Don't forget it's about people

I've been attending a LOT of webinars this year. Every time I get a change.

I usually want to learn about the topic of course, but I also want to learn from others in terms of how they present.

Something that has come up again and again is the impersonal nature of many of these events. Death by Powerpoint is being replaced: it's now Death by Webinar:-(

So, here are my thoughts on what makes a Webinar great, rather than just good - and what all too often make the events oh so disappointing and leave you talking to yourself.

The Great list

1. Make each individual feel like you are talking just to them. Use your tone and language as if you were sharing a secret with a friend (don't whisper though), keep it conversational.
2. SMILE. Nod, use your notmal body responses and do all the things you would in a face-to-face conversation. Credibility is everything and these small gestures have a big impact.
3. Don't read from the slides! Instead, make sure your media has graphics and punch bullets then use your voice to get the message home.
4. Make sure your audience knows how to use the interactive features of the session and have someone to act as a news feed on questions, comments etc. to show you are picking them up and dealing with them.
5. Practice, practice, practice. If you read from a script it sounds wrong. If you don't know your way around the material it sounds wrong. If you don't know how to use the technical bells and whistles you look stupid and your audience will drop out one by one. Remember: What, Why, When, How. Record yourself and play it back until you get it right - then get a second opinion and practice again.

The Talking to yourself list

1. Like a website (or a band performance) your event has to be sticky. If you are boring and don't sound interested yourself then there is NO stickiness. If your material is ill prepared and static, guess what: NO stickiness.
2. Everybody hates a show off. Don't overload on the bells and whistles. You've all seen the websites with every flash option under the sun and a colour scheme that sends you screaming from the screen. Same rules apply. Keep it nice, clean and clear.
3. Me, me, me. Wrong. It's all about your audience side What's In It For Me - centre on your audience not yourself.
4. If you use webcam - look good. Put on some make-up (yes, you men as well). Nobody would go on TV without a makeover and webcams are no different. Lighting can make you look like you have just been dug up out of the ground or are about to be plugged into the ground, it's unforgiving and there are NO exceptions. (And, make sure your headset is up to it - splash out).
5. Rambling on. Yes, I know I said don't read from a script - but don't wing it either. Know what you have to say and put it across in an entertaining way with some (acceptable) humour and enthusiasm.