Webinar

What is a Webinar?

A webinar is a seminar held online with presentation and interaction elements. It combines knowledge transfer with opportunities to participate such as questions, polls or chat – regardless of location, over the internet.

Webinar in Detail

The term “webinar” is a blend of “web” and “seminar” and denotes an online event for knowledge transfer. Unlike a pure web meeting, it has a clear presentation or training character: one or more presenters present a topic, often supplemented by interactive elements such as Q&A sessions, polls, chat or breakout sessions. Webinars are suitable for further training, product introductions, specialist talks and internal training, and reach a large audience regardless of location. Success factors are a clear structure and dramaturgy, intelligible content, good technology and presence, and deliberate interaction to hold attention – because online, concentration wanes faster than in the room. For presenters, demands similar to those for presentations and online interviews apply: clear key messages, stage presence in front of the camera and composed handling of technology and questions. A well-made webinar conveys knowledge effectively and actively involves the audience.

In practice, the webinar combines knowledge transfer with online presence: you present to a distributed audience you often cannot see, and must nonetheless generate attention and interaction. This requires a clear structure, a persuasive voice, vivid content and the deliberate use of presence despite distance. Challenging is staying lively without direct feedback from the audience and avoiding drops in attention. Proven approaches are an activating opening, varied design, interaction elements such as polls, chat and question rounds, and short, intelligible units of meaning. Technically, a stable connection, good sound, shared content and a professional setting count. Anyone who goes on camera should speak into the camera and show presence. Good preparation of content, technology and dramaturgy decides the success.

What is a webinar used for?

A webinar conveys knowledge online with presentation and interaction elements and reaches a large audience regardless of location. It becomes effective through a clear structure, intelligible content, good technology, presence in front of the camera and deliberate interaction.

Webinar – Examples in Practice

A company introduces a new product in a webinar. A trainer trains a team online with a talk, polls and Q&A. An expert gives a specialist talk as a webinar for a broad audience.

Webinar: Key Features at a Glance

• Definition: online seminar with interaction
• Character: presentation and knowledge transfer
• Interaction: Q&A, polls, chat
• Advantage: location-independent, wide reach
• Success: structure, presence, active involvement

Related Terms

• Web Meeting (Web Call)
• Internal Communication
• Keynote
• Online Interview
• Community Management

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Webinar: Frequently Asked Questions

What is a webinar?

A seminar held online with presentation and interaction elements that combines knowledge transfer with participation such as questions, polls or chat.

What distinguishes a webinar from a web meeting?

The webinar has a clear presentation and training character for a larger audience. The web meeting is a meeting with stronger exchange among a few participants.

What makes a good webinar?

A clear structure and dramaturgy, intelligible content, good technology and presence, and deliberate interaction to hold attention.

What should presenters mind in a webinar?

Clear key messages, presence in front of the camera, composed handling of technology and questions, and active involvement of the audience.