Webinars and podcasts are valuable marketing tools for building relationships with your customers.
Podcasts consist of audio content that you can release as a series. You can also publish video podcasts.
Webinars, on the other hand, involve making presentations using specialized software.
So, how do you choose which one to use and at what time?
The following are some of the factors you can consider:
Production
Podcast: Requires a microphone and audio editing software. Once completed, you can host it on your website or post it on iTunes.
Webinar: Requires you to prepare the script for hosting the webinar and produce slides. You will also need to provide additional materials like videos and images, depending on your presentation.
Once done, you deliver your presentation using webinar hosting software.
Monetization
Webinars: Most companies charge to access webinars, but you can also offer them for free if looking to build trust and authority in a topic. You can also sell archived webinars at a fee instead of providing them free.
Webinars are, therefore, great if looking for a long-term marketing value or instant return.
Podcast: They are free on iTunes, and your audience can download or listen to them at any time. However, if you’ve amassed a targeted following, you can charge a subscription fee or per-episode fee to access the podcast on your website.
Marketing
Webinar: Requires aggressive marketing beforehand to get maximum attendance during the live session. It’s possible to record it beforehand and let your audience watch it later. However, live sessions allow for interaction with your audience.
Podcasts: Once you post your first podcast, you can consistently market as you try to build a subscriber base. It can help you build a large audience for subsequent podcast episodes and can also drive your audience to listen to previous episodes.
Webinar Vs. Podcast: Which One Should Your Business Use?
Ultimately, the choice depends on the content you want to share. Webinars are great if you need visual components to explain your message better. However, podcasts are flexible in that they can be news-oriented, educational, humorous, or interviews.
Still not sure which one to use?
Check out the infographic below first published by FLOW. It expounds on the pros and cons of webinars and podcasts to help you make an informed decision.
Image Courtesy: FLOW
Shane Barker is a digital marketing consultant who specializes in influencer marketing, content marketing, and SEO. He is also the founder of Content Solutions. He has consulted with Fortune 500 companies, influencers with digital products, and a number of A-List celebrities.
