Pre-recorded webinars are a powerful tool for delivering polished and engaging content to your audience at any time. With the flexibility to record, edit, and schedule your presentation. This guide will walk you through all the options when setting up and managing your pre-recorded live webinars.
webinar.net offers three ways to present a Pre-Recorded Live webinar:
Pre-Recorded Live in Auto-Pilot
Pre-Recorded Live to Live Q&A
Multiple Pre-Recorded Live to Live Q&A Schedules
1. Pre-Recorded Live in Auto-Pilot
This is the easiest option for presenting your webinars. Simply set up the schedule, and the webinar will run automatically as a simulated live presentation. No presenter interaction is needed to start the playback—set it and forget it!
2. Pre-Recorded Live to Live Q&A
Want to mix automation with live interaction? This mode lets you transition from a pre-recorded webinar to a live Q&A session seamlessly. Here’s how it works:
Transitioning from Pre-Recorded Live to Live Q&A
Before the Pre-Recorded Presentation Ends:
Connect to the presenter console.
Choose how you’ll broadcast your live content after the recording: Audio Only or with Camera.
Enable Live Q&A:
In the upper-right corner of the console, you’ll see a countdown timer indicating when the pre-recorded presentation will end.
Click the blue Enable Live Q&A button before the timer runs out.
IMPORTANT: Please enable the Live Q&A before the time runs out!
After you Enable Live Q&A:
A Cancel Live Q&A button will appear if you change your mind.
Once the timer ends and Live Q&A is activated, you’ll have two options:
Go Live: Start the Live Q&A by pressing the green button.
End: Conclude the presentation with the red button.
NOTE: Please expect a short, 5-7 second delay as our platform transitions from the pre-recorded content to your live camera and microphone feed for the Q&A.
During the Live Q&A:
The timer will track your session’s progress and begin counting up.
End the session anytime by clicking the red End button.
On-Demand Playback:
If an On-Demand schedule is added, the Live Q&A recording will automatically be appended to the webinar.
To decide what videos will appear in the On-Demand session:
Click View Recordings in the header.
Choose to keep or remove the webinar and/or Live Q&A recordings.
3. Multiple Pre-Recorded Live to Live Q&A Schedules
This option allows you to schedule the same webinar multiple times using the Pre-Recorded Live feature. Each session can include a unique Live Q&A segment. Simply follow the Presenter/Producer steps outlined above to transition from the recorded webinar to live interaction during each scheduled time.
Editing Your Live Q&A Sessions
Visit The Lab to manage and edit recordings. You’ll see all the videos scheduled for the next session, including Live Q&A recordings, which are easy to identify and modify as needed. For detailed steps on editing recordings, click here.
Editing Restrictions for Pre-Recorded Webinars
To ensure a smooth experience for your attendees, webinar.net implements specific publishing restrictions as the webinar start time approaches:
30 Minutes Before the Scheduled Start Time: If you attempt to publish edits by clicking the [Publish] button, a warning message will appear to notify you of the upcoming start time.
Publishing now may delay the start of your webinar for the live attendees.
It's best to wait and complete these edits for the on-demand playback later.
However, if you must proceed, click the red [Yes] button.
5 Minutes Before the Scheduled Start Time: Publishing edits is locked, and a "Publish Locked" message will be displayed if you try to proceed.
These safeguards help maintain the integrity and reliability of your webinar.
Additional Notes & Tips
Including Live Q&A in Pre-Recorded Webinars:
To add Live Q&A, check the Include Live Q&A in the Pre-Recorded Live box during setup.
IMPORTANT: Ensure your Pre-Recorded Live webinar contains more than just the Live Q&A. If the original recordings are removed and only the Live Q&A is available, the webinar will not start.
Can I use a pointer to highlight what I'm presenting?
While webinar.net doesn't have a built-in pointer feature, you absolutely can! The best way to do this is by sharing your slideshow via screen sharing. Once you're sharing your screen, you can then use the pointer tools that are often built directly into your presentation software (like PowerPoint, Google Slides, or Keynote). This allows you to highlight specific areas of your slides just as you would in an in-person presentation, keeping your audience's focus exactly where you want it.
For further assistance, contact us through chat or send us an email at support@webinar.net.