by Jeremie on February 22, 2011
Note: when I discuss webinar technology I only include those options that offer webcam video as this is an important feature for the work I do, and the connections I hope to help create with webinars.
Starting the conversation
The following table is taken from my webinar services page and is definitely biased: listing the benefits of webinars compared to teleseminars. The table is not a balanced, fair comparison; it is based on my personal beliefs about why webinars are the “next format” for online delivery.
The purpose of this post however, is to get feedback from you about how the two formats measure up. I am hoping my biased view can start a conversation on the pros and cons of each format, and which one you prefer to use and why.
Comparing teleseminar and webinar formats
Why do webinars add more value to your content than teleseminars?
| Teleseminars |
Webinars |
- Spell out a webpage URL three times, then respell it when someone asks two minutes later
|
- Share the URL in the webinar room and navigate for people, or let them navigate themselves
|
- Carefully explain where people need to look in the 5 page class handout
|
- Show the handout on the screen so people can follow along
|
- Tell people to visit a link and watch a video after the class
|
- Share the video with everyone during the class then discuss
|
- Ask people to verbally brainstorm ideas
|
- Create a real time mind map during the brainstorming session
|
- Explain the movement of your arms during a breathing exercise
|
- Show people how you move in the webcam
|
- Participants ask questions by coming on the phone line
|
- Participants can ask questions in the chat or on the phone
|
- Participants barely get to know each other
|
- Participants actively network in chat and break out rooms
|
- Explain your creative work in words
|
- Share creative work through slides or documents
|
- Send a follow up email for participants to sign up for a program
|
- Send participants to an interactive sign up form during the class
|
Now its your turn. What pros and cons do you see to the two formats? Which do you prefer to use? Are you interesting in trying webinar software for your business?
by Jeremie on February 17, 2011
Over two years ago my good friend Jason gave me a copy of Jack Canfield’s “Success Principles”. The book made a huge difference in my life and a few months later I joined Jason and our friend Vicky in a weekly accountability group that we eventually named “Sunday Night Success”.
During these weekly meetings we would discuss the actions we were going to take in the upcoming week to help move our lives and our businesses forward. Vicky (an Interior Designer) and Jason (a mortgage broker) had both been running their businesses for a while, and I was in pre-startup phase.
Without the support of Vicky and Jason I am not even sure if I would be in business at the moment.
Happy/sad news from a friend
So it was with both happy and sad feelings that I received a call this week from Jason and learned that he was turning all of his clients over to another mortgage broker and taking a job with the Calgary 311 information call center.
This did not come as a complete surprise as Jason and I talk on a regular basis and I knew he was contemplating a shift into becoming a 911 operator, for which he needs some call center experience.
So the job with 311 services was not a surprise, the speed with how quickly it happened, and how that made me feel was.
A loss from my Jedi High Council
I am super happy that Jason is moving on to something that feels right, I am always happy for my friends wins. But I am feeling sad for my business.
Jason was an important member of what Pam Slim calls your “Jedi High Council”, a group of important advisors that help you build and maintain your business. Jason and I would talk on a regular basis and share the challenges, wins, and questions we had around running our businesses.
I am not saying I am going to kick Jason off of my high council, but there will be a difference in our relationship now, and I am feeling the loss to my business already.
What causes people to leave their business and “go back”?
To use another Pam Slim reference, Jason is now “returning to the cubicle nation”. Not a bad thing, it is what is right for him. But it makes me wonder what brings about a decision like this? How does one feel after making this decision? Is there any sort of help that could be offered to small business people to either keep them in business, or help them with the transition back to a job?
Answers from Jason and hopefully others
I am going to be interviewing Jason about his recent decision to “close up shop” and take the job at the 311 center, and will be posting the interview here.
I would like to talk to more people who have made this transition as well, so:
If you have recently ended your business and gone back to a “regular job” or know someone who has, I would love to talk with you/them. Send me an email at:
jeremie@jeremiemiller.com