A web seminar (webinar) is an online instructional session that uses the Internet as a real time presentation format, along with audio channels (via web or telephone) that allow participants to listen, and possibly interact with, the session. Webinars allow people to participate in information or training sessions from remote locations that have Internet and audio access. White papers may be referenced in a web seminar (source of web seminar) and provided to the attendees after they participate in the seminar. A 12 page white paper can typically be used to produce a 30 minute web seminar.

Seminar Hosting - Web seminar hosting is the provision of communication services that allow media (such as images, video and audio) to be delivered to participants by a moderator. Participants may be connected by an Internet connection and/or telephone lines. Examples of web seminar hosting systems include www.Webex.com, www.gotomeeting.com, and www.AdvisorsInsight.com.

Web Seminar Moderator - A web seminar moderator is a person who introduces the speakers and coordinates interaction with the audience. The seminar moderator utilizes controls to coordinate the delivery and display of slides to web seminar participants. The seminar moderator usually has overriding control over the speaker connections.

Web Seminar Speakers - Web seminar speakers are people who can connect to the web seminar and transmit their audio and media to the conference. Seminar speakers may connect to the seminar via the Internet. The connection portal for the seminar speakers provides controls for the transmission of their content (such as audio or video).

Web Seminar Participants - Web seminar participants are people who can connect to the seminar and receive the audio and slide images. It may be necessary for web seminar participants to install a software program (client module) that allows the web seminar system to control the display of slides. Web seminar participants may be able to submit or vote on questions that will be addressed during the presentation.

Web Seminar Registration - Web seminar attendees may be required to submit registration information, which may include contact information as well as qualifying information (such as job type and areas of interest). After a person has registered for the web seminar, a registration confirmation message is sent, which contains the time, date and details of the web seminar. An alert message may be sent several hours prior to the event to remind the recipient of the upcoming web seminar, along with details of how the participant can connect to the seminar.

Sponsorships - In addition to referencing white papers, web seminars may be sponsored by companies. Web seminar sponsors may provide content, resources (hosting services), and compensation for sponsorship branding. We seminar sponsors may pay a fee for each person that registers.

Video Recording - Web seminars may be captured in video form. The video may be divided into segments for use with other media such as white paper listing pages.

Scheduled Recorded Web Seminars - Recorded web seminars may be scheduled for future broadcast. People who participate during future scheduled times may not be aware that they are participating in a recorded session.

Figure 1.x shows how a white paper may be converted into a web seminar format for promotional purposes. This web seminar is promoted by an email announcement message, which is sent to qualified people, and contains a web seminar registration request. The web seminar registration page requires the user to enter their name and email address (other qualifying information may also be requested). When the person registers, they receive a confirmation message containing a link that allows them to connect to the web seminar. A web seminar moderator coordinates one or more speakers who are presenting the information during the web seminar.