Hosting a successful webinar involves careful planning, engaging execution, and thoughtful follow-up. Here’s a comprehensive guide to help you maximize the impact of your webinars using Zoom or Teams, along with your CRM system like HubSpot.
Before the Webinar
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Promote with Energy:
- Publish the event widely: Use all available channels to promote your webinar. Create multiple LinkedIn posts, include it in your newsletter, and encourage colleagues to share the event in their networks.
- Leverage partnerships: Ask other partners or industry peers to include your webinar in their newsletters if relevant.
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Define Your Call to Action (CTA):
- Set Clear Goals: Before planning the webinar, define what you want attendees to do afterward. This could be booking a meeting, signing up for a newsletter, or downloading a resource.
- Align Content with CTA: Ensure that the webinar content naturally leads to your CTA, making it easier for attendees to take the next step. If the goal is to get meetings, then set up an open calendar, where people can book directly into your calendar. In HubSpot you can connect your calendar. Here is a guide on how to connect HubSpot with your Outlook calendar.
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Prepare Your Tech:
- Test Your Equipment: Ensure your microphone, camera, and internet connection are working properly.
- Familiarize Yourself with the Platform: Whether you’re using Zoom or Teams, make sure you know how to use all the features you plan to incorporate, such as polls, Q&A, and screen sharing. In Teams it is recommended to create the meeting as a webinar. Here is a guide on how to create a Webinar in Teams.
During the Webinar
- Professional viewing of PowerPoint
- PowerPoint Live: When showing your PowerPoint in Teams, the best way is to click "Share" and then scroll all the way down to PowerPoint Live and select your presentation from the list or click "Show more" and "Browse my computer" if the document is not in the list.
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Engage Your Audience Early:
- Interactive Questions: Start with a quick, interactive question to grab attention. Examples include "Which city are you joining from?" or "What is your role in the company?"
- Use Polls and Chat: Utilize polls and the chat function to keep the audience engaged throughout the webinar.
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Deliver Valuable Content:
- Stay on Topic: Ensure your presentation is well-structured and stays on topic. Use visuals and examples to illustrate your points.
- Encourage Participation: Regularly ask for questions and comments to keep the audience involved.
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End with a Strong CTA:
- Reiterate the CTA: Clearly state what you want attendees to do next. Provide a link or clear instructions on how to take the next step.
- Provide Contact Information: Make sure attendees know how to reach you for follow-up questions or further engagement.
After the Webinar
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Send Follow-Up Emails:
- Email to Attendees: Use your CRM system to send an automated email to all participants. Thank them for attending, include a link to the recording, any additional resources, and a call-to-action (CTA) based on your webinar goals.
- Email to No-Shows: Send a separate email to those who registered but didn’t attend. Offer them the recording and encourage them to take the desired action.
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Measure Success:
- Track Metrics: Use your CRM to track the impact of the webinar. Look at metrics such as meetings booked, new newsletter subscribers, or any other actions aligned with your CTA.
- Analyse Results: Use the attendance report to analyse who attended and for how long. Use this data to measure the success of your webinar and plan future events. Review the data to understand what worked well and what can be improved for future webinars.
By following these tips, you can ensure that your webinars are well-attended, engaging, and effective in driving your desired outcomes. Happy hosting!