No matter what tools you have or how many you own, without a blueprint you can't build a thing. The same is true about building a business; you can own the right software, real estate, car, etc., etc., but without a blueprint for success, you probably won't succeed.
These days technological advancement, particularly where web conferences are concerned, provide a fantastic alternative for internal and external seminars. Not only does a web conference shave costly travel expenses but it allows your clients or employees to attend without setting foot outside their office or home.
Unsure how popular the webinar has (or will) become? For starters, an Ipsos survey on communication released in May 2008 suggests 5-year growth in the range of 500%. As well, consider a recent article published in Business Week (Sept 2008). Some companies are paying upwards of $300,000 for the hardware needed to host their own webinars (also known as web conferences). With that being said, there are much cheaper quality alternatives that start as low as $25/month.
However, a webinar alone does not "do" anything. Look at it as a seed. You have to plant that seed, water it, nurture it. With a webinar, you need to invite attendees but once everyone shows up you have to give them something. Internally, this is easy. Host a training seminar or new product roll-out. Often, it makes sense to use free trial periods this way so that when you pursue prospects, you will have developed some sort of expertise with the software. For external customers, watching that seed grow to the point where it bears fruit is much less easy.
Making this technology work for you will happen much easier with some good planning. That means coordinating your marketing and message. For attracting an audience, look at a highly targeted marketing program. In other words, don't invite existing clients to a web conference that aims to sign up only new clients.
Keeping these simple tips in mind, you should aim to host a "value-add" conference. A sales pitch web conference by a real estate agent, for example, might invite prospects to sign up for a free online seminar about local market conditions, forecasts for the future, and what home owners can do to maintain their property values and, of course, why this particular agent is best-suited to sell their home when they choose to do so. Emphasizing your expertise and showing how it can help your attendees will certainly "stick" with your prospects long after the web conference has ended. Of course, if you are not a real estate agent, you can still adopt this type of approach to your particular industry.
Regardless of your intention (mass customer contact webinar versus a sales pitch webinar), using the technology to your advantage will not only save you funds immediately, but will strengthen your relationship with existing clients and emphasize your commitment to new clients.
These days technological advancement, particularly where web conferences are concerned, provide a fantastic alternative for internal and external seminars. Not only does a web conference shave costly travel expenses but it allows your clients or employees to attend without setting foot outside their office or home.
Unsure how popular the webinar has (or will) become? For starters, an Ipsos survey on communication released in May 2008 suggests 5-year growth in the range of 500%. As well, consider a recent article published in Business Week (Sept 2008). Some companies are paying upwards of $300,000 for the hardware needed to host their own webinars (also known as web conferences). With that being said, there are much cheaper quality alternatives that start as low as $25/month.
However, a webinar alone does not "do" anything. Look at it as a seed. You have to plant that seed, water it, nurture it. With a webinar, you need to invite attendees but once everyone shows up you have to give them something. Internally, this is easy. Host a training seminar or new product roll-out. Often, it makes sense to use free trial periods this way so that when you pursue prospects, you will have developed some sort of expertise with the software. For external customers, watching that seed grow to the point where it bears fruit is much less easy.
Making this technology work for you will happen much easier with some good planning. That means coordinating your marketing and message. For attracting an audience, look at a highly targeted marketing program. In other words, don't invite existing clients to a web conference that aims to sign up only new clients.
Keeping these simple tips in mind, you should aim to host a "value-add" conference. A sales pitch web conference by a real estate agent, for example, might invite prospects to sign up for a free online seminar about local market conditions, forecasts for the future, and what home owners can do to maintain their property values and, of course, why this particular agent is best-suited to sell their home when they choose to do so. Emphasizing your expertise and showing how it can help your attendees will certainly "stick" with your prospects long after the web conference has ended. Of course, if you are not a real estate agent, you can still adopt this type of approach to your particular industry.
Regardless of your intention (mass customer contact webinar versus a sales pitch webinar), using the technology to your advantage will not only save you funds immediately, but will strengthen your relationship with existing clients and emphasize your commitment to new clients.
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