Build Sales With the Tool Called the Web Conference

No matter what tools you have or how many you own, without a blueprint you can't build a thing. The same is true about building a business; you can own the right software, real estate, car, etc., etc., but without a blueprint for success, you probably won't succeed.

With technology having evolved to the point where it is at today, web conferences now offer a great alternative to traditional, large- or small-group seminars. With software and hardware costs as low as they are, it barely makes much sense to get into your car and drive to the airport or even the local conference center… nor does it make sense to allow your prospects and employees to do so.

In case you are wondering about just how popular web conferences have become, take a look at September's Business Week where they outline how some Fortune 500 companies are equipping their web conference rooms with equipment and software costing upwards of $300,000. And, for added reinforcement, peruse the Ipsos website and find their survey that shows web conferences growing from 2% usage last year to well over 15% in five years — that's an increase of 7.5 times! Now, getting back to the technology, you don't have to spend six-figures to enjoy this benefit — try as low as $25 per month for the market-leader's alternative.

But hosting a web conference does not for you or your business if you don't take the right approach. Look at is as a plant that you need to seed, water, and nurture. With a web conference, you need to plant the seed and get people on your attendee list. Internally, this can be easy — bring employees to the web conference to learn about new products or changes to existing programs. Externally is a little more challenging, so we encourage using free trials with employees to get familiar with the programs and polish your skills. Either way, you will have a captive audience (people who are not interested simply will not respond to your invitation or won't sign in to the web conference).

Making this technology work for you will happen much easier with some good planning. That means coordinating your marketing and message. For attracting an audience, look at a highly targeted marketing program. In other words, don't invite existing clients to a web conference that aims to sign up only new clients.

With these easy tips at the top of your mind, you should offer your attendees a value-added reason to sign up for your web conference. A sales pitch by a mortgage broker, for example, might invite prospects to learn about different mortgage products, some of the difficulties facing applicants in today's economic climate, and how this particular mortgage broker can get the job done properly. Emphasis on your area of expertise and qualifications should be made throughout the web conference so that it will stick with attendees who may not be ready to sign up for a new mortgage at that particular time; either way, they will surely remember the experience as it is unlikely that your competitors are pitching to prospects the same way. Since not all readers are mortgage brokers, you will have amend these strategies to fit your particular niche. If you need help, contact me.

Regardless of your intention (mass customer contact webinar versus a sales pitch webinar), using the technology to your advantage will not only save you funds immediately, but will strengthen your relationship with existing clients and emphasize your commitment to new clients.