In 2018, webinars are still an extremely powerful marketing tool. But for some, there are significant barriers to entry—in terms of money, time and the perception of what it takes to run one.
Read on for six myths about webinars that may be keeping you from giving them a try—and the truth behind them.
- You need to be a great public speaker
Not necessarily. Hosting a webinar isn’t the same as standing up on stage and giving a talk. You don’t see your audience, for one thing—which can do a surprising amount to alleviate stage fright.
In addition, with a webinar, there are steps you can take to limit the amount of time you physically appear in front of an audience. You create the slides, visuals, quizzes, interactive elements, and more—and you can also bring guest speakers into your presentation.
But beyond that, you don’t have to be a natural public speaker to be great at webinars. What you should do—even if you don’t physically appear a lot in your webinar—is practice. The more you do that, the more natural you’ll be.
See Also: Being a Compelling Webinar Host: How to Grab Your Audience’s Attention
- You have to sell a product to make a webinar worthwhile
Not necessarily.
Webinars are excellent for making sales—but that’s not all they can do for you. Giving a webinar can help you sell a less-tangible service—like coaching or copywriting services, for example. Or they can help you build a list of very qualified prospects for when your product or service is ready.
But beyond that, webinars help you build credibility in your chosen field. If you’re looking to get your name out there and showcase your expertise, a webinar is the best way to do it.
- You need expensive tools
You don’t need a lot of money or a full-scale sound stage to run a webinar.
The bare minimum you need is your computer, a USB microphone, MailChimp to collect mail signups, and an inexpensive platform. Anyone can produce a webinar without a lot of pricey tools or technical know-how.
- You need a lot of time and technical know-how
There are lots of inexpensive tools you can use to produce a webinar—it doesn’t have to break the bank. The caveat is that it can take some time and research to find the options that are right for you.
However, DIY isn’t your only option. With a full-service provider like Spark, you start with the idea—and we’ll do the rest. That includes helping you develop your webinar content, train your presenters, set up the technical end, market your webinar, and collect performance data.
- You need a big audience to make a webinar worthwhile
According to a recent study, the average number of webinar attendants is 148. But if you have less than that, it doesn’t mean your webinar wasn’t worthwhile.
First, let’s take a look at the idea that a big list is better than a small one. That’s not necessarily the case—the best list is a really engaged list. Even if you just get ten attendants, if they’re all really interested in what you’re offering, that’s a big win.
In addition—even if you don’t attract a large audience, you can always use the recording for other marketing campaigns. It’s possible that a lot of people will miss your live webinar—but download the recording weeks or months after the fact.
The bottom line? Webinars have a useful shelf life that lasts long after the live event.
Webinars can be extremely useful as a tool to build credibility in your industry, generate a high-interest list of prospects, and sell your products and services. If launching a webinar is something you’d like to try, don’t let these myths hold you back.
