Webinars: types, advantages and disadvantages
What are the different types of webinar and what are their advantages and disadvantages?
Before we explore that question, let us provide a definition of the webinar concept: an online public event, through which several individuals can get in contact via a platform or a program in order to discuss a specific subject. The presenter or host can display materials such as slides and videos to support dialogue, whether it be spoken or written, between participants.
The main platforms currently available (which usually operate via Internet or the installation of a plugin) are LogMeIn/Citrix GoToWebinar, GoToMeeting and GoToTraining. Participation in this kind of event is arranged by registering on a designated page or a landing page and then clicking on a link sent by email, which permits access to the event in question.
In order to organise a webinar, it is essential above all, to be aware of the fact that the participants will want to know who they will be talking to. Attracting people to the event is not easy, but by selecting a subject of general interest and making the best of your oratorical skills, good results can be achieved.
The choice of platform is also very important and in order to avoid problems, factors such as screen-sharing, costs, a chat facility, the number of participants and registration procedures must be taken into consideration. In addition, it is important to consider the planned duration of the event, which, to start with, should not exceed 60 to 90 minutes.
While many of these events are conducted live, those defined as automatic or Evergreen are not. To create these, you must register for a webinar, insert it into an online page which also includes a chat and a question and answer forum and create a landing page for registration. Such meetings do not have a host speaker and the entire procedure is automated by the system.
By using Marketing Machine, it is possible to create automatic webinars very simply. These machines allow you to launch the first part live and then to increase the number of functions and services as you go along. Among the main programs for the creation of automatic webinars are EasyWebinar, Webinarjam, Webinar Ignition and Webinar Ninja.
Thanks to Marketing Machine, the speaker does not need to attend the event, because his speeches are recorded and reproduced by a dedicated online service. The user can also choose when to take part in the event by registering for the time and day he prefers. The only disadvantage is that if the users are not informed of the fact that the event has been pre-recorded and they subsequently realise this, the host risks creating a bad impression.
The automatic webinar is ideal for providing free content, such as gathering email addresses or registration details and when trying to involve as many clients as possible. Furthermore, it can be either free or subject to payment, but be careful: regardless of its format (online meeting, virtual classroom, videoconference etc.), its efficiency depends, above all, on the methods used to carry it out.
As well as being useful and practical (able to resolve real issues), it must also be of a certain qualitative standard, as well as including a balanced range of activities and valid strategies for involving the participants. Without such features it becomes extremely difficult to guarantee a positive outcome.
That concludes our brief summary regarding types of webinar, their advantages and disadvantages: a kind of online public event, which providing it is put together properly, can be a useful aid to companies’ internal and external growth.
Translated by Joanne Beckwith
