6 critical questions to ask when comparing webinar vendors
How to avoid costly mistakes & embarrassing blunders

1. How many webinars or audio conferences does the vendor produce each month?

What is the ratio of this number (of virtual events) to the number of employees the vendor has? If the vendor does a high volume of programs with few staff, or is primarily in the conference calling business, it is clear that they cannot devote much attention to your event amidst everything else they have going on. The lower the ratio of staff to events, and the fewer simultaneous events the vendor is producing, the more confident you can be that your event is in the capable hands of event production professionals who are making sure that every detail is being watched carefully.

2. What does the webinar or audio conferencing vendor’s pricing include?

Can you choose the webinar services you need? Don’t get caught off guard by hidden fees and don’t assume per-minute pricing includes all the services you need to build the webinar or audio conference you want. Make sure the vendor offers all the services you need and, most importantly, make sure you know the price you’ll pay for each service — up front — before you commit.

• Professionally-trained moderator
• An event coordinator who handles all your details and keeps track of everything so you don’t have to.
• Secure real-time registration information
• Post-event reporting and analytics to track your events and your audience
• Speaker training and orientation
• Process and fulfill recordings of your events
• Ability to issue automated certificates
• Create, send and report post-event evaluations
• Marketing assistance to help promote your events

3. Does the webinar vendor make you sign a contract? If so, why?

Long term contracts can lock you in to a poor service provider. It’s best to stay flexible while you perfect your process, gain knowledge and build a partnership.

4. Does the webinar vendor offer your members/registrants the support they need?

The spotlight is on you when your event begins. Find out what kind of safety net your prospective vendors have when you need it the most:

• Technical support for your audience
• Complete operations department
• Call center and customer care support

5. Does the webinar or audio conference vendor take registrations for you?

If so, what type of security measures do they have for you and your audience? Not everybody needs a full-service webinar or teleseminar vendor. If you’re able to take your own registrations, why would you pay someone for this service? On the other hand, if you’re not able to handle taking registrations, make sure the webinar vendor you choose is able to do so — securely!

6. How soon after the webinar or audio conference will you get your reports and money or invoice?

Does the webinar vendor offer Electronic Funds Transfer to get your money into your account quickly and safely — 3 to 4 days faster (no longer than 15 business days from your pay-to-attend event)? Save yourself the worry and frustration by having your expectations heard — up front.

• Electronic Funds Transfer
• PCI compliant credit card processing

Get all your webinar and audio conferencing questions answered

Call KRM Information Services at 800.775.7654 or email info@krm.com, Monday through Friday 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Central Time. Tell us your needs and we’ll help you build your events, your way.