A webinar is an online seminar. It often involves presentation slides or has the form of a speaker’s monologue. Webinars are always live and the main thing about them is that there is an emphasis on the communication between the speaker and the attendants.
If you are new to the topic of webinars, there are some Frequently Asked Questions you may ask yourself:
Can they see me? Can they hear me?
To attend a webinar there is no need to show your face or activate your microphone. For the most webinars, this feature is blocked for the attendants. Though as a participant is it important to communicate via a live chatbox. You can state your questions there, actively comment on what is appearing on the screen and socialize with the other attendants. No one will “sush” you on a webinar.
How long does a webinar take?
The length of a webinar depends on the webinar itself. Sometimes it can take two hours and sometimes – just 20 minutes. It is recommended to wrap the whole thing up to 20 minutes because the attention span of an average person is 15 minutes – but of course, there is not always a possibility to provide all information in such a short time.
Are webinars always live? How does it differ from a stream?
Yes, the webinars are always live but have in mind that not every live online meeting is a webinar. A webinar should be informative – educate you on a specific topic, present something interesting or instruct you on how to do something.
It is also important to use webinar software while attending/hosting a webinar. Skype chat or attending someone’s stream is not a webinar. It is simply an online meeting – not an online seminar.
What do I need to attend a webinar?
The only thing you need is a device connected to the internet. You can use your computer, smartphone or tablet. Sometimes it is required to have the microphone and camera on. Those things are built into smartphones, laptops, and tablets but rarely into the desktop computer (PC). So if you want to use your computer to attend such a webinar you have to acquire a microphone and a camera independently. Though for sure the easiest way to attend a webinar is via your smartphone.
Is it free? Is the webinar software expensive?
Most of the webinars are free for the attendants because they are a type of marketing tool. A webinar provides interesting information and shares knowledge about a brand at the same time. Nevertheless, the organizers of some webinars can request the payment for an invitation to the event. But the live webinar platform (https://www.livewebinar.com/)for attendants is always free.
What are the benefits of attending webinars?
Webinars are the most comfortable way to acquire new knowledge. You can attend the event no matter where in the world you are. You can attend it even from under the covers.