A Webinar (a compound word of “web” and “seminar”) is an online event hosted by an organization/company and broadcast to a select group of individuals through their computers via the Internet.1
A key feature of a webinar is its interactive elements—the ability to give, receive, and discuss information.
They’re interactive and often related to business, helping you share your knowledge with people worldwide.2
Purpose
The purpose of a webinar is to provide an interactive and engaging platform for sharing knowledge, information, or skills through the Internet.
It lets groups and individuals spread knowledge, talk about things they’re interested in, and connect with more people without having to be in the same place.
Webinars are great for finding new potential customers, keeping current customers interested, growing professionally, and creating a sense of community.3
How It Works
A webinar works by connecting an audience with a presenter or presenters over the Internet.
It allows for live interaction, just like in a physical seminar, but it is accessible from anywhere with an internet connection.4
Here’s the general process:
- Planning: Someone decides what the webinar will be about, picks a day and time to have it, and figures out what they want to discuss or show.
- Signing Up: People interested in the webinar sign up online, giving their name and email so they can get reminders and a link to join.
- Getting Ready: The person hosting the webinar prepares their talk or presentation and checks out any special online tools they might use to ask questions or do polls during the webinar.
- Telling Everyone: They spread the word about the webinar through email, social media, or websites to get more people to join.
- Going Live: On the webinar day, the host and any guests use special software to share their talk live. People join in by clicking a link, and they can watch and listen.
- Joining In: Attendees can ask questions or answer polls during the webinar to make it more interactive.
- Afterward: The host might send out a recording of the webinar or extra info by email to everyone who signed up.
Usage
Webinars are very versatile and serve as an educational tool, providing in-depth knowledge about a product or service.
In marketing and sales, they introduce new products, services, or features to potential customers.
For customer retention, webinars keep existing customers engaged and informed about updates and improvements.
They are also effective for the internal training of employees or the onboarding of new customers.5
Example
Imagine a company specializing in digital marketing services.
They host a webinar titled “The Future of Digital Marketing: Trends and Strategies.”
This webinar covers emerging trends and practical strategies and showcases how their services can help businesses adapt to these changes.
Participants can ask questions, interact with polls, and receive a special offer at the end of the webinar.
This example illustrates how a webinar can attract, educate, and convert potential customers.
Related Terms
References:
1. Durzynska, A. (2023, November 20). What is a webinar and how does it work? A simple guide to webinar marketing. Marketing Software by GetResponse. https://www.getresponse.com/blog/how-do-webinars-work
2. Verma, A., & Singh, A. (2010). Webinar—Education through digital collaboration. Journal of Emerging Technologies in Web Intelligence, 2(2), 131-136. http://www.jetwi.us/uploadfile/2014/1226/20141226034314720.pdf
3. Remo. (2023, August 28). What is a Webinar? A comprehensive guide. Interactive Virtual Event Platform – Real Connections & Engagement. https://remo.co/blog/what-is-a-webinar
4. Remco. (2023, March 10). What is a webinar?. WebinarGeek. https://www.webinargeek.com/learn/what-is-a-webinar
5. Brunson, R. (2022). Dotcom Secrets: The Underground Playbook for Growing Your Company Online with Sales Funnels. United States: Hay House. https://www.amazon.com/Dotcom-Secrets-Underground-Playbook-Growing/dp/B08B9ZHVVG/
