subject: How to get the Most out of Attending a Webinar [print this page] How to get the Most out of Attending a Webinar
Have you ever attended a Webinar? Webinars are used by organizations worldwide, often times as a sales tool, a marketing tool or an interactive teaching tool. If you have ever attended a webinar, you know that at times the information you receive can be overwhelming. There are tricks and tools everywhere aimed to help those hosting a webinar, but what about you as the attendee?
As an attendee, how can you guarantee that by attending a webinar you will not be wasting your time and that you will receive the most information possible? The following is geared towards you, the webinar attendee. Keep these tips in mind as you attend your next webinar and you will be better prepared for and get more out of the actual event.
1. Test out meeting requirements Once you signup for a webinar, you will normally receive a confirmation email. In that email you will receive all the details of the event, including a meeting URL. Before the webinar begins make sure you test that URL and verify that you have the proper software installed on your machine to attend.
2. Arrive early Just as if you were attending a real seminar, try to arrive 10-15 minutes early. Often times webinar hosts will login early as well. They may use this time to answer pre-webinar questions or provide information not scheduled in the original webinar time.
3. Mute your phone, headset or microphone - Put your phone on mute unless you are asking or answering a question. Even though it may be white noise to you, a baby crying in the background, construction work or co-workers chatting will drive the other attendees insane and may also distract the host.
4. Be respectful Have respect for the host as well as your peers. When it is time to ask a question, keep it simple. There are other people attending the webinar and they may have questions as well. Also, the host has put a lot of time into preparing for the webinar to either market their products or services or educate their attendees; now is not the time for you to be marketing you or your services, or in any way taking the focus away from the host.
5. Participate If asked to share your thoughts, be interactive. Participate in the polls and surveys as well as in question and answer sessions. Let the host know what you are interested in hearing about.
6. Take notes Take notes on the hot issues. Many times the host will email out presentation slides before or after an event, but just incase, you should make sure you write down what you feel is important.
With online communication growing in popularity, more and more organizations will be adopting Webinars as a form of marketing and education. Knowing how to get the most out of a Webinar will open you up to a sea of valuable information.
