Why you should invite your viewers on stage during your webinar

You're hosting a webinar, and everything is going smoothly. You have a great story, beautiful slides, and an enthusiastic group of viewers. But what if you could make it even more interactive? A fantastic way to truly engage your audience is by inviting them "on stage" (or into the broadcast) to speak live.

This might sound a bit daunting, but it has huge benefits for both you and your participants. In this blog, you'll discover why it’s smart to invite your viewers on stage, in which situations it’s useful, and how to do it smoothly.

Why invite viewers into your webinar?

More interaction and engagement

When you invite a participant to join the broadcast live, it increases interaction. People feel heard and seen, which creates a stronger connection with your brand or message.

Authentic and spontaneous conversations

Instead of a one-way flow from presenter to viewer, you create a dynamic conversation. This leads to spontaneous reactions and a more natural flow.

Social proof and credibility

When viewers hear how other participants experience your product or service, it boosts credibility. It works as a kind of live testimonial.

Increased value for other viewers

Participants often have valuable insights or questions that others can learn from. By bringing them on stage, you add extra depth to your webinar.

A unique and memorable experience

A viewer who gets to come on stage feels special. This ensures your webinar leaves a lasting impression and strengthens your community.

When is it useful to bring viewers on stage?

There are many situations where it’s smart to invite a participant into the broadcast. Here are a few concrete examples:

1. In-depth Q&A sessions

You have a Q&A moment, and someone asks an interesting question in the chat. Instead of just answering briefly, invite them to clarify their question live. This makes the conversation more personal and often clearer.

2. Live testimonials and success stories

Do you have customers or users in your webinar who have tried your product or service? Invite them to share their experience. This is a powerful form of social proof that convinces others.

3. Case studies and practical examples

Are you working with clients or partners and want to discuss a real-life example? Bring them on stage and let them tell their own story of how your solution helped them.

4. Coaching or giving live feedback

If you are hosting a training or coaching session, you can invite participants for a live demo. This is highly valuable for the person involved and also educational for the rest of the group.

5. Panel discussions with experts or audience members

Want a more dynamic discussion? Let a few viewers share their opinions on a statement or topic. This brings different perspectives and increases engagement.

6. Contests, prizes, or surprise elements

If you’re running a giveaway or contest, you can bring the winner live into the broadcast. This makes it fun and exciting for all viewers!

How to do this smoothly?

Inviting viewers on stage should run smoothly to keep your webinar professional. Here are a few tips:

• Announce It in advance: Let your audience know beforehand that they might be invited to speak live. This avoids surprises and gets more enthusiastic participants.

• Pre-filter participants: Ask people in the chat if they’d like to join live and have them briefly share their questions or topics. This helps prevent unprepared or irrelevant contributions.

• Give clear instructions: Tell the viewer what to expect and how to set up their microphone and camera.

• Manage time well: Keep the session from running too long and ensure the conversation adds value to your webinar.

• Thank the speaker: Always give a short compliment or thank you afterward. This motivates others to participate as well.

Time to truly engage your audience

Inviting viewers on stage during your webinar can be a game-changer. It increases interaction, provides valuable insights, and strengthens the connection with your audience. Whether you’re hosting a Q&A, giving live feedback, or starting a spontaneous discussion – your webinar becomes more dynamic and engaging.

Are you ready to give your viewers a voice? Try it out in your next webinar and experience the benefits yourself. 

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