This post is the second in a series of 3 about how to keep audiences engaged throughout your webinars.
It is not uncommon for audiences to start dropping off just a few minutes into the programme, or even 30-50% abandoning your webinar towards the last quarter of the allocated time.
On the flip side, audiences will stay engaged if they believe there is more valuable content to follow. Here are some further ideas to keep your audiences engaged.
Following on from the first post in this series, and in no particular order …
Tell me and I forget. Show me and I remember. Involve me and I understand.
John Gay (1685-1732)
- Case studies: The introduction of examples and case studies can help your audience relate to the subject matter. They will want to know the outcome, so save that until the end.
- Q&A: Audiences attend the webinar because they want to learn something. Giving them an opportunity to ask questions will add value for the participants, but will also give you insight into what is important to your clients.
- Polling: Directing questions to your audience is seen as a core audience engagement tool. When you challenge your audience to think through an issue before you address it, the insights you add become more relevant.
- Feedback: Ask your audience to provide feedback along the way. It will also help you identify which parts of the discussion resonated most.
- Chat: Don’t be afraid to have your audience connect with your speakers as well as each other through a chat function on your webinar platform. Hearing what others thinks adds interest to the audience.
- Video content: Breaking up the flow of the presentation with visual aids will always add engagement. A video testimony or case study will provide a change of pace, which resets the concentration clock.
- Time of day: The timing of your webinar may have a big impact on engagement levels. Many people find it easier to concentrate earlier in the day, rather than competing with lunch or pressing deadlines later in the day.
- Breaks: If you are hosting a long-form webinar, build in times for breaks. Simply announce, that we will now take a short break, and when we come back we will hear from the following experts explain how they resolved this problem.
- Stick to time: Also consider that participants will need to go back to their desks. If you announce early how long the programme will be, the audience will be more engaged, knowing that they can deal with other commitments at set times. Then, stick to time.
- Breakout sessions: A moderated breakout session can add a new level of engagement for audiences. However, we sensitive that not everyone will want to active participate.
- Coffee lounge: Consider extending the time of your webinar to allow follow-up chat over a cup of coffee.
- Avatar: If you are not using a video feed for the presentation of your webinar, consider creating an avatar to represent you. Ask your audience to do the same, as it adds visual interest.
- Competition: A competition is always a good way to keep audiences engaged. Ask participants to submit their entries before the end of the webinar, and announce the winner at the end of the presentation.
- Gamification: Gamification is similar to a competition, but could award points for level of interaction, with the option of awarding prizes.
Please return soon for part 3 in this series, where 15 more ideas will be covered. Click here if you missed part 1.