Have you ever had to deliver a webinar for work?
Or have you ever been asked to attend one by your employer? Webinars are gaining popularity in the workplace.
But, there is confusion over the difference between a webinar and a webcast.
In this article, I will clarify the difference between a webinar and a webcast.
What is a webcast?
A webcast is a multimedia broadcast that is available over the Internet. The term originally referred to live streaming video content, but today it also refers to audio broadcasts and pre-recorded video content.
Webcasting of live events can be used for business purposes or sometimes for entertainment purposes, depending on the purpose of the event.
Business uses for webcasts include marketing presentations, sales training, corporate communications, lectures, and town hall meetings.
Personal uses of webcasts include online dating services and social networking sites where people can stream their own music, art or other media.*
The term webcast is a portmanteau (a combination of two words) combining the terms web and broadcast.[1]
Webcasting is also commonly referred to as streaming.
Webcasting services have become an essential part of the public relations toolbox for companies who want to reach out to a large audience or provide instructional videos and information over the Internet from their own websites.
Webcasting does not require significant start-up costs as other technologies do; it is possible to purchase third-party webcasting software for less than the US $1,000** with features that rival expensive digital video production systems.
What are the major reasons businesses are using webcasts?
1. Reach: Perhaps the most obvious reason is that a webcast allows companies to reach large audiences of customers, prospects, and partners with one message and one event. If a company wants to communicate a certain message to its partners, for example, it can send out one webcast and potentially reach thousands of channel partners with that same message.
2. Cost savings: Webcasts offer businesses a cost-effective alternative to traditional methods of communication. In addition to reducing travel costs and the need to purchase expensive materials, they also eliminate the need for hosting an elaborate event or meeting at a physical location which can result in significant savings over time.
3. More control over the message: Businesses have more control over their message when using webcasts versus traditional marketing means because there is no room for misinterpretation (unless you do not plan your webcast properly). For example, during a live conference call, you may have multiple people talking at once or background noise interfering with your message; this problem does not exist on a well-planned webcast because participants hear only from you and from no one else.
4. Flexibility in scheduling options: Many companies prefer their employees to prep for events at their own pace.
What is A Webinar
A webinar is defined as the process of presentation of information or demonstration of a product over the Internet, which may be watched live by participants or recorded for later viewing. Webinars are also referred to as web seminars and online seminars.
The term "webinar" is a portmanteau of "web" and "seminar".
A webinar differs from an ordinary seminar in that it is conducted via interactive video streaming. This allows many people located across different time zones to attend the seminar simultaneously.
For example, a presentation given at noon New York time can be seen live in Tokyo at 8 pm. The host may also allow attendees to submit questions via text, audio, or video chat during the event, which enables interaction between presenter and attendees.
What are the main reasons people use webinars?
Obviously, the first and most important reason is to promote your product or service. It's not unusual for people to spend between $500 and $2,000 on a webinar. So when it comes to marketing your business, webinars are definitely worth a shot.
Trying to get more traffic to your site? Webinars are a great way to accomplish that as well. You can feature your site at the beginning of the webinar and again at the end.
Once you've completed the webinar you can use it as a replay for those who missed it live. This will allow you to reach far more people than you would have without using the video itself.
Lastly, if you want to increase brand awareness, webinars are also a great way to do that. Those who attend can spread the word about how informative and helpful your webinar was. And, if they like what they saw, they'll be more likely to buy from you in the future.
Difference Between A Webinar and A Webcast
The main difference between a webinar and a webcast is that a webinar is an online seminar or class that is broadcast live over the Internet while a webcast is a live media presentation distributed over the Internet.
Both terms refer to a lecture or presentation where, instead of being held in a physical location, it is delivered through the Internet.
Key TakeAway:
1: A webinar can be delivered with audio, video, and/or slides. Webinars are often provided by experts, who may offer their knowledge as part of a series or as one-time ventures. Webinars are usually accessed through an event page that features an agenda, a list of presenters (often with bios), and other event details.
2: A webcast is usually a one-way media presentation, so most webcasts are delivered in audio format only. Some presenters choose to use PowerPoint slides with their presentations. Most often, the presenter will speak for about 30-60 minutes about a topic of interest and then take questions from participants in the webcast audience. Some organizations choose to archive their webcasts so that others may access them at a future date.
To learn more, check out this video conferencing faq
