A successful webinar is more than just a matter of choosing the right software; the process should start with setting objectives and outlining a project plan. The Webinar Checklist shown below is a useful tool which covers all the essential ingredients for webinar success.

Plan your webinar event: 

• Determine your goals and expectations 
• Identify your target audience 
• Determine who will be involved in organizing and producing the webinar
• Choose a suitable date and time (based on your target audience!) 
• Decide on a live and/or on-demand webinar event 
• Determine your budget 
• Provide (technical) support for viewers
• Determine which interactive features you wish to include (poll, chat, call to action, survey, etc.) 
• Decide if you want participants to register, and if so, which data they will need to provide 

Determine the content and speakers:  

• Choose valuable content 
• Choose an attractive title 
• Select speakers/presenters and make sure they are well prepared 
• Create polls, surveys, calls to action, ask for questions to be submitted, etc. 
• Determine how incoming (chat) questions will be answered, and by whom 
• Write a webinar script and practice it
• Create a webinar player in your corporate design 

Promoting the webinar: 

• Design an e-mail invitation 
• Plan pre- and post-event notifications
• Create a landing page with detailed information, if necessary  
• Ensure Search Engine Optimization (SEO) for the landing page containing webinar information
• Explore other possibilities for promoting the webinar (e.g. through partners, speakers, social media, AdWords, etc.) 

The live webinar: 

• A webinar should last max. 30-60 minutes
• Share some kind of giveaway with viewers (e.g. a checklist like this one) 
• Ensure that the webinar is PC, Mac, tablet and smartphone compatible 
• Provide an on-demand version immediately after the live broadcast

Follow-up activities:

• Analyse the results against your objectives 
• Ensure rapid follow-up on the basis of calls to action 
• Promote the on-demand version of your webinar 
• Evaluate the webinar and determine areas for improvement