While conference calls are amazing for collaborating with people around the globe efficiently and inexpensively, they do have one constraint: they are audio only. Incredible amounts of information can be transferred by voice, but there is no substitute for a simple picture. Expanding your audio conference calls with a web conference or video conference will take your virtual meetings to new heights.
First of all, let's distinguish between the three types of webinars. Conference calls are audio only. Video conferences allow you to see who you are talking to. Web conferencing can be added to audio calls and/or video conferences, and include desktop sharing, application sharing, whiteboard, chat, and the list goes on.
Web conferences are easy to get started. All the participants need to do is navigate to a link you send them and temporary files are downloaded and run. In less than a minute, their screens are filled with whatever you want them to see. Why not begin by greeting them with your smiling face through video. You can have the view be the whole screen, or have your video box in the corner with the first page of your PowerPoint taking center stage. Note that no one but you needs to be on video, or even have a webcam to do this.
With your participants watching you, flip through your PowerPoint. Open the chat box so that they can ask questions without interrupting your flow. Instead of talking about a document, picture, graph, website, or what have you, open it up and share it with everyone. You'll get your point across clear as day.
