Bombora’s Webinar Jargon Buster

What is a Webinar?

It’s a web-based seminar. A presentation, lecture, workshop or seminar that is transmitted online using video conferencing software. Hugely popular because it creates an interactive platform. Using Q&As, surveys and polls, viewers and presenters can discuss information in real time.

What Are The Different Types of Webinars?

• Audio Webinar: No cameras, just slides and a narrator or presenter speaking over them.
• Video Webinar: A presenter or panel, meeting or conference is filmed, and slides are synced alongside.
• Live Webinar: A live online event, either an audio or video webinar, viewed as it’s happening.
• On-Demand Webinar: Viewed after the event, anytime, any place, just like catch-up TV.
• Simulated Webinar: Pre-recorded but broadcast as if it were a live event.

What’s The Difference Between a Webinar, a Webcast and a Podcast?

A podcast is an audio or video digital file made available on the internet to download. Podcasting simply refers to media files being placed on the Internet, whereas webcasting refers to the streaming of events.

A webcast is a ‘web-based broadcast’ – it’s a video that is broadcast across the Internet using streaming media technology. This could be television programmes and radio shows, or in the commercial sense, corporate presentations, conferences and training videos streamed online. Webcasts can be accessed via a single URL on any device, either live, pre-recorded, or on-demand.

Unlike live streams and webcasts, webinars are invite-only events where only those who have joined can watch. Webcasts are mostly publicly available – and can be watched on a video player or on a website. That doesn’t mean you can’t have a registration page to fill in or charge to watch, it just means that a webcast can be served to an unlimited audience online. You can have multiple streams on a webcast, so as well as sending it to your website, you can send it to Facebook Live or YouTube, for example. This allows you to reach different audiences.

The Webinar Jargon

• Hosting Platform: An internet platform that can set up your registration page and host your webinar, ensuring viewers receive a top-quality webinar. They can also provide any interactive tools like polls or Q&A, and also support.
• Webinar Page/Auditorium Page: This is the actual web page where you will watch the webinar/webcast.
• Test Connection: The Majority of hosting players will have a link to test your connection just to make sure you are able to watch the event smoothly.
• Bandwidth: If your test connection results show a poor/low bandwidth, your Internet speed isn’t as strong as the hosting platform requires, so you may experience a delay in viewing with some buffering issues.
• Buffering: This usually means you have a slow network connection and tends to happen when you watch a video in real time.
• Registration Page: Where people go to register for your event.
• Targeted Promotions: Promoting your webinar to a set list of customers or colleagues rather than trying to attract new viewers.
• Confirmation Email/Reminder Email: Once viewers have registered, send a confirmation email with the event details and a calendar reminder. Then send a reminder email nearer the time.
• Housekeeping: A set of instructions usually provided at the beginning of the event so online audiences know how to interact with the platform.
• Host/Moderator: The person who works with the presenter and keeps the event on track with introductions, conducting interviews, Q&A sessions and conclusions.
• Email Moderator: The person who monitors and filters the emails from viewers, passing them onto the presenter or relevant speakers during your webinar.
• VoIP: Voice over Internet Protocol – where you listen to a webinar via your computer speakers.
• Dial-In: When you can dial in via your telephone and listen to the webinar.
• Q&A / Chat Box: A live interactive tool that can be used during webinars. The audience can be invited to ask questions by typing in the chat box. These will be received in real-time by the presenter or email moderator who will answer them, or direct them to a panel or subject expert.
• Resource Information: Documents or slides that can be downloaded on the webinar platform, usually useful content related to the webinar.
• Poll or Survey: An interactive feature used during webinars which allows presenters to get their audience involved. These are simple multiple-choice questions, and the results can be shared with the audience immediately.
• URL or Exit Page: Where audiences are redirected to once the event is over. This could be a survey, a website or an offer.
• Feedback Survey: Ask viewers what they thought of your webinar. Measure your success and learn how to do it even better next time.
• Stats & Data: Engagement scoring reports provide insight into how online attendees interacted with your event. How many registrants logged on? How many stayed engaged? And for how long?

The Filming & Media Jargon

• Green Screen: Studio background that allows a separate background to be added to the final image. e.g. What a weather person uses
• Green room: It’s the client lounge room, an area where you can relax before you go on live. E.g. Graham Norton has a famous green room where his guests wait patiently on his show.

Want to Cut Through the Webinar Confusion?

Whether you’re planning your first webinar or levelling up your live-streamed content, Bombora makes the complex feel simple. From platform setup and jargon-free guidance to studio production, remote support, and full moderation services, we handle the details so you can focus on the message. Let us help you host smooth, engaging, and professional webinars with confidence; get in touch today.