Webinars offer the ultimate in online collaboration. They make use of audio, video and a variety of other technologies to create an interactive experience that’s almost as good as meeting in person. And with today’s fast internet speeds and inexpensive hosting services, just about anyone with a computer and webcam can have one.

Still, a successful webinar requires a great deal of thought and preparation. You must come up with a good topic, choose a capable presenter and put together an itinerary. You have to promote it to attract the right audience and make sure you’re giving them the information they’re looking for. It’s a lot of work, so before you jump in it’s important to make sure that a webinar is the appropriate avenue for your message.

Here are some of the situations in which webinars are most effective:

Interactive Training – Training can often be accomplished via email, recorded video or a conference call. But in some cases, live, interactive video works best. Participants can follow along with you, asking questions every step of the way. This type of webinar works best with a limited number of participants.

Product Demonstrations – Bricks and mortar businesses often hold demonstrations to show consumers what their products can do. If you sell online, a webinar can accomplish the same goals. It’s better than recorded video because you can interact with viewers and answer their questions right away. You can also record the webinar and post it to your site so that those who are unable to attend can see what they missed.

Focus Groups – Businesses often use focus groups to refine their products, services and marketing efforts. They choose participants from their target market and show them ads or presentations, then ask questions and allow free discussion to see how they react. Online focus groups work well for online business owners because they allow people to participate without regard to geographic location.

Establishing Yourself as an Expert – Online marketers often hold webinars as a means of establishing themselves as experts in their respective fields. This format offers a number of advantages. It allows customers to put a face and personality with their name, increasing trust. It also makes it possible to share information in a variety of ways and gives participants the opportunity for interactive discussion.

Webinars can be helpful throughout the sales cycle, from finding new prospects who may be interested in your coaching or products. They allow you to connect with your audience in ways that are impossible though email and other methods.

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