SpeakerNet News Teleseminars & Webinars FAQ

How SpeakerNet News Teleseminars Work

  • Seminars typically last 1 hour and begin at 7 pm Eastern time.
  • The cost is typically $25, payable in advance by check or credit card. There will also be a charge on your phone bill for the hour of long-distance calling.
  • When you are registered for a seminar, we will send you complete instructions on what to do to call in, and guidelines for getting the most from the seminar.
  • If you are unable to participate in the live seminar but it’s a subject you want to learn about, you will be able to purchase a recording (on MP3) of the seminar.
  • If you are registered and have to cancel, you will not be charged if you cancel at least 72 hours ahead of time. If you cancel within this time, we can arrange for someone from the waiting list to take your place. After that, we can’t, and that isn’t fair to the guest expert.
  • This teleseminar will be recorded. By your registering for this teleseminar, you are giving us permission to record your comments, without any remuneration to you.

How SpeakerNet News Webinars Work

  • Webinars typically last 1 hour and begin at 7 pm Eastern time.
  • The cost is typically $49, payable in advance by check or credit card. If you call in for the audio by phone, there may also be a charge on your phone bill for the hour of long-distance calling.
  • When you are registered for a webinar, we will send you complete instructions on how to log in, and guidelines for getting the most from the seminar.
  • If you are unable to participate in the live seminar but it’s a subject you want to learn about, you will be able to purchase a recording (on MP3) of the seminar.
  • If you are registered and have to cancel, you will not be charged if you cancel at least 72 hours ahead of time. If you cancel within this time, we can arrange for someone from the waiting list to take your place. After that, we can’t, and that isn’t fair to the guest expert.
  • This webinar will be recorded. By your registering for this webinar, you are giving us permission to record your comments, without any remuneration to you.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a teleseminar?

Teleseminars happen over the telephone. They are essentially a large conference call. The host will ask questions of the guest expert based upon what they think will be of highest interest and value to the majority of the participants.

How does a teleseminar work?

SpeakerNet News rents what’s called a “bridge line” which is basically a teleconference line, allowing many people to call in simultaneously, without an operator assisting. You’ll call a designated number (which you’ll receive a few days before the teleseminar).

What is a webinar?

Webinars happen on your computer, through your web browser. You get audio, like a teleseminar, but you can also see what the guest expert wants to show you. The host will ask questions of the guest expert based upon what they think will be of highest interest and value to the majority of the participants.

How does a webinar work?

An arrangement is made with a webinar company to set up an online “meeting room.” All participants are sent a web address to put in their browser, plus a passcode to gain access to the meeting. Your computer gives you the audio and video.

Is this just lecture, or can I ask questions?

Most sessions will allow 5–10 minutes at the end for general questions. Please work to have your question be as relevant to others as possible, not just about your burning issue. If it is too specific to just you, we may ask you to email the question to the expert later.

In a webinar, depending on how it’s set up, you may be able to ask your question vocally, or you may need to type it into a window on screen to be picked up by the host.

How do I know I’ve called the right teleseminar number?

You’ll call in a few minutes before the session is set to begin. The host will ask you your name when you call in. (Others in the room will hear a short beep to let them know someone has arrived.) If you are the first one in the room, you’ll just wait a minute or two until someone else arrives.

What if I’ll be a little late for the seminar?

If you are late, please do not introduce yourself, as it would interrupt the expert. If you’re really late, call in/log in anyway. Since you’re registered, you will be sent the MP3 recording to hear what you missed. For webinars, you will be sent a link to a video of what happened during the session.

Do I have to be computer literate?

Teleseminars are not conducted via the Internet or computer; they’re just phone calls. Webinars, on the other hand, require that you have an active Internet connection during the session.

Will I be given a toll-free number to call for the teleseminar?

No, you will be given a number to call which will probably be long-distance for you. (We will be using different numbers for different teleseminars.) You are responsible for paying for the call, which will appear on your long distance phone bill as a regular long distance call. No other charges are tacked on to the call, just whatever your long distance company charges you. We don’t make any money whatsoever off the long distance call.

Can I talk to other participants during the call?

This learning medium is designed to be instructor-focused, so you should plan on interacting with the host and/or guest expert, not with other participants. If other people you know are on the call, please refrain from exchanges like "Hi Jane! I haven’t talked to you in a while. How’s the weather in San Francisco?" This just bogs down the call.

The bridge line we use for teleseminars allows us to mute everyone except the interviewer and the guest expert, which we do except during the Q & A period. We also encourage everyone to mute their own phone unless they are asking a question. The less interfering sound on the line, the better everyone can hear.

I have call waiting. What if I get a call during the teleseminar?

If you have call waiting, please disable it before calling in. Check your phone book or contact your telephone company to get the Disable Call Waiting code for your area. Depending on your phone service, it will likely be one of the following three codes: *70, 70# or 1170.

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SpeakerNet News is produced by Rebecca Morgan and Ken Braly. It is not affiliated with the National Speakers Association. Send comments or suggestions