Online events, live or recorded, present an enormous opportunity to foster relationships - and find new leads - regardless of geographical location. While webinars are common for tech companies and other large entities, hosting webinars is simple enough to do all on your own.
With the right webinar software, you can create engaging presentations and cultivate your potential client base. For real estate agents and brokers, virtual events like webinars are an excellent addition to an existing online marketing strategy.
What is a webinar?
A webinar is an interactive online presentation combining information and engagement. Similar to an in-person workshop or class, webinars typically focus on communicating a specific message or explaining a specific subject to educate viewers. With the rise of video conferencing in our daily lives, educational webinars are even more approachable.
Online webinars are generally suited to B2B companies, SaaS businesses, bloggers and small businesses with valuable knowledge to share. But don't let this discourage you from creating and hosting your own live webinars for lead generation. Using one of the many webinar software platforms, you can introduce yourself to a new audience by sharing engaging information.
How do webinars work?
Webinars often employ visual presentation slides created with a tool like Google Slides or PowerPoint. The webinar host will provide voiced narration to explain the subject in more depth, with or without their personal webcam turned on. Those attending can view the live webinar on their computers or mobile devices.
Attendees can interact with each other through or the host through a chat box, though some hosts may allow them to use a microphone during a designated question and answer period. The host will either answer directly in the presentation, or have a teammate available to answer chat messages on the spot.
When should I use webinars for my business?
It's common for a business to use webinars for educational purposes. A great example would be SaaS support teams hosting webinars with tutorials on how to use certain features of the product. While they can be a great way to interact with current customers and build brand authority, webinar marketing is a powerful way to find new leads.
Advertising on social media and driving leads to registration pages will make even better use of your social media platforms. Opt for webinars based on subjects relevant to your business and your customers' interests. For example, you could host a webinar offering expert home staging advice, or discussing some of the biggest home trends in the current market.
Even if you have a low turnout to your event, webinar registration itself is a powerful lead capture tool. Signing up for an "exclusive" virtual event is a powerful call to action, and can result in pre-qualified leads. When you host webinars - especially free webinars - you appear more engaged and invested in your customer's interests and success.
On-demand webinars are more spontaneous virtual events - just flip on your screen sharing software and jump into conversation with potential customers on the fly. This strategy will help you cultivate a positive online presence and foster loyalty among your existing customers who know they can come to you with questions.
Want to learn more ways to increase your online marketing strategy and rake in more leads and prospect with ease? Join us for one of Elm Street Academy's Brunch-and-Learn events in your area. You'll learn how to utilize social media platforms, your favorite webinar tool and a slew of other insightful lessons to propel you forward in the digital age.
