How To Design Effective Webinar Formats
In the past, a simple lecture with a few slides was enough, but nowadays, participants expect a lot more to immerse themselves in the topic at hand. Before choosing your webinar format, you must set clear objectives, define your target audience, and create an agenda that balances all the different elements. You should decide upon the interactive elements you’ll need to add, including Q&A sessions, polls, and live chats. Your objectives will drive you toward the most appropriate delivery and, therefore, help you choose the format that suits your needs. Whatever the format, your content must be visually appealing, engaging, accessible, and inclusive. A clean and professional layout helps you maintain clarity and avoid distractions that often reduce retention and decrease profitability for your business.
7 Webinar Formats To Engage And Attract Customers
1. Ask Me Anything (AMA)
This is the perfect webinar format, even if you don’t have a specific topic at hand. You may invite one or multiple experts from your company to answer employees’ and customers’ burning questions. Participation will probably increase when you advertise your event as a relaxed, unscripted conversation amongst peers. This way, you give your audience the opportunity to take the microphone and direct the discussion in the direction they want. Attendees can submit their questions during registration so that speakers have time to prepare themselves or ask them during the live event. This format helps you humanize your brand and show customers that there are real people behind the computer screens, with expert knowledge and willing to assist.
2. Panel Discussions
In panel discussions, various experts answer frequently asked questions and share their opinions based on their unique skills and experiences. A moderator directs the conversation and allows everyone to voice their thoughts respectfully. Attendees don’t ask questions like in AMAs, but they can submit them for the moderator to insert into the panel conversation. However, it’s not particularly interesting to hear people who agree on everything. So, it’s essential to find professionals who have varying viewpoints and can engage in healthy debates. This leads to dynamic and diverse conversations that keep audiences hooked. Ensure that all speakers have good synergy so they can maintain respectfulness while disagreeing.
3. Product Demos
This webinar format is often considered a bottom-funnel tactic. However, it is still as relevant as ever and helps you highlight the value of a product or service in real time. You may use screen sharing, videos, and sliders, and even present the product on screen. Authorize a presenter who knows the product inside and out and can answer all questions, no matter how detailed they are. At the end of your demonstration, you may ask your audience questions and involve them in the conversation.
4. Thought Leadership
Every business has expertise in certain areas. All you have to do is present it to your audience masterfully and comprehensively. The thought leadership or masterclass webinar format suits this approach the most and lets you build authority. First, you must define your goals and what your audience should know at the end of the event. Bear in mind that these webinars don’t seem promotional since you are offering knowledge to your audience without asking for anything in return. However, your proven expertise will attract customers.
5. Interviews
The interview webinar format is successful only when the guest speaker is an influential expert with a solid following since they can draw large audiences with minimal effort. You should prepare a portfolio of questions and let a seasoned host direct the flow of conversation. This personal approach makes attendees feel like they are receiving the inside scoop on things, and they may also ask their own questions toward the end of the discussion. Therefore, everyone can participate instead of only sitting behind their screens and listening passively.
6. Case Studies
This format is the perfect way to attract customers and sign some deals. You can start by gathering existing videos or written case studies from product users. You may also invite happy customers to talk extensively about their experience using your services, a practice that increases your trustworthiness. Trying to be transparent, you should talk in detail about your product, the difficulties you’ve faced, and the tools you used to overcome them. Don’t forget to show proof of how your product has increased sales, efficiency, and positive feedback for your clients.
7. Live Training And Workshops
This webinar format is ideal for smaller groups of attendees who can get hands-on experience and training on interesting subjects. You may utilize detailed videos, slides, live conversations, and training sessions that help you develop participants’ skills and help them progress in their development. This is a top-of-the-funnel option that encourages interaction and participation. People retain information much better since they get to experience the product, get personalized answers to their questions, and carry away a sense of accomplishment. As a result, they are likely to return for future webinars and purchase other eLearning services you are offering.
How To Find The Right Fit For Your Business
Choosing webinar formats can be challenging, and you should devote time to deciding which one fits your needs the most. First, you must know your objectives and what you want your audience to gather at the end of the event. Do you want to create an informational presentation, or is interaction more important? Do you need to show a demonstration of your product or talk extensively about the reasons your services are effective? Secondly, your chosen format must agree with your budget since inviting people to speak may require extra resources. Lastly, the duration of all webinars, regardless of format, shouldn’t last more than an hour. Based on the engagement and interaction levels you’re trying to reach, smaller lengths may benefit you more.
Conclusion
It’s essential to choose a format that best describes your service and product and craft visually appealing presentations that increase retention. Also, regardless of the format, you need to incorporate live chats or other interactive elements so attendees can interact with one another, the hosts, and the speakers. Their presence matters, and you should make them feel that.
If you’re interested in capturing high-quality leads by hosting a webinar with eLI, check out our webinar marketing solutions. Pre-recorded webinars, demo presentations, or bespoke premium eLI webinars can help you expand your customer base.
