If you’ve been hanging out online a lot, then chances are, you’ve already been to a couple of webinars yourself. Then again, even if you have yet to attend a webinar, there are a few things you can do to make the most out of your participation.
Bear in mind: webinars make for a great learning platform. They’re essentially highly-interactive online talks, seminars and workshops. Speakers and participants all congregate in a virtual room over the internet, where they discuss a topic, answer questions and share notes and in real-time, from just about anywhere around the world.
Now, while webinars are ultimately very convenient– that is, you can plug in from the comfort of your own home, a coffee shop, or just about any wi-fi enabled location- you can actually pay attention to a few details to maximize your online learning experience.
Just like any activity, it pays to be systematic. So here are a few simple tips on how to get the most out the webinar of your choice.
Signing Up For The Webinar.
1. Register for the webinar. Too obvious? Perhaps, but it simply can’t be ignored. Remember that many webinars have limited seats, and therefore only a relative few can be accommodated.
Check with the registration page, and make sure the webinar date agrees with your schedule. All the details you might possibly need are also on the registration page: about the topic, a bio on the speaker, contact details of the organizers, various payment options, and links to other important resources.
2. Pay on time. Registration is good, as it reserves your slot for the webinar, but to seal the deal, you might have to shell out a few for your attendance. Most webinar companies make several payment options available for you- so you can pay via direct bank deposit, credit card, PayPal or some other means.
3. Check your email for updates. It is not uncommon for speakers or virtual event organizers to send reminders and material via email.
In addition to your notices confirming your attendance and receipt of payment, note that you can also get assignments and handouts in your inbox, as well as important action items that you might need to go through before your webinar. You don’t want to be left out when these updates come through, so keep your eye on your email from time to time.
Just Before Webinar Day.
4. Prepare for the webinar. Yes, you can pretty much plug in from anywhere. Webinars are great that way- as long as you have a decent PC or laptop and a stable internet connection, you should be good.
Also consider, however, the time you’ll be attending your webinar- would you be having guests over? Or perhaps your pets are out to get some affection from you. Try to do away with as many of these distractions as you can foresee, and work on creating the ideal webinar environment for yourself.
5. Invest in a good USB headset. We’ve had a significant number of attendees who attended our webinars without the proper gear.
A USB headset is the most convenient of all, because you can easily plug it in, and only do some minor configuring or tweaking, and you’re good to go.
Besides, the sound quality comes out so much better on a USB headset, so it not only gets you the best possible audio from the speaker and your fellow participants, but it also allows you to interact with them when it is time to do so.
6. Prepare your questions beforehand. Before attending the webinar, have a good idea of what you want to learn for yourself. Since you at least have an idea what the topic is anyway, go right ahead and jot down some questions. What made you interested in the webinar in the first place anyway? How can you apply your learning to your career, your business or whatever project you’re working on at the moment?
Some of these questions of yours will be answered during the course of the discussion, while some might not. Go on and ask your questions- remember, the whole point of the exercise is to learn something, so don’t be shy.
On The Day of The Webinar
7. Clear your PC/laptop. Avoid running other unnecessary programs in the background, while you’re attending the webinar. Clear your desktop of incriminating programs, themes or wallpaper. Remember that in a webinar, you might be given the option to show others what’s on your screen, so don’t be caught unawares when this happens.
Similarly, try not to run programs that eat up a lot of bandwidth. The quality of your downstream (the sound they hear from your end) or upstream (the sound you hear from the speakers and participants) largely depends on the available bandwidth, so yes, you’ll want to keep your channels open.
8. Check your audio settings. Make sure the audio you’re receiving is at a comfortable level, and make sure your mic is good to go at a moment’s notice. As an attendee, while your mic might be muted for the better part of the discussion, remember that the speaker or event organizer can call on you to share a few thoughts, introduce yourself, or ask a question.
Many webinar organizers actually open the virtual rooms early to allow you to fix your audio settings. Use that opportunity, and take some time to make sure your mic is working alright.
9. Take down notes. Writing down notes while listening to the webinar helps in retaining the information, and gives you an easy reference readily available for your review. Remember that little bits and pieces might actually be mentioned outside the speaker’s notes or prepared slides- sites you might want to visit, important authors or sources, books or other things you may have to check out, etc.
Doesn’t matter if you choose Notepad, or use an actual notepad and pen/pencil. As long as you make your own notes, go right ahead.
10. Interact. Webinars are not one-way discussions. One of the most interesting features of webinars is that it allows you to exchange ideas not only with the speakers, but also with the other participants.
Depending on the webinar, the organizers might allow you some time to comment or throw a question. Share your opinions, or share what you know. Even differing views make the discussion more engaging.
ProFora Media is in the business of webinars, virtual events, and online solutions for corporations, organizations and small business owners. As far as webinars, online talks and workshops are concerned, we usually have a selection of sessions available for anyone who’d want to check it out.
For any sort of inquiries, you may contact the ProFora Team via email– info@proforamedia.com, or through phone– +632.376.7040. More information about ProFora Media and its upcoming webinars and other virtual events are also available on the websites and social media pages included below.
* (learning hub and community) www.philippineonlinetraining.com
* (multiply) www.proforamedia.multiply.com
* (twitter) www.twitter.com/proforamedia
* (facebook) www.facebook.com/ProForaWebinars.
* (youtube) www.youtube.com/user/proforamedia
Cheers, everyone!
Atty. Salvador “Bong” Belaro, Jr., L.L.M., author of the book, Legal Forms for Entrepreneurs, will be answering these questions and more with his series of webinars for entrepreneurs entitled “Legal Forms: An Entrepreneur’s Survival Guide”. Atty. Belaro will also give tips in selecting a good lawyer for an entrepreneur as well as discuss the categories of legal forms and their subsequent details in this 5-part webinar series.
In fact, he even wrote a book specifically on the subject matter. Legal Forms for Entrepreneurs, which is available at Fully Booked, National Bookstore and PowerBooks, is a comprehensive reference and must-have for Filipino entrepreneurs and business owners.
