The internet is a continually evolving space with a majority of its content being video-based. With so many options available, it can be difficult to decide which one is right for you.
YouTube is commonly used by companies to host or post their webinars, but what are the differences? We’ll elaborate on that for you!
YouTube is a popular platform where people can upload videos and watch them. It’s a great place to find entertainment or educational content. On YouTube, you can view content from all over the world, posted by users from almost any country.
YouTube videos can be as short or as long as desired. Predominantly, they are not broadcast live and have limited interaction between the viewer and broadcaster. This creates a free, informal platform for people to upload their own content with ease. This could be music videos, vlogs, reviews, tutorials – you name it – all primarily used for entertainment.
Webinars are a convenient way to get the information you need. They offer simple access and enable us to access information quickly. Webinars allow us to easily acquire information with minimal effort.
A webinar platform is designed specifically to host an online presentation, share knowledge, and provide product demonstrations. Compared to a YouTube video, a webinar is more formal as registration pages gather important information from viewers such as names and emails. Additionally, this format offers plenty of opportunities to engage with the audience, regardless if it’s held in real-time or pre-recorded.
There are a variety of formats to pick from. Consider hosting a live webinar to create an interactive experience and answer questions in real-time or opt for a simulated webinar where a recording plays on a designated date. Chat with attendees anytime during the playback, then provide a great offer upon completion of the webinar. With an on-demand option, your participants can select when they want to watch and you will auto follow-up afterward.
Webinars are a great tool for creating high-quality content that can help to attract more viewers. Webinars are often thought of as being superior to YouTube videos due to their higher production values and unique presentation style. After all, there’s something about webinars that make them stand out compared to the average YouTube video.
Although the structure of webinars and YouTube videos are similar, they have a decisive difference. While hosting a webinar, you can view who has subscribed as well as who is watching. Utilising the interactive features increases the amount of data and feedback from the viewer. On the other hand, with YouTube, you only know who watched it and where they are located. If you’re aiming to track your conversion rate, then webinars give you an edge. Afterward, categorise your subscribers into viewers and non-viewers which helps you adjust your marketing efforts accordingly. All these reasons combined make webinars very personal and effective compared to YouTube videos.
Aside from the chances for interaction, you can use polls to measure viewer opinions and quizzes to test their knowledge. This data will enable you to gain a better understanding of your target audience. During live and automated webinars, keep in touch with attendees by utilising live chat or bring on a moderator to do this job for you.
It is likely evident that YouTube and webinars are not identical. Before selecting a platform, map out the intended audience and the objective of the video.
Summarising, the essential aspects are:
- YouTube is usually shorter videos
- Webinars are more structured and have a greater level of professionalism than other digital meetings
- Webinars can be streamed live and they provide participants with an interactive experience
- Webinars are more formal
Do you want to gain more insight into your target audience and get feedback from them?
Need more interaction? Then webinars can be the answer. For detailed information, you can reach out to us via live chat or fill out our contact form.