Have we reached peak webinar?
I don't know about you - but I'm over webinars! There are just too many of them.With Covid-19 induced work from home being reality for most, the number of webinars and virtual conference has exploded. So much so that's impossible to watch them all and get any work done. Enough already.When I say Webinars, I'm also referring to Virtual Conferences and Expos.The problem is they are a huge time suck with averages of 30 to 60mins and a lot longer for some virtual conferences. I keep thinking - why does this have to be real-time? How much value does the ability to ask a question or chat really add, when I could prepare some questions in advance no problem, or send questions after the event, once I've had a chance to actually consume and think about the content being shared.
Time zone issues
Being based in NZ, the time zone differences also make real time attendance problematic in many cases. Even though I really want to see the content, I really don't want to be up at 4am if I can help it. I quite like my long lazy morning and a bit of fresh air before breakfast and work.In fact I invariably watch many webinars and presentation after the live event as a recording and I bet that most of my peers would prefer to do so as well.Benefits of Pre-Recorded
- Watch in your timezone
- Fast forward past the boring bits (they all have them)
- Choose a time to watch that doesn't interfere with work
- Maybe get some actual work done.
Just too much content
Even if we switch from Real-time/live to pre-recorded, the volume is just unsustainable.Audiences will simply start to pick and choose more carefully and just say no. We've got used to blocking ads, unsubscribing from emails. Webinars and Virtual Conferences (heck in person Conferences too) will be next.Sooner of later the ROI on running webinars, virtual conferences is going to fall through the floor.The technology has become so good that anyone can do it. Almost everyday I'm receiving invitations and updates for virtual conferences and webinars. Sure I attend some, but most I simply don't have the time.Over time of course some very good producers/creators will emerge, who keep their audiences, but for everyone else we need some restraint - please.It's time to tune out
- There is so much advice out there on the web for almost everything you can think of.
- There are multiple vendor sponsored conferences about the same thing with more or less the same content and sometime the same speakers
- Most speakers are all pitching something - a point of view and often their own product or service- even if that pitch is not obvious.
- Your journey is your own and unique to you.
- Some advice is good, too much advice is stifling.
- Stop watching, and just get on with it.
Have we reached peak webinar?
With Covid 19 induced work from home being reality for most, the number of webinars and virtual conferences has exploded. So much so that's impossible to watch them all and get any work done. Enough already.