WEBINAR ON WEBINARS

Webinar on Webinars

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This webinar was presented by the Free Range Librarian herself, PUBLIB co-moderator Karen G. Schneider. It included reasons for doing webinars as well as tips and tricks for both attendees and presenters of webinars.


ADVANTAGES OF WEBINARS:

1. Can save staff time--meetings can also be done via webinar.

2. Can archive for those who can't attend.

3. They are easy to schedule and the software sends automatic reminders.

4. Can use phone, VOIP, or chat.

5. Can boot people who are not behaving out of sessions.


DISADVANTAGES OF WEBINARS:

1. No body language cues.

2. Software not standardized.

3. People tend to multitask.

4. There can be a stress factor.


TIPS FOR ATTENDEES:

1. Mute the sound when not speaking--even keyboards can sound loud.

2. Read the instructions first.

3. If stuff happens, relax and roll with it.

4. Test software beforehand even if you've used it before--there might be updates.

5. Don't use a webcam--their microphones have too much echo and feedback.

6. One person per PC.

7. Show up early.

8. Identify yourself when communicating.

9. Listening and talking via headphones and microphone is the best set-up. Either headphones and instant messaging or telephone access are acceptable.


TIPS FOR PRESENTERS:

1. Assume people won't read instructions.

2. Plan a little time to get started.

3. Give attendees a little "webinar 101" speech at the beginning.

4. Use 2 or more monitors--one with webinar control, one with what the screen looks like to attendees.

5. Get a "wingman" to help with technical complications.

6. Assume control if needed--mute people, redirect the discussion.


When deciding what webinar software to go with, Schneider recommends asking colleagues for recommendations and taking advantage of trial offers. then identify and rank what your requirements are. Schneider considers Webex the best (but expensive) software and Gotowebinar the second best. She hasn't found any free and/or open source products that she likes.


FACTORS TO CONSIDER WHEN PURCHASING WEBINAR SOFTWARE

1. Cost

2. Stability--how good is the software's server?

3. Ease of Use

4. Platform support--Windows, Mac, Linux

5. Display quality

6. Number of attendees allowed

7. Type of audio or chat available

8. Full duplexing vs. half duplexing


Here's a link to a video of the webinar.





--Andrea