Webinars are still widely promoted online, but does the format still resonate with end users and, if so, which ones? Can webinars reach, and influence, a B2C audience or are they primarily used for B2B outreach? What emerging technologies are moving into the webinar space? These are questions marketers need to be asking themselves.
The Content Marketing Institute (CMI) has been conducting research on content marketing in the business-to-consumer (B2C) and business-to-business (B2B) environments since 2013 and 2010, respectively. B2C usage of webinars, perhaps not surprisingly, has been lower than B2B usage and has also declined slightly since the first survey, while B2B use has increased. (In 2013, 32% of B2C marketers were using webinars, compared to 31% in 2017. In 2010, 42% of B2B marketers were using webinars, compared to 58% in 2017.)
In both the B2C and B2B space, the tactics most used, according to CMI research, are social media (85/83%), blogs (75/80%) and email newsletters (75/77%).
Especially when combined with video, webinars offer the ability for organizations to “get personal” with their audiences. Live formats allow for interactions through polls and online comments/Q&A. And there are a wide range of tools across multiple price points allowing marketers to easily and cost-effectively bring webinars to their audiences—from WebEx and GoToWebinar, at the high end, to Zoom and Join.me, which offer more budget-conscious options.
While there is a tendency to think of webinars for making traditional presentations, businesses are using this interactive tool in other ways as well.
Beyond the Norm
Webinars work not only for presenting “canned” presentations to audiences. They can also be used for customer service, says Walt Bayliss, a software developer and internet marketer. Webinars work well for online follow-up and lead management, says Bayliss. “All the customer needs to do is provide the time and date he is available, some initial information on whatever trouble he is experiencing with the product and then wait to be provided a webinar link. Both parties can communicate and work on a resolution. In my experience, it’s a great customer engagement and retention tool.”
Anna Daugherty, a digital marketing manager with PITSS, agrees. “We use webinars to discuss our tools and solutions. These types of CRM webinars help us connect with our customers about the latest ways that customers can use our tool for their business.”
The functionality offered to marketers through various forms of webinar technologies is continually changing and emerging to incorporate new delivery options but, while the tool itself seems fairly entrenched, particularly with B2B marketers, there are some new delivery options emerging.
New Formats That are Competing with Webinars
Content strategist RaShea Drake, with Frontier Business, has taken part in several webinars and says that “most seem to experience technical difficulties in the beginning and the interfaces are clunky.” Clearly Drake is not a fan of webinars. Instead, says Drake: “Facebook Live, in my opinion, is the best format around at the moment.” Facebook Live offers a range of benefits for participants and presenters says Drake:
- Participants can access the video from a mobile device or desktop
- The present can present from a phone or desktop
- Audiences can interact in real time, adding “likes” or comments to spark conversation
- Those who missed the live presentation can watch the taped version at their leisure—and still continue to add comments and engage in the discussion
Instagram also offers an Instagram Live option. A number of brands—both B2B and B2C—are using these tools to connect and engage their audiences including Starbucks, AirBNB, and Dunkin’ Donuts. Bloomberg has been an early adopter of Facebook Live in the B2B space but, unlike with webinars, B2C marketers seem to have more heartily embraced live video.
Whether using traditional webinars, or new live video options, the big benefit of these options is the ability to connect with audiences in engaging ways without having to travel, or leave the comfort of home or office. For delivering messages to large audiences, or engaging one-on-one with customers or prospects, webinars are likely to show up on both B2B and B2C marketers’ lists of tactics for the foreseeable future.
(Note: This piece was first published by EContent.)
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About Us
Strategic Communications, LLC, works with B2B clients to help them achieve their goals through effective content marketing and management with both internal and external audiences. We are adept at evaluating and analyzing communication efforts and working with clients to plan, create and publish high-quality, unique content, through both on- and offline media to achieve desired results. Our background in business journalism, marketing, PR/media relations and online communications makes us well-positioned to serve the needs of 21st-century marketers.
We serve clients who are looking for help creating content for a wide array of channels—from social media posts to full-length manuscripts, and everything in between. We focus primarily on service-related B2B topics and work with a number of independent consultants interested in building their thought leadership through online channels. For ongoing content management, our first step is to fully understand your goals, objectives and competitive landscape.
Then we’ll conduct a thorough analysis and assessment of your digital presence, compared to competitors, and recommend a communication strategy to achieve your goals. But, we also regularly take on individual projects – white papers, blog posts, contributed articles, etc. If you’re interested in learning more, let us know!
(Strategic Communications is certified as a Woman-Owned Business Enterprise through the Wisconsin Department of Administration.)
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Tags: e-learning, employee training, on-line learning, Sales, sales and marketing, sales tools, Technology, training and development, webinars