I create content for many customers and vendors including Microsoft. Often there is a discussion about the difference between a live webinar and an offline video. Here are the differences between the two. A live webinar is easier to deliver to a live audience. But creating an appealing and high-impact video is far more difficult!
|
Item |
Webinar |
Video content |
|
Audience |
Live audience connected remotely using Skype, etc.. |
No audience while creating the content |
|
Impact |
During the webinar delivery |
Viewing after publishing |
|
Script |
High level topics with live demo. The content plan is written with live audience in mind. |
Detailed script with every sentence and associated visuals pre-defined |
|
Editing and Post-production |
No editing. It is necessary to upload the actual content. |
Editing and FX are used to increase the appeal, simplify delivery of knowledge and explain concepts / processes |
|
Interactivity |
Live Q&A, discussion |
Comments, Shares, Likes, Discussion, embedded hyperlinks, table of contents |
|
Objective |
Awareness creation |
Awareness creation + In-depth coverage + Skill Transfer |
|
Purpose of uploading the |
As a reference point for those who attended the webinar |
As an authoritative place to learn about the specific topic |
|
Time required to create a 10 minute output – for the same topic |
10 minutes |
2 days |
|
Information density |
Low |
High |
|
Viewing lifespan |
During the webinar. Video posted after webinar is not seen at all. This is because the webinar was designed for online engagement. Offline, it is boring and distracting. |
Long. Videos are designed for high-impact, getting attention and sustaining it. Lot of planning is required to make videos engaging. |
|
Promotion required |
Before webinar – to maximize live attendees |
After publishing – to maximizing viewership |
|
Cost |
Low. Because time is spent for actual delivery only. |
High. Because time is required for every step and detailed planning, production and post-production. |
Your experiences may be different. Do post comments and queries here. Thanks.
