The world has moved to a digital era where significant seminars, meetings, and conferences are no longer limited to physical venues like halls, conference rooms, and auditoriums. It is so because every organization of every industry has acknowledged the efficacy of moving to the virtual format of hosting events. The concept not only comes with unmatched efficiency of the events but also easy profits for the concerned organizations. Not just this, but the online meeting platform services also come well-equipped with exceptional features and tools to help you host successful meetings & conferences.
Moving ahead from the basic introduction to the era, let us understand the two main formats of company meetings & conferences.
Webinars and webcasts are two major formats of organizing vital meetings that are of importance to the organization. However, let us begin and understand the difference between webinars and webcasts.
Difference between Webcasts & Webinars on the basis of Meaning
What is a Webcast?
As the name suggests, webcast refers to web + broadcast. A webcast is basically a one-way model of sharing information and content with a wide audience through broadcasting. The content in such a meeting includes things like video clips, presentations, audio streams, etc. The most basic attribute of a webcast is that it doesn’t focus much on audience interaction. However, it gives importance to reaching out to as many audiences as possible. Another characteristic of a webcast is, the user can also run pre-recorded content during the broadcast.
What is a Webinar?
A webinar refers to web + seminar which means, a webinar is seminar-based or conducted over the web. In simpler words, it is a meeting or conference being run over the web. Although the concept is a little similar to that of a webcast, there is a lot when it comes to counting the differences. Also, the context of a webinar is more instructional where the meeting is attended by a specific audience. Additionally, a webinar is more like a virtual event like a web-conferencing being attended exclusively by inquisitive parties. Further, a webinar allows high-level interactive opportunities which means this format is based on a 2-way communication model.
Moving ahead, let us explore the key differences between webinars and webcasts in various essential contexts.
Webinar VS Webcast: Communication Model
Webinars- A webinar uses the two-way communication model, promoting and providing interactive opportunities to the participants.
Webcasts- A webcast refers to a broadcast similar to a television. Therefore, it uses a one-way communication model where the information and content are shared with a large audience without giving much importance to interaction.
Webinar VS Webcast: Size
Webinars- A webinar addresses less or around a thousand participants where there is a host or a few speakers sharing informative content or information.
Webcasts- A webcast is also addressed to many participants, however, the number can easily exceed a thousand. Also, a webcast doesn’t include several broadcasters. It focuses on content transmission to a large number of web users.
Webinar VS Webcast: Engagement
Webinars- As webinars provide a greater level of interaction to the hosts as well as the attendees, the engagement is also enhanced in a webinar. Not just the host with the audience but the engagement is also highly-possible between the attendees through various interactive features provided by the platform. Interactive tools and features in a webinar includes- Live chat, live poll, Q&A sessions, engagement breaks, screen sharing, live reactions through emoticons, etc.
Webcasts- In the simplest of words, a webcast gives the organizers an opportunity to record the event and broadcast it with a large target audience. However, a broadcast gives minimum interaction opportunities to the audience or viewers. Therefore, the engagement level is less than that of a webinar. Nevertheless, the most advanced live streaming or webcasting platforms are now coming with various interactive tools, giving the organizers maximum chance to keep their viewers engaged. Interactive tools and features in a webcast includes- Like, comment, and react features you get on a social media platform, ticker integration, etc.
Webinar VS Webcast: Implementation
Webinars- A webinar focuses on sharing informative content and engaging the audience. It includes collaborating with a webinar platform that renders comprehensive tools and features to ensure the efficacy of meaningful interaction. In addition to sharing the presentation and other content, the user can also include a live poll or survey during the webinar to further enhance the meeting.
Webcasts- A webcast involves content sharing in a very different way. As the communication takes place in a one-way model, the focus of the broadcast stays on what the presenter is saying. A webcast also doesn’t use more of a presentation or other content-based engagement as it typically focuses on making an event available to a broad audience.
Webinar VS Webcast: Pros and Cons
Pros of a Webinar
- Webinars are highly interactive and engaging
- This format has way better control over the platform and venue.
- The webinar platform can be customized according to preferences.
- The user can choose their preferred set of features and tools with the help of an efficient webinar service
- An efficient format for teaching and learning goals
- Promotes two-way video conferencing
- Renders flexibility
Cons of a Webinar
- Only a limited number of specific audience can participate
- Internet disturbances and weak connectivity can affect the event
- An excessive number of attendees can create a problem while ensuring the value and engagement during the event
Pros of a Webcast
- It is not important to create a proper schedule for the webcast, unlike a webinar.
- It provides excellent repeatability
- A webcast is highly shareable with a wide audience
- The event can be attended by a large number of participants
- Easy access to the event without any need to register for the event unlike a webinar
Cons of a Webcast
- A webcast renders less interactive opportunities to the audience as well as the users. It also leads to minimum engagement in the context of interactivity throughout the broadcast
- It uses a one-way communication model
- The webcast can be an accompanying medium that people can access with something that they are already indulged in
- Less flexibility
The Bottom Line
Various organizations and companies are using both formats based on their requirements. Depending on the needs of a meeting, an organizer can make the most from both models of conducting a meeting. Hence, it is less about the efficacy of any one format above the other. Instead, it is about which format suits your event requirements the best.
