Sponsored by Andy Miller:
Thanks to the advancement of technology, webinars (i.e., seminars over the Internet) are more popular than ever. As former CEO Andy Miller of Polycom has discussed time and again in interviews and keynote speeches, the use of video technology for collaboration has been a game-changer for many businesses. Polycom even implemented the unusual practice of live video webcasting for quarter conference calls with investors and analysts back in 2011.
While that’s a bit different than a webinar, the use of the technology is similar, and it may bring one of the biggest forms of ROI to your business.
Use the Latest Technology
Webinars have come a long way in just the past 10 years or so with software improving to meet the growing demand. By utilizing the latest and greatest webinar software, your odds of success will be much higher. The software you choose should be able to handle registration, email reminders, and follow-up emails. You’ll also want to invest in a high-quality microphone. After all, if your audience can’t hear you, there’s no point in hosting a webinar in the first place. Audio is arguably the most important element of your webinar.
Time It Right
The latest stats show the length of a webinar is an important consideration with attendees preferring something that runs between 30 and 40 minutes. Webinar statistics have revealed that just 10% want to attend a session that lasts an hour, while 44% prefer 45-minute sessions and 41% lean toward webinars that are 30 minutes long.
Deliver a Quality Presentation Targeting Your Customers’ Issues
The way to sell any service or product is to know what your customers’ problems are and find a way to deliver a solution. Come up with quality content based on this idea, and no matter what the topic is, make the webinar at least somewhat entertaining. No matter how good the content, if it’s delivered in a dull, monotone voice, it’s unlikely to keep viewers engaged.
Being energetic, likeable, and impassioned will make your audience want to come back for more. Don’t forget that you’re not talking to a machine but to real people. Imagine that you’re speaking to a colleague or friend, which can be made easier by visualizing a friendly face rather than your equipment.
Include a Call to Action
A call to action isn’t just something you need to have in outgoing emails, a webpag,e or blog posts. If you’ve delivered outstanding content in your webinar, don’t be afraid to ask the audience to take action and do something in return. After all, you’re probably hoping that at least some percentage of attendees will become customers, giving you actual money for what you’re offering, but you’ll have to ask.
Even better, offer a discount, bonus, or something else they’re likely to want to anyone who takes action by a certain deadline. Afterward, sent out follow-up email reminders about the pending deadline. Most of the time, you’ll find conversions occur in the last few hours before the deadline.
