This post corresponds to podcast Episode 19: Web Conferencing with ReadyTalk which is included in our Core Program, accompanied by workbook and video tutorials that show you how to do this on your own.



Our last post explained how you can use teleclasses and podcasts to record audio, then distribute it on the web. If you want to use that same concept of re-purposing content, but take it to another level of sophistication then you should consider web conferencing.

You see, web-based meeting services are a great way for you to bring together customers and prospects without the need for travel. Whether you are talking about a relatively local audience (say regional customers who don’t have much time to see) or national and international folks for whom travel isn’t a possibility, a web conference will allow you to address them all in one place, at one time.

What is web-conferencing, exactly?

“Webinars” began as simple online document-sharing events that were typically held by large companies for internal meetings or remote sales trainings. But things changed quickly with the emergence of broadband. More bandwidth means that we can now watch video and share other applications without compromising ‘watchability.’

Now it’s more appropriate to consider web conferencing as an educational, lead generation, training and sales demonstration tool that could be perfect for your small business.

What’s in it for you?

• Re-purposing your content is one of the most important things you can do. You want to find ways to attract new customers without repeat effort, right?
• Marginal cost of web conferencing is very low (close to $.0 for additional participants) so you can easily scale this platform.
• You can even charge for your expertise and turn your web conferences into revenue generating activities.
• Remember the “Long tail” of marketing: posting the webinar to your website will help improve your Search Engine Optimization (SEO).

Example: using web conferencing to generate leads and improve service

“Cash for Clunkers” was a popular, federally subsidized automobile trade-in program that simultaneously interested and confused lots of people. It’s likely that many of these folks had questions but didn’t want to go to a dealership and ‘get sold.’ They just wanted convenient information.

If you owned a car dealership you could have held a web conference explaining “The In’s and Out’s of Cash for Clunkers.”

• The right platform would make registration simple (just generate a link, post it to your website, put it in your blog and sent it out to your mailing list).
• During the conference you would explain the program elements and qualifications.
• Listeners could ask questions via telephone or computer chat.

From there it would be easy for your sales folks to follow up, answer any of the attendee’s remaining questions and/or schedule an appointment for them to come see you. Plus, you could have recorded the presentation and would be able to leave that link live for the duration of the program. That way people who missed the seminar would still have access to the valuable information you shared.

Tools are Cool:

Most web conferencing services now include features that allow you to switch back and forth between PowerPoint slides and real, live web browsing. This is a really helpful way to teach because it is far more engaging and interactive. Plus you can co-present and use illustration tools (like John Madden drawing pictures on tv).

What to look for:

When evaluating web conferencing services (there are lots of them out there, and we strongly recommend ReadyTalk as the most capable and user-friendly) be sure to look for:

• Platform independence (Mac and/or PC)
• Ease of use
• Simultaneous recording of audio and video (make sure you can record all participants and not just the moderator).
• Illustration tools
• The ability to present static elements like slides and documents, plus live content (web browsers, etc)
• Toll and/or toll-free call options
• Usage fees: choices of intermittent usage or subscription rates depending on your needs.
• Administrative functions: invitations, reminders, follow up, reports, chat, survey, etc.

For more information contact ReadyTalk or drop us a line. We’d love to hear what you are up to and answer your questions. If you are following our Internet Marketing course sequentially then you have just completed the last section. Congratulations! Be sure to keep up to date on the latest tips, tools and trends by subscribing to our newsletter, following us on Twitter or becoming a fan of our Facebook page.

Where else can you go from here? If you’ve been learning from all of the free stuff we offer, great! Now maybe it’s time to get the kit and learn how to implement all of the stuff you have become familiar with. Or if you already purchased the kit you can go to another level by joining our mentorship class, which offers individual support.

Cheers!