What Are Webinars?
By: Oshan Kaveesha
Tags: Web Webinars, Websites, Web, Webinars

As the name implies, webinars are seminars that are web-based. They are also referred to as online workshops or online seminars. Webinars have many uses such as building a brand, generating sales leads, training groups of people, press conferences, corporate announcements, and focus groups.

Webinars are similar to conference based seminar; the only difference is that the participants listen to the audio through telephones and view the presentation by their web browser. The main feature of webinars is the interactive element which is the ability to discuss, give, and receive information. It is different from a webcast which doesn’t allow interaction between the audience and presenter.

Numerous companies have started offering webinars as an exchange to the traditional face-to-face seminars. Companies are acquiring the advantages that webinars give. These vary from flexibility to cost efficiency. Participants will not have to travel just to attend a seminar; they can learn in the comfort of their homes and at their most convenient times. Other benefits have cost reduction, the ability to reach a much larger audience lets future playback, and can be recorded digitally.

Companies can save a lot from traveling budget and other expenses relative to training. A computer, internet access, and a phone line are just the items needed to attend a webinar. Materials like handouts can be printed and are downloadable and can be maintained as a reference file.

Webinars also help marketers reach a larger audience immediately. The geographically scattered colleagues may be able to work and collaborate as a team. Announcements can be posted to all the employees no matter where they are. Attendees and presenters can collaborate and interact through Q&A, document sharing, and live polls; thus attendees can easily participate and learn from the activity.

The usual model for a webinar may be to offer a 5-week course and during which diverse lectures and modules are uploaded on a specific day, for example, Monday. Registrants will have 1 week to take in the information.

If you are not into webinar hosting, you can just attend or let your employees participate in one. There are those with reasonable prices and some are offered free. There are those which can be viewed and archived on-demand. The archived webinars are made available for the viewing public; this can be accessed on Archived Webinars Page.

Looking for a webinar to attend will take a little research. If you’re always receiving invitations to online seminars, wait for the provider’s broadcast of an event. Also, keep your eyes on upcoming webinars on trade magazines. Check websites for any webinars that have appealing topics since technology and universities are holding them.

Before registering for a webinar, do your homework first. Research the credentials of the presenter and the costs accompanying it. Even if the online seminar is free, try to analyze if it will be worthy of your and your subordinate’s time.

At first glance, webinars may seem less effective, and meeting a person is better. But in various ways, the discussion group is a more effective method of communication. The discussion boards allow the exchange of knowledge and information wherein the speaker also participates. The discussions are maintained online and anyone can review them anytime; this will let information propagate in many ways physical meetings cannot.

Webinars are firstly becoming the latest choice in web conferencing. Through its accessibility and low cost, companies can hold interactive meetings. Take advantage of internet communication by attending or having your own web-based seminars. You can also let your employees attend them for their development. Just do your research first and let your webinars help you with your success.

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