Web seminar technology – like every technology – is not 100% reliable. In case your technology fails badly, it may be tough to follow the web seminar. So whenever possible, prevent this issue by double- and triple-examining the technology before beginning. Perform the practice sessions, make use of a reliable headset, ensure there is a good Web connection, and so forth.
It is also prudent to place measures in position to handle the issues that may arise – for instance:
If problems occur, have you got someone else around the web seminar who are able to dominate as organiser/presenter?
For those who have a guest presenter, have you ever requested them for backup material you are able to present on their own account when they give up?
Have you ever told your guest presenter to keep close track of their chat window, so that you can send them emergency messages if required?
Do your guest presenters, panellists as well as participants have your cell phone number or perhaps your PA’s number to when they find yourself in trouble?
In case your visuals fail, have you got a PDF form of your slides you are able to e-mail to participants (and have already e-mailed to participants)?
In case your audio drops out, have you got an urgent situation slide to tell participants you are still around the web seminar?
Some web seminar technology like GoToWebinar also enables you to definitely send chat messages to participants. However, you cannot depend in it keeping track of their Chat window, whereas they’ll certainly check this out emergency slide.
When THEIR technology fails
Even though you test out your technology completely, you cannot predict how effective your participants is going to be once they connect with the web seminar. This really is a lesser problem for that web seminar overall, however maybe it’s a disaster for individuals participants who lose out.
Clearly, gradually alter minimise or avoid the problems, with such things as this:
Obvious instructions prior to the web seminar
Indication e-mails which help them get ready for the web seminar
Explaining the way the technology works at the beginning of the web seminar
Multiple choices for connecting towards the web seminar (for instance, phone or Internet)
However, this will not eliminate everything. Actually, regardless of how you strive to teach them, some participants will not browse the instructions. This isn’t always their fault it might just be they are afraid of we’ve got the technology anyway, so that they simply do what’s easiest on their behalf and hope all went well.
Which means you still so that you can manage the issues once they occur – for instance:
Record the web seminar, and make certain participants realize that in advance, therefore if they cannot connect whatsoever, a minimum of they are fully aware they are able to watch it.
Provide them with a telephone number to – yours or perhaps your PA’s – should they have trouble connecting towards the web seminar.
Persuade folks to participate the web seminar a minimum of ten minutes in advance, in situation they are doing find it difficult.
If their microphone is not working, help remind them they are able to type their question for you (or send it by SMS).