On-Demand Webinars Guide - Pros, Cons, Tips + Examples
Do you want to know the secret to capturing your audience’s attention and generating more leads? On-demand webinars!
On-demand webinars have become an essential element in modern marketing strategies as virtual events continue to grow in popularity. Businesses could build interesting online events that draw and engage their target audience, whether it be a pre-recorded webinar or a live event that is available on-demand.
In this article, we’ll explore the benefits and drawbacks of on-demand webinars, how to create them, and how to make the most of their evergreen content to generate more leads than ever before.
So relax, get a cup of coffee, and let’s get started!
What is an On-Demand Webinar
An on-demand webinar is a pre-recorded webinar that can be watched at any time. It’s like watching a recorded TV show that you can pause, rewind, or fast forward as you please.
On-demand webinars are popular for hosting virtual events, as they offer flexibility and convenience for attendees who can’t attend live events. They are a great solution for attendees from different time zones who may have scheduling conflicts.
Hosting an on-demand webinar also allows you to have evergreen content that can generate more leads over time. You don’t have to worry about the webinar room or the live attendees; you can focus on creating quality content that engages your audience.
What is the Difference Between an On-Demand Webinar and a Regular Video?
A regular video is a pre-recorded video that you can watch at any time. It doesn’t have any interactive features or engagement with the host. An on-demand webinar, on the other hand, is a pre-recorded webinar that you can view at any time, but it includes interactive features that make it more interesting than a regular video.
On-demand webinars are pre-recorded webinars with extra features such as cloud recording, interactive elements, and lead generation. They are more convenient for both the host and the attendees than live webinars since they do not require a fixed schedule or registration process.
If you’re looking to create engaging content that can generate more leads and audience engagement, then an on-demand webinar is the way to go.
Benefits of On-Demand Webinars
On-demand webinars are an effective way to reach your audience and generate more leads. They allow you to showcase your webinar content without being restricted by a specific date or time, making it convenient for your audience to watch at their own pace.
With the best webinar software, you can easily record and upload your webinars for people to view at any time, turning them into evergreen content that continues to generate leads long after the live event has ended.
Here are some benefits of on-demand webinars for the host and the attendees:
Benefits for the Host
As a host, there are many benefits to hosting an on-demand webinar. Here are some of the key advantages you can expect:
Marketing and leads: On-demand webinars are an effective approach to generate leads and promote your business. You may attract new prospects and expand your customer base by providing quality material to your audience.
Schedule: On-demand webinars allow you to pre-record your content, which means you don’t have to worry about scheduling live events. This gives you more time to focus on other areas of your business.
Lead generation: On-demand webinars can generate leads and increase brand awareness.
More people can attend: Live attendees are limited by time zone and availability, but on-demand webinars can reach a wider audience since viewers can watch it anytime.
Focus on creating great content: You don’t have to worry about scheduling live events, so you can focus on creating high-quality evergreen content.
Cloud recording: You can record the webinar once and store it in the cloud for easy access and promotion.
By providing value to your audience, you can build trust and credibility, which can lead to more sales and long-term success. A lot of webinar hosts make the live webinars available for on-demand consumption afterwards.
Benefits for Attendees
As an attendee of an on-demand webinar, you can benefit in many ways. Here are some examples:
You may watch the webinar whenever it is convenient for you, without having to change your schedule.
You can pause, rewind, or fast-forward the webinar to go over certain topics or parts that interest or benefits you.
You can contact or chat with the host or presenter and get answers to your questions or remarks.
As long as you have an internet connection, you can access the webinar content and materials at any time and from any location.
You can disseminate the information or insights you acquired from the webinar by sharing the webinar link or material with your colleagues or team members.
You can provide the host or presenter feedback or recommendations to assist them improve the quality or relevancy of future webinars.
Attending an on-demand webinar can save you time, effort, and resources, while allowing you to learn, engage, and collaborate with others in your field or industry.
Cons of On-Demand Webinars
Cons for the Host
While on-demand webinars can be beneficial, there are some potential downsides to consider for the host or presenter. These include:
Lack of audience engagement: Without a live audience, it can be challenging to generate the same level of engagement that you might experience during a live webinar or event.
Difficulty collecting data: Unlike with live webinars, it can be challenging to collect valuable data about attendees’ engagement and interests during an on-demand webinar. You need to wait for a certain period to generate statistics.
Challenges with scheduling: When hosting a live webinar, you can set a specific date and time for attendees to join. With on-demand webinars, it can be challenging to get participants to commit to watching at a specific time.
Difficulty with webinar content: Pre-recorded webinar material might be more challenging to create than live event content since it must be entertaining enough to keep viewers engaged throughout the session.
Limited features: On-demand webinars, as opposed to live webinars, may offer fewer features, such as live interactive tools or live chat rooms. This can make keeping viewers engaged and focused during the session more difficult.
It’s essential to weigh the pros and cons of on-demand webinars before committing to them as a marketing strategy. While they can be an effective tool for generating leads and engaging with your audience, they may not be the best fit for every business or situation.
Cons for Attendees
On-demand webinars can offer great benefits to attendees, but they also have some potential downsides. Here are some cons of on-demand webinars for attendees:
Limited Interaction: Participants may lose out on real-time interaction with the presenter and other attendees, which might be a disadvantage for people who prefer asking questions and receiving instant response.
No real-time answers: Participants may not have access to real-time answers to their questions, as the presenter may not be available to answer them in the chat or through other means of communication.
Lack of accountability: Attendees may not feel as accountable for attending the session, as they can simply watch it later at their convenience.
Difficulty in staying engaged: It can be difficult for attendees to stay engaged throughout the entire session if they are watching it on-demand, as there may be distractions or interruptions that make it hard to focus.
No sense of community: There may be no sense of community among the attendees since they are not all watching the session at the same time, which can be a disadvantage for those who value the social aspect of attending events.
While on-demand webinars are convenient and flexible, they may lack the level of interaction and engagement that live events do. Before deciding to attend an on-demand webinar, examine the benefits and drawbacks.
Tips for Creating Successful On-Demand Virtual Events
Here are some actionable tips that you can do when planning to create an on-demand webinar:
Set Clear Objectives
Setting clear objectives when creating on-demand webinars is critical to ensuring your webinar’s success. Begin by establishing what you want to accomplish with your webinar. Is the goal to generate leads, boost audience engagement, or promote a new product or service?
Create a clear strategy defining your marketing and promotion approach, timeline, and website integration once you’ve identified your goals. Use data to better understand your audience and tailor your content to their interests and needs.
You’ll have a higher chance of developing a webinar that resonates with your target audience and gets the required outcomes if you set clear objectives.
Create an Attractive Title
When it comes to creating a successful on-demand webinar, the title is one of the most crucial elements. Your title is the first thing that potential attendees will see, so it’s important to make it compelling and attention-grabbing.
Your title should be descriptive and accurately reflect the content of your webinar, while also being creative and memorable. A good title will help to attract the right audience, build excitement, and increase the chances of people registering for your webinar.
To come up with a catchy webinar title, consider your target audience, the key takeaways of your webinar, and what makes it unique.
Create an Interactive Environment in the Webinar Room
If you want your on-demand webinar to be a success, make your webinar interactive and interesting. One method is to set up a webinar room where attendees may engage in discussions or interact with one another.
Another option is to allow participants to submit questions during the webinar, which you can then respond to in real time. This might aid in keeping the audience engaged and interested in the information you’re providing. However, your response time may still depend on your availability when the question is submitted.
Remember that audience interaction is critical to making a successful webinar, so make sure you’re utilizing the correct tools.
Keep it Short and Sweet
It’s critical to keep things brief and to the point. People are busy and don’t have the time to sit through a lengthy presentation. Make your on-demand webinars short and to the point to keep your audience’s attention and increase engagement.
Shorter webinars are also easier to develop and advertise, allowing you to focus on new content creation and lead generation. Many successful companies, including Hubspot, Salesforce, and Buffer, have built powerful on-demand webinars that are shorter than 30 minutes long.
Hence, if you want your on-demand webinar to be successful, make it brief and to the point.
Use High-Quality Video and Audio
While generating on-demand webinars, it is critical to prioritize high-quality video and audio.
It doesn’t only improve the viewing experience, but it also reflects highly on your brand and demonstrates that you appreciate your audience’s time and attention. Moreover, low-quality audio and video might turn off visitors and distract them from your presentation.
You can produce a polished and professional on-demand webinar that engages and informs your audience by investing in the necessary equipment and taking the time to ensure your audio and video are top-notch.
Examples of Successful On-Demand Webinars
HubSpot's "Inbound Marketing 101" Webinar
HubSpot’s “Inbound Marketing 101” webinar has become a marketing industry standard, delivering a complete introduction to inbound marketing. With thousands of marketers watching the on-demand webinar, it has become a go-to resource for anyone interested in learning about the fundamentals of inbound marketing.
The webinar addresses the fundamentals of attracting, engaging, and satisfying customers through content development, social media, and other digital marketing tactics. The presenter offers real-world examples to demonstrate how inbound marketing can be used effectively to promote growth and create prospects.
The on-demand webinar is also available on HubSpot’s website, giving anybody access to the information at any time.
Salesforce's "7 Email Marketing Strategies" Webinar
Salesforce’s “7 Email Marketing Strategies” on-demand webinar focuses on email marketing and how businesses can make the most of Salesforce’s marketing automation tools.
The webinar covers a wide range of subjects, including email segmentation, personalization, and much more. The speaker discusses best practices and actionable strategies for developing great email campaigns that increase engagement and conversions.
The on-demand webinar is accessible on Salesforce’s website at any time, allowing marketers to access the content at their convenience. The webinar is also interactive, with a chat component that allows attendees to ask questions and get replies in the soonest possible time.
Buffer's "The Science of Social Media" Webinar
Buffer’s “The Science of Social Media” on-demand webinar is a comprehensive guide to the science behind social media. The webinar covers a range of topics, including the psychology of social media, the role of emotion in social media engagement, and the latest trends in social media marketing.
The presenter provides actionable tips and tactics for increasing social media engagement, such as how to develop interesting content, optimize postings for numerous platforms, and quantify effectiveness with social media analytics.
If you’re interested in improving your social media strategy, you can watch the on-demand webinar on Buffer’s website.
Key Takeaways on On-Demand Webinars Guide
In conclusion, on-demand webinars can help businesses generate leads, connect with their audience, and promote their brand. They enable schedule flexibility and access to new information, making it simpler for both hosts and attendees to engage.
Nevertheless, there are certain drawbacks to consider, such as the requirement for defined objectives, meaningful involvement, and high-quality video and audio.
It is critical to keep on-demand webinars short and sweet, employ interactive elements to engage the audience, and deliver high-quality video and audio.
By following these tips and learning from successful examples such as HubSpot’s “Inbound Marketing 101,” Salesforce’s “7 Email Marketing Strategies,” and Buffer’s “The Science of Social Media,” businesses can create impactful on-demand webinars that generate leads, engage their audience, and promote their brand.