So You Want to Be Webinar Star?

Lights... Camera... Action... so you want to be a webinar star? Webinars, workshops, and vlogs are recommended to build your following and show off your expertise. Today, I'm going to talk about the basics of what you need to get started. I'm going to discuss choosing a topic, creating a storyboard and script, choosing a style, what type of equipment you need, and how to monetize your videos.

Webinar vs TikTok

It may not be necessary but I'm going to say it anyway, "There is a difference between planning a webinar and streaming a TikTok video or an Instagram / Facebook story." If you want successful and useful Webinars then you need to have a clear vision and build a plan. Not having a plan and a script will make your webinar look unprofessional, unscripted, and chaotic.

What to Talk About

The first step is to develop a list of topics you want to discuss. This part may be a little scary but before you put too much time into developing these topics, it's a good idea to get some feedback. Reach out to some of your clients and friends and ask what they would like to know more about. Ask them to rank in order of interest and ask for comments and suggestions.

Getting feedback early in the stage can be a valuable asset in the planning process. What you find interesting and necessary information may not translate to the audience you are trying to talk to.

Let's back up for a second. Let's figure out why you are creating a webinar and what you hope to gain from it.

What do you want people to learn?

Are viewers going to leave with a tangible plan of action?

Are you providing valuable information that can be implemented at the end of the webinar?

Are you providing tools that will be helpful for viewers?

How much will the viewer's knowledge increase about your subject?

What is your goal for hosting the webinar?

Now that you have discovered your purpose and created some topics let's work on some details on the great topics you have chosen. I personally, like the outline format that looks something like this:

I. Start with the question clients ask you the most.

a. Then provide brief answers to the question.

b. Three to five answers are a good amount.

c. Remember these are just talking points. Not a script.

I like to follow the rule of five. Five thoughtful questions with three to five answers should fill up an adequate amount of time. You also want to consider the time you will spend answering questions (a topic I will discuss in a few minutes).

Create a Storyboard and a Script

A storyboard is a graphic representation of your video will unfold. This is when you start to decide what the set will look like and how you want to represent yourself.

Do you want:

A library setting?
A clean minimal space with a company logo banner in the background?
To sit on your couch with a dog or cat sleeping off to the side?
To sit behind your desk with neat contemporary desk accessories?
Sit at your computer with a blurred background?

Whatever set you go with this will become part of your brand so take it seriously and be thoughtful about it. Creating a script will help you make sure your thoughts and subject matter are cohesive. It's okay to go off-script but avoid tangents and ranting.

Each topic will be a different scene. Plan out what you will say, what cues are needed for supporting graphics to appear, and when you will take time to answer questions.

Don't do this alone! Bring in help for video, crowd monitoring, and moral support.

I recommend creating a storyboard if your webinar is live or prerecorded. Planning out the details is important to maintaining control of your message and image. Canva offers free storyboard templates for you to work with.

Prerecording

Prerecording is easier because errors can be edited out. You can still have a Q&A session if you preplan or ask for questions before you begin recording.

Prerecording also allows you the opportunity to perfect your content and focus on the visual aspects of your presentation. You also will not have to worry about video mishaps such as buffering, poor video quality, or any sound mishaps like a baby crying or a dog barking.

Live

Live webinars create a more interactive atmosphere. The Q&A sessions will most likely be more valuable and encourage people to listen a little more carefully. Be prepared because there is nowhere to hide if there are any mishaps. Remember people are more forgiving of mishaps during live webinars than recorded ones.

Practice... Practice... Practice...

Whether you are live or prerecording, it's important to practice! Get your crew together several times for practice runs and record your practice runs.

Record, Review, Adapt, Rewrite, Repeat

Equipment

The type of equipment you use will determine the quality of your webinar. If you want to invest in creating a series, I suggest investing in the equipment. It is possible to keep costs down for the initial investment which will well be worth it.

Camera

Using the camera for Zoom calls is okay but for webinars, investing in a webcam that cam zoom and move around will have a significant visual impact on the video. A good camera gives you options for mobility. A webcam that works off of a USB ranges from $38 to $150.

Lighting

Lighting should be in front of you and behind you. If you are next to a window or if you have strong lighting above and behind, you will look washed out. Lighting around and behind the camera will have the most positive visual effects.

When practicing your webinar be mindful of the time of day. You want to closely replicate the live situation as much as possible. You can purchase a separate lighting unit. Some webcams come with lighting and a microphone.

Stable Internet Connection

If you are going live, wireless may not be the best option. I hosted a virtual summit with 220 attendees and 15 speakers with breakout sessions. Halfway through the first introductory keynote address, an unexpected 20-minute thunderstorm blew through my area. Thankfully I had an ethernet back up so the disruption was minimal.

Microphone

A microphone cost ranges from $22 to $59. Some cameras come with built-in microphones but a separate unit gives you more flexibility. You may want to conduct interviews, move around or sit farther than 3 feet from the camera. Let's admit it... a microphone looks legit and has a professional visual appeal.

Monetizing

There are several ways you can monetize your webinars.

Charge for your live webinars but be sure to record them!
If the webinars are going to be recurring charge a subscription
In Wix stores, you can rent or sell your videos (creates ongoing revenue stream)
Affiliate marketing. Include links to affiliate products for additional revenue
Use Wix events in conjunction with LinkedIn Events feature
Drive traffic to your website by hosting the webinar utilizing Wix Events.

I hope you found this information useful. If you have questions about adding webinars to your website or setting one up please reach out to me.