Webinars have become a cornerstone of B2B marketing, offering an interactive platform to connect with audiences, showcase expertise, and generate leads. But with so many webinars out there, how can you ensure yours stand out and truly delivers value?
Recently, we teamed up with Wistia, a leading video streaming platform, for an insightful webinar: The New Webinar Playbook: Tips & Strategies for 2024. Whether you caught it live or missed out, here are some main takeaways from the event to help elevate your webinar strategy from meh to amazing.
Why Webinars Matter in B2B Marketing
Did you know that 73% of B2B marketing teams consider webinars an effective way to generate quality leads? Furthermore, 61% of marketers are using webinars as a content marketing tactic because they provide a unique opportunity to engage with prospects in real-time and build meaningful relationships (source: Content Marketing Institute). With these stats in mind, it’s crucial to not just host webinars but to make them count.
Our Top Secret Secrets for Webinar Success
Leverage AI to Enhance Webinar Content
AI tools are a game-changer in the world of webinars. They can automate routine tasks like script repurposing, proofreading, and content creation, allowing your team to focus on the creative aspects that engage your audience. As AI continues to evolve, it’s becoming an indispensable tool for narrowing the skill gap and making your webinars more effective.
Clearly Define Your Webinar Goals
Before diving into the production of your webinar, it’s essential to define your goals. Are you looking to engage your audience, generate leads, or demonstrate your expertise? Tailoring your content and promotional efforts to align with these goals will ensure your webinar delivers the desired outcomes.
Pre-Production is Key
Preparation is everything. Spend ample time developing your script, visuals, and promotional assets. This not only ensures a smooth execution but also leaves room for creative adjustments during the live event. Investing in pre-production pays off by making the live experience more engaging and professional.
Cross-Promote Your Webinar – Before and After!
Promotion doesn’t stop when the webinar ends. Use multiple channels to promote your event before it happens, such as pre-recorded clips, blog posts, and social media teasers. Afterward, extend the life of your webinar by repurposing content into short clips for different platforms. Tools like Lumen5 and Wistia can make this process easier and more effective, helping you reach a broader audience.
5. Maximize Engagement for Better Data
Engagement during the webinar is crucial—not just for keeping your audience interested but for gathering valuable data. Incorporate polls, CTAs, and live Q&A sessions to keep the interaction lively. Additionally, using pre-recorded segments can help maintain attention and provide consistent quality throughout the webinar.
Our Lessons Learned through Failure
While we discussed with Wistia our failures, here’s what we do now to make our webinars succeed:
- Rethink Your Promotion Strategy: Move beyond just email; consider expanding into paid ads and video promotions to increase reach.
- Utilize Pre-Recorded Content: This approach can make your webinars more dynamic and engaging, offering a polished experience for your audience.
- Focus on Post-Event Content Distribution: Don’t let your webinar content gather dust. Share it across your blog, emails, newsletters, and social media channels to extend its impact.
- AI To Level Up your Content: Using AI to narrow the skill gap. AI is great when outsourcing the “boring parts” of your webinar content, like drafting scripts, generic feedback, or finding key points to spotlight later.
Watch the Webinar On-Demand
We covered these insights and much more in our recent webinar with Wistia. If you couldn’t join us live, don’t worry—you can access the full recording. Watch it at your convenience and take your webinar strategy to the next level.
