Webinars opposed to. webcasts: What's the difference blog

Apr 28, 2022

With that, let's unpack all the differences between webinars and webcasts in this blog. We'll look at what is a webcast versus what is an actual webcast. By the end of this article, you'll be able to determine whether you'll need to hold Webcasts or webinars to meet your particular business goals.

Let's go to work.

In this this article, you'll discover:

  1.       What's the difference between webcasts vs webinars?
  2.       What exactly is a Webcast?
  3.       What's a Webinar?
  4.       Webcasts vs . webinars FAQ
  5.       Summary: Are you hosting an online or webinar? webcast

What is the difference between webinars and webcasts?

Webcasts and webinars will help you reach an even larger audience. What you do to get them to listen is where differences are created.

Webcasts utilize a one-to-many method, which is similar to broadcasts that broadcast live events. They're typically not effective to engage viewers via virtual channels, but modern live streaming software allows broadcasters to incorporate interactive elements like polling, live chat or even provide an additional layer of security via SSO. Webcasts can be a powerful method of increasing brand awareness by making it easier for customers to be aware of your business and what they can offer.

In order to understand what webcasts as well as webinars actually are and how they work taking a review of webinars vs webcasts:

What exactly is a Webcast?

Webcasts are live or recorded streaming of data to a large number of viewers.

They also help to increase the amount of events that take place in person, so that online attendees are able to attend regardless of location. It's for this reason that webcasts could also be described as live streams.Because webcasts are broadcasts, the attendees can't connect with other attendees or the hosts. host(s). For instance, companies use webcasts for announcing quarterly earnings for current as well as prospective shareholders.

Contrary to webinars webcasts don't come with features that engage viewers by providing chat rooms, live chat, polls and screens and file sharing among many others.

The same is true for webcasts. the importance of webcasts differs from that of the speaker(s). The presenter must possess exceptional storytelling skills so that viewers are enticed to keep watching the webcast.

When to use a webcast

Utilize webcasts in order to make your in-person gathering more welcoming. These are also great for broadcasting events like events, announcements to corporate events, or panel discussions.

The aim? To educate, motivate, or amuse more people, without physical barriers to attendance.

Webcast audience size

Webcasts attract more viewers as compared to webinars. Broadcasts usually have over a thousand viewers streaming live. It is possible to increase the audience for the live stream you broadcast by sharing it to platforms like Facebook and embedding it on your site.

What is a webinar?

To give a more formal description, a webinar is and interactive on the internet which focuses on a specific topic that's relevant to a specific audience.

Presenter(s) provide attendees with information using the webinar platform's features like the sharing of slides and files as well as videos, in addition to other applications for multimedia. The audience, on the side, is able to interact with each other and the host, ask questions, and provide feedback using interactive tools such as Live chats, questions and answers and polls, and surveys.

Pro Tip Increase the impact of your webcast through repurposing the content. For instance, you can, make small videos using the data and upload on social media using programs such as Create.

What is the best time to utilize webinars?

Make use of webinars both to host internal events as well to engaging with external audiences to promote your business.

The internal webinars may focus on any topic, including:

  • Product demonstration
"'s platform lets us have the opportunity to organize company events that look professionally and well-branded, which connect our supplier and partner partners as well as our associates in deeper ways." Peter Strella, Director of Communications & Creative Media Services at Rite Aid

On the flip side, webinars that are not hosted by an external company can be covered:

  • Stories of inspiration
  • Educational content
  • Customer product demos
  • The content on Thought Leadership

Host webinars (internal and external) in order to engage with your customers through interactive discussions.

In contrast to webcasts and webinars, webinars offer the privacy of a live event and also allow for interaction. These are two aspects that are essential in hosting team-building events and cultivating leads through building connections with the participants.

Webinar size

Webinars may be either small or large events with attendees totaling to hundreds, if not several thousand.

To add, most webinars last between 30-45 minutes that have the highest popularity time of the day for the attendees. Actually, 40% of viewers like long 45-minute sessions and 41% prefer 30-minute long webinars. A mere 10% said they prefer webinars that last for hours.

Whatever duration you pick to host your Webcast the goal is to add as much value as you can to allow your audience to enjoy their time.

Do you think this article is worth my readers' attention?

Here are three quick strategies:

  • host quizzes
  • Answer questions from attendees prior to the event to address the attendees' questions during your presentation
  • Incentivize participants (with prizes, as an example)

Webcasts and webinars FAQ

To wrap this up to conclude, let's look at some of the unanswered questions you may have been asking yourself

What is live webcasting?

A live webcast is the electronic transmission of the occasion. It can be a virtual event such as festivals, town hall meetings or company announcement. It is a one-way broadcast that permits people across the world to be able to participate via the internet, thus increasing your reach. If you offer a replay of the live stream, sharing via social media platforms or embedding it on your website, you can enhance the reach of your website. Does webcast work only in one way?

Webcasts are one-way broadcast of your event that will have the viewers tuning in to hear your speaker(s). In contrast to webinars, it's not very dynamic as the emphasis is making the information more accessible and increasing its reach.  Can they see you during a webcast?

Webinar hosts, as well as other attendees can only view cameras when they are turned on. Similar is the case when hosting webinars. the participants can only view you when you activate your camera. If you want to host another webinar hosts can host webinars using your own screen and presentation slides and videos. Do I need cameras for participation during the webinar?

You don't need cameras to participate in webinars. You can join the live stream using your microphone. In this scenario, your name will display with a placeholder image (specifics depend on the platform hosting the webinar) as you enter the chat area during the duration of the webinar.

Final thoughts: Should you host a webinar or webcast?

For a quick recap, webinars and webcasts can aid companies to achieve different objectives They can also facilitate interactions on various levels and need different levels of prep work.

Simply put it's a good idea for a way to establish a community in order to build leads or host an event that is interactive - whether internal or external create webinars.

Webcasts are a great choice if you're seeking to broaden your reach and boost the amount of attendees who attend your event, conference or event, regardless of their location around the globe.

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