Want to host a webinar but aren't sure on the steps? Webinars can have a dramatic effect on your business whether you are selling to the online community or brick and mortar businesses. So, getting your presentation right requires planning.

It is not just a case of just promoting it to your target market and spending an hour online with a sales pitch at the end. Preparation is the key!

With a well planned webinar, anyone can successfully do this. It is not as hard as you may think. The fact remains that if it is well planned, it will produce a higher conversion rate than email marketing, even if it is your first time!

Here are some simple steps that will help you on your way.

1. Keep it simple stupid - First of all, it is important to keep your PowerPoint presentation as simple as possible. Of course, you may be tempted to use various flashy colours to make the presentation look cool, but this can have an adverse effect.

Just using black and white converts really well even if it looks boring. Oh yes, don't forget a few illustrations to keep your audience interested!

2. Over deliver on content - Focus on the quality of your content and not the sale. When you do your presentation the trick is to focus on giving massive value away for free. The more you give away the better; after all, the sale will take care of itself.

Just think about the attendee, and what they are getting out of it. After all, your audience have given up their time to listen to you.

If it sounds more of a sales pitch you haven't done yourself any favours.

3. Practice makes perfect - The first time you host a webinar, you are going to be nervous and there will be a tendency to procrastinate. So, it is a good idea is to practice with family and friends who will give you honest feedback.

Once you have gathered enough confidence it is time to take some action.

4. Timing - Who are your attendees? You need to find out whether your attendees are corporate or people working from home. Plus, will they be in your locality or global?

All of these factors determine when it is best to schedule your webinar. You may find that you need to schedule several webinars at different times especially if your target audience is global.