How to join a webinar? It’s simple. You can join the event from almost anywhere in the world as long as you have an internet connection.
How to participate in a webinar?
Here are some useful tips which should help you get the most out of your webinar experience.
Can a webinar speaker see me?
As an attendee, you won’t automatically be on camera. However, the speaker might invite you to join them on screen if you want to ask a question or share something.
Getting your device and connection ready
You will need a device such as a computer, a tablet or a smartphone with internet access.
You should pay special attention to your internet connection. Webinars are live events, so your connection speed decides how well you see and hear the presenter. Each speaker who goes on air reaches you as a separate stream, and one speaker with a camera needs roughly 3 Mbit/s down. Internet speed for the webinar room works out the rest.
To reduce the chances of freezes during the event, stop any downloads before it starts.
It is also worth closing anything else competing for bandwidth, such as messengers, torrent clients, or video streaming on the same connection.
Interested in hosting an online meeting? Register at MyOwnConference and host online meetings for 5 attendees for free.
How do I join a webinar?
Step 1
5-10 minutes before the webinar starts, follow the link you have received from the webinar organizer.
Step 2
Once you click the link, the entry page for the event opens in a browser tab. You need to fill in every field shown to you.
Most rooms ask for a name and nothing else, though the organiser can add fields such as an email address, a phone number, or a company.
Step 3
After filling in all the required data, press the entry button. If the organiser left the option on, you can also come in with a Google or Microsoft account in one click, using the corresponding button instead of the form.
Joining webinars via mobile
To participate in a webinar from your mobile device, open the webinar link in the mobile browser. On iPhone and iPad use Safari, because Apple restricts what other browsers may do. On Android use Google Chrome, since it is the system browser and gets the fewest surprises.
How to act during a webinar for the best results
A webinar is just as important as any other educational or career event in your life. Recognise that before you even start on the behaviour tips below. Ask yourself what you will gain from this particular webinar, because only with that answer in hand will your participation bring real results. Here are the three rules of a successful webinar behavior:
Focus
That’s an obvious tip, but how many of you follow it regularly? Staying focused drains energy, so it is only human to seek distractions. Do not beat yourself up over it. Rather, try to eliminate the possible temptations beforehand, so that even if you want to, you cannot access Facebook, Gmail, Snapchat, etc., during a webinar.
If you watch it on a PC, you can download a browser extension such as WasteNoTime (the name speaks for itself) to block certain sites. For tablets and phones, you can find many blocking apps on the App Store and Google Play. Close all tabs in your browser, leave only a webinar tab open. Imagine you are in a classroom, and the teacher is watching your every move.
Engage
The big advantage of a webinar is that you can stay invisible. It doesn’t mean, however, that you should never reveal your presence.
Do not be afraid to speak up when you have a question. Statistically speaking, if you have this question, most likely somebody in the audience has it too. Thus, by asking it, you are helping not only yourself but everyone else in the audience. Moreover, questions help the presenter get a better understanding of the audience and their needs.
If you didn’t get the reply, do not be shy and send a personal e-mail to the webinar organizer. A question usually goes unanswered because of sheer volume, not deliberate neglect. Discuss it with the webinar co-participants if you can. They can offer some valuable insights into the matter. Show respect for their opinions even if they differ from yours.
By engaging, you not only get a deeper understanding of the presented material. You also get a chance to make useful professional connections which can later land you an interview or even a job. It’s no surprise that companies often organize webinars weekly because this approach helps them train their employees and attract new talent.
Note
Take notes. Of course, you should not write down the entire presentation because doing so would seriously hurt your ability to understand it. But writing down key points will help your knowledge stick in your brain rather than evaporate in a few hours after listening.
There are various note-taking techniques, including outlining and the Cornell method. I personally prefer the latter, as it lets me write down my questions as I go. You might wonder why you cannot just type it all into Evernote, and the next paragraph is the answer.
When you are writing, you are forced to digest information as you cannot physically put down all of it. When you are typing, you are less limited by the factor of time, so, you are tempted to just transcribe the webinar content, which makes your learning highly ineffective. So, take written notes of the most critical concepts, and you will get the most benefit out of a webinar.
During webinars
After logging into the webinar, you become a full-fledged member of the event.
You will see two buttons on the left side of the window. One says "Ask Question" and the other says "Ask to Speak." The first button lets you send a private message to the presenter. Use the "Ask to Speak" button only if you want to speak live during the event.
You will see a chat field where you can communicate with the presenter and other webinar participants. In the center, the presentation and other documents included by the webinar organizer are displayed.
What should I do if I encounter technical problems?
If a connection with the webinar is lost and your video and audio are frozen, enter the webinar room once again. To do so, update your browser tab and enter your credentials once again.
If you fail to enter the webinar room, cannot hear the presenter, or run into other technical difficulties, work through the attendee guide.
Make sure you see and hear yourself well. Also, note that the Checking Ports tab should contain only "open" for all lines.
Hopefully, now you are ready to participate in any webinar and learn it all! If you have any questions, do not hesitate to contact our support team.
Summary of webinar participation
In today’s world, being able to join a webinar from almost anywhere with internet access is now a normal part of life, made possible by modern platforms. Below is everything you need to do to participate successfully, starting with how to choose the right device such as a computer, tablet, or smartphone, and how to make sure your connection is stable. You will also learn about registering ahead of time and clicking the link a few minutes before the event begins.
The usual entry process asks for your name, sometimes an email address or another field the organiser has added, or a single click with a Google or Microsoft account. As an attendee your camera stays off unless you turn it on or the presenter invites you on screen.
You will then be guided through a few easy steps to join, such as clicking the access link, filling in the necessary fields, and logging in. If you plan to join from a mobile device, Chrome and Safari are the recommended browsers because they provide the best compatibility.
Once the webinar starts, we suggest that you approach it with the right attitude. Think of it as an important appointment, remove any distractions, stay focused, take part in the chat or Q&A, and write down key points to help you remember what you learn.
We also explain how to solve technical issues. You can try refreshing your browser, signing in again, or, if the problem continues, running a quick system check to confirm that your audio, video, and ports are working correctly.
FAQ
How do I participate in a webinar?
To participate in a webinar, you need to first register for the event by providing your name, email address, and any other required information. Once registered, you will receive a link to access the webinar at the scheduled time.
What do I need to participate in a webinar?
You need a computer, tablet, or phone with an internet connection and a current browser. There is nothing to install, because MyOwnConference runs entirely in the browser.
Can the webinar speaker see me in the audience?
No. As an attendee, you will not automatically appear on camera. However, the presenter might invite you to join on screen if you ask a question or want to share something.
What device and internet connection do I need to attend a webinar?
You can join with a computer, tablet, or smartphone, and you will need a stable internet connection. Around 3 Mbit/s per speaker on air is recommended to ensure you see and hear the presentation clearly.
How do I join a webinar using the link sent by the organizer?
A few minutes before the start, click the link received from the webinar organizer, fill in your name and any other field the entry page shows, and press the entry button. If the organiser left the option on, you can sign in with a Google or Microsoft account instead.
How should I behave during a webinar to get the most out of it?
Treat the webinar like any other important event by focusing on the presenter, engaging with questions, and taking written notes of key concepts so that the information really sticks rather than just listening passively.
What should I do if I encounter technical problems during the webinar?
If you lose connection, reload the browser tab and enter your details again. If you still cannot join, check that your audio and video work and that all necessary ports are open.
