Did you know that you can use a webinar to grow your online course? A webinar is a live online presentation that can be shared with an unlimited number of viewers. You will be able to use your webcam to show slides containing course content, Q&As, and interactive elements that can be used to drive discussion and interaction between you and your attendees. During the webinar, you will be able to take live questions from the audience and engage with them one-on-one via messaging or video call.
Webinars are a great way to engage with your learners while also providing a free marketing boost to your course. Imagine being able to present new content to your audience on a regular basis. You could do this with short blog posts or you could opt for a longer-form webinar. The choice is entirely up to you. You could even use a tool like Mindful Learning to create a learning experience that is both engaging and beneficial. The possibilities are endless.
How to Create a Kick-ass Webinar
If you’re looking to create your own webinar, then you’ll want to start by considering the type of content you will want to present. Every course owner or instructor will have a different perspective on this, so think about what you know versus what you want to learn. Consider the target audience, the media you will use to spread the word about the webinar, and the style in which you will communicate.
From there, you can develop content for your webinar that is both informative and engaging. Whether you decide to do this yourself or hire a content specialist, make sure that you consider the results you are looking for. You can use tools like Google Analytics to track the results of your webinar content. With this information in hand, you can find ways to improve your content and share it with others.
How to Use Webinars for Marketing Purposes
Aside from being a fantastic way to present new content to your audience, webinars also serve a crucial functional purpose. If you are looking to grow your online course, then you’ll want to consider how you can use webinars to spread the word about your course. With your webcam and microphone enabled, you will be able to give a presentation that can be shared with the world. This is the digital equivalent of giving a PowerPoint presentation or a speech to a group of people. In some cases, you may also be able to collect donations during the presentation for your cause or shop.
Developing a pitch for your webinar is also crucial if you decide to use this form of marketing. Even if you choose to go the self-education route and develop course content yourself, you will still need an elevator pitch that allows you to briefly summarize what your course is about in a few sentences.
How to Build an Audience For Your Webinar
If you’re looking to use webinars to market your online course, then you’ll want to start by considering the type of person you are seeking to attract to your webinar. Who is the target audience for your course? What would they like to learn? What do you have to offer them?
These are the types of questions you should be asking yourself as you develop a webinar marketing strategy. When you understand your target audience’s needs and motivations, you can craft a message that will resonate and draw them to your webinar. Once you have your target audience, you can craft a strategy to achieve your goals. For example, if you’re looking to build a portfolio of successful webinars to attract future employers, then you’ll want to develop a plan to attract the right type of learner to your course. Do you have a specific need? Are you looking for someone with experience in online marketing or sales?
The type of person you choose to attend your webinar will depend on the content you decide to present. For example, if you’re looking to build an audience for a personal development course, you may want to start by inviting local business owners or marketers. They may not have the first idea about how to grow their own personal brand or develop a niche in the marketplace, so your webinar may serve as a blueprint for their success. If you decide to present a course on affiliate marketing, then you may want to invite people who are passionate about the subject.
Why Should I Develop a Webinar Marketing Plan?
Aside from the tremendous organic growth that a well-designed and promoted webinar can bring to your course, you should also consider developing a webinar marketing plan as a form of strategic thinking. Just because your course is online and can be accessed by anyone doesn’t mean that marketing it to the best of your ability is easy. There are numerous challenges that you need to overcome if you decide to use webinars to promote your course – not the least of which is making sure that everyone knows about your webinar in the first place. If you decide to go the traditional route and use print media and billboards to spread the word about your webinar, then it may be hard to ensure that everyone knows about it. In the digital sphere, this isn’t as much of an issue. You can post about your webinar to social media channels like LinkedIn and Facebook, and if you give the presentation itself a proper promotion, then you’ll be able to draw a decent sized audience without having to waste any money on billboards and magazine subscriptions.
The information shared in your webinar can also serve as the foundation for your next big idea or groundbreaking innovation. If you give your audience a unique perspective on effective marketing, pitching, and sales processes, you may inspire them to develop their own marketing strategy or course concept that draws on your material. Your life’s work could very well inspire someone else to create a course that makes you famous. This is the power of an engaged audience – they can become your most valuable asset.
How to Promote Your Webinar
Now that you have an idea of what a webinar is and why you may want to develop one for your course, it’s time to figure out how to promote it. There are numerous digital marketing tactics that you can use to promote your webinar, from SEO to content strategy to social media marketing. Do you have a distinct digital marketing strategy in mind? Do you want to create a campaign that is both effective and affordable?
The first step in developing a webinar strategy is to consider the platforms you will use to share your presentation. Will you use a newsletter to disseminate information about your upcoming webinar? Or will you share the presentation directly on social media channels like Twitter and LinkedIn?
Once you have your list of platforms, you can craft a strategy to achieve your goals. If you decide to share the presentation on social media channels, you may want to create a separate account for this purpose. Doing this will allow you to keep track of the content you share and ensure that you stay compliant with the terms of service of the platforms you use.
As you develop your webinar strategy, consider all of the platforms you use and how you will use them to spread the word about your webinar. When you reach out to platforms for help, make sure that you’re providing them with as much information as possible so that they can best assist you.