What is a Live Webinar and How to Host a Successful One
What is a live webinar?
A live webinar is a webinar format that takes place in real-time on the internet. Live webinars work with most types of webinars, such as product demos, interviews, or panel discussions.
Live webinar on Contrast
What is the difference between a live and on-demand webinar?
While hosting a live webinar happens in real time, on-demand webinars can only be viewed once they've concluded. There are different types of on-demand webinars; sometimes they are recordings of live webinars or simply pre-recorded sessions.
Another large difference is that it's not possible to interact during an on-demand webinar. It's largely confined to only watching the webinar. People might miss out on a part of the value of your webinar this way.
Why you should host live webinars
Live webinars are one of the formats that people engage with the most. The live component allows your audience to connect with you and your brand. Moreover, people will attend a live webinar as they see it as a unique opportunity to access information they normally would not have.
One of the most important aspects of a live webinar is the interaction between the audience and the speakers. Different types of interaction include chat, Poll, and the famous last 15 minutes dedicated to Q&A.
During a live webinar, people expect interaction. Failing to deliver this could leave your audience disappointed, so it's essential to stimulate engagement during your webinar.
How to host a live webinar
Hosting a live webinar is straightforward with the right platform. Naturally, we recommend using Contrast. You can try the platform with up to 50 viewers for free without needing a credit card and access all our features.
Now let's explore the steps for hosting a great live webinar.
How to create a live webinar
Start with choosing a user-friendly webinar platform, ensuring it has features like registration pages, automated emails, and recordings.
Check the logistics: a catchy webinar title, an appealing cover image, and a description that encourages registration. Here you can learn more about writing great registration pages.
We love to invite external speakers to our webinars. Not only does this enhance your brand's credibility, but you can also leverage their network to promote the webinar.
How to promote a live webinar
Promoting a webinar involves both art and science. Start with understanding the webinar funnel to figure out the key elements you need to succeed.
- Invitation email (here's a guide)
- Promotion on social media and creating a LinkedIn Event
- Finding the best day and time for your webinar
- In-app or website banner promoting your webinar
- Engaging with communities on Slack, Reddit, or your own platform to promote your webinar
How to create engagement during a live webinar
Choose the right webinar platform with user-friendly features like Chat and Q&A. These factors will lead to higher engagement and participation.
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Q&A sessions look magical on Contrast.
High engagement builds a stronger connection with your brand and makes personalized outreach easier.
How to analyze the results of a live webinar
After your live webinar, analyze its success by comparing attendance with registration numbers. An attendance rate over 35% is considered good, though it may vary based on timing.
Also, check the watch time to see if participants stayed for the entire session. Reviewing the most-watched moments can help you understand what content resonates best.
Get all the insights you need from your webinar
Also, my colleague Tim wrote an excellent article on how to set the best KPIs for your webinar.
How to repurpose a live webinar
After your live webinar, you can turn it into a recording for later access. The best webinar platforms automatically convert live sessions into recordings available on the same link.
Easily repurpose and clip your webinar on Contrast.
These platforms often offer features like automated email sequences to notify audiences about the recording, transcription for content creation, and clips for social media sharing.
The best tips to host a successful live webinar
- Communicate that your webinar will be live to encourage interaction.
- Encourage audience interaction with each other, not just with you.
- Have a host manage the chat and stimulate engagement.
- Engagement is crucial as it connects people to your brand and generates valuable information for follow-up.
- Choose a modern and user-friendly webinar platform for improved audience experience.
Live webinar FAQ
What is a live webinar?
A live webinar is a real-time online presentation format that can include product demos, interviews, or panel discussions.
How do I host a live webinar?
To host a live webinar, follow our complete guide and checklist.
Where can I host a live webinar?
Contrast is a user-friendly platform perfect for hosting webinars in no time.
How do I create interaction during my webinar?
Understand your audience and develop engaging content. Utilize interaction features like Q&A, Polls, and Engagement Widgets. Find more top tips for creating interaction here.
What is the best time and day to host a live webinar?
Research shows that Wednesdays or Thursdays are optimal, ideally between 11:00 AM and 2:00 PM. Learn more about the best time and day for hosting a webinar.
Run the Most Engaging Live Webinars
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Luuk is everything product here at Contrast and a bit of marketing too.