5 Differences Great Speakers Know

Although they sound similar, webinars and webcasts are very different. One is not necessarily better than the other, but each has unique advantages and limitations for different types of presentations.

Below is more information on when to use webinars and webcasts, along with concise presenter tips based on the type of presentation.

Interactive: Webinars and webcasts

Webinars are designed for two-way conversations. The real-time interaction between you and your audience makes webinars ideal for training sessions, group discussions, or educational events.

If you’re hosting a webinar, you should provide a range of tools to engage your audience, gauge their interest and give them a platform to share their opinions.

Webcasts, on the other hand, are one-way—you talk, and the audience listens. They’re perfect for broadcasting big announcements or product launches, allowing you to reach a wide audience without interruption.

Audience expectations are also a key factor. People attending a live webcast expect a passive experience, whereas webinar attendees tend to be willing to participate.

Speaker Tips

Webinars:

• Prepare questions or discussion topics to stimulate interaction.
• Get familiar with interactive features like polls, Q&A, and chat.
• Assign a moderator to manage questions and keep the conversation flowing while you focus on your presentation.

Webcast:

• Have a clear presentation plan in place, as you won’t be able to adjust on the fly through audience interaction.
• Rehearse your speech several times to make sure it goes smoothly.
• Use high-quality visual aids to keep your audience engaged even in the absence of real-time interaction.

Ideal Applications: Webinar Education and Webcast Distribution

Webinars excel in educational and training environments because of their interactive nature. The two-way conversation makes the session more engaging and personalized to the audience.

Real-time interaction enables presenters to clarify questions on the spot, making it a great choice for marketing and sales presentations, expert-led Q&A sessions, courses, and product demonstrations.

In contrast, webcasts are a powerful tool for sharing evergreen content and disseminating information to a wide audience.

If your primary goal is to disseminate information widely, webcasts are the best choice. They are particularly effective for distributing how-to materials, tutorials, recorded conference calls, and video panel discussions that don’t require audience participation.

Speaker Tips

Webinars:

• Integrate quizzes or small assignments to enhance the learning experience.
• Use real-life examples to better educate your audience. This is especially useful in sales webinars.

Webcast:

• Preview future content, such as an upcoming webcast, online course, or new product.
• Since attendees can’t ask questions, provide resources to find more information.

Audience engagement: webinars are small but webcasts are big

Webinars often require attendees to register in advance to create a controlled and intimate environment. This facilitates a sense of community among attendees and allows presenters to tailor their presentations to the attendees.

The downside is that unless the webinar is recorded, you can’t easily repeat the presentation for future audiences — and even with a recording, you lose the key interactive features that make webinars so engaging.

Webcasts, on the other hand, are generally more accessible. There is usually no registration or schedule required, so more people can access them.

Because live streaming is primarily a one-way communication medium, it is easy to record and share, extending its reach long after the live event has ended. This makes live streaming ideal for situations where you want to reach the widest possible audience without necessarily getting immediate feedback.

Speaker Tips

Webinars:

• Personalize your presentation to the audience you know will be attending.
• Encourage viewers to share their own experiences or problems, fostering a sense of community.

Webcast:

• Conduct a thorough technical walkthrough ahead of time to check the sound and multimedia. Glitches and other problems are more disruptive to a large audience.
• Encourage participation by asking questions ahead of time.

Timing: Webinars take time, while webcasts can shorten it

Webinars can last longer – many people want to allow at least thirty minutes to an hour in their schedule. Webinars are designed to be interactive in real time, so they will naturally last longer. Audiences are often prepared to attend for longer periods of time and want to dive deeper into the topic.

Webcasts typically offer a shorter, more streamlined experience that focuses on delivering information quickly and efficiently. These events are often pre-recorded and tightly scripted, making it easier to stick to a broadcast time.

These differences in time investment reflect the inherent design and goals of each format.

Speaker Tips

Webinars:

• Try breaking up longer presentations into smaller sections to allow time for audience questions or interactive activities.
• Create a clear agenda and communicate it at the beginning so attendees know what to expect.

Webcast:

• Get straight to the point. Time is limited and communication is one-way, so it’s important to be brief.
• Consider skipping the Q&A session to keep your presentation streamlined.

Features: Webinars provide interactive tools, webcasts simplify information

Built-in features can greatly impact the presenter and attendee experience, making it a key differentiator between a webinar and a webcast.

Webinar platforms are often equipped with interactive tools designed to facilitate engagement and real-time interaction. Features such as live voting, Q&A sessions, whiteboard annotation, and file sharing are common.

These tools enrich the experience and provide a more dynamic and flexible environment. This makes webinars ideal for interactive sessions that encourage instant feedback or group participation.

In contrast, live webcasting focuses more on a smooth broadcast experience rather than interactive elements. While the technology behind live webcasting is designed for stability and reach, it often lacks the interactive features that webinar solutions offer.

Speaker Tips

Webinars:

• Don’t try to use every available interactive feature. Choose the ones that best support your presentation.
• Use features like real-time voting or Q&A sessions to break up the routine and keep your audience engaged.

Webcast:

• Consider including on-screen text or graphics to emphasize key points.
• At the end of the webcast, direct viewers to resources where they can learn more or get their questions answered.