What is a webinar?

A webinar is an online event that is hosted by an organization/company and broadcast to a select group of individuals through their computers via the Internet.  (A webinar is sometimes also referred to as a “webcast”, “online event” or “web seminar”.)

A webinar allows a speaker from the hosting organization/company to share PowerPoint presentations, videos, web pages or other multimedia content with audiences that can be located anywhere.   

Webinars typically have audio and visual components.  The visual component of a webinar is shared through a web conferencing tool or Internet browser.  The audio portion of a webinar is usually broadcast through the audience’s computers (through speakers and media players) or through the telephone.

A webinar also allows the hosting organization/company to interact with an audience.  The audience can ask the speaker or moderator (who is leading the webinar) questions in real-time through an instant messaging tool or e-mail.