Webinars — Are Yours Free or for a Fee?

Fee-based webinars may be more successful than free ones I’m a huge fan of webinars, teleseminars, and anything else that can be launched singlehandedly or with little assistance on the Web in order to reach a local or global audience.

As an early attendee of these online events, I not only learned topical information, I also studied how the event was launched. Most of all, I noticed that the well-attended events were paid for in advance by Web audiences who understood that a small, upfront investment translated into data that was well worth the money.

I was glad to read the topic of webinars mentioned in the ToolBox section of DMNews’s February 18th issue. Christopher Dean of KRM Information Services Inc. responded to the question, “Should I charge to attend my webinar?”

Dean provided his views in two paragraphs. Webinars:

Act as an effective lead generation method.

Increase skepticism when offered free of charge, as attendees expect a sales pitch during the session.

Exceed a 50 percent no-show rate when offered at no cost.

Why charge for your webinar?

Cost equals more-qualified leads.

Attendees expect (and receive) a quality event rather than an online infomercial.

The event’s value is understood because you’re the expert, or one who will interview a knowledgeable source.

Years ago I charged a fee for my online events, and I’d still do so today. In addition, current technology from free conference call companies allows you to record the event and sell it on CDs or as a downloaded product.

There’s nothing wrong with offering customers free webinars. Perhaps by scheduling one free of charge and one for a fee you can gauge which of the two draws the most attendees and leads.

Technorati Tags: small business marketing, create a webinar, solo business marketing, DMNews, solo entrepreneur, Christopher Dean, KRM Information Services Inc.