Online seminars, also known as Webinars, are becoming more widespread as business people and consumers discover the convenience of accessing product and service information without leaving their home or office. Many businesses have recognised this additional opportunity to reach clients by offering easy-access and sometimes on-demand services that help to increase loyalty and build communications.
Those companies who have embraced online seminars offer a regular programme of events, which is available from their website. Simply visit the site to look at the list of seminars they are offering over the next month or season and book yourself onto the seminars that appeal to you. These companies also tend to use more sophisticated seminar software, so you can see real-time video, use audio and video at your desktop, take part in polls during the seminar and be involved in Q&A sessions at the end of the session. Once you've registered for a seminar, you will usually be sent course material, or be directed to a microsite where you can download the seminar information you need. There will also be a set of archived seminars available, so that you can re-visit or research previous topics.
Although many seminars are free, some are fee-based. Price setting is down to the individual seminar provider, but it may depend on the quality of the seminar host, the popularity of the topic, or the extra options offered. Even the fee-based online seminars, though, are often cheaper than their live versions, so it's worth taking part in the seminar if it's useful to you.
Many service-based organisations and professional companies, such as banks, law firms, trade bodies and insurance companies, have discovered that small business owners and sole practitioners prefer online seminars, as they don't have to leave the office to take part. And, of course, nearly all academic institutions now offer the option of studying online, to enable as many people as possible to gain the qualifications they need.
There are lots of free online seminars available - try one that's appropriate to you or your business and see how you can benefit from the time and cost savings.