What is Joint Webinar?
Joint Webinar is a collaborative online event. Two or more partner organizations host this digital session. They share expertise with a common audience. Partners showcase their combined solutions. This strategy generates new leads for all participants. Joint webinars highlight thought leadership within the partner ecosystem. They educate potential customers effectively. For example, an IT software vendor and a cloud provider might host a joint webinar. They demonstrate an integrated solution. A manufacturing equipment producer and a robotics company could also collaborate. They present automated production line benefits. These events reach wider audiences together. They strengthen partner relationships significantly.
TL;DR
Joint Webinar is a shared online event. Two or more partners host it together. They present combined expertise to a common audience. This helps partners generate new leads. It also shows their thought leadership. Joint webinars strengthen partner relationships and reach wider audiences.
"Joint webinars offer a powerful co-selling opportunity. They expand reach beyond individual partner networks. This strategy educates prospects on integrated solutions. It builds trust and showcases combined value. Partners effectively drive deal registration through these events. They also enhance their partner relationship management. Organizations should prioritize joint webinars in their partner program. They significantly boost through-channel marketing efforts."
— POEM™ Industry Expert
1. Introduction
A joint webinar is a collaborative online event. Two or more organizations host this digital session. They share expertise with a common audience. This strategy generates new leads for all participants. Joint webinars highlight thought leadership within the partner ecosystem. They educate potential customers effectively. This approach strengthens partner relationships significantly. For example, an IT software vendor and a cloud provider might host a joint webinar. They demonstrate an integrated solution.
Another example involves a manufacturing equipment producer and a robotics company. They could collaborate. They present automated production line benefits. These events reach wider audiences together. They provide valuable content to potential buyers.
2. Context/Background
Digital marketing evolved rapidly. Webinars became a key tool for lead generation. Companies realized the power of collaboration. Partnering on webinars offers many benefits. It expands reach and credibility. This is especially true within a partner program. A single company has limited resources. A channel partner brings new audiences. Together, they achieve more. This strategy is vital for growth in today's market.
3. Core Principles
- Shared Value: All participating partners gain from the event.
- Complementary Offerings: Solutions should fit well together. They should solve a broader customer problem.
- Audience Alignment: Target audiences should overlap significantly.
- Clear Ownership: Roles and responsibilities must be defined early.
- Mutual Promotion: Each partner actively promotes the event.
- Thought Leadership: Presenters offer valuable insights. They avoid overt sales pitches.
4. Implementation
- Identify Partners: Find a channel partner with a complementary offering. Ensure their audience aligns with yours.
- Define Topic and Goals: Agree on a relevant topic. Set clear objectives. These include lead numbers or brand awareness.
- Content Creation: Develop engaging content. Focus on educational value. Present an integrated solution.
- Promotional Plan: Create a joint marketing plan. Use email, social media, and partner portal announcements.
- Technical Setup: Choose a reliable webinar platform. Conduct practice runs. Ensure smooth delivery.
- Post-Webinar Follow-up: Share recordings. Distribute leads fairly. Nurture new prospects.
5. Best Practices vs Pitfalls
Do's:
- Do choose a relevant, educational topic.
- Do promote the webinar jointly and widely.
- Do ensure high-quality audio and video.
- Do include a clear call to action.
- Do follow up with all registrants promptly.
- Do use deal registration to track new opportunities.
- Do provide partner enablement materials for promotion.
Don'ts:
- Don't make it a pure sales pitch.
- Don't neglect post-webinar lead nurturing.
- Don't let one partner dominate the content.
- Don't forget to test technology beforehand.
- Don't ignore audience questions during the event.
- Don't assume partners will promote without guidance.
- Don't forget to measure results and optimize.
6. Advanced Applications
- Solution Demonstrations: Showcase complex integrated solutions.
- Customer Success Stories: Present joint case studies with a customer.
- Industry Trends Analysis: Offer expert insights on emerging trends.
- Product Launch Collaborations: Announce new features or products together.
- Certification Programs: Host training webinars for partner certification.
- Geo-Specific Events: Tailor content for different regions. Use local partners.
7. Ecosystem Integration
Joint webinars fit within several POEM lifecycle pillars. They support Strategize by defining market opportunities. They aid Recruit by attracting new partners. For Onboard and Enable, they provide valuable training content. They are crucial for Market and Sell, generating leads and fostering co-selling. They contribute to Incentivize by driving partner-sourced revenue. Finally, they help Accelerate growth within the entire partner ecosystem. A strong partner relationship management system tracks these activities.
8. Conclusion
Joint webinars are powerful tools for partner ecosystem growth. They expand audience reach and enhance credibility. They offer a cost-effective way to generate leads. They also strengthen partner relationships. This collaborative approach delivers clear benefits to all participants.
Companies should integrate joint webinars into their partner program. They provide value to customers and partners alike. Effective planning and execution are key to success. This strategy builds a robust and dynamic partner network.
Context Notes
- An IT cybersecurity firm and a managed service provider (MSP) host a webinar. They discuss data protection strategies. They showcase their combined security solutions.
- A manufacturing automation software company teams up with an industrial robotics manufacturer. They present a joint webinar. They demonstrate efficiency gains from their integrated systems.
- A cloud platform provider and a business intelligence software vendor collaborate. They offer a webinar on scalable data analytics. They highlight their seamless integration.