5 Webinar Predictions for the Next 7 Months

In today's digital age, webinars have become an increasingly popular way for businesses to connect with their target audience by serving as a platform to provide valuable information and, ultimately, drive conversions while engaging with attendees remotely. 

The growth of webinars is only just beginning, and as we move into the next seven months, it's crucial to stay ahead of the curve and anticipate the latest trends and developments in the world of webinars.

Webinar Trends and Statistics

Webinars have grown in popularity over the past few years, and this trend is expected to continue. According to a report by MarketsandMarkets, the global webinar and web conferencing market is projected to reach $19.22 billion by 2023, up from $5.25 billion in 2018. This statistic isn't surprising considering that this year alone, marketers expect a 15% growth in qualified lead generation and attendance, 14% in event registrations, 13% in engagement, and 12% in the budget. Clearly, webinars are on the fast track toward growth. 

If that isn't enough to convince you, consider these statistics to illustrate the impact and growth of webinars in the next few months:

1. Increased participation: According to a report by ON24, the average number of attendees for webinars increased by 192% from 2019 to 2020. The report also found that the average viewing time per webinar increased by 19%.
2. Lead generation: Webinars have become a popular tool for lead generation. According to a report by Demand Gen Report, 64% of B2B buyers say they are willing to share their contact information in exchange for access to a webinar.
3. Increased engagement: Webinars offer a unique opportunity to engage with attendees in real time. According to a report by the Content Marketing Institute, webinars are the second most effective type of content for engaging target audiences, after in-person events.
4. Industry-specific webinars: Industry-specific webinars have become increasingly popular in recent years, with a 37% higher registration rate than general webinars.
5. On-demand webinars: On-demand webinars have become a popular way for attendees to consume content at their convenience. According to a report by Demand Metric, 68% of people prefer to watch webinars on demand rather than at a specific time.
6. Hybrid events: Hybrid events, which combine in-person and virtual elements, have become increasingly popular. According to a report by Bizzabo, 93% of event marketers plan to invest in hybrid events in 2021.

As the global webinar and web conferencing market continues to grow, businesses must stay ahead of the curve and leverage the latest trends and best practices to drive success with their webinar strategy. That said, here are our predictions for the webinar industry as we move through the next seven months of 2023.

5 Webinar Predictions for 2023

Webinars have proven to be an effective tool for businesses to connect with their audience and drive success. As we move into the next seven months, there are a few key trends and predictions to keep in mind when planning your webinar strategy (plus, how you can get ahead of these trends with Sessions). 

1. Increased Demand for Interactive Webinars

Interactive webinars have become increasingly popular over the past few years, and this trend is expected to continue. Interactive webinars allow attendees to engage with the content in real time, ask questions, and participate in polls and surveys. According to a report by ON24, interactive webinars had a 47% higher attendance rate and a 50% longer viewing time than traditional webinars. 

Sessions offers a range of interactive features, including Sessions AI-powered Copilot, that can help businesses engage with their audience in real time. The platform also makes it easy for teams to collaborate and organize these types of events, sharing agendas and resources between users. From live polls and surveys to Q&A sessions, Sessions can help companies to create a more engaging and interactive webinar experience for attendees.

2. Shorter Webinars

Attention spans are becoming shorter, and attendees are looking for more concise and focused content. Shorter webinars allow attendees to consume the content quickly and efficiently–without feeling overwhelmed. In fact, webinars that are 30 minutes or less have a 66% higher attendance rate than webinars that are 60 minutes or longer. 

Sessions allows businesses to create shorter, more focused webinars that deliver value to attendees without overwhelming them with information. With features like customizable registration forms and automated reminders, Sessions can help businesses keep their attendees engaged and on track during shorter webinars. Plus, Sessions agenda feature allows users to add time durations for each time, ensuring they stay on time and on topic. When users run over their time limit, they'll be able to see it and know to move on to the next topic.

3. Emphasis on Pre-Webinar Promotion

With the increase in demand for webinars, it's becoming more important to promote your webinar effectively to ensure maximum attendance. According to a report by Demand Gen Report, 45% of attendees said they learned about a webinar through an email invitation.

Sessions offers a range of marketing tools that can help businesses promote their webinars effectively. From automatic email invitations to custom reminders, Sessions can help businesses reach their target audience and drive attendance for their webinars.

4. Increased Use of Video

Video has become a popular medium for businesses to connect with their audience, and this trend is expected to continue in the next seven months. According to a report by Cisco, video will account for 82% of all internet traffic by 2022. Expect to see an increased use of video in webinars, including pre-recorded video segments and live video demonstrations.

Sessions makes it easy for businesses to incorporate video into their webinars, whether it's through pre-recorded video segments or live video demonstrations. From integrations with YouTube, Vimeo, and Twitch that require only copy-paste actions, to built-in features that allow you to upload locally stored videos Sessions helps businesses create more engaging and dynamic webinar content that doesn't require screen-sharing. Everything can be directly embedded directly in the event. No more tabs or apps opened and hopping between them, trying to find the right one.

5. Virtual Event Integration

Virtual events have become increasingly popular as businesses adapt to the digital age. Virtual events allow attendees to participate in webinars, conferences, and other events from the comfort of their own homes. Expect to see increased integration of virtual events with webinars in the next seven months. This could include virtual networking sessions, virtual exhibit halls, and more.

Sessions can help businesses host online events, such as virtual networking sessions and virtual exhibit halls. With features like landing pages, registration forms, breakout rooms, virtual backgrounds, and AI Copilot, Sessions can help businesses create a more immersive and interactive virtual event experience for their attendees. AI Copilot is particularly instrumental in this as it helps organizers come up with structures for any of their events in seconds, saving them significant time.

Get Ahead of the Competition with Sessions: Leverage These Predictions for Your Webinar Success!

The webinar landscape is constantly evolving, and staying ahead of the curve is crucial for businesses to drive success with their webinar strategy. While these are only predictions and not guarantees, the projections we've outlined offer insight into the latest trends and developments in the world of webinars. Businesses that leverage these trends can gain a competitive advantage and drive success with their webinars.

Sessions offers a range of tools, features, and integrations that can help businesses implement these predictions and create engaging, interactive, and successful webinars. From interactive features like live polls and surveys to marketing tools that can help organizations promote their webinars effectively, Sessions has everything businesses need to jump on these predictions and stay ahead of the competition.

If you're looking to drive success with your webinar strategy in the next seven months, don't wait any longer. Sign up for Sessions today and start leveraging these predictions to create engaging and successful webinars that deliver value to your audience. With Sessions, you can stay ahead of the curve and drive success with your webinar strategy.