If you’ve never created a webinar before, the thought of webinar marketing can be really intimidating. You’re probably wondering…
- How will I work out the technical aspects of holding a webinar?
- How do I give people access to the webinar?
- What platform should I use for hosting the webinar?
- What should the webinar be about, anyway?
- How do I get people to attend my webinar?
Don’t worry! While webinars are certainly more technically involved than other types of content marketing, once you get the first one under your belt you’ll be off to the races.
Here are five easy steps to creating and marketing your very first webinar:
1. Get hyper-specific on a niche topic
The phrase “go big or go home” does not apply to webinars. That is, you don’t want to try and cover a broad topic in a single webinar, and leave your audience with a grand overview but no specific takeaways.
Since webinars are typically under an hour in length, it’s important to deliver valuable, actionable tips and strategies within the allotted time.
Instead of holding a webinar on “gardening,” for example, you might hold a webinar on a specific topic such as “Top 10 Tips Tor Harvesting Tomatoes In The Gall,” or “How To Plant Sunflower Seeds In Dry Soil.”
2. Choose a platform that’s easy to use
When you publish a blog post or upload a video to YouTube, you have a certain amount of control over when and how your audience sees your content.
With a live webinar, on the other hand, you are ‘on stage’ in front of a live audience. The last thing you want is to be interrupted with technical problems, bad audio, a fuzzy video feed or some other tech nightmare.
Whether you choose Zoom, GoToWebinar, Google Hangouts, or another hosting platform, make sure you’re 100% comfortable with the application long before the actual webinar takes place.
3. Promote to a warm email list
The biggest webinar marketing challenge is getting people to attend. Be sure to promote your webinar to a warm email list – prospects and customers who know you and your brand and are willing to give you 30-60 minutes of their time.
If you haven’t been consistent in emailing your list, it’s better to hold off on the webinar for a few weeks to a month and focus on re-engaging your audience. Doing so will allow you to reestablish rapport and prep prospects before asking them to take action.
4. Do a test-run before the webinar begins
Hold a practice webinar 1-2 days before the actual webinar begins. Make sure all audio and video components are working. If you’re having a special guest join you on the webinar via phone or video, have them call in no less than 30 minutes before you begin. This will give you ample time to deal with any tech issues that may arise.
5. Create and share a recording of the webinar
After the webinar, be sure to share a recording of the presentation with those who attended and those who could not attend.
If you created a paid webinar, you may want to charge a fee to access to the recording as well.
In the days following the webinar, you can email your list a link to the recording and reinforce the Call to Action (CTA) made on the webinar (i.e., a product offer, a special promotion, etc.)
When creating and marketing your first webinar, it’s important to choose a specific topic, use a platform with which you’re familiar, promote to a warm email list, do a test run before going live, and follow up by sharing a recording of the presentation.
Do you need help getting started with your first webinar? Are you unsure about the topic of your webinar or which platform you should use?
Email us at Info@SmartSimpleMarketing.com or call 510.601.0470 to get the webinar help you need today!
You nailed it Sydni!!
Prepare, prepare, prepare in advance and know what you’re going to say, or in this case, cover and talk about – before you go live. And, make sure all of your stuff works perfectly.
I always tell my clients, “Check on anyone or anything that adds to your presentation that isn’t an extension of your body!” Thank you for going so broad with this in your tips. As I work with pros on being interviewed, and presenting in the media, being prepared is as important as having a message.
Keep up the good work.
Gayl Murphy, “The Celebritizer” :”>
I would add to your #2 about choosing an easy to use platform that you should have two more criteria within here. What is your budget that is what can you afford? Where is it saved – on your computer, there’s or youtube?
To your #4 about test run – practice it more than once especially if you’re “technology challenged” and don’t have the use of an assistant who isn’t.
Use all “good” training skills when you do a class or workshop live. That is fundamental. Don’t assume that doing a webinar means that you don’t have to have or use training skills – you do.
As a workshop trainer, conference speaker and former teacher, even I list out all my criteria for a successful webinar 🙂
Thank you for these tips! A colleague and I are currently planning our first webinar together, so this is helpful information.
Hi Sydni
I am planning to do my first webinar within the near future. Your article helps a lot to make it more simple & less overwhelming. I will prepare it & launch it when I feel I can do a good job & will share my success with you.
Much appreciation
Hi Simone,
Thanks so much for the note! I really appreciate the feedback and am glad you found the article helpful.
What do you think your first webinar will be about?
I look forward to getting to know your better!
Warm regards,
Sydni