Just like a great party, throwing a useful webcast involves a variety of small details that make a big difference. Starting with expert content people want to know is just the beginning.
Here at Strategic Data Systems, we have spent that past few weeks leading a series of training webcasts on TFS. Through this process, we have kept notes on the lessons we have learned along the way and formulated an SDS Webcast Checklist.
Below is a summary for your use. I hope this helps your webcast efforts.
If you have additional best practices that you have learned along the way, please let us know and we will add them to the list.
Happy Webcast.
- Test the link the day before in case you need to send out an email update to attendees ahead of time.
- Have a headset.
- Test headset quality ahead of time.
- Review slides ahead of time for formatting and consistency across webcasts
- Have a “lobby” slide as the first slide people see as joining webcast (title, starting shortly, etc...)
- Provide webcast itinerary to outline expected use of time and roles for your internal use.
- Log in early and share lobby screen as people join the meeting.
- Need three roles: Host/Q&A leader, presenter, Quality control (somebody who observes from another locationand can send info/feedback to the host)
- Use Host talking points reference for opening remarks and speaker intro.
- Have some questions listed ahead of time to use if needed.
- Have PowerPoint in slide show mode, not just open on the desktop.
- Share full screen for the webcast so people don’t see the desktop.
- Have a slide ready to share while answering Q&A. Show people where to input their questions.
- Test voice the day before.
- Turn down phone ringers or mute (office phones too, not just mobile phones).
- Reviews demos to ensure running in most recent/relevant tech environment(s).
- Have all needed apps/windows open before meeting starts.
- Need to more clearly articulate and emphasis points. The webcast format really dry’s-out how people sound. Need to reach harder to engage attendees. Overcompensate--really.
- Use a minimal PowerPoint design. Graphics get pixilated over webcast.
- Do dry run ahead of time with your team.
- Share content/slides afterwards. Send email after event with link to content and link to a feedback survey.
And, Record the webcast!
Author: Stacy Sheldon, Director of Marketing