Crush Your Online Revenue Goals With Google Ads

9. Do a test run

A critical webinar best practice is to never skip your test run.

While it might feel like you have a handle on everything, you’d be surprised what can go wrong despite the best planning.

When you do your test run, make it as close to the real thing as possible. If you plan to have a guest, have them join you to run through the presentation, interview, or demo.

Use all the same tech, as well as the finalized version of your presentation materials.

This is also a great opportunity to iron out the smaller details that you may have missed up until this point. For example, how you’ll transition between two speakers or two topics, or how long someone’s speaking part should be.

Depending on what’s left to plan, hold your dry run one to two days before the final presentation. This way, it’s close to your live date while still giving you time to address any issues or last-minute changes.

10. Go live!

You made a killer presentation. You set your stage and created your slide deck. You promoted it to your network and beyond.

It’s showtime.

Host a live webinar and unleash the power of your knowledge.

One more thing: the webinar isn’t over once your 60 minutes are up.

Your follow-up can make a huge difference in working toward the goals you were trying to accomplish in the first place, like getting more leads or sales.

Be sure to send an email to all of your attendees thanking them, with a link to the replay if you’re offering that option.

In that email, you can also send them a special offer or otherwise lead them further through your sales funnel . You should continue to nurture these relationships regularly so they grow and deepen.

That’s the whole point, after all.

Host a successful webinar today

There you have it: 10 steps to planning and executing an awesome webinar.

If it feels overwhelming at first, don’t sweat it. There’s a lot of work that goes into hosting an event like this, and you’ll continue to get better with every one you do.

The biggest thing to keep in mind is to make sure you’re always providing unique value to your audience, while keeping them engaged and entertained along the way.

If you can manage to do this, you’ll captivate them, nurture them, and turn them into a warm lead, then a paying customer—and eventually a loyal customer who keeps coming back for more.

Want to Learn More?

• The Complete Guide to Video Marketing for Businesses
• 23 Inspirational Videos That Will Completely Blow You Away
• List of the Best Marketing Automation Software Tools
• 10 Animation Software Program to Make Marketing Videos in 2021

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How to create and host a webinar

Ace your next virtual webinar with these best practices.

How to create great webinars, step-by-step

If you’re ready to start your first webinar then follow these steps to make sure everything is prepped to go without a hitch.

Step 1. Choose your webinar topic

Make sure the topic will inform and motivate attendees . If the subject matter calls for it, guest speakers are always great.

Step 6. Build webinar content

Take care with the content you’ll present during the webinar. Engaging slides, polls and handouts will make a big difference.

Step 2. Choose a date and time

Based on our experience , certain days and times work better when trying to attract the largest audience possible. Schedule your webinar for a time that works well for attendees in different time zones.

Step 7. Do a practice run

Get your speakers comfortable with the webinar platform and make sure things go smoothly by doing a test run using the webinar software or tool beforehand.

Step 3. Customize your branding

Choose a theme for your webinar, pick a relevant image for your landing page and add your logo to make sure the design reflects your brand.

Step 8. Host your webinar

The day’s arrived. This is when your preparation pays off. Don’t forget to record your webinar as well in order to upload it to a video-sharing platform or your website later!

Step 4. Create a hashtag for your webinar

Successful webinars require promotion. Creating a hashtag is a great start, and it gives people an easy way to talk about it on social media.

Step 9. Follow up

Check up on your attendees shortly after the webinar, preferably within 24 hours. Ask whether there are any more questions or requests.

Step 5. Send out your webinar invitations

This is when you should really publicize the event. Send the invite to your email list. Post about it on your website or blog. Use the hashtag on social media. Get creative and you’ll get more people to attend.

Step 10. Make your webinar recording available

A recorded webinar is a great way to keep generating leads long after you’ve finished hosting. Publishing the recording can broaden your reach and attract extra interest for the product, service or information you offer.

What are the benefits of hosting a webinar?

Knowing how to do a webinar is one thing, and knowing why you should is another.

Reach and qualify more prospects, more often.

• With just a few simple steps, webinars can help you generate more qualified leads in your target market than you would get through other channels.

Present to more people in less time.

• You can have up to 3,000 people attend your events with GoTo Webinar. This helps you effectively share your message to a wider audience.

Build greater brand awareness.

• Showcase your products and business through online events where you can easily engage your audience and drum up interest.

Conduct cost-effective employee meetings.

• Webinars work great for internal presentations, too. Even if you have offices all over the country, they can get the same presentation in real time.
• When you know how to host a webinar, you no longer have to gather everyone in one physical location for presentations, which cuts down on travel costs and helps the environment.

Expand reach with reusable content.

• Record your webinar and use it afterward as a gated asset to drive additional leads. GoTo Webinar  captures your screen, audio and webcams.

Engage audiences with HD video.

• Even the best message can get muddled if the video quality is poor. GoTo Webinar allows up to six presenters to jump on HD webcams for better engagement.

Streamline your marketing processes.

• Integrate GoTo Webinar with your customer relationship management (CRM) solution to manage your lead generation and event creation in one place.

Easy, engaging webinars with GoTo Webinar

Create custom email invitations, confirmations and reminders – or let GoTo Webinar handle it with automated email templates.

Email automation

Custom branding, audience interaction, videos and handouts, webinar recording, reporting and analytics, how to create a webinar in goto webinar.

If you’re ready to begin, follow these steps to schedule your first online event in GoTo Webinar.

• Sign in to GoTo Webinar . Don’t have an account? Start a free trial .
• Click the Schedule a Webinar button.
• Specify the details of your webinar . This includes the title and description of the webinar as well as the session type, date, time and time zone.
• Click Schedule when you’re finished.
• On the Manage Webinar page, customize your webinar settings by clicking edit next to the section you’d like to change.
• Set up reminder emails by clicking edit right beside the Reminder Email setting.

Four tips for hosting a successful webinar

Sometimes the unexpected can happen, even when you know the ins and outs of how to conduct a webinar. While you can’t always be fully prepared, here are several tips that will not only help your webinar be successful but make it engaging and informative for everyone.

Promote your webinar early and often.

• When promoting, it’s best to start at least a month in advance. But put in extra effort at the end! The majority of registrations occur in the last week.

Create polls to get attendees involved.

• Polls are an awesome opportunity to engage your audience. They’re also a valuable source of feedback and audience insights.

Add presenter bios to the registration page.

• People join webinars to hear thought leaders speak. Add social authority to your landing pages by featuring the speakers’ photos and bios.

Connect to the Internet by cable.

• Since Wi-Fi can be spotty at times, make sure your computer is connected to your router by a cable. This will keep your broadcast smooth.

Scheduling pre-recorded webinars

Once you know how to set up a live webinar, take advantage of other useful features in GoTo Webinar like Simulated Live.

Automate everything

Simulated Live simplifies the webinar experience by automating the entire event. Your webinars can run themselves without you even having to be there!

Reuse your recordings

To use Simulated Live, just select Simulated Live when you schedule a webinar in GoTo Webinar. Pick the recording you want to use, schedule it to auto-play (or make it available on demand) and then sit back and relax.

Get answers to all of your webinar questions

To pre-record a webinar with GoTo Webinar, you can use Recorded (formerly called “ Simulated Live ”) webinars. First, host a Classic or Webcast webinar and record like you were presenting live (you don’t need to have anyone in attendance). Then schedule a new webinar and select Recorded as the webinar type. Choose the recording you just created, select a date and click  Schedule Now . You can even incorporate polls, add handouts and configure Q&A settings to make it feel as vibrant as a live event!.

If you want to record what you share on screen during a GoTo Webinar session, simply click Start Recording (Windows) or Record (Mac) at the bottom of the Screen Sharing pane.

If you would like to record your presenters’ webcam , select the “Show webcams in the recordings” box within your GoTo Webinar settings. And finally, if you want to capture the video clips that you share live during your event, make sure that the video you upload ahead of time is an MP4 file. Any YouTube video you add will be cut from the recording.

Talk to a specialist

Try gotowebinar free for 7 days.

Or contact us to learn more about live webcasting for larger events with GoToWebcast.

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MARKETING INSIGHTS

How to create a webinar: The complete guide

• Talia Cohen
• Nov 26, 2022
• 12 min read

In today’s digitally connected world, there’s no shortage of ways to share your knowledge with your audience - even from within your home. Whether you create a website , host a podcast or write a blog about your industry, you have several platforms and marketing strategies to choose from.

One such option is creating a webinar. Though easily overlooked, webinars are powerful tools that help participants learn important new skills or gain industry insights from expert speakers. Not only that, but they’re also a great way to build profound connections with your audience and engage users with your brand.

Not sure where to start? We’re going to break down how to create a webinar below.

How to create a webinar

Pick a subject

Determine your format

Choose a platform

Gather your equipment

Develop content

Assign roles

Schedule your presentation

Promote your webinar

Perform a dry run

Host your event

01. Pick your subject

The first step in creating a webinar is to select a compelling subject. No matter how much you already know about your chosen subject, research the latest information your industry has to offer so your webinar is relevant and fresh. A good place to start is by taking a look at your competition and other similar webinars available online. Take notes on how they’re structured, the slides they use to illustrate their points and how you would change things if it were your own.

Take equal note of whether similar webinars are charging for access. If your competitors are requesting payment, consider offering yours for free or charging substantially less, as this could give you the advantage in the long run. If you do decide to charge a fee, be sure to provide your audience with extra value that your competitors aren’t offering.

02. Determine your format

Once you’ve researched your subject and your competitors, the next stage in creating a webinar is to focus on the presentation itself. Start with the format: What kind of presentation will you be giving? The complexity of the topic and how many speakers you plan to have can help you narrow down your choices

The four main webinar format options are:

Panel discussion: This involves a moderator guiding the discussion and asking questions of the panel members. This is a great way to showcase multiple perspectives on a similar issue or topic and is also a more conversational style.

Single speaker: Single speaker presentations are ideal for smaller audiences and require one individual to lead the webinar and answer any questions asked by attendees.

Live Q+As: While Q+As are typically included at the end of webinars, you can also create a webinar that primarily focuses on answering audience member’s questions. If you choose to go this route, it’s highly recommended to alert attendees of the format ahead of time so they can prepare their questions. You can even ask audience members to submit questions ahead of time. As the host, you should also have questions ready that people may not think to ask. This way, you’ll be prepared to fill any lulls or awkward silences.

Interviews: Interview webinars are highly engaging because they encourage a more conversational flow. Interviews involve an interviewer asking pre-arranged questions to the person of interest. You can also choose to have your audience members add to the conversation by allowing them to ask questions if time allows.

03. Choose a platform

The next step is to choose the best platform for your webinar. The format you choose will help you determine the best one to use.

If you want an all-in-one solution, you can live stream with Wix Video , allowing you to engage with your audience in real-time directly from your website. You can also use paid platforms such as Demio , GoToWebinar, or Zoom .

When choosing your platform, consider your needs and the goals of your webinar. Take into consideration how big your audience will be, how much you’re willing to spend, and what kind of tools you’ll need for your presentation. Do you need a platform that allows for multiple speakers and a Q+A session? Make sure you choose a service that has all the functions you need to deliver your presentation.

04. Gather your equipment

Next, you’ll need to choose your physical equipment. Because webinars are not conducted in-person, you’ll need reliable tools that ensure high-quality audio and visuals.

Here’s a basic list of the things you’re going to need for this type of content creation:

A capable computer or laptop

Ensure that the computer you’re using can handle running multiple heavy applications at the same time. The last thing you need is for your computer to slow to a crawl because you’ve put it under too heavy of a load.

In addition, make sure you have a reliable internet connection so that your presentation is smooth and clear. You may even want to consider having a backup laptop with all the data from your webinar saved, just in case your primary computer decides to malfunction.

Webcam or camera

Depending on your webinar format, you have a few different options for the type of camera you use. A single speaker discussion will do fine with a standalone webcam — just make sure it can record or stream a minimum of 1080p HD at 30 frames per second. If you’re pre-recording your webinar, you should record it with the highest quality camera you can.

Lighting devices

This may not be necessary for everyone, but it’s a good thing to consider if the lighting in the space where you’ll be delivering your webinar isn’t ideal. You can invest in a ring light, box light or even accent lights to brighten up your space and make sure your speaker is seen clearly.

Whether you're teaching an online course or presenting your latest findings, it’s essential that your words come across clearly. Invest in a USB microphone that’s compatible with your webinar software. The Blue Yeti microphone, for example, is popular with podcasters and will ensure that your voice sounds clear during your webinar.

05. Develop content

Now that you have all the tools you need, it’s time to start creating your webinar content. Here are some tips for building your presentation:

First, create a script for your entire webinar so you can keep yourself on track. It’s not imperative that you follow it word for word, in fact, you most likely won’t. But writing it out will help you structure your presentation. Make sure to leave some wiggle room for deviations and on-topic tangents, as your audience may appreciate these additional insights.

You have several options for creating slides, including Microsoft PowerPoint, Keynote for Mac, and Google Slides. Whichever you choose, remember that the number one rule with any slide presentation is not to include too much text on each slide. Your slides should be more of a guide and outline that help the presenter deliver the webinar. Visually appealing slides will help pique your audience’s attention, so be sure to include any charts or graphs that can help get information across.

06. Assign roles

Depending on which webinar format you choose, the roles you’ll need to assign may vary. But, essentially, there are three primary players when creating a webinar:

Organizer: The organizer is the main individual responsible for the webinar. Typically, this person creates the content, promotes the event, gathers resources, finds speakers and communicates with attendees both before and after the webinar.

Presenter(s): The presenters are experts in their field, and have deep knowledge of the subject at hand. These are the individuals responsible for giving the presentation and conveying all the necessary information to the audience.

Assistants: Assistants are vital for resolving any technical difficulties and ensuring everything runs smoothly. They’re also available to help organize audience member questions and moderate the comments section.

Interviewer or moderator: While not all webinars will have an interviewer or moderator, these roles can also be extremely important. An interviewer would be the person responsible for asking the expert at hand questions, and a moderator would help guide the presentation and oversee that it runs smoothly.

07. Schedule your presentation

Now that your content is complete and roles are established, you can finally solidify the date and time of your webinar. Take into consideration where the majority of your audience lives, and go from there.

According to a study conducted by GoToWebinar, the best times to hold webinars vary depending on the topic. Personal finance and development webinars get the most attendees when held at 5pm. This makes sense because the subject matter is of a more personal nature, as opposed to work-related, and the time falls right after the workday. However, globally, the times that get the most number of registrations and attendees are 10am and 11am.

But on which day should you schedule your webinar? Turns out, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday see the highest number of both registrations and attendees, so go for one of those.

08. Promote your webinar

Before you go live with your webinar, you’ll need to create marketing assets to promote it. This ensures that you’ll have an audience - the ultimate reward for all your hard-earned work. Here are some ideas to help get the word out:

Send a newsletter: Email marketing campaigns are effective for reaching audience members who will be interested in your webinar. If you have an existing newsletter, this is the perfect place to market your upcoming presentation. You could even go the extra mile and offer an incentive to your subscribers, such as an early access pass to chat with the presenter or a discounted price. Also, don’t forget to send reminder emails to registered attendees the day before your webinar.

Add banners to your website: One of the best places to promote your webinar is on your website. Create a banner or a popup lightbox that adorns the top of your website so your visitors will immediately be greeted with information about your upcoming event.

Create a landing page: To promote an event, many people like to create a landing page. This can serve as a one-stop shop for logistical information about your webinar, from the time you’re streaming to the link they need to connect. To get started, you can check out these free landing page templates by Wix, or use this landing page builder.

Write a blog post: As an expert in your field, if you don’t have a blog covering your industry, it’s time to get one. Creating a blog allows you to show off your knowledge and become an authority in your industry others can learn from. It’s also fantastic for your website’s SEO capabilities. Once you set up your blog, write an article outlining the details of your webinar.

Share on social media: What better way to spread the word than through social media marketing? Share posts on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or LinkedIn to promote your webinar and reach new audiences. To expand your reach, you might consider using hashtags or investing in paid posts. Tip: You can use a link in bio tool like Hopp by Wix in order to direct users to your webinar, website, social media and other online assets all from one designated URL.

09. Perform a dry run

As your webinar date approaches, prepare yourself by rehearsing the entire webinar experience.

Performing a dry run will help you catch issues that are easily fixable and that may otherwise be glaring when you’re presenting in front of an audience.

Practice your script several times. This will allow you to spot inconsistencies, determine how much time to spend on each topic and more smoothly present your information to your audience.

This is also the time to test your equipment. Put your computer, software and any other equipment through its extreme paces. To make sure that your computer can handle it all, try running all the software you’ll be using on your computer at the same time. Then, switch between programs quickly. Open additional software and see if you can see if there’s any lag. If there are any issues, you may need to borrow a faster computer with more memory.

Think about every aspect of your presentation setup and test them each rigorously. Not only will this give you a working knowledge of how all pieces fit together, but it can also give you a chance to mitigate potential issues before you even start your webinar.

As you practice, have a friend or assistant watch your entire presentation online. They may catch errors that you overlooked.

10. Host your event

The time has finally come for your webinar to go live. On the day of, make sure you give yourself ample time to set up. Before you push the record or stream button, double check your script and slides to ensure they appear the way you prefer.

Once you’ve delivered your presentation and wrapped up the Q+A session, emphasize how viewers can contact you. Provide your company website, the contact information of your speakers and social media channels so attendees can get in touch.

Post-webinar promotion

Now that you’ve completed your webinar, it’s time to decide what you’re going to do with the recording. You worked hard on your presentation, so you’ll want to make sure it will be available online for years to come.

If you’re offering it for free, you can upload it to YouTube and embed it on your website. If you want to continue charging people, consider creating a special members area on your site and making the webinar available to paying members only.

If you begin to see questions about some of the topics you discussed, you could even go as far as creating another webinar or video, such as a live Q&A or even an online course for those hungry to know more.

Additionally, make sure to follow up with attendees, especially if the intention of your webinar was to make sales. Send a thank you email and ask for feedback. Advice from your audience can be helpful and give you insight into how you can improve for the next time.

Are webinars right for you and your business?

By sharing valuable knowledge, you establish your business as a credible leader in your field and generate new leads. When people register for your presentation, they’ll provide their contact information which you can use in the future to move them through your marketing funnel. Additionally, attendees are particularly interested in learning the subject at hand, so they’re more likely to be highly engaged. These reasons are why webinars are an essential part of a successful content marketing strategy and a great content marketing example .

While not every marketing effort will be worth creating a webinar for, keep in mind the types of ideas that will draw a crowd and help bolster your business. Webinars can be quite time consuming to sit through, so you want them to be engaging and interesting enough to entice people to register.

Here are a few examples of webinar-worthy content ideas to add to your content strategy :

A complete guide for marketing your product

A Q+A session with your CEO

A panel discussion on a pertinent industry issue

A presentation on your branding strategy

Expert tips to ensure a flawless webinar

Know your audience

Whether you are doing B2C or B2B content marketing, you need to understand who your audience is and what their main pain points are. Understanding your target demographic and why they have decided to tune into your webinar will help you reach them better.

Remember that people have taken a significant amount of time out of their day to hear what you have to say. How can the topic you are speaking about help them with their job, business or future? Make sure they have the answers to these questions before the webinar is over.

Make it engaging

This point cannot be understated. Webinars rely on conveying information through a presentation, which can get boring if not done interactively. Instead of giving a lecture, keep the style conversational. Tell stories and give real world examples to relate to your listeners and get them excited about the topic at hand. Be enthusiastic and avoid talking too much, using extremely text heavy slides or coming across as preachy - you may start to lose your audience.

If it’s in keeping with the tone of your webinar, ask your audience a question every 3-5 minutes, or think of a creative way for them to contribute. This is an effective way to hold their attention.

Only share what’s useful

We can’t hone in on this point enough: your webinar needs to captivate your audience and hold their attention. Avoid droning on with unhelpful content and be sure to provide actionable tips and advice. If you’re holding an interview, find ways to bridge the gap between your guest and your audience. A great way to do this is to make sure you incorporate questions on what your audience can take away from the interview and apply to their everyday work or life.

Use high-quality slides and imagery

When creating a webinar, the visual components of your presentation are going to help keep your audience engaged. You want to avoid too much text and incorporate more graphs, charts and infographics. Keep your images on-brand, high quality and relevant to the text on the slide you’re speaking about. You can also use branded slide templates specific to your business to convey professionalism and elevate your visuals.

Webinar types and examples

Before creating a webinar it can be good to understand what types of webinars you could create - be they personal, professional or for educational purposes. Research the different platforms, formats and styles established webinar creators use to get their messaging across. To help with that we're sharing some of our favorite Wix webinars to inspire you.

How to grow your business webinar

We love how this webinar takes a broad topic and breaks it down into something all potential and current business owners can apply to their brand.

How to build your own website app - no code needed

This webinar does a great job of breaking down what could be a complex topic, into something manageable.

Competitive analysis with SEMrush

This is a great example of how a webinar can take a very specific tasks, competitive analysis, and show watchers how to break it down into something they can do almost immediately with a specific tool.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

How to create a webinar as a beginner?

Generally the steps for creating a webinar as a beginner, are similar to those even a pro would follow. Creating a webinar involves defining the goals of your webinar and the audience you want to reach, choosing an engaging topic that you can talk confidently about, a content plan including script and visuals, choosing the right platform to host and distribute you webinar, a plan to promote your webinar online and through your website, following up on your webinar and the audiences reaction to it, in order to plan more webinars.

How to create a webinar for free?

Can I create a course with webinars?

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How to Make a “Good” Presentation “Great”

• Guy Kawasaki

Remember: Less is more.

A strong presentation is so much more than information pasted onto a series of slides with fancy backgrounds. Whether you’re pitching an idea, reporting market research, or sharing something else, a great presentation can give you a competitive advantage, and be a powerful tool when aiming to persuade, educate, or inspire others. Here are some unique elements that make a presentation stand out.

• Fonts: Sans Serif fonts such as Helvetica or Arial are preferred for their clean lines, which make them easy to digest at various sizes and distances. Limit the number of font styles to two: one for headings and another for body text, to avoid visual confusion or distractions.
• Colors: Colors can evoke emotions and highlight critical points, but their overuse can lead to a cluttered and confusing presentation. A limited palette of two to three main colors, complemented by a simple background, can help you draw attention to key elements without overwhelming the audience.
• Pictures: Pictures can communicate complex ideas quickly and memorably but choosing the right images is key. Images or pictures should be big (perhaps 20-25% of the page), bold, and have a clear purpose that complements the slide’s text.
• Layout: Don’t overcrowd your slides with too much information. When in doubt, adhere to the principle of simplicity, and aim for a clean and uncluttered layout with plenty of white space around text and images. Think phrases and bullets, not sentences.

As an intern or early career professional, chances are that you’ll be tasked with making or giving a presentation in the near future. Whether you’re pitching an idea, reporting market research, or sharing something else, a great presentation can give you a competitive advantage, and be a powerful tool when aiming to persuade, educate, or inspire others.

• Guy Kawasaki is the chief evangelist at Canva and was the former chief evangelist at Apple. Guy is the author of 16 books including Think Remarkable : 9 Paths to Transform Your Life and Make a Difference.

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How to Create an Amazing Webinar in 2024

Updated: March 13, 2024

Published: May 13, 2022

Creating and conducting webinars is one of the best ways to engage with potential customers in an increasingly remote world.

Since the rise of remote work, people rely on technology for education and social interaction more than ever. This means more Zoom meetings instead of in-person meetings, more walks to a home office instead of commutes to a high-rise, and more webinars instead of live events.

The B2B webinar platform BrightTalk reported a 76% increase in video, webinar, and virtual events uploaded to their platform from March to June 2020. From April 2019 to April 2020, ON24 saw a 167% increase in monthly usage of its webinar platform. If there was ever a time to create a webinar, it’s now.

Are webinars dead?

In a word: no. While webinars may seem outdated, they have proven to be invaluable during social distancing. Most companies are moving toward a telecommuting model, and the trend shows no sign of slowing down . The new “ working from home economy ” guarantees that webinars remain a cornerstone of companies’ marketing and sales strategies.

Because companies are turning to webinars to replace their live events, the market is experiencing an over-saturation. As a result, it’s even more challenging to make your virtual event stand out from the pack. Luckily, HubSpot and GoToWebinar teamed up to bring you the ultimate webinar planning kit that can help you create a compelling, effective webinar that will engage potential customers and drive lead generation.

How to Create a Webinar

• Brainstorm webinar ideas.
• Choose a webinar format.
• Pick a webinar tool.
• Assign roles to your team members.
• Produce the content.
• Choose the best time for the webinar.
• Create a contingency plan for your webinar presentation.
• Practice your webinar before the event.
• Promote your webinar.
• Follow up with your audience.

1. Brainstorm webinar ideas.

Before you can start making your webinar, you'll have to decide on the topic.

The topic you choose should answer questions that your audience typically asks and preferably be highly specific. For example, if you're hosting a webinar on email marketing, you can choose to focus on subject lines in particular.

Overall, your webinar should provide value to your audience. Think about your company as a whole and your unique value proposition. What topics do you have expertise in and can provide value on? Consider choosing an educational topic, as this content performs well.

Align the topic with the goal of your sales team. A successful webinar hinges on sales and marketing alignment. If the marketing team creates content that isn’t helping their sales conversations, it won’t successfully drive high-quality leads to sales.

Luckily, you have experts at your disposal who can come up with content ideas that will complement and aid the sales conversation: the representatives themselves.

Ask your sales team what they might want a webinar’s focus to be. Get the representatives' buy-in for a webinar before you plan it. Set up a meeting to discover new content ideas and find out what pain points they need to help solve. This will go a long way toward ensuring the sales' follow-up with registrants is seamless once the webinar is over.

Free Webinar Planning Kit

Run better webinars with this kit, including the following assets:

• Guide on Building a Webinar
• Marketing & Sales Alignment Strategies
• Webinar Planning & Strategy Template
• Interactive Webinar Planning Checklist

You're all set!

Click this link to access this resource at any time.

2. Choose a webinar format.

When considering how to structure your webinar, you have countless options. The four most common types are panel discussions, Q&A, single-speaker presentations, and interviews.

Panel Discussions

For panel discussions, you can invite industry experts to discuss a niche, current topic within your industry. They encourage roundtable conversations, focus on building a dialog around the topic, and offer various viewpoints. The experts’ differing perspectives can expand your attendees’ understanding of the topic in ways that wouldn’t be possible with one speaker’s input.

Because panelists will be speaking to each other rather than directly to the audience, panel discussions may encourage speakers who are camera shy to participate in your webinar.

When you organize a panel discussion webinar, it’s important to choose the best moderator for your topic. Your moderator is responsible for establishing the rules of the discussion, keeping track of time, and keeping the panel on topic.

Choosing the most engaging panelists to present your topic is also important. Panelists must be able to volunteer key points and concrete examples during discussions. Your panel needs to represent the demographic of your audience and offer different perspectives to encourage interesting discussion. At least one of your panelists should be an authority on the webinar topic who can establish credibility with the audience.

For Q&As, you only need your team’s product experts to answer your customers’ questions. Q&A webinars allow attendees to participate in the webinar, help you to learn more about the attendees’ needs, and enable your team to showcase your knowledge about the topic.

Live Q&As can be unpredictable. Your attendees may be hesitant to ask questions or may ask questions your team is not prepared to answer, so it may be helpful to develop a list of potential questions. Rock Content recommends making a list of doubts and curiosities that your audience may have and using it as a guide for the Q&A.

Single-speaker Presentations

Single-speaker presentations involve one presenter delivering the webinar and answering attendees’ questions. We recommend holding a single-speaker presentation if you plan to have a small audience for your webinar.

Interviews are also a great choice. You can either interview an industry expert or a current customer about their experience with your company. Interviewing someone who has a large following may encourage people to sign up for your webinar and help you reach a new audience.

Before your webinar, prepare a strong portfolio of interview questions to keep the conversation flowing and ensure that your interview runs smoothly.

3. Pick a webinar tool.

There are many webinar hosting platforms you can use to create your webinar. Popular platforms include Demio , Livestorm , ClickMeeting , GoToWebinar , and Zoom .

When you're researching a tool to use, consider your objectives. For example, how many people do you think will attend? Do you need a tool that could allow over 1,000 attendees? How much does it cost? How easy is it to use? You should look into these questions when deciding what webinar tool to use.

Additionally, you'll want to make sure the tool can handle the type of webinar you want to host — can it handle video chatting for panels or Q&A webinars? The right tool for you will depend on the overall objectives of your event.

4. Assign roles to your team members.

After choosing the platform, assign roles in your team. Typically, you’d need to choose four people:

The organizer handles all facets of planning, from ideation to content creation. They are usually the primary contact in the webinar platform.

The presenter is the subject matter expert, either on your team or in the industry, who will present on the topic you’ve chosen.

The moderator is required for panel discussions but not for single-speaker presentations. This person will help stimulate conversation among panel participants. You can also assign a moderator if you expect to receive a lot of questions from attendees.

Assistants are the team members at hand in case of emergencies. For example, if there’s no sound, an assistant can step in to resolve this problem. Like moderators, assistants can also manage the chat box during the event.

5. Produce the content.

Once you find a tool and know the topic you want to present, it’s time to create the content, depending on the type of webinar you want to host. For example, will it be a PowerPoint and talking head presentation? Or perhaps you want to do a live panel Q&A? Either way, you'll have to produce the content and prepare for the big day.

For example, if you're creating a PowerPoint, you'll need to create your slide deck. Make sure that the slides emphasize your points, but don't include a script. These slides should be visually appealing and include interesting graphics, such as images or GIFs.

If you're hosting a discussion-style webinar, plan out your speakers, gather audience questions, and prepare any other questions you might have so you can prioritize your time during the webinar.

6. Choose the best time for the webinar.

To select a time and date for your webinar, you'll want to consider where your audience lives. Use tools like Google Analytics to see where people are so that you can choose a convenient day and time zone.

ON24 reports that Wednesdays and Thursdays are the best days to host webinars , with 11 a.m. being the best time. Another popular time is 10 a.m. . Both are great for a wide range of time zones and should avoid most commute times or work hours. Typically, these times prevent conflicts for the greatest number of people.

However, if your audience is solely in the United States, you won't need to worry about global time zones. Instead, you can focus on planning a time when most people aren't commuting. For example, early afternoon or after work hours are generally good times.

7. Create a contingency plan for your webinar presentation.

When hosting a live webinar, it’s crucial to have a contingency plan. Setting up a backup internet connection, prerecording content, and printing out a copy of your presentation can save your webinar in case of outages, interruptions, or other unforeseen circumstances.

If you lose your internet connection while hosting a webinar, a wired internet connection or wireless hotspot can be used as a backup.

Prerecording content for your webinar ensures that your attendees have something to watch while you troubleshoot technical issues that may arise.

You may not be able to view your notes on screen while presenting your webinar, so you should consider printing out a hard copy of your slides and notes. That allows you to continue presenting if your computer screen freezes or you lose your video connection.

Additionally, emailing your attendees a printout of your slides before the webinar can help them stay engaged if they have technical issues while viewing the presentation.

8. Practice your webinar before the event.

Practice is essential for a successful webinar, and it can help you get acquainted with the platform if you’ve never used it before.

We highly encourage creating a fake event on your webinar platform. Publish it, send a link to another one of your team members, and practice as if you were presenting a real webinar. Your team member would watch it as an attendee and should tell you what the presentation looks like on the other end.

9. Promote your webinar.

Now that you've done the backend work, it's time to ensure you have people who want to attend.

To promote your webinar, you can create a landing page where people can sign up and then distribute and promote that link in several ways.

For example, consider running ads through social media and search engines. Additionally, you'll want to use free promotion tactics — you can post on your accounts and website, and send an email to your subscribers. It's important to use your follower base to get people interested.

Reminder emails are also helpful. Consider sending "Don't Miss Out" or "Seats Are Filling Up" emails as the day gets closer.

When people do sign up, you'll want to remind them leading up to the day of the webinar. You should send them the webinar link about an hour before, so it's top of mind, and they don't have to go looking for the link in their registration email.

10. Follow up with your audience.

Webinars are a great sales opportunity, and you don't want people to leave your webinar and never think of you again.

That's why you'll want to send them a thank you email and gather feedback from attendees so you can plan better webinars in the future.

Remember that attendees generally like to have a recording. If you send them a link to the recording afterward, they don't have to take vigorous notes during the webinar. This also means you can send it to registrants who weren’t able to attend.

Webinar Marketing Strategy

• Set up a landing page that is optimized for search engines.
• Promote your webinar to current subscribers and contacts via email.
• Promote your event via LinkedIn and other social media channels.
• Send reminder emails to registrants.
• Offer a certificate of completion.
• Consider co-marketing the webinar.
• Survey participants after the webinar.
• Deliver necessary information to sales.

Once you’ve come up with relevant content topics for your webinar and set up the event, it’s time to get that webinar in front of as many eyes as possible.

With webinars, it’s not just about generating initial excitement. You have to build excitement and encourage engagement once the webinar goes live.

1. Set up a landing page that is optimized for search engines.

The first step in your webinar promotion strategy is to create an optimized landing page that can organically jumpstart registrations.

According to Karthik Shetty, a field and performance marketing specialist, you have only seven seconds to convert a prospect who has visited your landing page, so you must strategically structure the landing page for your webinar .

Your landing page should have a target keyword in the title, a sign-up form, and optimized copy. Ideally, the form should integrate with your other marketing and sales tools , automatically turning registrants into contacts or prospects.

2. Promote your webinar to current subscribers and contacts via email.

Now that you have a landing page to direct users to, it’s time to target your first attendees: people who already know about your company and customers who have previously engaged with you.

After sending a personalized email to your contacts, take the following steps:

• Create automated email reminders that will be sent to prospects who have been invited but not yet registered.
• Create manual email templates reps can send in their one-on-one communication with prospects.
• Set up an automated email to notify reps when one of their prospects has registered for your webinar. This will help them engage and close those prospects down the road.

3. Promote your webinar via LinkedIn and other social media platforms.

LinkedIn is an excellent platform to promote webinars. They’re usually created for other businesses, and LinkedIn is the ultimate B2B marketing platform.

LinkedIn now has an option for virtual events, which allows you to add the webinar access link. Registrants can also jumpstart discussions on the event page, giving you potential topics to address during the presentation or Q&A.

You can also advertise the webinar through display ads on Google, Instagram, and Facebook, though we encourage keeping the bulk of your investment on LinkedIn.

4. Send reminder emails to registrants.

Even though you’ve gotten registrants, that doesn’t mean they’ll show up. After all, if you promote a webinar one to two weeks in advance, some of your registrants are likely to forget when the live date comes around.

Remember to send out reminder emails the day before and the day of the live event to ensure a high live attendance rate.

Adding an “add to calendar” button to your emails will encourage registrants to block out time in their busy calendar, making them more likely to attend.

5. Offer a certificate of completion, professional development hours, or continuing education credits.

An easy way to entice registrations is to offer something in return. Certificates of completion, PDHs, and CEUs are credentials attendees will want to receive after the webinar. This also entices people to stay until the end.

Services like Certifier can be used to create certificates of completion for your webinar attendees. They can be offered to virtually any professional. Industries such as engineering, architecture, software engineering, and marketing require professionals to continue their training after starting their careers.

6. Consider co-marketing the webinar.

Try your hand at co-marketing . One of the best ways to get new expertise, generate interest for a piece of content, and expand the reach of a campaign is to run a co-marketed webinar.

Instead of running a webinar with speakers internally, try working with another company that’s going after a similar buyer persona and can bring their expertise into the conversation. Doing so creates more interesting content and gives you the opportunity to get your webinar in front of another company’s established audience.

7. Survey participants after the webinar.

The only way to get better is to know how you can improve. By sending an after-event survey, you can refine your next webinar. Hosting a better event can help you confidently market it to prospects.

You can schedule a survey in Zoom that will appear to attendees at the end of the webinar. This survey can include a link to the next webinar you’re hosting, driving registrations for that event.

8. Deliver necessary information to sales.

A considerable part of the pre-webinar and post-webinar process is ensuring the right information gets delivered to sales. That’s why GoToWebinar and HubSpot recommend creating one webinar hub that’s easily accessible by sales with the following information:

• On-demand recordings of all webinars.
• A calendar with past and future webinars.
• Documentation that details the webinar's goals, title, target persona, funnel stage, key points, speakers, and logistics.
• Promotional and follow-up emails.
• Collection of graphic and text CTAs sales reps can drop into their communications.
• Mechanism to collect suggestions from sales reps for new topic suggestions and general feedback.

However, once the webinar has concluded, it’s time to ensure the sales reps are ready to close those leads. Send a follow-up email to your representatives and include the following information:

• Leads who registered
• Leads who attended
• Leads who registered but didn’t attend
• Leads who never registered
• New SQL leads from post-webinar lead scores
• Any other relevant webinar data
• Send email templates sales can use to send to leads based on their webinar behavior. Include other relevant content they can use to continue to nurture leads in the coming weeks.

Putting the extra effort in will go a long way toward ensuring the webinar is a success from both a sales and marketing standpoint.

Webinar Examples

1. western forestry conservation association’s “benefits and drawbacks of hot planting, summer planting, and fall planting” panel discussion.

Image Source

In the Western Forestry Conservation Association’s “Benefits and Drawbacks of Hot Planting, Summer Planting, and Fall Planting” webinar, a tribal nursery specialist moderates a panel discussion among fellow nursery specialists. The panelists discuss the effects of hot planting, summer planting, and fall planting on nurseries and reforestation efforts.

Each panelist is given an equal amount of time to present their research and views on the discussion topic. This webinar handles a large audience well by enabling a setting that automatically mutes attendees’ microphones and turns off their cameras to limit distractions and interruptions. While the panelists give their presentations, the moderator answers the attendees’ questions via chat.

2. ActualTech Media’s “Mitigating Ransomware in 2021” Live Q&A Webinar

In ActualTech Media’s “Mitigating Ransomware in 2021” webinar, David M. Davis of ActualTech Media moderates a live Q&A with Roger Grimes, a security expert and data-driven defense evangelist from KnowBe4. The webinar focuses on the latest ransomware threats, the signs of a ransomware infection, and the best ways to prevent the spread of ransomware.

ActualTech Media designed a landing page where registrants could submit their questions in preparation for the webinar. Attendees were also encouraged to ask questions during the webinar.

It provided value to the attendees after the webinar concluded by offering them a handout and links to free ransomware mitigation tools.

3. Vanessa Van Edwards’ “2022 Goal Setting” webinar

In her “2022 Goal Setting” webinar, behavioral investigator and author Vanessa Van Edwards breaks down the science of goal setting and offers tips for setting and achieving goals in the new year.

At the end of the webinar, Van Edwards encourages attendees to enroll in a monthly workshop that expands on the webinar’s topics, allows attendees to practice the concepts, and includes a live Q&A session.

Useful Webinar Creation Tips

Not sure how to set your webinar apart from the rest? No worries.

Single-speaker presentations are admittedly overdone. In a time when webinars are commonplace, it’s even more important to use different tactics to engage your viewers.

Think about ways to mix up how the information in your webinar is presented. Here are some tips:

Try a discussion-style webinar.

We’ve found unscripted, discussion-style webinars effectively engage our audience. In many of our live events, we’ve foregone the slides completely and instead brought two speakers together and had a host ask live questions on air. It’s effective for encouraging Twitter participation via a hashtag and keeping the content conversational but informative.

Answer your customers’ questions throughout the event.

Try building a webinar around your prospects' questions. Send a call for questions to be answered live on-air. This will help build engagement and excitement for what’s to come. Hopefully, the people asking questions will be more likely to show up on the day of the webinar.

Engage prospects beforehand by adding interactive features to the webinar sign-up page.

You can also use a landing page like this that includes a voting feature for people to upvote their top questions. This will also help you prioritize the material your audience is most interested in.

Webinar Statistics

According to ON24, 68% of marketers say webinars are one of the best ways to tie marketing activity to revenue. Webinars can also help generate quality leads. Why?

Webinar Engagement Statistics

According to GoToWebinar, the average webinar attendee viewing time is 57 minutes . However, the attention spans of webinar attendees differ depending on the webinar’s length and topic. For example, attendees view marketing webinars for 52 minutes and training webinars for 61 minutes on average.

They work across the entire customer journey.

From thought-leadership panel discussions to weekly live demos, webinars are a dynamic and effective way to move prospects down the funnel from awareness to closed deals and beyond.

Webinar Lead Generation Statistics

Webinars come with a ton of information about your prospects you can use to identify high-quality, sales-ready leads. With each webinar registrant, you can collect lead and engagement data that your sales team can use to initiate personalized outreach.

Webinar Consumption Statistics

Twenty-seven percent of consumers watch a webinar that teaches them more about a passion or a hobby, while 24% reported watching webinars for the entertainment value. Eighteen percent of consumers watch webinars to further their knowledge about their profession. Nearly a quarter reported watching webinars for all of the above.

Webinar Thought Leadership Statistics

Thirty percent of consumers report feeling more engaged when a webinar teaches them something new. And when it’s about your product, it’s safe to assume that they’re highly interested in converting.

Webinar Lead Conversion Statistics

According to ON24, a good registrant-to-attendee conversion rate falls between 35% and 45% . ON24 reported a 61% increase in registrant-to-attendee conversion in April 2020. In 2019, it was 55%. For events with over 100 attendees, the average conversion rate was 53% in 2020, up from 43% in 2019.

Featured Resource: Free Webinar Planning Kit

Download Now

We know planning and promoting a webinar can be difficult if you've never done it before. So we've compiled a guide, template, and checklist for you to get your webinar off the ground — whether it's your first or 40th. Click here to download the kit for free.

It's All About Alignment

Webinars are seeing a timely resurgence. They’re not just an effective marketing tool. They’re also effective sales tools — but only if your sales team has the information, content, and tools to use them to move prospects down the funnel and close deals.

Creating the kind of alignment you need to make this all a success isn’t easy. So HubSpot and GotoWebinar made this ultimate guide for creating a successful webinar and included a checklist to guide you through pre-, ongoing, and post-webinar communications.

Editor's note: This post was originally published in February 2018 and was updated in January 2021 for comprehensiveness.

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How to Host a Webinar: A Step-by-Step Guide for Beginners

Welcome to the webinar guide….

…and welcome to the world of webinars! In today’s fast-paced digital landscape, webinars have emerged as a powerful tool for businesses. Why, you ask? Well, they help you connect with customers, prospects, and industry experts, while also showcasing your thought leadership. Plus, they’re an excellent way to generate leads and grow your business!

Now, if you’re a beginner, hosting a webinar might seem intimidating. But fear not! We’ve got your back. In this step-by-step webinar guide, we’ll walk you through the process of hosting a successful webinar, from planning to post-event activities. Ready to make a splash? Let’s dive in!

Guide Step 1: Planning the Webinar

First things first: planning. Like any successful event, a great webinar starts with a solid plan. Follow this guide’s three key components of webinar planning: setting goals, identifying your audience, and picking a killer topic.

Setting Clear Goals and Objectives

Why host a webinar? To answer that question, you need to establish clear goals and objectives. Are you looking to generate leads? Build brand awareness? Offer valuable insights to your clients? Whatever your goal, make sure it’s SMART – Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound. With well-defined goals in mind, you’ll have a clearer path to success.

Identifying the Target Audience

Who are you talking to? Knowing your target audience is crucial for creating a webinar that resonates. So, take some time to research and understand their needs, pain points, and preferences. This will help you tailor your content and messaging for maximum impact. Remember, the more relevant your webinar is to your audience, the higher the chances of them tuning in!

Choosing a Relevant and Engaging Topic

Now comes the fun part – selecting a topic. Your webinar topic should be relevant to your audience and aligned with your goals. Start by brainstorming ideas, then narrow them down based on your audience’s interests, current industry trends, and your own expertise. Once you’ve picked a winning topic, craft a catchy title that sparks curiosity and entices your audience to hit that “register” button. Ready, set, plan!

Guide Step 2: Preparing the Webinar Content

Content is king, especially when it comes to webinars. To captivate your audience, you’ll need to create a compelling presentation and plan for engaging interactions. Let’s explore how to craft content that dazzles, persuades, and entertains.

Creating a Compelling Presentation

Using visuals and multimedia:  A picture is worth a thousand words, right? Boost your presentation’s impact by incorporating visuals like images, graphs, and videos. Visuals break up text-heavy slides and help your audience better understand complex concepts. Plus, they make your webinar more memorable!

Incorporating storytelling techniques:  Storytelling is a powerful way to engage your audience and make your content relatable. Craft a narrative that highlights your main points, shares anecdotes, and evokes emotions. By weaving a story, you’ll create a more immersive and memorable experience for your audience.

Preparing for Audience Interaction

Planning Q&A sessions:  Questions, anyone? Q&A sessions are a fantastic way to foster audience engagement and address their concerns. Schedule Q&A breaks throughout your webinar or save time at the end for a dedicated session. And don’t forget to have a moderator on hand to help manage incoming questions!

Creating polls and surveys:  Want to know what your audience thinks? Use polls and surveys to gather real-time feedback and insights. They not only make your webinar more interactive but also provide valuable data to inform your future content and marketing strategies. It’s a win-win!

Guide Step 3: Choosing the Right Webinar Platform

The foundation of any successful webinar is the platform you choose. With numerous options out there, how do you pick the perfect one for your needs? Let’s compare platforms, discuss key features, and introduce Brandlive as a game-changing solution.

Comparing Different Webinar Platforms

There’s no one-size-fits-all webinar platform. Each has its own strengths and weaknesses, catering to different needs and budgets. Start by making a list of your requirements and researching popular platforms. Look for reviews and testimonials to gauge user satisfaction. And, if possible, try out a few platforms to see which feels right for you.

Key Features to Consider

Ease of use:  A user-friendly platform is crucial, both for you and your attendees. Look for an intuitive interface, easy setup, and minimal technical requirements. Because, let’s face it, no one likes fumbling with complicated tech!

Audience engagement tools:  Your platform should offer interactive features like Q&A, polls, and chat to keep your audience engaged. After all, an engaged audience is more likely to stick around and convert into leads or customers.

Integration with other marketing tools:  To streamline your marketing efforts , opt for a platform that integrates with your existing tools like CRM, email marketing, and analytics. This will help you better track performance, nurture leads, and drive ROI.

Guide Step 4: Promoting the Webinar

You’ve planned, prepared, and picked your platform. Now it’s time to get the word out! Effective promotion is essential for driving sign-ups and maximizing attendance. So, let’s explore four key strategies for promoting your webinar like a pro.

Creating a Registration Page

First up, design an eye-catching registration page. This is where potential attendees sign up and learn more about your webinar. Make sure it’s visually appealing, with concise copy that highlights the benefits and key takeaways. And don’t forget a clear call-to-action, like “Register Now” or “Save Your Seat.”

Utilizing Email Marketing

Email marketing is a powerful promotional tool. Start by sending targeted invitations to your existing contacts. Then, follow up with reminders, teasers, and last-minute nudges to boost attendance. Pro tip: Personalize your emails for higher open and conversion rates.

Leveraging Social Media and Content Marketing

Spread the word on social media! Share your webinar details across your channels, using relevant hashtags and eye-catching visuals. And don’t stop at social: Create blog posts, guest articles, and other content to reach a wider audience and drive sign-ups.

Collaborating with Influencers and Partners

Team up with influencers and partners to amplify your reach. They can help promote your webinar to their followers, expanding your audience and lending credibility to your event. It’s a win-win!

With these promotion strategies in your arsenal, you’ll be well on your way to a packed and engaged webinar audience. Happy promoting!

Guide Step 5: Rehearsing and Preparing for the Big Day

The big day is approaching! To ensure a smooth and successful webinar, it’s essential to rehearse and prepare. Let’s discuss three key steps to help you avoid any hiccups and deliver an amazing presentation.

Conducting a Dry Run

Practice makes perfect. Conduct a dry run of your webinar to get comfortable with the content, pacing, and technology. Invite a few colleagues or friends to join and provide feedback. Remember, rehearsing helps you iron out any kinks and boosts your confidence for the live event.

Ensuring a Stable Internet Connection

Don’t let a poor internet connection ruin your webinar! Test your connection beforehand and, if possible, use a wired connection for added stability. Also, close any unnecessary apps and tabs during the webinar to minimize bandwidth usage and potential distractions.

Preparing for Technical Glitches and Troubleshooting

Things don’t always go as planned. Be prepared for technical glitches by having a backup plan and familiarizing yourself with common troubleshooting steps. It’s also a good idea to have a support person on hand to help with any issues that may arise during the event.

With thorough rehearsal and preparation, you’ll be ready to shine on the big day and deliver a standout webinar experience. Break a leg!

Guide Step 6: Hosting the Webinar

It’s showtime! Hosting your webinar is where all your hard work pays off. To ensure a successful and engaging event, follow these tips on audience interaction, time management, and handling Q&A sessions like a pro.

Tips for an Engaging and Interactive Webinar

Encouraging audience participation:  Keep your attendees engaged by encouraging participation. Ask open-ended questions, invite them to share their thoughts in the chat, and create opportunities for discussion. The more involved your audience, the more memorable and impactful your webinar will be.

Using polls and quizzes:  Inject some fun and interactivity with polls and quizzes. These tools not only keep your audience engaged but also provide valuable insights and feedback. Plus, they’re an excellent way to break up your content and maintain interest.

Managing Time Effectively

Time flies when you’re having fun, so make sure to keep an eye on the clock. Allocate enough time for each section of your presentation, as well as Q&A and audience interaction. Be prepared to adjust on the fly if needed, and always aim to finish on time – your audience will thank you!

Handling Q&A Sessions Professionally

Q&A sessions are a highlight of any webinar, so handle them with finesse. Acknowledge and address each question thoughtfully, and don’t be afraid to admit if you don’t know the answer – honesty goes a long way. Also, remember to thank your attendees for their questions and participation, as it shows appreciation and fosters connection.

With these tips in mind, you’re ready to host a webinar that dazzles, persuades, and entertains. Good luck!

Guide Step 7: Post-Webinar Activities

The webinar may be over, but your work isn’t! Post-webinar activities are crucial for understanding your performance, collecting valuable feedback, and nurturing leads. Let’s dive into three key steps to help you make the most of your post-webinar efforts.

Analyzing Webinar Performance

First up, analyze your webinar’s performance. Dig into key metrics like attendance rate, engagement, and conversion rate. This data will help you understand the strengths and weaknesses of your event, allowing you to make improvements for future webinars. Remember, data-driven insights are your ticket to webinar success!

Collecting Feedback from Attendees

Don’t forget about feedback! Attendee feedback is invaluable for learning what worked and what didn’t. Send out post-webinar surveys or reach out personally to gather insights. Use this feedback to refine your content, presentation style, and promotional efforts for future events.

Planning Follow-Up Communication and Nurturing Leads

Last but not least, nurture your leads. Craft a follow-up communication plan to keep your attendees engaged and move them through your sales funnel. Send thank you emails, share additional resources, and invite them to future events. By staying top-of-mind, you’ll boost your chances of converting leads into customers.

And there you have it – a comprehensive guide to hosting a successful webinar for beginners. Now it’s time to put these steps into action and start making a splash with your own webinars. Good luck!

You’re now equipped with the knowledge and tools needed to host your first webinar. Trust us, it’s worth taking the plunge! The potential benefits – from generating leads to building brand awareness – are immense. And with the right approach, your webinars can become a powerful weapon in your marketing arsenal.

Ready to dive in? Don’t forget to check out Brandlive’s innovative platform and solutions. We’re here to help you dazzle, persuade, and entertain your audience like never before. With our modern, upbeat, and user-friendly experience, you’ll be standing out and making a splash in no time. So, what are you waiting for? Try Brandlive today and start hosting webinars that leave a lasting impression.

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The Complete Guide to Webinars

Webinars are an essential B2B marketing tool, allowing businesses to directly communicate with audiences, generate engagement and identify qualified leads. However, creating a successful webinar relies on more than just preparing a presentation, opening your webinar software and turning your microphone on. 

A lot of behind-the-scenes work goes into preparing webinars that offer genuine value to attendees and help to fuel your business growth. Read on to learn more.

• 1. Webinar Definition
• 2. Why Choose Webinars?
• 3. Planning Webinars
• 4. Create Engaging Webinar Content
• 5. Promoting Webinars
• 6. Hosting a Successful Webinar
• 7. Using Webinars to Maximize Revenue
• 8. Effective Strategies for Post-Webinar Engagement

Webinar Definition

A webinar is a virtual seminar that is designed to provide information on a specific topic. The term webinar is a combination of the words “web” and  “seminar.” 

Webinars differ from other online presentations as they empower audiences to participate by asking questions, answering polls and using other interactive tools. This cultivates an immersive learning experience and encourages engagement. 

Businesses, too, stand to benefit from the technology. Not only are webinars powerful lead-generation tools, but they can also help organizations accelerate pipeline by providing sales and marketing teams with more contextual information on a prospect or customer through insights generated by first-party data. 

Platforms that facilitate webinars, such as ON24 , pull together a combination of different technologies. Video conferencing, document sharing, live chats, survey tools and marketing automation tools are all used to form a cohesive, high-value experience for the viewer.

Webinar Formats

There are multiple webinar formats , each offering different ways for a brand to connect with its audience.

… allow you to deliver presentations and interact with your audience in real time. Being live provides the flexibility to tailor your delivery in the moment, optimizing around the audience to maximize impact.

Live webinars can also foster a sense of exclusivity, creating a buzz and improving attendance rates.

… are pre-recorded presentations delivered to live audiences. This can help to avoid presentation mishaps and gives you more time to interact with attendees.

You can answer questions via live chat while the recording is showing, conduct polls in response to what’s shown on screen, and take other steps to improve engagement.

… are pre-recorded and can be viewed in the audience’s own time. This makes them a convenient option and can help to widen the net of potential attendees.

On-demand webinars also facilitate rewatches , resulting in further audience engagement — especially when used in combination with content hubs .

… shake up the format by combining both live in-person events with virtual attendees. This format allows audiences to be in two places at once.

Hybrid webinars provide audiences greater flexibility, making it easier to work around scheduling conflicts, travel restrictions and other barriers.

… is a set of webinars all relating to one common theme. They can be used to progress through different subtopics or segment a deep dive into one complex idea. Serialized webinars can often mimic TV-like viewing experiences with familiar formats such as news, talk, and interview shows. They often have an established host and regular cadence.

As well as building on knowledge and offering in-depth topic exploration, series webinars forge brand trust and familiarity among viewers. They provide you with the opportunity to construct meaningful customer journeys and develop an organic relationship with your audience.

The Evolution of Webinars: From Seminars to Virtual Events

Webinars were created as an easy way to scale the reach of presentations by breaking down the barriers of time and geography. They were a lot more basic than the ones you know today. Most people were using dial-up internet, which was prone to disconnection, and the quality of video and audio was extremely limited. In fact, rarely would you see presenters on video. 

Webinars today are multimedia experiences that engage attendees in a myriad of ways. Audiences are often on camera, can interact with presenters and network with each other, break into discussion groups and engage in Q&A sessions. Webinars can also be personalized with content options and promotions.

Why Choose Webinars?

Webinars can help showcase your expertise, connect with your audience and improve your bottom line. It’s no surprise they’re popular with professionals across a variety of sectors, from marketing teams and corporate trainers to healthcare providers and nonprofit organizations. 

Here are some of the most common ways in which webinars can be used to help you achieve your goals.

Expanding Reach and Accessibility

We live in a digital world, but one of the few advantages still generally assigned to physical events is its ability to unite people in a single setting. Webinars turn that assumption on its head.

When you host a webinar, you can communicate with your audience in a live or on-demand environment  without any of the limitations enforced by geographical constraints . You can connect with people from all over the world, regardless of location or other physical barriers.

The COVID-19 pandemic was a trial by fire of webinars’ unique capabilities – and the medium passed the test. According to the  2021 Webinar Benchmarks Report , Webinar attendance shot up by 251%, but the more impressive stat is that, despite the freedom to return to in-person events, only 11% of organizers say that this is what they plan to do.

It’s not all about expanding your reach geographically, though. Webinars also allow you to design a more inclusive environment for your audience.

With features such as closed captioning and sign language interpretation, you can make your webinar content accessible and open up the door to a wider audience.

Cost-Efficiency and Sustainability

Compared to physical events, webinars are by far the more cost-effective option. They eliminate the need to rent costly venues, hire catering and staffing, provide travel and accommodations and printed materials like banners, itineraries, and brochures.

Webinars are a great option if you’re looking for ways to scale the reach of your events without increasing costs.

Webinars are also more sustainable than physical events, as they reduce the waste generated and the carbon emissions associated with travel. For sectors where sustainability is a business priority, including companies that are committed to  ESG principles , this can be a major benefit.

Deep engagement and interactivity

One of the most fundamental benefits of webinars is the number of opportunities they provide to engage audiences before, during and after your event. This is especially true when using an all-in-one audience engagement platform like ON24, where you have multiple tools at your fingertips to  drive audience engagement .

Using features like polls, Q&A,  and surveys to gather feedback and strengthen audience participation can greatly enhance the webinar experience.  Breakout sessions  take this to the next level, allowing you to divide participants into smaller groups for focused discussions and collaborative activities.

Running Q&A sessions helps to clarify content for viewers and encourage their continued interest. Many webinars also offer attendees the opportunity to request a one-to-one meeting for a more personalized touch.

You can even integrate lots of content options for audience members to download or calls-to-action, such as links to a free trial or demo, that they can engage with right from the webinar.

Tips to drive engagement

One of the most fundamental benefits of webinars is the number of opportunities they provide to engage audiences before, during and after your event. This is especially true when using an all-in-one audience engagement platform like ON24, where you have multiple tools at your fingertips to drive audience engagement.

Features like  polls, Q&A and surveys  to gather feedback and strengthen audience participation can greatly enhance the webinar experience. Breakout sessions take this to the next level, allowing you to divide participants into smaller groups for focused discussions and collaborative activities.

Running Q&A sessions helps to clarify content for viewers and encourage their continued interest. Many webinars also allow attendees to request a one-to-one meeting for a more personalized touch.

Insights into Audience Behavior

Webinars provide a clear view of  how your audience behaves , both as a collective and as individuals. This can help you to understand attendee interests and preferences, informing you to make better decisions in your future efforts.

Analyzing engagement metrics like poll responses, Q&A logs, content, downloads and chat activity can deliver deep insights and key areas of interest. Audience engagement can also help you identify those topics that most resonate for future events. By capturing, analyzing, and tracking your audience’s behavior all in one place, you’ll turn engagement into action and maximize your webinar’s value.

With first-party data collected through your webinars, you can use audience insights to optimize your marketing strategy, accelerate leads down the marketing funnel and empower your sales teams with the insights they need to continue the conversation and drive deals to a close.

Planning Webinars

Effective planning is the cornerstone of a successful webinar program. From setting clear goals to choosing the right solution, planning ensures you meet and surpass your objectives. 

Setting Clear Goals and Expectations

The first thing you need to do when planning a webinar is establish clear goals. Without defining your objectives at the start, you’ll likely waste a lot of time getting distracted by everything you could be doing in your webinar rather than what you should be doing . 

Clarify whether your primary goal is lead generation, product promotion, training or education early on. From there, you can identify the key performance indicators, or KPIs, that will be your benchmarks for success. 

Webinar goals have evolved from simply measuring attendance to measuring audience engagement and insights and how effectively you were able to move people forward in their journey.

Your KPIs should be realistic and specific to your objectives. It might help to consider factors like your audience size and industry standards. If it’s your first time planning a webinar, remember that learning curves are natural – and utilize any support.

Identifying Your Target Audience

Almost as important as knowing your objectives is knowing your audience . To host a successful webinar, your content should be tailored to their needs and interests, and you can’t do that without first identifying who they are. 

You might already have an audience group in mind, so this part should be easy. But, if not, conducting market research is always a good first step. You should establish your target demographics, such as age, location and industry, and have a full understanding of their needs, challenges and pain points so that you can create programming that will most appeal to them. 

The more you know your audience, the more you can tailor your content and approach to meet their needs. This is often easiest done by segmenting your audience into smaller groups based on their interests and preferences or by developing buyer personas.

Choosing the Right Time and Webinar Platform

Webinar attendance can vary by a surprising amount depending on which day of the week it’s hosted on. In general, midweek si generally the best time for attendance rates.

It’s important to note that these stats can differ from industry to industry, such as B2B and B2C. That’s why the best thing to do is test different dates and times to see what works best for your own unique audience. 

It’s important to choose a platform that can enable deep levels of interactivity and engagement to deliver an audience experience that will help you reach your goals.

ON24 Webinar Software

We’ve designed our ON24 webinar software with all of these considerations in mind – plus many more. Find out how our webinar solutions can streamline and enhance your buying journeys by registering for a live demo.

Creating Engaging Webinar Content

Choosing a high-value topic that addresses an audience’s need is critical to creating engaging webinar content.  Ideally, you will identify that topic by having a keen understanding of your audience’s interests. Here are some tips on how you can take those interests and make your webinars shine: 

Selecting the Right Speakers and Presenters

The content of your webinar is only as good as the person presenting it. Choosing the right speakers can make a big difference in how you present your content and engage your audiences. 

Who you choose to lead your webinar depends on lots of factors, including what you’re trying to achieve and who your audience is. But the most basic criteria for effective webinar management are that your chosen presenters are knowledgeable and experienced. Choosing speakers who have a strong command of the topic being discussed increases the value of the presentation being given. A webinar can position your organization, and your presenters,  as thought-leaders, but that relies on your content being relayed clearly and concisely.

Developing a Webinar Script

A webinar script is one of the most important factors for success. Get it right, and your audience will be engaged throughout. But get it wrong and you can lose their attention for good.

Think of webinar scripts as any other form of writing. First, it’s important to have a good understanding of the story that you are trying to tell. Once you understand the narrative, create an outline for how you will tell that story. This will guide you as you develop each section of your webinar script. 

Focus on quickly capturing your audience’s attention with a hook, perhaps by providing context for why your story matters to the audience. From there, make sure your script flows naturally, avoiding sudden topic changes to ensure everyone can keep up with the content.

And don’t underestimate the power of a summary at the end of the session. This can help your audience consolidate all the knowledge they’ve gained, and it’s a great opportunity for you to reiterate the most important points.

In general, though, don’t overscript your webinars. Your host should be knowledgeable enough on the topic that they can speak off of the cuff to respond to audience questions. 

Creating an outline and narrative flow of your content does not mean that you should script every word of your presentation. Audiences don’t want to be read to. If your presenters are knowledgeable about the topic, they should have no problem telling the story in their own words.

Brand Your Webinar

The next step is to build your webinar console , which the audience sees and interacts with during the event. A good webinar platform should allow you to completely customize every webinar experience to reflect your brand, corporate colors and any other creative elements needed to deliver a compelling audience experience. 

Remember, your webinars are often the first impression your audiences get of your brand. A polished, professional-looking webinar console can go a long way to defining who you are as a company and building strong brand affinity over time.

Incorporating Interactive Webinar Elements

Webinars are at their best when they use multimedia and interactive elements. Being able to engage with audiences and track those engagement touchpoints and deliver valuable insights are key factors that differentiate webinars from in-person seminars, which don’t capture any audience participation. 

Take a strategic approach to optimizing audience interactivity and engagement for every webinar. Dedicated webinar hosting platforms like ON24  give you the ability to build an experience with interactive elements, from basic tools like polls, live chat and Q&A to unique content offers and calls-to-action, such as links to web pages, free trials, demos, appointment setting options or other upcoming events.

Many webinars today, even include tools that facilitate full audience participation such as forums where audience members have their cameras on and join in an open discussion. Other webinars may deliver a presentation to a wider audience and move to smaller breakout sessions for more targeted conversations.

Using Visual Aids: PowerPoint Slides, Screen-Sharing and Video

Webinars allow you to augment your presentations with powerful visual aids, from PowerPoint slides, to screen sharing to integrated video clips. Using these tools in your presentation can boost your webinar’s engagement, helping you illustrate points and keep your audience’s attention.

Promoting Webinars

Promoting a webinar is arguably as important as creating the content itself. After all, webinar audiences don’t build themselves — it’s your job to generate interest and demand for your event. Here are some tips on how to make the most of your webinar promotions.

Leveraging Email and Social Media Channels

Email and social media marketing are two of the best channels for boosting webinar registration and attendance . Both offer an opportunity to talk directly to your audience and are perfectly suited for promoting your events quickly and effectively. 

When you’re marketing your webinar , focus on creating a compelling message for why your audience will want to attend your event. There are a lot of ways to do this, from teasing the content you’ll be talking about to announcing exciting guest speakers or simply highlighting how your webinar will help your audience address a specific need.

Plan on a promotional cycle starting at least four weeks before your live date. This will allow you to promote your event multiple times without spamming your audience too often. Do not keep sending the same email to the same audience. Mix up your message, try different subject lines and email types. Experiment with sending your promotional emails at different times and on different days. 

The same rules apply for social media: create a few unique posts that promote your event differently. Experiment with it when you post. The key is learning how your audience responds and when they typically respond.

Creating Promotional Materials: Banners, Teasers

Not all of your webinar marketing promotions need to be outbound. You can also drive registrations by creating promotions that live on your website or owned channels, like social media, YouTube or from other events and webinars to spread awareness in your current audience or customer base.

Creating a persistent banner for your website advertising an upcoming webinar is an excellent way to increase its viewership. It’ll be seen by everybody who visits your site. You can also create customized banners and email templates for your sales force to send to customers and prospects who might benefit from your webinar.

Building Anticipation: Exclusive Offers, Guest Speakers

Another great way to drive registration for your event is to create exclusive offers, incentives and giveaways for event attendees. By giving your audience an additional reason to attend, you can effectively juice your event registration and overall interest. 

If your upcoming webinar features guest speakers that have some name recognition with your audience, make sure to highlight them in your promotions. Encourage those speakers to share your webinar promotions through their own social channels to increase the reach of your event.

Hosting a Successful Webinar

You can go into a webinar with the best ideas and intentions, but if the execution isn’t successful, it’ll still fall short. These are our biggest tips for ensuring you host an effective webinar.

Technical Readiness

People might not remember that your webinar ran smoothly without any technical glitches, but they’ll definitely remember if it didn’t. Making sure you’re completely prepared to host your webinar from a technical perspective plays a key part in creating a positive impression on your audience.

The most important part of that preparation is choosing the right hosting software. A time-tested, robust, dedicated webinar hosting platform like ON24 is generally a better choice than using tools that are not dedicated to delivering high-quality events. This includes avoiding conferencing tools which are generally meant for hosting meetings and are not necessarily optimized for delivering robust webinar experiences. 

On the hardware side of things, make sure to set aside time ahead of the webinar to test your cameras and microphones . This is a quick and simple process, but will save you from experiencing any embarrassing minutes spent trouble-shooting any technical issues at the start of your session – in front of your audience.

Engaging the Audience: Tips and Strategies

Most people think of a webinar as a one-way street:  hosts talk, audiences listen, and never the two shall meet. But it doesn’t have to be that way. Webinar software makes it possible to engage with your audience seamlessly and meaningfully, bringing a new dimension to your webinar.

You can boost audience engagement with two simple strategies. The first is to assign someone the role of a webinar moderator — sometimes called a producer. Moderators, for example, can manage interactions between the audience and the speakers by collecting audience questions to fuel a Q&A period later in the event. A moderator can also manage conversations between guest speakers and audience members, all while keeping the session on track, and on time. 

As discussed earlier, having interactive elements woven throughout the webinar, such as pushing out polls between content sections, or occasionally stopping to answer questions, can go a long way to keep your audience engaged and focused on the content being presented.

Offering Value: Exclusive Insights, Expert Advice

A webinar is a unique opportunity to broadcast your expertise and position your organization. You can do this through other mediums, like your website, but webinars are perfect for the job because you’ve got your audience’s full attention. In fact, according to our 2023 State of Digital Engagement Report , on average audiences spent 55 minutes engaging in a  live webinar. 

Leverage this opportunity by creating webinar content with a focus on delivering real value. Don’t waste too much time covering fundamentals that your audiences already know – prioritize the incisive, heavy-hitting, expert insights, tips and best practices that will not only provide value to them, but it will position your company as thought leaders and trusted advisors on the topics that matter most. 

Also, try to avoid the “bait and switch” approach to your webinars. Don’t overtly promote your company and products, if you promised a best practices presentation on a specific topic. If your audiences want to learn more about your company, you can provide them with  different calls to action  so they can take that next step in their journey. However, pitch when it’s time to pitch. There is nothing wrong with creating webinars highlighting your company’s and products’ value.

Using Webinars to Maximizing Revenue

Quality webinar solutions are sometimes considered a luxurious addition to a marketing strategy, reserved for big brands with unlimited budgets. However,  Investing in quality webinar software is important for companies of every size and type, as webinars are often one of the most powerful channels to enable employees, train partners, deliver certifications and so much more. 

Webinars are particularly useful for driving pipeline and revenue. Here’s how.

Leveraging Webinar Engagement Data to Drive Pipeline and Sales

Webinars are perfect tools to accelerate the buyer’s journey. They’re great for generating demand, nurturing leads and even driving direct conversions. However, to turn a great webinar into a sales opportunity, you must integrate them properly with your existing marketing and sales infrastructure.

The benefit of engagement-driven webinars is all of the first-party data and insights that you get on your attendees. By integrating that data with your marketing systems, such as marketing automation software (MAP), you can more effectively qualify webinar leads and move them to the next logical marketing offer.

Using Webinar First-Party Data Effectively

This first-party engagement data becomes even more powerful in the hands of your sales teams. By integrating webinar data directly into your CRM systems, you can enable sales with valuable details about your prospects, such as what questions they asked, what content they downloaded or what calls-to-action they clicked on. With this data, reps are no longer making a cold call to follow up on a webinar lead, they are simply continuing a conversation. 

The key to success is to ensure you’re using a platform that generates all of the data you need — and can integrate that data within your larger tech stack, like CRMs and MAPs. With the right data, you can learn what topics your audience was most engaged with, identify your best leads and more effectively convert them into pipeline and revenue.

This information can be invaluable as you develop new marketing and sales strategies. It might help you revise your buyer personas, inform your content strategy going forward, or even inspire a new campaign.

Effective Strategies for Post-Webinar Engagement

A lot of a webinar’s value actually comes when the live event ends. There are countless ways to extend the lifespan and reach of that experience and drive more valuable content.

Extending Engagement: On-Demand Viewing

Not everyone can attend a live webinar, so it’s important to make sure it’s available on-demand afterward. 

You can host the entire on-demand webinar on your website or in a content hub to act as a valuable resource to power your prospect journeys. On-demand viewers will be able to enjoy the same interactive experience, content offers and CTAs as live attendees. According to our latest benchmarks report, 48% of webinar audiences will view them on-demand — not live. 

Offering your webinars on-demand extends the lifespan of your webinar content and the reach of the experience, for beyond the live event.

Gathering Feedback and Analyzing Performance

Audience feedback after a webinar can be incredibly important. With webinar hosting platforms like ON24, you can integrate a webinar survey directly into the experience which will give the audience an opportunity to rate the speakers, the value of the content and suggest new topics for discussion. 

You can even use audience surveys to create hand-raising opportunities, such as offering free consultations or giving them a chance to express interest in a product offering. 

Try to collect a mix of qualitative and quantitative insights for the best outcome. And prioritize getting data that tells you what you can do to make future webinars even more valuable.

Repurposing Webinar Content

Webinars are a great source of reusable content. They typically cover a lot of ground, so you can divide your webinar up into smaller sections, and repurpose it in blog posts, social media threads, or even shorter-form videos.

In fact, with advances in generative AI, you can use your webinar content to automatically generate draft blog posts, e-books and articles. 

You can even extend your content repurposing efforts to video as well. Using webinar analytics, you can quickly identify key moments in your webinar that can be used to create video clips that can power promotions for the on-demand version of the experience. Or these video clips can be integrated into future presentations. 

Content repurposing is an effective way to maximize the total value your webinar delivers. In fact, you might even find that repurposing your webinar content ends up being as big a success as the webinar itself, multiplying the number of impressions you generate from the event.

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Webinar FAQs

A webinar is an online-hosted seminar designed to share information about a specific topic. Webinars can be accessed from anywhere at any time from any device. These multimedia digital events are usually highly interactive experiences that enable audiences to participate in multiple ways including polls, surveys, Q&A and content options.

Webinars are usually around an hour long, the perfect amount of time to cover a topic in detail without your audience getting fatigued. They can, however, vary from as little as 10 minutes to a half day. 

According to our annual State of Digital Engagement Report, audiences usually engage with a webinar for an average of 55 minutes. Click here to learn more.

Webinars can be either live or pre-recorded, and sometimes they’re a mixture of both. Pre-recorded webinars usually follow what’s called a “simulive” format, where content is recorded in advance but is scheduled to be broadcast as if it is live at a specific time.

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Apr 17, 2024

Presentation: How to Use AI for Your Copywriting

• Presentations
• Digital Strategy
• Content Marketing

Written by Kerry Harrison

AI can still be a mystery to those working with copy and content. Kerry Harrison is a veteran copywriter and AI educator who makes AI accessible, showing practical ways to save time - while keeping your human creativity in the mix! 

In Kerry's webinar , she went into detail on the the main AI writing tools she finds useful, each of which has its strengths depending on your needs: ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini (Bard), and Copilot.

• How to use AI for research, planning and ideation.
• How AI can help you write a whole range of copy
• Understand the key considerations and challenges of using AI tools
• Use AI to edit your writing, making it more compelling and concise

AI for Copywriting Webinar Slides

Infographic - ai copy guide, infographic human vs ai, related free video lessons.

• Content Creation Content Types
• Content Marketing Content Creation
• Content Marketing Content Marketing ROI
• Content Marketing Content Curation Tools

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Webinars: webinar: how to develop a content marketing plan in 10 steps, toolkits: content marketing interview preparation toolkit, toolkits: content marketing kpis tracker, articles: brand storytelling in the digital age, articles: how to create data capture content, articles: delight your audience: how to create content that excites and entertains, kerry harrison.

Kerry Harrison is an AI Educator and copywriter, specializing in using artificial intelligence to augment human creativity. Over the last five years, she has co-created the world’s first AI gin, crafted an AI Queen’s speech for Wired Magazine, brought the award-winning Cheltenham Science Festival AI curator to life – and has spoken about AI both nationally and internationally. She has won two DMA Awards for Best Use of AI.

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