Webinars Make Sense

Given the challenging economic times now being experienced in the U.S., many companies are grappling with the best way to conduct business without putting too heavy a strain on already tight budgets. Cutting travel costs is one way to accomplish this, but it raises another challenge: how can relationships with colleagues and customers be maintained, long-term, if there is little or no face-to-face contact

Webinars are typically offered free (as was the case with CropLife’s first Webinar, which was sponsored by AMVAC) or at low cost to attendees, so this is an affordable way for workers to stay on top of trends in their fields. Even better, the Webinar format allows attendees to ask questions and give feedback. And, although Webinars are typically held as live events, they’re also usually archived so anyone who isn’t available during the event can review it at a later time. The Webinar format allows attendees to learn about topics relevant to their work, without having to spend time and money traveling.

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Choosing A Worthwhile Webinar

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Thanks to the 100-plus participants who attended our Webinar. We appreciate the fact that no one has time to waste on poorly organized or irrelevant seminars, whether they are virtual or not, so we’re glad you chose to attend ours. If you plan to attend Webinars in the future, I recommend looking for events offered by companies that are market leaders or you know and trust (e.g. CropLife). Ask colleagues or friends about their experiences with Webinars and have them recommend Webinar hosts or topics suitable for your work.

Why Attend A Webinar?

Here are several reasons why attending a Webinar makes sense:

  • Many Webinars are inexpensive or even free.
  • You don’t have to travel to attend a Webinar – you can meet from your desk.
  • Many Webinars are interactive so you can ask questions, give feedback and participate in audience polls.
  • Most Webinars are live events, but many are saved so people who can’t attend at the scheduled time can access them later.
  • Webinars don’t require any special equipment – usually just a phone and Internet connection.

Source: TMCnet.com

Remember a free webinar doesn’t necessarily mean a low-quality event. Costs associated with these events are generally low for hosts, and organizations frequently use them as tools for building brand awareness.

Once you’ve decided to attend a Webinar, make sure you have everything you need to participate before the event begins:

  • If you’ll be attending from the office, check with your system administrator to make sure a firewall won’t block you from connecting to the event.
  • Download all necessary files. Many Webinars require you to have a viewer to participate (e.g., Real Player, Windows Media Player). You’ll usually be prompted to download the required files when you register, but if you aren’t, it’s best to double-check before the Webinar starts.
  • If you’ll be taking part in a Webinar from your desk, book the time in your calendar to avoid being interrupted.
  • Determine whether audio will be delivered through a phone line or as voice-over-IP (in which your voice is carried over an Internet connection). Be sure you have the phone number for the audio bridge or make sure you have speakers and headphones so you can listen over IP.
  • If you plan to and are able to give verbal feedback using voice-over-IP, check your computer for microphone capabilities.

Webinars are an inexpensive and time-saving way to stay on top of what’s happening in your industry, so try one out. You might discover that it’s just like being there, if not better.

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