Webinars Blow

My hatred of webinars knows no bounds. The only good thing about them is that I don't have to haul my cookies across the country and get stranded in Chicago – O'Hare for hours on end.

Death by Webinar

I just feel like a crazy person. Sitting in my office talking and gesturing like a maniac. With no clue if the people on the other end are understanding, listening or sleeping. I miss the connection with the audience. I miss them asking questions at will. I miss the inspiration the provide me as a speaker. I just miss my peeps!

Webinars are stupid but necessary in the business world and super necessary if you are digital entrepreneur. How do we get them not to suck so bad?

Tech Check

Do a tech check a few hours before the webinar. I have born witness to too many webinars failing before they even get started. It seems no matter who is hosting the webinar for you there are bugs. Check the sound. Check the visuals. Check the chat. Check everything you can before the scheduled start time. It saves you from the “my tech is all screwed up” pre-webinar stress.

Get a Room

One where you won't be distracted (what did you think I meant?). My office is directly across from the kitchen. Foot traffic. People chatting outside. Microwave beeping. Who nuked fish again? Seriously, this makes my office “webinar impossible”.  Find a quiet space where no one will bother you.  Put up a large sign that says “Webinar in Progress”.  Apparently, I have been embedded with a tracking device that allows some people to always find me.

Present Like They're Present

Present the webinar like the audience is there. Get a headset so you can move around and gesture. Visualize the audience in your mind.  You are in your secret location. It's not like anyone is going to see you presenting to yourself. You have to be enthusiastic if you are going to keep your audience engaged. If you're half asleep, you'll put them to sleep.

Is There Anyone Out There?

Let your audience know that you will be checking in with them periodically through out. Invite them to keep a list of their questions and participate. Plan in advance where you are going to stop to see if there are questions. Check the chat box at prescribed time for questions. Don't talk for 40 minutes straight without seeing how your webinar friends are doing.

Finish that Bad Boy on Time

If it is a 60 minute webinar, you need to stop at 60 minutes. If you don't cover all the material, why was your PowerPoint deck so long to begin with? It's always better to finish EARLY than go over time. It's especially true in a webinar where they can just leave and you really will be talking to yourself!

What are your webinar survival tips or horror stories? Please do share. I need something to do during that webinar!

*With sincere apologies to The Who Eddie Cochran