Thanks to the internet, new knowledge is never more than a click away. You can learn almost anything online by watching a YouTube video, taking an online class, or attending a webinar.
Webinars are seminars, workshops, or lectures that are hosted online using a webinar or virtual conferencing software. They’re a powerful business tool that is especially useful now that many traditional avenues like tradeshows and conferences have transitioned to an online platform due to the Coronavirus.
I know what you’re thinking: okay, that sounds great. But why should I host one? Here are 5 of the best reasons to host your own webinar:
1. Webinars Develop Authority and Trust
Hosting a webinar allows you to showcase your industry knowledge and expertise and provides you with an audience that wants to learn more about your products and services. Just because your webinar is “free”, doesn’t mean that your attendees aren’t exchanging anything for your content. To attend a webinar, your prospect has to register, set time aside for the event, show up on time, and then give you half an hour or more of their time. They’re doing all of this just to listen to you cover a certain topic – these position you as an expert before you even start the webinar!
Webinars also allow you to put a real face to your business, even when you can’t meet all your prospects in person, encouraging your audience to engage with your business.
2. Webinars Create Business Relationships and Brand Awareness
One of the largest benefits of speaking to a group of clients and potential customers through a webinar is that it allows them to get to know you on a much deeper level. Rather than meeting them through a quick video or networking event, you are able to give your attendees a personal connection with you, the presenter, and with your company.
Webinars also allow you to easily promote your business, especially when you are delivering high-quality content in your presentation. Don’t just look to sell your products – seek to educate your viewers on the industry and how your business fits into their marketing plans. By hosting a virtual presentation or workshop, you can boost your business exposure while providing your customers with valuable industry information and insight.
3. Webinars Help You Understand Your Target Audience
Webinars are a great way to gather and answer questions from your prospective clients. An interactive question and answer portion of your presentation allows your business to get to know its target audience, their needs, challenges, and more. This will help you develop a deeper understanding of what motivates the people who use your company, and you can use that to tailor your products, services, and future content to them.
4. Webinars are Convenient and Affordable
Conventional meetings, seminars, workshops, and conferences all have one thing in common – they’re expensive to hold. Hosting events in person requires lots of planning and coordination, not to mention the costs of booking a room, catering, etc. Webinars are hosted online, so your attendees tune in from the comfort of their own home or office, and they require little more than an internet connection, microphone, and webcam on your part to get started.
Webinars can also be recorded and repurposed, making them a great source of content even after the session is ended. Share recordings of the webinar with clients who couldn’t make it or post the video to your social media accounts. Take the content from your presentation and use it to create useful infographics, blogs, or flyers for easy marketing pieces that share your information in fresh new ways.
5. Webinars Generate Leads
Lastly, sign-up forms for your webinar allow you to collect lead information. Registering for webinars is a standard part of the process, and people are familiar with providing their names and email addresses to attend. Best of all, your lead list generates itself: by registering, attendees highlight themselves as interested in your company and wanting to know more.
Webinars are a great way to connect with your customers from a distance. They give you the opportunity to speak directly to your customers and educate them on your company, while helping your prospects to get to know your business better.
Want to see what a webinar is like? SAGE hosts several free live webinars each month for both distributors and suppliers!
