Webinar

Definition

In a webinar, a presentation, a lecture, a training course or similar content is transmitted over the Internet using video technology. Web conferencing software is used for this purpose, which is not used to transmit the event to the web, but can also be used to manage and communicate with the participants. Theoretically, a webinar can also consist of only audio data, but in practice, it is often a matter of transmitting an image from a webcam, a screen transmission or both. This YouTube video on the subject of webinars also shows exactly what a webinar is.

Process in Practice

In the run-up to a webinar, the date is published by the provider. The participants register via a website and automatically receive a link. With this, you can log in and participate from your own computer at the time of the start. Not all webinars are also suitable for participation with mobile devices or tablets. Today, notebooks or stationary PCs are still predominantly used to attend a webinar.

As with any seminar, a webinar has a fixed start and end time. This is not a recording that can be played at will, but a live transmission. During the webinar, participants often see a two-part screen, with the main image consisting of software or a PowerPoint presentation, for example, while the speaker himself appears in a small window in one corner.

Example structure of a webinar

If the speaker has allowed this, the participants can also speak via VoIP during the webinar and thus, for example, ask questions or participate in discussions. Depending on the software used, additional files or scripts can sometimes be offered for download or surveys can be carried out among the participants.

A screencast can also be used as an alternative to the interactive webinar. However, interaction is not possible during a screencast.

Technical Requirements

One of the biggest advantages of webinars is that they are accessible to anyone with basic technical equipment. All you need is a computer with working internet access, although a fast DSL connection is recommended for good image transmission and short loading times.

If the participants want to get in contact with the other participants or the speaker, they need a headset or microphone and possibly a webcam for video transmission. For passive participation, on the other hand, a loudspeaker is sufficient for sound reproduction. The provider of the webinar also requires software for organization and data transmission.

Theoretically, the number of participants in webinars is not subject to any technical restrictions. In practice, however, the number of participants in interactive webinars is limited. This is the only way to ensure that everyone can benefit equally from the online event. As a rule, the number of participants is higher if webinars are only held as a kind of online lecture or presentation, since comments or queries do not have to be moderated and administration is therefore easier.

Possible Uses

Webinars can always be used when several people need to be informed about one and the same topic at the same time. Possible areas of application are, for example:

• eLearning
• Introduction and explanation of products
• Conducting of press conferences via the Internet
• joint analysis of a topic
• Training for software or other applications
• Conducting online interviews with multiple people
• internal transfer of information (e.g. news, guidelines)
• Generation of new contacts in the marketing area
• Transmission of a speech by the management to all employees
• Substitute for on-site meetings to bridge large spatial distances

Advantages and Disadvantages

Webinars offer presenters a whole range of advantages:

• Maintaining customer contacts
• Cost savings through lower travel costs and travel times
• Participants can be informed regardless of their location
• easy administration and automatic registration of participants via the webinar software
• Reach many participants at once
• Evaluation and storage of the event easily possible

Participants can learn new skills without having to leave their workplace or home. They can often even participate anonymously. A webinar can be recorded very easily. Especially with training content, this can be useful if you want to review the content later.

The biggest disadvantage is the technology: If the speaker has problems with his internet connection, the event has to be cancelled completely. If the Internet connection or the computer of a participant is defective, participation is not possible. It should also be taken into account that the mood of the participants cannot be captured as easily via a webinar as in a face-to-face seminar. When planning a webinar, there is also a possible time difference to consider, which may make it difficult for people on the other half of the world to participate.

Importance of search engine optimization

Search engine optimization is a fast-paced industry where changes need to be communicated to stakeholders quickly. Webinars are therefore used particularly frequently here to pass on the basics, innovations and tips from the industry to interested parties. For providers of web analysis tools, webinars offer a good opportunity to present the advantages, details and application scenarios clearly and live to as large an audience as possible. In online marketing, webinars are also an excellent source of addresses and contacts, since the participants have to register in advance and, for example, agree to receive newsletters. In return, these events are free.