If you’ve been to a webinar lately, you might know that webinars are one of the hottest marketing trends today. Each and every week, you’ll find small business owners hosting webinars on book publishing, blogging, and even how to sell t-shirts online. No matter what your niche or industry is, webinars are a great option to grow your business.
3 Powerful Benefits Every Webinar Offers
one-List creation
Perhaps the number one reason to host a webinar, especially if you’re partnering with another business owner in a complementary niche, is to grow your list. Here’s why it works so well.
As a business owner with resources and information to share, you are in demand, and there are many others looking to partner with you. Find a colleague in a related niche to host your event. Ask him to mail his list with an offer to join you both on the call. Collect emails in your mailing list system. Any sales you make from the event will pay your partner an affiliate commission. That way, they both win: they build their mailing list, and she earns cash for her time.
2-show your experience
You’ve probably heard a lot of people talk about the “know, like and trust” factor. It’s a simple reminder that very few people will buy from you the first time they visit your website or receive an email from you. They need more information.
A webinar is a powerful way to boost your confidence. Because they can hear your voice and maybe even see your face, there is an instant connection. Not only that, but you can impress them with your knowledge of the subject. Your audience will leave not only knowing you better, but also feeling that you are the go-to person in your niche.
3-Sell to a captive audience
Here’s a fact you may not have considered: webinar attendees are primed to buy. Make them an irresistible offer and you’ll be surprised how effective “selling from the stage” can be.
What is irresistible? Try these proven tactics:
· Quick action bonuses only for those who buy during the call or shortly after it ends.
Deep discounts available for a limited time only, usually if you purchase before midnight on the day of the event.
Both plans have worked for thousands of webinar presenters, and they’ll work for you too.
Whether you’ve never hosted a webinar before or you’re already experienced, there’s no doubt that this is a tool that really works. The amount of time you spend preparing and promoting is minor compared to the potential benefits, so get out there and start planning your next webinar event!
Slide Secrets: How to Create Attention-Grabbing Slideshows
If the thought of PowerPoint makes your eyes cloud over, you’re not alone. The world is full of incredibly boring presentations, and no doubt you’ve sat through your share of them.
Now that you’re preparing your own presentations, how can you make sure your audience doesn’t feel the same way? By creating engaging and fun slides that grab and hold their attention.
1 bullet point poison
While you may want to outline, and yes, use bullets in your notes, the last thing that should appear on your slides are bullets. They are the hallmark of an amateur presenter and should only be used as a last resort. Visual graphics are much more powerful and help the viewer retain what you say for longer.
2-More slides, not less
It’s a common mistake many new (and even seasoned) presenters make: too few slides. As a general rule, plan for at least one slide per minute, on average. So a 45 minute presentation should have 45 slides, give or take. You don’t want to be talking over and over during a slide, as it becomes monotonous.
3-Less words, more images
You will often see presentations, particularly in the corporate world, that contain nothing more than words. Some presenters even read directly from their slides. Talk about boring!
Instead, mix up your slides to include words, images, screenshots, graphics, and other visually appealing elements. Use images that match your personality and style. For example, one of the highlights of watching any trainer presentation is its liberal use of dog imagery. Not only do they help solidify your message, but they also keep the viewer entertained.
4-Do not forget the brand
Like all of your web properties, you want to make sure your slides have clear branding. Your site’s colors, logo, tagline, URL, and other elements help remind viewers who you are and what your business is. Consider creating a PowerPoint theme that you can use for all your presentations.
5-Clearly state your offer
The last few minutes of any presentation are usually reserved for your offer, so don’t skimp here. Make sure your offer is clearly presented in the final slides, including the URL, any discounts or bonuses, and the deadline to claim them.
Finally, take the time to study the slides of the presenters you really enjoy. Chances are if you’re paying attention to your presentation, others will be too. Follow their lead when it comes to the number of slides, types of images, and how the offer is presented, and soon you’ll be wowing your audience, too. Remember: model, don’t copy.
Webinar Automation: The Next Step
Now that you know the benefits of webinars and how to make a great slideshow, it’s time to automate. That means turning your presentation into an evergreen webinar. You send people a link and they can listen to it whenever they want. It’s convenient for both you and your audience.
There are several companies that will host your ongoing webinar, including EverWebinar, Instant Teleseminar, and StealthWebinar. You can have a link to the registration page in your autoresponder series, on your website, at the bottom of your blog posts, in social media posts, and in article site author resource boxes.