Three Quick Tips for a Webinar with a WOW Factor

There is a huge push in the corporate world, and the non-profit realm as well, to save cash by learning long-distance. Many vendors are trying to leverage this by offering free webinars daily. Yet, how many of those webinars are more than high-tech lectures with slideshow? I would argue the increased value over a teleconference is negligible.

If you want to make an effort to have your webinar be interactive, there are many ways to make a webinar engaging and interesting so you don’t lose your audience to instant messenger, phone calls or errand-running while using their iPhones. Some features to look for in your webinar software – if you want audience participation – are:

  • Application Sharing
  • Breakout Room Capabilities
  • VoIP (Voice Over IP) so participants can talk in breakout rooms
  • Polling Features that can be done in the moment and then can also be posted to show the results
  • Webcam capabilities for multiple users
  • Ability for multiple users to control tools for the whiteboard
  • Text Chat
  • Breakout Room Sharing (where they can share back with the large group what they created)

 

To create some variety and pique interest with your material, here are three tips to help create Webinars with a WOW Factor:

 

  • If you are conducting a webinar that lasts more than 90 minutes, co-host with someone unique from yourself. Think opposites: male/female, vocal variance, varied perspectives, good cop/bad cop and so on. Having different “characters” take turns teaching can be a simple re-engagement technique.
  • If using a webinar platform, use a prepared slideshow with great visuals. The background adds to the conversation, changes perspective and reduces the amount of white space which can be hard on learners’ eyes and can cause headaches (which reduces retention and interest for the learners).
  • Take the time to get learners engaged with using tools. It is well worth the few minutes at the beginning of the session to get all participants acquainted with the platform tools like polling, raising hands, and the whiteboard so they can use those tools and ensure your session isn’t a glorified lecture. Active learning increases retention and creates opportunities for learners to test what they are learning along the way. Try using a poll just to check in with learners to make sure people are still with you and not “out to lunch” or, in one case, washing the dog!

 

 

Webinars with a WOW Factor is a workshop from The Bob Pike Group. To get more information on the two-day program click here.

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