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 content |
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.
