Some of you may have noticed through our August 6^th webinar “Creating an Online Knowledge Community: 6 Tips for Association Executives” that Peach New Media is exploring this topic as it relates to our clients and their professional development goals.  The fact is that there is not a right answer when you’re talking about a closed or open community – you can have both and they can work together or you can pick one or the other.  They each serve a different purpose as it relates to the type of collaboration and community you are trying to develop.

Want to learn more?

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We’re excited to host Jeff De Cagna, experienced association professional and founder of Principled Innovation, as he will be leading a 3-part webinar series starting on September 25.  This will be a great opportunity to learn more about how your association can leverage the social web and develop a community strategy.  All 3 webinars are being offered for just $299, which gives you full access to each 90 minute session and the associated webinar recording and handouts.  To take advantage of this great opportunity or learn more CLICK HERE.

Let me be the first to say, Webinars are not new! They have been in existence for over 10 years and whether your organization has 8 years of webinar experience under your belt or has just begun your foray into webinars this year, here are 4 Factors that will affect the health of your webinar program:

1. Webinar Frequency & Schedule – A set webinar schedule is not for every organization, but it is something to strongly consider.  We see many associations who have their entire next calendar year of webinars planned and scheduled by September.  That way people can plan for their webinars at the beginning of the year and plan their schedule around them.  Your Takeaway – Whatever the frequency of your webinars may be, the key is to maintain that frequency so people come to rely on and expect your webinars.
2. Webinar Timeliness  (Make a HOT TOPIC Webinar Available) – In many industries these are very important, as some topics or initiatives come up and a webinar is a great way to present on them.  If you can find a good combination of frequent webinars and ad hoc webinars, that may be a great fit.  Your Takeaway – As the trusted source of information within your industry, you should always be searching out critical topics and be ready to host a webinar on those topics.
3. Marketing Efforts – The best call to action to foster registration for a webinar is via a dedicated email blast about the webinar –and not just 1.  Send at minimum 2 and hopefully 3.  Different from a plug in a newsletter and/or website banner about the event (both of which are good compliments to the dedicated email), the dedicated email is the most effective way to promote a webinar.  You have to make it clear and simple, avoid clutter and too many calls to action.  Give people a visible place to click and register for the webinar.  Your Takeaway – Plan on distributing at least 2 dedicated emails for every webinar you host.
4. Integration – Too many organizations have their webinars in one place, their podcasts in another and their social media networks scattered all over the place.  However the most successful organizations have adopted Knowledge Communities.
   Definition – A knowledge community brings together your education and online learning content (ie. live webinars, archived webinars, webcasts, podcasts etc.) and social media presence, displaying it all side by side.  Someone can read your blog, see your last tweet, follow you on Facebook, watch your YouTube channel, register for a live webinar and submit online continuing education credit ALL IN THE SAME PLACE! Your Takeaway – In today’s learning environment you should consider the integration of your online learning with your social media to enhance the learning experience and drive your community.