Besides a really odd sounding word what is a webinar? And why should it matter to you as an author or publisher? A webinar is a web based seminar of a presentation, lecture, workshop or seminar that is transmitted over the Web using video or audio conferencing software. A key feature of a webinar is its interactive elements: the ability to give, receive and discuss information in real-time.

In other words a webinar is a great way to interact with your fans, followers, and readers as well as grow your social networks. Events are one of the best ways to promote you and your book on social media. Webinars enforce key book marketing strategies: post and post often, engage with followers, and influence a network.

Additional benefits authors will discover when using webinars include: an expanded reach with reusable content, the ability to make money with reusable content on a website, reinforcement of a brand message, added value to live presentations with polls, surveys and Q&As, and the possibility for the possibility of a global audience.

We suggested to one of our authors who was also an award winning radio show host, Ron Chapman, that he do webinars. Because of his experience handling a show and guests he really took to doing webinars. Although Ron has written a number of books his focus on progressive recovery http://www.progressiverecovery.org/ was ideal for interactive work. At first the numbers of people showing up were few but he persevered. Eventually with cross promotion along social media networks participation grew and his contacts nationwide with recovery groups blossomed. Today Ron is busy speaking at recovery centers and meditation retreats nationwide while selling his books at the back of the room.

Hosting webinars is not for everyone there is a good deal of work involved. The process begins with creating a seminar people want to attend. Then perseverance is necessary, showing up again and again to encourage fans to track you and your books. Cross promotion over several social media networks helps to build a following. Readers and fans not only buy your books they are also the word of mouth supporters to promote your message.

Answer these questions. If your answer is yes to any of them then you are a good fit for creating and developing webinars:

• Do you want to do a follow up presentation to a live presentation?
• Do you have a topic that is best explained through a live Q&A?
• Do you have with a group of readers that have questions about your recent book?
• Do you want to increase the reach of your live presentations?
• Have you partnered on a book? A webinar is a solution that can combine your two different styles into one fluid presentation. Now you and your partner have a tool that can use and reuse.
• Do you want to create a conversation, involvement or connection on social media?
• Do you want to more than just a conversation?
• Do you want to create a viral effect around a topic?

Now that you have decided to create a webinar the following three options offer Webinar software, http://www.gotomeeting.com/, https://zoom.us/, or even https://www.freeconference.com/ On any one of them hosts can share audio, documents and applications with webinar attendees.

Word of mouth marketing sells 80% of all books. Webinars build a social media presence. Ask yourself if you ready to interact with your followers and readers. If you are then turn a presentation into a conversation. And that conversation then becomes a sale.

© copyright Mari Selby January 2016