If you're a webinar presenter, you might be wondering whether you should go the automated or live route. h the technological advances of recent years, it's now possible to host a webinar without even being present.
You can record your webinar ahead of time and then automate it to play at a later date. But is this really the best way to host a webinar? Let's take a look at the similarities and differences between automated and live webinars. We'll also explore the pros and cons of each approach in the Automated vs Live webinars so that you can make an informed decision about which method is right for you.
Automated vs Live Webinars
Automated webinars are pre-recorded presentations that are played back at a scheduled time. WebinarJam is one such webinar tool that offers automated webinar feature.
The advantage of an automated webinar is that you can present the material as many times as you want without having to be there live. This makes them ideal for busy schedules or if you want to reach a larger audience. Additionally, automated webinars allow you to gather data and feedback so that you can improve future presentations.
Live webinars, on the other hand, are presented in real-time and offer the advantage of being able to interact with participants in real time. This can make for a more engaging experience overall.
Additionally, live webinars offer the opportunity to build personal relationships with participants. However, live webinars require more time and effort to prepare since they can't be recorded ahead of time.
Both types of webinars are great ways to build relationships with your audience, share your expert knowledge, and generate leads.
Both types of webinars require careful planning and preparation. You'll need to determine your goals for the webinar, choose a catchy title and description, promote your webinar through email and social media, and create engaging slides.
One key difference between automated and live webinars is the level of interaction with your audience. Live webinars allow for real-time interaction between the host and the attendees through the use of features like Q&A and chat.
This interaction can make live webinars more engaging and interactive than automated webinars.
Another difference is that live webinars are usually held at a specific date and time, while automated webinars can be played on-demand, 24/7. This means that you'll need to be available to host a live webinar at the scheduled time, but you won't need to be available to play an automated webinar since it's already been recorded.
-You can deliver the same high-quality content every time without exception.
-You are not limited by time or day constraints since the webinar can be played on-demand 24/7.
-You can reach a larger audience since people from all over the world can watch the webinar at a time that works for them.
-You don't have to worry about technical difficulties since everything is recorded in advance.
-You save time and money since you only have to create the content once.
-The personal touch is missing since you are not present during the playback.
-Q&A is not possible since you are not present to answer questions live.
Live webinars offer a number of benefits. First and foremost, they're interactive; because they're presented in real-time, live webinars allow for audience Q&A and participation.
This interactivity can help to foster a sense of community and connection between the presenter(s) and the audience. Additionally, live webinars tend to be more engaging than their automated counterparts; because they're happening in real-time, viewers are more likely to pay attention throughout the entirety of a live webinar.
Of course, there are also some downsides to hosting live webinars.
For one thing, they're more time-consuming and require more planning than automated webinars. Additionally, because they're happening in real-time, there's always the possibility that something could go wrong (e.g., audio issues, internet connection problems).
Finally, it can be difficult to find a time that works for everyone when you're coordinating a live event; with an automated webinar, on the other hand, viewers can watch on their own time.
-The personal touch is retained since you are speaking live to viewers as they watch.
-Q&A is possible since viewers can ask questions in real-time via chat features or audio/video feeds.
-You can build rapport and trust with your audience more easily since they can see and hear you in real-time.
- There is more pressure to perform since everything is happening in real-time and cannot be edited or redone if something goes wrong.
-Technical difficulties are more likely since everything is happening in real-time and there is no margin for error.
Conclusion
So which type of webinar is right for you? If you're looking for an interactive experience where you can build community and connection with your audience, a live event is probably your best bet .
On the other hand, if you're interested in generating leads or delivering educational content in an efficient way, an automated or "evergreen" event might be a better option. It's also worth considering your target audience; if your goal is to reach busy professionals who might not have time to attend a live event, then an on-demand recorded version could be just what you need. Ultimately, the decision comes down to what you hope to achieve with your event and who your target audience is . Weigh the pros and cons of each option carefully before making your decision.
