What is a training webinar?
A training webinar is a live, online seminar that helps businesses train employees on a particular subject.
“Training webinars typically cover topics such as product knowledge, customer service, and sales techniques,” said Hanah Alexander, founder of Today Testing. “They’re usually led by an expert in the field who can offer guidance and answer questions.”
Webinars are often interactive, with breakout and Q&A sessions to ensure that attendees are getting the most out of the experience.
“Many businesses use webinars as a way to supplement traditional training methods, such as in-person seminars or e-learning courses,” Alexander said.
“Training webinars can be an effective way to reach a wide audience and ensure that employees are up-to-date on the latest information.”
Why should you consider webinars for training employees?
As the world increasingly moves online, businesses are realizing the potential of webinars for training employees, not to mention their potential for saving costs.
Webinars solve many common training challenges and offer a number of benefits over traditional in-person training, including increased flexibility, lower costs, and broader reach.
For example, employees can attend a webinar from anywhere in the world, and they can do so at a time that is convenient for them. This is ideal for businesses with employees in different time zones or with disparate schedules.
Additionally, webinars are typically less expensive to produce than in-person training events, and they have the potential to reach a much wider audience.
Finally, webinars can be recorded and reused, meaning that employees can review the material at their own pace or revisit it as needed. For all these reasons, businesses should consider webinars as a valuable tool for employee training.
Tips for hosting a training webinar
Here are eight tips on how to host a training webinar that engages participants:
1. Test your equipment beforehand
One of the most important elements of preparation is testing your equipment. You want to make sure that your microphone, camera, and internet connection are all working properly before you go live. By taking the time to test your equipment in advance, you can avoid any technical glitches during your webinar.
Additionally, it’s a good idea to have a backup plan in place in case something does go wrong. For example, you might want to have a PowerPoint presentation on hand in case your audio fails. By being prepared for the worst, you can ensure that your webinar goes off without a hitch.
2. Focus on high-quality audio
Any time you’re presenting to an audience, whether it’s in person or online, the quality of your audio is critical. Fortunately, there are a few simple steps you can take to ensure that your audio is clear and noise-free when hosting a training webinar.
First, use a headset or microphone that is designed for clarity and significantly reduces background noise. You can check out this microphone guide for more information.
If possible, you should also find a quiet room to conduct your webinar from. This will minimize any background noise that might interfere with your audio. And as mentioned above, it’s always a good idea to test your audio before you go live to make sure that everything sounds the way you want it to.
3. Choose your background carefully
The background of your virtual training webinar sets the tone for the entire event. Participants will form first impressions of both you and the quality of your content based on what they see behind you. A clean, professional-looking backdrop conveys that you are organized and takes your work seriously.
Additionally, it helps to keep participants focused on the presentation itself, rather than being distracted by a cluttered or busy space.
When selecting a background, be sure to avoid any potential hazards, such as cords or tripping hazards, that could cause problems during the live event. Additionally, make sure that any furniture or décor items are securely anchored so that they cannot be knocked over if someone accidentally bumps into them.
4. Be mindful of the time
When you’re hosting a training webinar, it is important to be mindful of the time. You want to make sure that your audience has enough time to absorb the information you are presenting. If you move too quickly, people will not be able to follow along and may become frustrated.
On the other hand, if you move too slowly, people may become bored or impatient. You also don’t want to ramble on for too long, as people will tune out if you do. The best way to strike the right balance is to practice your presentation in advance so that you can get a feel for the natural flow and pacing.
In addition, you also need to be mindful of time zones. If your audience is located in different time zones, you will need to take that into account when scheduling your webinar. By being mindful of the time, you can ensure that your training webinar is enjoyable and informative for all participants.
5. Use engaging visuals
When it comes to delivering an engaging training webinar, visuals are key. Slides are a great way to add visual interest and variety to your presentation, and they can also be used to highlight important points or information. If used effectively, slides can help to keep your audience engaged and focused on the content of your webinar.
When selecting visuals for your webinar, it’s important to choose images that are high-quality and relevant to the topic at hand. In addition, be sure to use a mix of different types of visuals, including charts, graphs, and photographs. By using engaging visuals, you can ensure that your training webinar is both informative and enjoyable for your audience.
6. Use a conversational tone
Whether you’re leading a training webinar or delivering a presentation, it’s important to sound confident and authoritative. However, you don’t want to come across as too stiff or formal. The best way to strike the right balance is to use a conversational tone. This means speaking in a natural, friendly way as if you were having a conversation with someone.
Auditory learners will appreciate the more personal touch, and it can also help to build rapport with your audience. Of course, you’ll still need to be well prepared and stay on topic. But using a conversational tone will help you sound approachable and knowledgeable, which is sure to impress your audience.
7. Encourage audience participation
When it comes to hosting a successful training webinar, encouraging audience participation is key. By getting your audience involved, you can keep them engaged and ensure that they are learning the material. There are a few different ways that you can encourage participation.
First, try to ask questions throughout the webinar. This will not only help to break up the presentation, but it will also give your audience a chance to chime in.
You can also consider using polls or surveys to get feedback from your audience and gauge their understanding of the material.
Finally, make sure to leave time for Q&A at the end of the webinar. This will give your attendees a chance to ask any questions that they may have and get clarification on anything that they didn’t understand.
8. Leave time for questions
When hosting a training webinar, it’s important to leave time for questions. Allowing attendees to ask questions not only shows that you’re open to feedback but also gives you an opportunity to clear up any confusion and ensure that everyone is on the same page.
Furthermore, questions can often reveal areas where your training could be improved. For example, if multiple people ask the same question, it’s likely that your explanation wasn’t clear enough.
Asking questions also helps to create a more interactive and engaging experience for everyone involved. When done well, question and answer sessions can be a valuable addition to any training webinar. It’s a great way to follow up with trainees.
Making your training webinar a success
Hosting a successful training webinar takes careful planning and preparation. By following the tips outlined above, you can ensure that your webinar runs smoothly and that your participants walk away with the knowledge and skills they need. With a little effort, you can make your training webinar an engaging and effective learning experience for all.
About the author:
Scott Winstead is the founder of MyElearningWorld.com, where he has covered eLearning, instructional design, and remote work for the better part of a decade.
