Should I Give a Webinar? Part II

by Linore Rose Burkard

In last month's post, "Giving a Webinar: Should You, Would You, Could You?" I discussed some obstacles that gave me pause before doing my first webinar. Chief for me was a fundamental reluctance to appear on camera. I said we'd talk about the pros and cons of webinars in order to help you decide if you ought to be doing them. But first, I'd like to check out other reasons that may be holding you back from moving into this new technology. Such as:

• Fear of doing something new
• Fear of doing it wrong, or badly
• Fear of having nothing to say!
• Fear that no one will be interested
• Fear of how much work may be involved. 

Fear, fear, fear. As Christian writers, we have not been given a spirit of fear (2 Tim.1:7), so let's bust some fear-mongering myths and then we can further explore some of the pros and cons.  

I'll share how I did indeed mess up in my first webinar, and whether that means some fears are justified.  

To Begin With

In order to learn the nuts and bolts, Gina Burgess and I did two practice sessions. We chatted while I practiced switching from camera to slides and back again. Gina learned how to mute listeners, to check the comment box for questions, and how to give a brief introduction before I spoke.

My Mistake

The patio doors behind my desk gave too much light, a distraction for viewers, so I sat in another room to record the event. This led to my big mistake: I used a laptop with a built-in camera, and was  too close to that camera when we recorded. (For half of the presentation, you can't see my whole face. Aargh.)  

But feedback was still terrific--because it wasn't about me. The most important element in a webinar is the material--not how well we look on camera, or whether we're too close, as I was. So remember, the star of the show isn't YOU--it's what you're presenting. Thank goodness for that!  

Nevertheless, avoid this mistake by being sure to practice with the actual equipment you'll use for the live event. (You can also pre-record a webinar, and not hold a live event at all.  Some people choose to go this route, never appearing live on camera. Instead, they show a photo of themselves, usually minimized in a corner of the screen.) 

For live events, it is better to show your face--this reassures listeners that you're really there, and  helps them get to know you, thereby increasing the value of the event.

Let's bust some more fears:  

Fear of Doing Something New  

Ever since you learned to walk, you've had to overcome the fear of doing new things.  Just as walking brings joy and exhilaration to a toddler, moving into new territory is liberating for adults. Doing a webinar is no exception. It's actually quite easy to learn, and there are many platforms out there to ease your transition into it. A few popular ones are:

• GoToWebinar
• WebJam
• Zoom

Fear of Doing it Wrong, or Badly

The only way to learn to do it right is by trying. Practice as much as you like beforehand with a friend or family member by holding a private meeting on the webinar platform you've chosen to use. (I should have practiced using the laptop, not just my PC.) But I've seen plenty of webinars where even the pros run into a technical glitch--it happens. Usually, it's not a big deal. Show this fear to the door.

Fear of Nothing to Say!

Webinars are a tool you branch into because you already have something to share, whether it's a message or a product. In either case, it should be something you're passionate about, and what you KNOW will bless those who need what you've got, or what you know. So, what do you know that other people wish they knew? What do you know that can help someone else move forward in their career, or their parenting, or their hobby? If there's anything you can share, you have something to say: Kiss this fear goodbye! 

Fear that No One Will be Interested  

If you've got a message that can help SOMEONE, then there will be interest. Find your "someone" and you've found your target audience. Not everyone will want what you've got--so what? The people you can help will be riveted. Close the door on this fear.  

Fear of the Work Involved

Sure, there's work involved in presenting a value-packed webinar. If you've already been honing a message, you've given workshops, taught classes, or created informational PDFs--you're halfway there. The work is simply tailoring your content to fit the time allotment of  the webinar, and learning how to pace your presentation. Again, a little practice is all you need. If you do this well, and charge for your webinar, you've created a passive income stream--the work is worth it.

That puts these fears to rest. But I'm out of space! In Part III next month I'll get into those pros and cons, promise!   

TWEETABLES

Should I Give a Webinar? Part II by Linore Rose Burkard (Click to Tweet)

Reasons that may be holding you back from moving into this new technology.~ Linore Rose Burkard (Click to Tweet)

How I did indeed mess up in my first webinar~ Linore Rose Burkard (Click to Tweet)

Linore Rose Burkard is best known for historical regency novels with Harvest House Publishers, including Before the Season Ends, the award-winning The House in Grosvenor Square, and The Country House Courtship. Linore also writes YA/Suspense as L.R.Burkard, As a writer known for meticulous research as well as bringing people marvelously to life on the page, Linore's books earn her devoted fans who report reading her novels over and over. Linore is a homeschooling mom of five, and enjoys cooking from scratch, family movie nights, gardening and painting. Linore teaches workshops for writers, and is a Writing Conference Co-ordinator.

UPCOMING RELEASE: MAY 23, 2017.

DEFIANCE: Because sometimes resistance just isn't enough.

In this third installment of the PULSE EFFEX SERIES, Sarah, Andrea and Lexie must finally come to terms with the "new normal"-- life after an EMP, with no power, no modern conveniences, and worst of all, constant threats from enemy soldiers and marauders.  

Life, love, and the will to survive brings each girl face to face with hopes and dreams that a dark world only wants to extinguish.   

In the past, the girls and their families put up a resistance. But what happens when that isn't enough?