A webinar can be a great way to host an event — whether it's a topical webinar open to the public, an important presentation at work, a team banquet or a fundraiser. Although many of these things used to be in-person gatherings and have now shifted to become online events, they can still be very engaging. Here are some tips for hosting a webinar and putting on a successful virtual event.
- Pick a Platform - Choose a platform for your webinar — popular options include Zoom, GoToWebinar, ON24 and Livestorm. Do some research to find one that is a good fit for your group's size and is easy to navigate for both the organizer and the participants.
- Brainstorm Details - Decide what format best suits your needs. Will this be a panel discussion with a moderator, a product demonstration with one main speaker, a fundraiser, a board meeting, a speaker on an interesting topic, a how-to tutorial or even an interview with an industry leader?
- Schedule Smart - Select the right day and time for your webinar based on the people you hope will attend.
- Consider a Host - Think about having a host or emcee to keep the webinar moving and on track. This is especially important for a fundraising event or awards banquet.
- Select Spokespeople - Choose the right people to speak. Make sure they're comfortable on camera (talking to a camera is different than speaking in front of a room full of people or a live audience). Make sure they are engaging and know their stuff.
- Mic Up - Be sure you have the right equipment. There are inexpensive microphones you can purchase that will offer better sound quality than if you rely on the audio from your computer. You can also use a headset or wireless headphones.
- Stay Connected - Make sure your internet speed is fast enough and won't cause any "screen freezing" or delays. Turn off any email notifications that might pop up on your computer or other technology and distract from the webinar. Consider having a backup computer ready to go.
