It's best to record your webinar in a quiet room, as it will likely be free of outside noise and disturbances.
Before recording, also put your phone, tablet, and other devices on silent. You don't want notifications interfering while you're presenting.
Having the right equipment is another important prerequisite. While you don’t need to invest in a lot of gear, make sure you have access to the following:
A camera: It is not necessary to buy an external HD webcam directly. First test your computer's built-in camera (in a well-lit place). You can also test your smartphone's camera for recording.
A microphone: Unlike the camera, I don’t trust the quality of the microphones built into computers. That’s why I recommend investing in an external unit. Blue Yeti and Samson are two good microphones for organizing. They’re also easy to set up, as you only need a USB cable to connect them to your laptop.
When you're making your checklist of things to consider, be sure not to overlook equipment.
- Produce the content
This is where your hard work really comes into its own.
As we saw previously, your webinar can take several forms, such as a powerpoint presentation, an interview format or Q&A.
Regardless of the format, there is one golden rule on how to organize a webinar that achieves your goal: it must be engaging. Another way to look at it is to say that it must not be boring!
So put on your creativity hat. How can you create something special that will keep people interested and connected throughout the webinar?
Don't be afraid to break some expectations. This is your time to stand out.
Even if your webinar is small, there are a few best practices to keep in mind for your content:
Create beautiful, custom visuals to make your brand and mission stand out.
Keep your slides short and sweet , with one main idea per slide.
Prioritize visuals over words: Include videos, GIFs, and animations when you can – just to shake things up and keep people's attention.
Don't type huge blocks of text: Instead, type a few key words that participants can follow, then expand on them verbally.
Run a poll in the middle of your presentation: This is another technique to shake up the structure and flow while ensuring your audience is engaged.
The average length of a webinar is 45-60 minutes. I recommend sticking to this length, especially if you want to add engagement opportunities like a poll and Q&A session.
Pro tip: I recommend using Canva to design your slide deck. Canva offers a free plan while you learn the ropes of making amazing webinar presentations. You can also choose from many presentation templates.