Now more than ever, people love video … and that alone is plenty of reason why your business should finally take the dive into hosting a webinar.
According to HubSpot, people are watching almost twice the amount of online video than they were in 2018. (We think it might have something to do with that whole global pandemic thing.)
Video marketing has long been an effective tool to spread the news about your company, but it’s fairly passive. If you really want to get your customers engaged, it might be time for your business to host a webinar.
A webinar is an interactive presentation where your small business can teach your viewers something, unveil a new product or service, poll your audience and host live Q&As.
Most marketers agree that webinars are an effective marketing tool, with 76% saying it helps them reach more leads and 75% saying it increases the reach of their brand.
Although webinars are traditionally better suited to business-to-business (B2B) companies, they can also work well for business-to-consumer (B2C) companies. For instance, a dog groomer could offer a webinar teaching their viewers the best way to thin a husky’s undercoat for summer; a fashion designer could use one to show off their fall line.
The Benefits of Hosting a Webinar
There are plenty of reasons you might want to host a webinar for your business.
- It builds brand awareness, trust and authenticity.
- A webinar allows potential customers to get a glimpse of the face behind the business.
- It can generate leads.
- It create and nurture business relationships.
- A webinar allows your audience to ask questions and provide feedback.
- It serves as an alternative, engaging way to present people with information that could otherwise be dull and uninteresting.
- It’s an affordable marketing strategy – all you really need is a computer, a decent mic and a friendly smile.
Are you ready to get started? Here are some best practices.
Tips for Hosting Your First Webinar
Have a Compelling Script
Before you start talking, you need to know exactly what you’re going to be talking about. While you don’t need to write it down word for word, you do need a solid outline with a compelling storyline.
What are you going to talk about and why should your audience care? They’re taking time out of their day to attend your webinar, so make sure you’re not wasting their precious minutes.
Get the Timing Right
The day and time of your webinar matters. Experts say to aim for the middle of the week, with Thursday being the day the most people are likely to attend. Avoid weekends at all costs.
As for the time of day, your best bet is 11 a.m. or 2 p.m., with 11 holding a slight edge. But keep time zones in mind. An 11 a.m. webinar in New York starts at 8 a.m. in L.A.; a 2 p.m. webinar in Seattle begins just as Miami is closing up shop at 5 p.m. You’ll want to find the timing that works best for the majority of your audience.
That’s also why it’s important to offer up a replay link for those who aren’t able to attend live.
Promote, Promote, Promote
If all you’re going to do is post your webinar once or twice on your social media pages, you’re better off not having a webinar at all. To get enough attendees to make it worth your time, you’re going to need to do everything short of sending engraved invitations.
Start promoting your webinar early, often, and everywhere, from your Facebook page to your website and blog. Send out emails to your guests. Make it simple for them to add it to their calendars with a single click. Don’t forget to send out reminders the morning of your event and provide the replay link for people who want to watch it later.
Be the Star of the Webinar
Webinars allow you to share information with your audience in a way that lets you truly engage and interact. And, done correctly, they can work for nearly any small business!
Need some help crafting your copy? Mischa Communications is up to the task! Let’s talk about it.