Zoom Webinar Vs Meeting: What's The Difference Between Them?

As someone who has been using Zoom for a while now, I have come to realize that there are two types of virtual meetings that the platform offers: Zoom Webinars and Zoom Meetings. Although they may seem similar at first glance, there are some key differences between them that can greatly affect the outcome of your virtual event. In this article, I will be discussing the differences between Zoom Webinars and Zoom Meetings, and when to use each one.

Zoom Meetings are designed for interactive sessions where all participants can easily interact and share with each other and the host. Think of Zoom Meetings as a virtual conference room where everyone has a seat at the table. Zoom Meetings are ideal for hosting more interactive sessions where you'll want to have lots of audience participation or break your session into smaller groups.

On the other hand, Zoom Webinars are designed for larger audiences or events that are open to the public. Think of Zoom Webinars as a virtual lecture hall or auditorium. Webinars are ideal for presenting to a large audience where the host wants more control over the experience and audience members join as attendees rather than participants. In the next few paragraphs, I will dive deeper into the differences between Zoom Webinars and Zoom Meetings, and when to use each one.

Zoom Meeting

As a user of Zoom, I have found that Zoom Meetings are a great way to host interactive sessions where you want to have lots of audience participation or break your session into smaller groups. In this section, I will discuss the definition of Zoom Meetings, their features, and how to set them up.

Definition

Zoom Meetings are virtual meetings that allow you to connect with others from anywhere in the world. You can use Zoom Meetings for group collaboration, team meetings, sales demos, online learning and trainings, and office hours. Meetings allow all participants to easily interact and share with each other and the host.

Features

Zoom Meetings come with a range of features that make them ideal for group collaboration and team meetings. Some of the key features of Zoom Meetings include:

• Video and audio conferencing
• Screen sharing and co-annotation
• Breakout rooms for smaller group discussions
• Recording and playback options
• Virtual backgrounds and filters
• Chat and private messaging
• Whiteboarding and annotation tools

How to Set Up a Zoom Meeting

Setting up a Zoom Meeting is quick and easy. Here are the steps to follow:

1. Sign in to your Zoom account and click on "New Meeting" to start a new meeting.
2. Choose your video and audio settings and click "Start Meeting".
3. Invite participants by sharing the meeting link or sending them an invitation via email.
4. During the meeting, use the various features to facilitate collaboration and discussion.
5. When the meeting is over, end the meeting and choose whether or not to save the recording.

Overall, Zoom Meetings are a great way to connect with others and facilitate collaboration and discussion. With a range of features and easy set-up, they are a great option for any virtual meeting or discussion.

Zoom Webinar

Definition

A Zoom webinar is an online event that allows a host to present to a large audience, while the attendees can interact through chat, Q&A, and polls. Unlike Zoom meetings, webinars are designed for one-way communication, where the host or panelist delivers a presentation or hosts an informational session.

Features

Zoom webinars offer several features that make them an effective tool for hosting virtual events. Some of the key features include:

• Registration: Hosts can require attendees to register for the webinar, which allows them to collect attendee information and send reminders and follow-up emails.
• Panelists: Hosts can invite panelists to join the webinar and present alongside them.
• Branding: Hosts can customise the registration page, emails, and webinar room with their branding.
• Recording: Hosts can record the webinar and share it with attendees afterwards.
• Reporting: Hosts can view attendee engagement and interaction through detailed reports.

How to Set Up a Zoom Webinar

Setting up a Zoom webinar is a straightforward process. Here are the steps to follow:

1. Log in to your Zoom account and click on "Webinars" in the navigation menu.
2. Click the "Schedule a Webinar" button and fill in the details, including the title, date, time, and duration.
3. Choose your registration options and customise the registration page.
4. Add your panelists, if applicable.
5. Customise the webinar room with your branding and upload any presentation materials.
6. Test your audio and video settings.
7. Start the webinar at the scheduled time and interact with attendees through chat, Q&A, and polls.

Overall, Zoom webinars are a powerful tool for hosting virtual events and presenting information to a large audience. By following the steps outlined above, you can set up and host your own successful webinar.

Differences Between Zoom Meeting and Zoom Webinar

Purpose

Zoom Meetings are designed for collaborative events where participants can interact with each other and the host. Meetings are ideal for team meetings, sales demos, online learning and training, and office hours. On the other hand, Zoom Webinars are designed for a host or panelist to deliver a presentation or host an informational session. Webinars are best for presenting to a large audience where the host wants more control over the experience, and audience members join in listen-only mode.

Audience

Meetings are best for small to medium-sized groups of people who need to collaborate and interact with each other. Webinars are best for large audiences where the host wants to deliver a presentation or share information with the audience. Webinars are also ideal for events that are open to the public, such as product launches, marketing events, and training sessions.

Interaction

One of the key differences between Zoom Meetings and Zoom Webinars is the level of interaction between participants and the host. In a Zoom Meeting, all participants can easily interact and share with each other and the host. Participants can turn on their video and audio, share their screens, and see who else is in the meeting. In a Zoom Webinar, the host has more control over the experience, and audience members join in listen-only mode. The host can choose to enable Q&A, chat, and polling features, which allow the audience to interact with the host.

Host Controls

Another key difference between Zoom Meetings and Zoom Webinars is the level of control that the host has over the event. In a Zoom Meeting, the host can choose to enable or disable various features, such as screen sharing, recording, and virtual backgrounds. In a Zoom Webinar, the host has more control over the experience, and can choose to enable or disable features such as Q&A, chat, and polling. The host can also choose to allow or disallow participants from turning on their video and audio.

Pricing

Zoom Meetings and Zoom Webinars have different pricing plans. Zoom Meetings have a free plan, as well as paid plans that start at £11.99 per month per host. Zoom Webinars have a free plan, as well as paid plans that start at £34.99 per month per host. The paid plans offer additional features, such as increased participant limits, advanced reporting, and custom branding.

Overall, Zoom Meetings and Zoom Webinars have different purposes, audiences, levels of interaction, host controls, and pricing plans. As a user, it's important to understand these differences so that you can choose the right type of event for your needs.