How to prepare a webinar for impact

If you are a panelist or a moderator on a webinar, you want to prepare properly. Webinars are excellent marketing opportunities. And they help build your profile.

So that you shine on your next webinar or panel, we’ve put together some quick tips to prepare a webinar:

Webinar Panel Tip #1. It’s how you prepare

While great webinars look effortless, that’s only because the panelists have prepared carefully. As a moderator you should create great questions (the simpler and bolder the better) and share these with your panelists in advance. As a panelist you should think about stories and examples you can use to illustrate what you say.  It’s much better to have a few strong ideas to talk about than to offer an opinion on everything under the sun.

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Webinar Tip #2. Offer bold ideas

A great webinar panel will inform, educate and entertain. While you may think that a webinar is a great opportunity to share your thoughts, in reality your opinions are not very interesting. Much more engaging are the stories you tell, the practical advice you give and the different position you adopt. Avoid saying “I agree” – that phrase kills a discussion.

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Webinar Panel Tip #3. Be a performer

A webinar panel is not a fireside chat. It’s a piece of entertainment where you need to speak directly to the audience. Use all the skills of public speaking to bring your language to life:

• short phrases
• short words
• long pauses
• high energy
• big ideas.

Sit forward in your chair, look at your camera and speak to it as if to a person.

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Webinar Tip #4. Start powerfully

As a moderator, you set the tone for your webinar in the first few seconds. Tell the audience how important this discussion is; remind us how great your panelists are; and give one-line introductions on each panelist (don’t let them each introduce themselves).

Make sure your first question is big, bold and unexpected.

If you are introducing yourself on a webinar, make sure you read our tips on doing so memorably.

Prepare a Webinar Tip #5. Involve the audience

If your audience can be part of the conversation they’ll enjoy the experience more. For example, ask them a question early on. Tell them to prepare questions for the experts. And help them ask interesting questions.

Webinar Panel Tip #6. End with impact

Audience questions are not the best way to end a webinar.  Instead, as a moderator, finish your panel with something big. For example, you might ask each panelist for a final one-sentence tip.

Or you might end with a summary. And then, as the moderator, sum up some highlights before thanking your panelists and telling the audience what a great experience this has been.

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Have you got an upcoming webinar as a panelist or moderator?

Do you want help to prepare? If so, talk to us.

We have developed a robust toolbox of techniques to help you organise clear, confident webinars.

We’ll help you look and sound impressive on camera so that you hook and engage your audiences. In just a few short hours we’ll transform you to deliver clearly, confidently and with impact.

Speak to Louise on +44 20 7018 0922 or email louise@benjaminball.com to discuss how we can help you get the most from your next webinar.

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