Category Archives: Webinar Software

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When Should I Finish my Webinar?

When should I finish my webinar?

This important question reminds me of a Doctor’s surgery. I don’t know if it is just an Australian thing, but I loathe the loooooong waiting times that I sometimes encounter waiting to see a Doctor. I do the right thing and book an appointment. I arrive on time and then it starts. The waiting. Followed by more waiting. Of course, it only adds to the frustration of waiting that I really hate sitting around feeling miserable for myself when I am sick. Can’t I waste my time waiting to see a Doctor when I am at least feeling healthy? Instead, I have to wait when I am feeling at my worst and all I want to do is crawl into bed. Of course, this is even better when I am visiting the Doctor when my son is the one who is sick. I pity every parent who has waited for a Doctor with a sick child. That is the pits.

I accept that waiting for a delayed Doctor is probably less fun than waiting for a procrastinating presenter to finish their webinar that is running late. But the disrespect feels similar to me. When we ask people to give up their time to attend a webinar we should let them know when it will start and when it will finish. And we should honour that. As a general guide, webinars should start on time and finish on time.

I do fully appreciate however that if we have finished all of our content delivery by the finish time that it is OK for a webinar presenter to give their participants an option of staying online to ask additional questions they might have. That is probably fair in many circumstances. But otherwise, we should honour our participants’ time by getting out of Dodge by the appointed finish time.

More discussion about this topic is included in the below video.

When Should I Finish my Webinar? – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1BUTBRkzHdE

Do you have my Webinar Platforms Guide?

To learn more about webinars click here to grab my free Webinar Platforms Guide. It includes:

  • What are Webinars?
  • What are the 4 Types of Webinar Platforms?
  • What are the Pros and Cons of the Webinar Platforms?
  • Select the Best Platform for YOU
  • Where is the Software?

Click here to grab your copy.

When do you think a presenter should finish their webinar?

What do you think? I would love to hear your thoughts and suggestions. Please click here to share your ideas in the YouTube video comments.

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Choosing a Webinar Provider: Know your Numbers

Insider Tip 4

Webinar provider numbers? Huh? Choosing a webinar provider is a decision that benefits from cold hard facts. Numbers can provide those facts. The video below gives you the fourth of a series of insider tips to help you make the right choice first time.

Choosing a Webinar Provider: Know Your Numbers – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xVyq3MixGbQ

After completing school I studied economics for four years. I then taught economics and quantitative analysis at Griffith University’s Gold Coast Campus. I guess that gives you some insight into how much I love numbers. It makes sense then that I intuitively look for numbers to help me make sense of webinar providers. And sure enough there are some critical numbers you need to know in order to make the right purchase decision for you.

Know Your Numbers

Fundamentally, there are three webinar provider numbers you need to understand before you commit to purchasing your webinar software.

  1. Know the pricing and purchase conditions. Understand if you are being locked into a contract and if so know about your early termination options and the minimum cost you will be required to pay even if you decide to abandon the software.
  2. Understand your maximum participation numbers. Webinar provider numbers are measured differently depending upon which webinar software program you are evaluating. Some providers identify maximum registration numbers while others stipulate maximum attendee numbers. There can be a huge difference between the two as show-up rates vary substantially. Many webinar providers have tiered pricing. Don’t unnecessarily commit to a contract for a tier where the benefits of having that tier require registration/attendee numbers exceed your expectations, especially if you retain an option to upgrade your package at a later stage without any penalty. Usually the webinar providers can process an upgrade relatively quickly (several days) so if you become surprised by increasing webinar registrations then you will normally have sufficient time to upgrade your package in preference to missing out on potential registrants/attendees.
  3. Investigate the phone number or other support options. Some webinar providers provide phone support options. Find this out. If this is the case write the number/s down in a very safe place so you can lay your eyes on it at a moment’s notice (especially if you encounter a technical failure during a webinar). Many webinar providers do not offer phone support, but they may offer email support or use website based support services that generate tickets for identified issues. In coming years I expect webinar providers to start offering live messaging and chat support options too. Before you select your software ask about support options and know the numbers as to how quickly that support will respond to you when you need it.

Do you have my Webinar Platforms Guide?

To learn more about webinars click here to grab my free Webinar Platforms Guide. It includes:

  • What are Webinars?
  • What are the 4 Types of Webinar Platforms?
  • What are the Pros and Cons of the Webinar Platforms?
  • Select the Best Platform for YOU
  • Where is the Software?

Click here to grab your copy.

What webinar provider numbers do we need to know?

Have I forgotten something important? What are the important webinar provider numbers we all need to consider before purchasing software. Please click here to share your ideas in the YouTube video comments.

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Choosing a Webinar Provider: Ask the Webinar Experts

Insider Tip 3

Choosing a webinar provider is a decision that benefits from consultation and advice with webinar experts. The video below gives you the third of a series of insider tips to help you make the right choice first time.

Choosing a Webinar Provider: Ask the Experts – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QNYHSRFwFtY

Ask the Webinar Experts

It might seem odd to believe that you can access a webinar expert for help selecting your webinar software, but help is available. Here are 6 options to help you ask the experts for guidance.

  1. Ask at your school or workplace. Are there experienced webinar presenters at your school or workplace? If so, the chances are good that they would love to be contacted by you and asked for their opinion. As with all of these options trust your judgement about whether or not you are given good advice.
  2. Visit forums or groups. There are a lot of forums and groups on the Internet that offer assistance to webinar presenters. If you are considering a specific software search for a forum or group for users of that software and ask as many questions as you want.
  3. Subscribe to podcasts and blogs. You can learn a lot about the different webinar software features and the pros and cons of webinar software options by listening to relevant podcasts and/or reading blogs. My favorite podcast is the Webinar Skills Podcast, which I host with new episodes released every Monday, Wednesday and Friday.
  4. Participate in the Webinars Survey. You can read all about the survey by clicking this link.
  5. Engage a coach or consultant. There are some amazing webinar presenters who will provide you with amazing value for money as a coach or consultant to help you select your software then obtain the skills you need to become a super effective webinar presenter.
  6. Ask Damian. If your best option is to ask me a question don’t hesitate. The best way to do this is by leaving me a question in the comments for the YouTube video for this training article. To do that click here.

Do you have my Webinar Platforms Guide?

To learn more about webinars click here to grab my free Webinar Platforms Guide. It includes:

  • What are Webinars?
  • What are the 4 Types of Webinar Platforms?
  • What are the Pros and Cons of the Webinar Platforms?
  • Select the Best Platform for YOU
  • Where is the Software?

Click here to grab your copy.

Do you want help selecting your webinar provider?

Do you have a question about selecting your webinar software? Please click here and ask me in the YouTube video comments. I promise to reply.

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Choosing a Webinar Provider: Leap into the Sandpit

Insider Tip 2

Choosing a webinar provider is an important decision. The video below gives you the second of a series of insider tips to help you make the right choice first time.

Choosing a Webinar Provider: Leap into the Sandpit – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SI80XUOu7PM

Leap into the Sandpit to Choose a Webinar Provider

My previous training article and video were the first of a series dedicated to helping you identify the best webinar provider for you. In that article and video I encouraged you to become a webinar student. After you have commenced your studies the next step is to leap into the sandpit.

Jump in like you are a World Champion long jumper and play. Most webinar software programs give you the opportunity to trial their software for typically 30 days. As Nike say, “Just do it”. Trial software that appeals to you. Play with it by yourself then with a friend then with a few colleagues. Test out your bandwidth and your abilities to manage the software features. Jump into the sandpit with enthusiasm and take the time to play with 1, 2  or more software programs until you are ready to make a good decision. Don’t feel rushed. “Patience you must have, my young Padawan”, as Yoda said to Luke (Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back). Test everything that is important to you and then you will be able to confidently select your webinar provider.

Do you have my Webinar Platforms Guide?

To learn more about webinars click here to grab my free Webinar Platforms Guide. It includes:

  • What are Webinars?
  • What are the 4 Types of Webinar Platforms?
  • What are the Pros and Cons of the Webinar Platforms?
  • Select the Best Platform for YOU
  • Where is the Software?

Click here to grab your copy.

Have you benefited from trialling webinar software?

Please click here to share your story in the YouTube video comments.

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Choosing a Webinar Provider: Become a Webinar Student

Insider Tip 1

Choosing a webinar provider is a decision that can be daunting. The video below gives you the first of a series of insider tips to help you make the right choice first time.

Choosing a Webinar Provider: Become a Webinar Student – https://youtu.be/wkWgBHBwIwk

Choosing a webinar provider by becoming a webinar student

Have you ever noticed that when we first start learning about a new topic that we sometimes become very impressed with how much we have learnt within the first few hours or days. Sometimes, it can feel that because we have learnt so much that we must already be getting close to learning everything we will need to know. However, it is often not until months or years later that the true gravity of how much detail we don’t know starts to dawn upon us. In fact, it often isn’t until we start learning about something that we realise how little we do know and how much there is still to learn.

To an outsider, I expect that webinar software all looks pretty much the same. However, that same outsider probably hasn’t even contemplated how differently webinar systems can approach a few critical but subtle features like:

  • The interfaces for setting up registration pages and optimising the webinar layout
  • How the webinars are recorded and exported
  • Reporting options for reviewing the effectiveness of the webinar

Just like a car, it isn’t until you start digging around under the hood that you realise what makes the webinar software special, in both good and bad ways.

Consequently, my first insider tip for choosing a webinar provider is to become a webinar student. Do this by:

  • Studying the webinar features used by your favorite presenters
  • Reviewing the specifications of different webinar software systems

Do you have my Webinar Platforms Guide?

To learn more about webinars click here to grab my free Webinar Platforms Guide. It includes:

  • What are Webinars?
  • What are the 4 Types of Webinar Platforms?
  • What are the Pros and Cons of the Webinar Platforms?
  • Select the Best Platform for YOU
  • Where is the Software?

Click here to grab your copy.

Have you become a webinar student?

Is there something you have noticed about how webinar software can be so different? Please click here to share your ideas in the YouTube video comments.

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5 Reasons to Buy Webinar Ninja 4.0

Webinar Ninja 4.0 is a super update compared to its previous iterations. In this article I lay out 5 reasons to buy Webinar Ninja 4.0. If you are on the lookout to purchase new webinar software this article will help you find out if the Ninja offering is a good fit for you.

I love having options. Ask my wonderful wife and she will confirm I say this all the time. For just about anything I like being able to select from multiple choices. Apparently there are people who agree with me. Ranker lists 171 different manufacturers of cars. Considering that each manufacturer offers multiple models, sometimes more than a dozen, people want the option to choose from a huge array of car types before even considering feature variations.

Consequently, it won’t surprise you to read that I like Webinar Ninja 4.0 for being an excellent addition to the growing options of webinar software choices. If an Independent option is your best choice from the four types of webinar platforms then here are 5 reasons to buy Webinar Ninja 4.0.

5 Reasons to Buy Webinar Ninja – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wfkEMEoT8bA

I invite you to see or read about my detailed unboxing review of Webinar Ninja 4.0.

1. Four webinar options

Webinar Ninja 4.0 is among a handful of webinar software options that allow you to record and present multiple different types of webinars and this can be done without having to purchase any additional software. When you setup a new webinar using Webinar Ninja 4.0 you can choose between:

  • Live webinar
  • Recurring live webinar
  • Evergreen webinar
  • Anytime access

It is not unique, but still great value, that Webinar Ninja 4.0 offers different hybrid webinar options under the hood of a single webinar software program.

2. It is a live program

Earlier versions of Webinar Ninja relied upon Google+ Hangouts on Air as its underlying webinar delivery system. However, early in 2015 the ninjas cut loose the umbilical cord to hangouts. This means that when you use Webinar Ninja 4.0 there is no significant lag between when the presenter says something and the webinar participants hear it. This is magical because it makes it much easier for the webinar presenter to promote real-time engagement with their participants. It reduces some uncertainty and makes life simpler for the presenter. It provides a distinct advantage for Webinar Ninja 4.0 relative to Google+ Hangouts on Air and the Wrappers software systems that utilise Hangouts technology.

3. Very easy to use

Webinar Ninja 4.0 is VERY easy to use. For ease of use it is one of the best webinar programs from all four types of webinar platforms. Well done Ninjas.

4. Competitive pricing options

I have been shocked at the pricing for Webinar Ninja 4.0. It represents great value compared to its previous versions. Most importantly, it now offers affordable pricing for all levels of webinar users, including monthly and discounted annual payment options.

5. 14 day free trial

Webinar Ninja 4.0 has introduced a 14 day free trial. If you try it and don’t like it you can cancel your subscription within 14 days and no money changes hands. I need a “like” button for this one.

Do you have my Webinar Platforms Guide?

To learn more about webinars click here to grab my free Webinar Platforms Guide. It includes:

  • What are Webinars?
  • What are the 4 Types of Webinar Platforms?
  • What are the Pros and Cons of the Webinar Platforms?
  • Select the Best Platform for YOU
  • Where is the Software?

Click here to grab your copy.

Are these good reasons to buy Webinar Ninja 4.0?

Share your opinions and ask your questions about Webinar Ninja 4.0. What do you think? Please click here to share your thoughts in the YouTube video comments.