By Inga Gérard, MSc, Director Marketing, CEO & Founder, IG Scientific Marketing

Personally, I love webinars. They are so much more than just online (live) presentations – they are your chance to connect, engage, inspire, and grow your business. After organizing and running many of them myself, I’ve pulled together a list of practical, experience-based tips to help you get the most out of yours.

These aren’t rigid rules. Every webinar is different, and its success comes down to careful preparation, choosing the right topic, and executing a well-thought-out promotional campaign. Here’s my mini guide to help increase your webinar’s impact.

1. Know Your Audience

Who are they? What keeps them up at night? Tailor your content to their needs and interests. Relevance is key! Don’t focus on “my product”, think “what it can do for your customers.” How does it solve their problems?

2. Choose a Hot Topic

Pick a subject that sparks curiosity and aligns with your goals. If it doesn’t excite you, it won’t excite them!

3. Get the Right Speakers on Board

Experts, thought leaders, or engaging storytellers….choose speakers who add value and credibility. I remember events where the topic was a magnet, but the delivery was so poor that I couldn’t stay until the end. A waste of time and effort for everyone.

4. Craft an Engaging Presentation

Avoid overwhelming your audience with long paragraphs. Use visuals, keep it structured, and tell a story to maintain attention from start to finish.

5. Pick the Right Platform

Zoom, Teams, LinkedIn, or a dedicated webinar tool like ON24? Choose a reliable, user-friendly platform that fits your audience size and event format. Zoom, for example, works well for small groups.

6. Shout It from the Rooftops

Promote, promote, promote! Use LinkedIn, email, your website ….. anywhere your audience hangs out. Use your speaker’s network, too. Shout it from the rooftops!

You’ve prepared like a pro, now it’s showtime!!! Here’s how to run the event smoothly and maximize the impact afterward:

7. Own the Stage – Even Virtually

This applies to both you and your guest speaker! Start with a test run a few days before the big day. Sometimes, even if the topic is great, the speaker might not meet expectations. A bit of coaching in advance can work wonders. And yes, body language matters, even online. Smile, make eye contact, and bring your energy. If you’re passionate and excited, your audience will feel it.

8. Make Your Guest Speaker Feel Comfortable

They’re the star of the show, but virtual presentations can be tough. Make them feel supported, and the session will flow naturally.

9. Get Interactive

Polls, Q&A, live chat….get your audience involved. Interaction keeps them engaged and present.

10. End with a Bang – and a CTA

Don’t just say goodbye. Let your audience know what to do next, for example book a call, download a whitepaper, or follow your page. Some platforms allow you to share info in the waiting room or let attendees download a flyer right from the webinar page. Offer video-on-demand access afterward, too!

11. Keep the Connection Alive

Send a thank-you e-mail, share the recording (as a link), and offer additional resources. Stay in touch, follow-up and keep the momentum going.

12. Analyse and Learn

Review your webinar performance. What worked? What could be improved? Learn from every (!!) session to make the next one even better.

Bonus Pro Tips

✔ Ideal Length: Aim for 30–45 minutes to keep attention sharp
✔ Registration Form: Keep it short—max 5 fields
✔ Record It: Always record for on-demand access
✔ Timing: Midweek (Tues–Thurs), around 10–11 AM tends to perform well
✔ Tech Check: Always have a backup plan
✔ Feedback: Use post-event surveys to collect insights

Hope you feel prepared and ready to hit the ground running!
With these best practices, you’ll leave a lasting impression with your next webinar. Need help? Let’s talk! I’d be more than happy to manage your next webinar and help make it a success.

FAQ – Running Successful Scientific Webinars