Simply put, a webinar is a dummy-proof, personalised, time- and cost-effective version of the very complex technology behind video-conferencing.
If you can imagine yourself attending a workshop or seminar that is taking place in London without moving from your office chair, you need to take a closer look at the world of webinars. Aside from the fact that your participation in the event would be live, you also nullify the added burdens of travel, accommodation and the event attendance costs.
There are various webinar options available today and the format is usually dictated by the host, presenter or speaker. A webinar host, for example, could conduct a workshop or presentation where all of his or her attendees can hear his or her delivery and follow a slide show. Alternatively, the host may opt to activate a video facility whereby attendees can both hear and see him or her live.
Of course, in the latter case, your computer would need to have the appropriate software installed.
Much like in a real workshop, webinar participants can equally ask the presenter questions during the session, for example, by typing them in a specified window of the webinar application. The presenter can then either respond in writing, in which case the answer would appear in the window of the webinar application or answer during his or her presentation for all attendees to hear.
It is important to note that most webinars are FREE to attend. The trick however, as in most social media tools, is finding the products and services that are specific to your needs.
Thus far, I have found BrightTALK (www.brighttalk.com) to be a good free webinar service provider that gives you access to a variety of content using its multi-channel offering. In other words, if you visit the BrightTALK website, you will be able to search for webinars of your choice, book your attendance and participate.
