As a marketing guru who’s developed a reputation by selling my own products and the products of others, I’ve seen various marketing tactics work. In today’s age of social marketing, most professionals agree which tactics work – and don’t work – in the entrepreneurial world. Surprisingly, however, the jury’s still out on webinars.
I advocate utilizing webinars to not only promote, but to also educate the masses. Striking the right balance can be difficult, but by offering quality information with the purpose of educating, I’m also promoting myself, and anyone can accomplish this.
The Value of Leading Webinars
Leading a webinar can be stressful, but by relating to your viewers and establishing your credibility – by endorsing a product and using it to show it really works, for example – you can ensure your venture’s success.
Many webinars are interactive, which can be a positive and a negative trait. Although they yield great results when executed correctly, participating in a webinar can take more time than other marketing efforts – often, time that busy professionals aren’t willing to sacrifice.
However, the idea that it’s “wasted time” should be reconsidered. The interactive nature of webinars makes them social media-friendly, which is invaluable in today’s competitive marketing world. My interactive webinars with my affiliates help our audiences see that we do know each other and enjoy working together.
In addition to building a stronger brand for a product, this also builds my credibility, the credibility of my affiliate, and the credibility of the product. I actively use social media to distribute valuable information, as well as to announce my upcoming webinars to boost attendance.
Building Trust with Your Audience
Educating clients and prospects shows them that you’re knowledgeable and trustworthy, which ultimately increases sales and entices them to utilize your expertise in the future.
The more credible information you provide them with, the more secure they’ll feel in their choice to do business with you. This increases future sales and marks you as a relatable and reliable expert in your industry.
In addition, webinars give you a tangible piece of marketing to share. If potential clients are unsure and want others’ feedback, they can send a link to your webinar to their friends, family, and other social media contacts. This creates a spread effect while also boosting your credibility – you have proof that you’re the real deal.
Whether you’re new to the webinar world or you’ve lead hundreds of webinars throughout your career, it’s important to educate and offer value-packed training. By providing these resources, you’re adding value and giving your viewer something to take away from your webinar before he commits to buying anything. Share knowledge, build relationships, and the rest will follow.
Image Credit:rlwetherly
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