Webinar Presentation Full Guide | Step-by-Step & Top Tips

What is a webinar presentation?

A webinar is an online event or seminar that allows a remote audience to meet in a shared virtual environment. Typically, webinars serve an educational purpose, giving participants a chance to learn more about a specific subject matter or skill. This is where presentations on webinars are useful.

Webinar presentations bring a visual element that helps you communicate complex ideas. Presentations are usually in the form of slides, but you can also use video and other visual media. They add value to your webinar and enhance audience engagement. 

For example, you can check out Riverside’s webinar on AI for podcasting, which cover key points effectively yet succinctly. 

Why should you use presentations in your webinars?

Not all webinars include presentations, but they should. Here’s why: 

• Add more value to your webinar: Incorporating presentation materials can help you add value and clarity to your webinar content, making it more impactful and memorable for your audience.
• Cater to your audience better: Using a slide deck can help you sum up key information and cater well to all kinds of learners. 
• Emphasize main points: It can also help you draw extra focus to pain points and solutions, as well as including interactive features and a clear call to action.
• Puts the focus on what’s important: If you're prone to stage fright, a presentation can help you take yourself out of the spotlight and stay on track with what you want to communicate. You'll be able to prepare documents ahead of time that ensure your audience learns from your event. You can even share slides later on!

All of these elements allow you to take control of your virtual event and more comprehensively cover your webinar topic in a way that instills trust and purpose. This will make people more likely to tune into more webinars from you in the future!

How to create and deliver an effective webinar presentation

If you want to master the webinar format and deliver excellent results, you need to know where to start. Follow these steps to get started with your first webinar presentation.

Step 1: Prepare and plan your webinar

Before you begin, it's a good idea to plan your webinar well. This can help you ensure an engaging event that focuses on valuable, relevant content.

Think carefully about what you want to communicate and what lessons you want your audience to take away from your event. Look for clear, simple ways to highlight important details, and consider how you will engage your target audience.

Step 2: Create your presentation and outline

Next, it's time to create your presentation and outline! At this stage, using an existing webinar presentation template can help you get started while learning from what's tried and tested.

Go over the details you need to communicate, and aim to structure your event logically. Use your presentation template to guide the flow of information and the extra elements you include. Create visually appealing slides that help you communicate clearly. Remember to allow reasonable time for each webinar section, and don't forget a title slide or call to action slide!

Step 3: Encourage people to join the event

When you know what your webinar will include, you need to start spreading the word! If you're hosting a live event, you'll need to provide your target audience with the opportunity to sign up ahead of time.

Create a user-friendly sign-up form that directs attendees to the links they'll need to access your webinar. Share the news of your webinar wherever you can! Often, webinars gain traction through advertising on social media platforms and via email marketing.

Step 4: Set up hosting and technology

Prior to your webinar presentation, you'll need to make sure that all hosting and technology is working correctly. This includes choosing a webinar software solution that you trust.

Try a high-quality system like Riverside, which offers presentation recording along with live call-ins, local recording technology and separate video and audio tracks for up to 8 participants. (You can learn more at riverside.fm.)

Check that your internet connection is stable enough to host virtual events. You might even consider recording a test project so that you can learn your tools, including chat, recording, and screen-share functionalities.

Step 5: Host your webinar event

Finally, you're ready to create a webinar presentation! Log into your chosen platform at the predetermined event time, and wait for people to start joining.

While hosting your webinar, refer back to your presentation template and outline. Use your materials to guide you through, and remember to encourage engagement from your audience. Ask questions that allow your live audience to get involved.

Step 6: Share your webinar presentation

The impact of your webinar doesn't have to stop once the event is over. If you record your presentation, you can share the on-demand recording for ongoing impact and lead generation.

Position yourself as an industry expert, and take your webinar to a post-production audience by sharing it on social media. You can also use this as an opportunity to reconnect with live attendees and invite people to your next event.

Step 7: Follow up with webinar attendees

Last. but not least, it's important to follow up with your audience. This can help you build relationships and make the most of conversion benefits.

In the days that follow your webinar, send a brief follow-up email to attendees, and ask if they still have any questions or future event requests. You can also use this as a place for gathering feedback while you generate leads and direct to your CTA.

The secret to a successful webinar presentation: 4 factors to consider

When hosting a webinar, there are a few factors you should be aware of to ensure the best possible outcome for you and your audience alike. Keep these webinar practices things in mind!

Highlight key information clearly

During a live webinar, you'll be delivering a lot of information! This is great, but it could be overwhelming for some audience members. That's why it's important to prioritize clarity.

As much as possible, work to highlight key details clearly and succinctly, using bullet points or another streamlined communication format. If you're working with a lot of complex material, you might even email attendees with a summary of key points after your event.

Use visual cues to support content

Next, it's a good idea to think cleverly about the visual cues you rely on during your webinar. From images and graphs to listed text, visual data can help people retain information.

When creating visual presentation materials, don't be afraid to rely on a presentation template that helps you format information effectively. Just remember to bring in your brand colors and logo for consistency and recognition.

Showcase your expertise

If you're hosting a webinar, you need to position yourself as the expert. Create a presentation that highlights your skills and experience, including what you bring to the topic at hand.

In some instances, you might even preface your presentation with a brief editor's note demonstrating your educational or professional background. If these details are relevant, they can help you emphasize your value and boost your credibility as a presenter.

Make it a two-way interaction

A live webinar doesn't have to be a lecture! You can turn your event into a conversation, inviting and responding to audience questions to help maintain a high level of engagement.

Encourage people to share their ideas and participate proactively in your event. This can make your webinar more fun for the people who attend, all while providing you with further insights into what might be missing from your standard webinar presentation template.

5 tips to master your webinar presentations

Still need more tips to help you master the art of a good webinar? Here are 4 quick and easy tips!

Attend other webinars

Sometimes, the best way to learn is by watching other people. While you shouldn't copy another host, you can attend other webinars to get a sense of what works well and what needs improvement. Check out webinars in your industry or niche, and find out what people want to see more of. Then you can deliver these things in your own content!

Note what works

Similarly, it's important to take note of what works well in the world of webinars. Document effective strategies that you notice in other people's events and in your own. Aim to incorporate more of what you know helps a webinar thrive. Always keep looking for new ways to further enhance your hosting approach.

Invest in tools

Investing in the right tools can make a big difference to the overall quality of your webinar and, subsequently, your audience's experience. Choose a webinar platform with great built-in features. Invest in webinar software that aligns with your goals and needs, including presentation tools and audience size limitations. We recommend Riverside, which prioritizes quality and ease of use to help you achieve the best digital communication results.

Listen to attendees

Importantly, listen to your audience. Your attendees will help to guide you in the right direction for future webinar content. Give people a chance to offer feedback, voice opinions, and ask questions about your delivery style. This could help you hone your presentation skills or even discover new high-impact topics to cover.

Present with passion

Did you know that 67% of webinar attendees say a passionate presenter keeps them watching? Make it clear that you care about what you're saying, and show audiences why they should care too. When you are enthusiastic about your content, you'll find it easier to drive engagement and get people interested in what you have to say.

FAQs on webinar presentations

Still have webinar questions? You asked, and we answered!

Where can I find webinar presentation templates?

There are many webinar presentation templates that you can access online to help guide your event. We recommend trying Canva's free and customizable templates as a beginner-friendly starting point.

How do you plan a webinar presentation?

Planning a webinar presentation doesn't have to be a challenge! Simply think about what you want to communicate and what you want your audience to learn. Then consider the simplest way to articulate this information. If you're feeling stuck, you can use a webinar presentation template to help you establish a strong content structure.

What is the difference between a webinar and a seminar?

A webinar is a seminar that takes place online, instead of occurring in an in-person environment. Live webinars can often have more marketing benefits than real-life events, as they allow users to join in from anywhere in the world. You can also give people access to a recording if they are unable to attend your event live!

How long should a webinar presentation be?

The right length for your webinar presentation will vary depending on your industry, the audience you serve, and the topic you're covering. However, popular research shows that 60 minutes is a good length in many instances. This allows you to introduce yourself, present for 40 to 45 minutes, and host a 10- or 15-minute end-of-session Q&A, which 92% of attendees find beneficial.

Final thoughts

If you're ready to create real impact for your audience, a webinar is the perfect solution! Watch some of Riverside's webinars to help you develop your understanding of the medium. When you're ready, log into your Riverside account, and get started on a studio-quality virtual event!