How TV Shows Can Help You Structure Your Recruitment Webinars

Using webinars for recruitment has been an ongoing trend in modern times. From a business standpoint, webinars offer tremendous value. Both employees and recruiters benefit from the large pool of platforms and sources available for this medium. Keeping up with the latest HR news is a common trend among job seekers and companies. However, in a world where technological innovation has more or less stifled interpersonal interactions, webinars are the perfect way to blend both concepts masterfully; and the recent episode with the coronavirus has proven that technology can be a net positive for the world of work.

When planning a webinar, recruiters often have a goal in mind. However, many people are unable to reach those goals. As much as webinars have proven to be a big help, sometimes they did not achieve the desired results. A survey by the SHRM, estimates US-based companies spend an average of $4,129 on talent acquisition per job. This shows that employers spend big bucks on recruitment, yet ROI figures are not looking up.

A while ago, the main problem of recruitment practices was that they did not produce satisfactory hires. The same could be said of webinars. But why would that be when the concept in itself can reach potential employees on a global scale? The answer lies in the approach to hosting these virtual events.

Show and Tell Using the TV Show Format

With the use of voice as well as video and images in a presentation, companies don't just tell, but also show what they have to offer prospective employees. It may seem unconventional, but webinars have a lot more in common with forms of mass media. The TV show format, especially, is a useful template for planning a successful recruitment webinar.

Solid Content

A sitcom has different content from what you would read in a drama. Likewise, with webinars, one size does not fit all. The content should center around the specific topic. An all-encompassing webinar will prove unproductive in retaining the attention of the audience.

According to marketing experts, only 60% of those who RSVP for a virtual event attend. The other 40% will drop off along the way. So, appropriate content will help in sourcing for your attendees. When inviting the public to RSVP, it is essential to share what they will learn or gain by attending the session.

Having a specific topic in mind is useful in developing an outline for the webinar. With a suitable outline, you can create stronger and more convincing ads. Besides, rich content prompts the audience to come back for other events.

When planning your event, you do not have to give away a whole basket of information. Remember that you need to carry the audience along to keep them engaged. Bombarding them with data may be too overwhelming, so you should transition from one point to the next while adding value in the process.

Narrative Structure

TV shows are episodic. This means that they don't just begin and end in one feature. Instead, they allow for multiple beginnings and endings as a part of a larger narrative. Companies may find it beneficial to provide webinars that span a range of recruitment related topics such as:

● Job Interview 101.

● Pointers for making a good impression during the hiring process.

● How to approach an unfriendly interviewer.

For employers:

● 5 questions to ask a job seeker.

● Recruiting skills that attract the most qualified candidates.

● How to know if a candidate has the right skill set for a job.

A series of webinars will serve to educate both job seekers and HR recruiters, and each event should solve a problem for your audience. With a plethora of college graduates entering the job market every year, webinars will prove to be useful even in the long run. They can also be recorded and posted on the business website for continuous reference. For long term or continuous features, we recommend you buy a private proxy to keep your business matters secured from unauthorized users.

Maintain a Schedule

TV shows have a time and date that each episode goes on air. Maintaining a fixed schedule lets both new and existing audiences keep up with your sessions.

Every recruiter sets goals for the number of attendees they would like, and generally, the more, the merrier. The first few webinars could be one time events used as an experiment to gauge viewer reception, but for long term success, it is best to define a schedule.

You aim to maximize the number of attendees, so ensure that it does not conflict with the class or work schedules. General considerations are:

● Fix your event during the week

● Use a convenient time across time zones

Spread the word by putting up information on numerous platforms. Social media is no stranger to business promotions and are some of the most effective means. Although Facebook and Instagram are common choices, Instagram holds creative opportunities with far higher engagement rates. Companies can buy accounts from the Instagram accsmarket to develop business projects.

Dialogue-Driven Format

Television is a writer's world, and the most successful TV scripts are based on the strength of the writing. Rather than visuals, the writing drives the story.

Slides are useful for any presentation, but people usually make the mistake of spending too much time creating them. Don't put too much text or bullet points on each slide. It would be more effective to have slides that are professional and attractive but simple and uncluttered. Focus your efforts on the teaching and spend no more than a minute on each slide.

You may be thinking, "a perfect looking slide deck portrays a professional aura." Remember that the slide deck is there as a form of support and content always trumps design.

Structuring Your Actual Webinar Content

As much as recruiters have a lot at stake here, attendees have high expectations as well. When done the wrong way, webinars often turn out to be rather disappointing. No one wants to hear the presenter rant on for 30 minutes about the history of the business and its achievements. Only to spend the remainder of the time pitching their online program and offering a discount for the first 50 participants.

Worse still is when the presenter spends the entire time giving intricate detail about a subject that leaves you even more dazed by the end. In this case, the Q&A section would be all but relevant.

Considering the TV show structure in more depth, each episode has a method to the plotline.

Introduce the characters and present the problem - Escalate the problem - Have the worst-case scenario happen - Begin the ticking clock - Have the characters reach their moment of victory.

Introduce the company and present the topic, which is the subject of the event. Let the audience know who the webinar will most likely benefit and who it might not. Brevity and relevance are the watchwords.

Set the agenda and give the audience a reason to stay until the end. For a recruitment webinar, the best incentive would be to offer the attendees an opportunity to work with the company, especially those who can sit through the entire duration of it.

The 80-20 rule of business events is to give concrete information 80% of the time and only promote for 20% of the time. You can't compromise on providing the audience with the content that you promised. You don't have to give away a whole truckload, just the right amount. Talk about situations the audience can relate to and provide some clarity on the challenges they may face. Endeavor to research a few practical examples to highlight the 'whats' and 'whys.' Presenters who are well prepared are the ones who teach with confidence.

Make sure to give your audience results. You want people to walk away from the presentation with valuable knowledge. It could be some inspiration, a new mindset, or some actionable steps to take.

Go ahead and pitch any online coaching programs the company offers. If you've done well with your educational content, transitioning to your pitch will be very fluid. Questions and answers are optional for the audience, so make sure to let them know that it is fine to leave at this point.

Conclusion

Integrating webinars is a positive step for your recruitment routine. More importantly, planning and structuring your webinar the right way will produce increased interest from the target job seekers. Televised media is a business for those behind the scenes. Imitating the model creates a killer structure that will have the audience eating out of the palm of yo