Are all webinars starting to sound the same, with AI-generated content making everything a little too perfect, and a lot less human? This episode of the TWH Podcast, we speak with Taru Sirkia from Webinar Geek to explore why authenticity, humor and a little imperfection might be your secret weapons for memorable online events.

Taru reveals exclusive insights from the “under the hood” of a leading webinar platform: the real impact of AI tools, what features actually boost engagement, and why your response to technical glitches could make or break your webinar’s success. Discover actionable tips for marketers, business leaders, and anyone wanting to stand out in the age of digital sameness.

Tune in for expert strategies on leveraging new technology without losing your personal touch; plus, some funny true stories from behind the scenes you won’t want to miss!

00:00 — Intro: Welcoming Taru from Webinar Geek

01:00 — The AI Deluge: Is Content Becoming Too Generic?

03:30 — Creativity vs. AI: What’s Getting Lost

07:10 — Why Mistakes and Humor Matter in Webinars

10:00 — What Makes a Webinar Truly Successful?

13:15 — Must-Have Features for Webinar Platforms

16:00 — Fun Stories: Can Weather Affect Webinar Success?

18:00 — Top Tips for Engagement: Reminders, Polls & More

19:40 — The Value of Authenticity in Online Events

21:00 — Lightning Round: Taru’s Webinar Success and Fail Moments

23:00 — Wrap-Up: Key Takeaways and What’s Next

#WebinarTips #DigitalMarketing #AIinMarketing #VirtualEvents #AuthenticityMatters #WebinarHacker #BusinessCommunication #WebinarStrategy

Master the art of virtual credibility in your next webinar, In this episode of the TWH Podcast, we welcome media and marketing legend Rebecca Umberger for a deep dive into what makes a presenter credible on video. Discover actionable tips to protect your authenticity, own your material, read audience cues, and get physically ready for any live online engagement, from boardrooms to webinars and on-stage presentations. If you struggle with connecting authentically on-screen, or want to polish your professional presence for your next high-stakes digital appearance, this episode is your new toolkit.

Rebecca shares practical stories and high-impact strategies covering:

• Why authenticity always trumps over-polished scripts (and how to avoid sounding like an AI).
• The art of prepping for credibility—even if you’re new to video.
• How to read (and recover from) disengaged audience cues.
• Creating an effective “on-camera character” without losing yourself.
• The secret power of breathing and physical readiness before you present.

Whether you're a C-suite executive, consultant, or communications coach, this episode has everything you need to leave a lasting impression online.

Don’t just appear—own the screen.

00:00 – Introduction: Establishing Credibility On Video

02:17 – Authenticity vs. Over-Preparation: Finding the Balance

05:53 – First Steps for On-Camera Newcomers10:12 – Surviving AI Scripts & Being “Human”

13:35 – Sharpening Your Key Message For Virtual Audiences

17:05 – Audience Cues: Signs You're Losing Engagement (and Recovery Tactics)

21:40 – Building Your On-Camera Persona Without “Faking It”

27:02 – Pre-Show Rituals: Breathing, Readiness, and Relaxation

30:15 – Final Tips For Powerful Presence and Q&A

33:45 – Wrap Up: Owning Your Material & Consistent Practice

#WebinarTips #VirtualPresentations #AuthenticLeadership #PublicSpeaking #DigitalCredibility

Are you struggling to reach the right audience with your webinars, especially in government, military, or highly specialized B2B sectors? In this episode of the TWH Podcast, we speak with Rachel Lilly, Director of Advertising Strategies at AFCEA, to unpack the secrets to effective audience targeting, lead generation and content strategy for high-stakes webinars and online marketing events.

Rachel reveals actionable strategies for getting in front of decision-makers, leveraging exclusive databases, maximizing webinar ROI, and the surprising power of continuing education credits. Whether you’re a marketer, executive or educator in tech, defense or federal sectors; discover proven methods to boost registration, increase engagement, and transform your webinar into a long-term lead engine.

Learn about audience segmentation, CEU (continuing education unit) integration, advanced post-webinar tactics, and more. Plus, hear Rachel’s top innovations in the evolving world of virtual events.

#WebinarMarketing #DigitalEngagement #FederalMarketing #LeadGeneration #VirtualEvents #WebinarHacker #DiegoLaje #AFCEA #ContentStrategy #CEUCredits #AudienceTargeting #B2BMarketing #ThoughtLeadership

Timed List of Topics (Timestamps):

00:00 – Intro & WelcomeDiego introduces Rachel Lilly and sets the stage for audience building in webinars.

01:12 – Can You Really “Buy” a Webinar Audience?Rachel explains the realities and ethics of targeting versus “buying” an audience.

03:35 – Niche Access: Reaching Defense & Federal Decision MakersChallenges and solutions for ultra-specific sectors.

05:30 – The Power of Data & Databases in TargetingUsing proprietary lists for hyper-targeted reach.

07:15 – Webinar Creation 101: From Ideation to LaunchRachel’s step-by-step for first-timers and pros alike.

10:20 – Custom Audience Building: Tailoring the List Every TimeWhy no two webinar audiences should be the same.

12:00 – Live Event Support & Expert ModerationThe role of Signal Media journalists in elevating the conversation.

14:10 – Tech Checks, Formats & Full-Service Webinar SupportEnsuring presenters are comfortable and events run smoothly.

15:50 – Post-Webinar Marketing: Extending Value & Lead GenTurning a single event into a content engine.

18:25 – Maximizing Your Content With AI & Evergreen ValueHow to leverage recordings for months after an event.

20:00 – Q&A, Polling, and Engagement During the WebinarDriving real-time and asynchronous interaction.

22:00 – Continuing Education Credits: The Secret Webinar BoosterHow offering CEUs drives higher, more qualified attendance.

25:10 – Content Strategy: Promotional vs. Educational ValueStriking the right balance for engagement and compliance.

27:00 – Audience Segmentation & Database GranularityHow granular can AFCEA get in targeting your ideal viewers?

29:30 – The Nine-Touch Rule: Maximizing Prospect ImpressionsRachel’s strategies for multi-touch campaigns.

32:05 – Success Story: From Awareness to ActionA case study of full-funnel webinar and digital campaigns.

34:50 – Proven ROI in Difficult TimesWhy webinars thrive even during budget uncertainties.

37:20 – Innovations in Webinars: New Formats & Small Biz ChannelsRachel’s top new offerings and reflections on change.

40:00 – Final Takeaways & FarewellRachel’s advice and Diego’s closing thoughts.

#WebinarMarketing #LeadGen #VirtualEvents #FederalMarketing #DigitalStrategy #AFCEA #CEUCredit #ContentRepurposing #AudienceSegmentation #WebinarSuccess #ThoughtLeadership #DiegoLaje #WebinarHacker

How much automation is too much? In this episode, we welcome marketing leader Tiffany Nwahiri to tackle the hottest question in digital marketing today: where do we find the right balance between efficiency and the irreplaceable human touch? We discuss real-world strategies for preserving authenticity, hear cautionary tales of “personalized but not personal” outreach, and discover tactics for getting automation to work for you, not against your relationships.

Tiffany shares the do’s and don’ts of AI-powered marketing, the moments when human intervention is vital, as well as creative ways to turn automation into conversations that actually convert. Whether you're customizing cold emails, running webinars, or looking to master your Martech stack, this episode will reshape your automation playbook.

Timed Topic List:

• 00:00 – Intro & Welcome: The question on everyone’s mind
• 01:20 – Automation as a tool: When efficiency is not the enemy
• 03:05 – The danger of losing authenticity in customer outreach
• 06:20 – “Personalized, but not personal”: Email automation pitfalls
• 09:00 – Real-life examples: Doing automation right (and wrong)
• 12:15 – When to switch from bots to humans (and why it matters)
• 15:40 – Where automation should never replace the human
• 18:00 – Is AI content bland? How to polish LLM-generated copy
• 20:35 – SEO, AI, and the future of authentic content
• 23:00 – Final takeaways: Marrying efficiency with empathy
• 24:14 – Goodbye & what’s next for Webinar Hacker

In this episode, Diego Laje speaks with Veronica Llorca-Smith, a Spain-born storyteller and business leader based in Hong Kong. Veronica shares how everyday experiences can spark powerful business insights, skillfully blending emotional connection with professional credibility. She explains how leaders can use personal stories to make technical ideas relatable, why authenticity drives engagement, and how cultural diversity leads to stronger cross-border communication. This episode is a must-listen for executives, communicators and creators looking to elevate their leadership narrative.

Topics

00:00 – Introduction — Veronica’s background and why she bridges storytelling with business strategy.
02:30 – The balance between human and technical communication — avoiding the extremes of being robotic or overly casual.
05:15 – Storytelling for credibility — using personal anecdotes to support business insights.
08:00 – Lessons from China and global experiences — how cross-cultural work refines storytelling.
10:30 – Building connection with audiences — authenticity as a professional asset.
13:00 – Practical advice for public speakers — using real experiences to engage and educate.
16:00 – Closing reflections — how stories turn leaders into relatable mentors.

Discover how to pinpoint your ideal audience and select winning webinar topics with marketing leader Tim Ito. In this episode, we break down the role of analytics, the power of authentic expertise and practical strategies to turn your digital content into irresistible value. Whether you’re aiming to educate, sell and stand out, this is your guide for mastering virtual engagement.

[00:00:00] Introduction & WelcomeTim Ito, co-founder of Clarify Media and expert in digital content and education strategy.

[00:01:00] Where to Start: Identifying Winning Webinar TopicsTim discusses the foundations—using audience feedback, analytics, and recurring questions to uncover high-potential subjects.

[00:03:00] Testing Topics: Trial, Error and Data-Driven IterationThe duo explores methods for experimenting with topic selection, handling incomplete data from viral posts, and using keyword research tools.

[00:05:00] Real-Time Engagement: Interacting with Your Webinar Audience (and Why It Matters)Practical advice for capturing audience questions, leveraging live chat, and turning post-event follow-up into relationships and sales.

[00:07:00] Drawing the Line: Educating vs. Selling in WebinarsNavigating the fine balance between offering value and making a sales pitch—best practices and audience expectations.

[00:08:30] Webinars as Authority-Building ToolsWhy establishing genuine expertise should be your webinar’s core goal, and how credibility leads to long-term business outcomes.

[00:10:00] How to Demonstrate Expertise: Originality & Social CurrencyTim explains the power of sharing unique perspectives, being creative, and providing value that your audience wants to share.

[00:12:00] From Features to Emotion: Making Your Message ShineHow to connect your product or service to audience needs, bridge analytics with originality, and stand out in a “flat” market.

[00:15:00] Engineering Desire: Creating Demand for New SolutionsReal-world examples of building demand for innovative products audiences didn’t know they needed.

[00:16:30] The Power of Emotional Storytelling in B2BWhy emotional resonance drives action—even in B2B—and how to look past just technical features.

[00:18:00] People Buy from People: Personalizing the Business PitchHow decision-makers actually make choices, and why personal connection beats corporate messaging.

[00:19:00] Key Takeaways & Action StepsPractical summary: start with data, demonstrate originality, and engage meaningfully with your audience.

[00:20:00] Outro

Cold emailing to fill a webinar is brutal, especially in tech. In this episode of The Webinar Hacker, email strategist Jenny Johansen shares a practical, step-by-step playbook to boost registrations and show-up rates without bloated tools. If you run a tech team, you’ll learn how to write high-converting emails, map smart journeys and integrate your stack so attendees actually join.What you’ll learn in this episode:-How to write that first outreach email: lead with the attendee’s transformation, their pain point, and your expertise—plus a clear CTA right at the top.-The “8-touch” reality: why one email isn’t enough and how to architect a simple, effective nurture journey.-Cadence that converts: a 2–3 month plan from biweekly touches to weekly, then three emails in the final week—plus day-of and hour-before reminders.-Segmentation and tagging: label by topic and intent, resend to non-openers, and create separate paths for registrants vs. non-registrants.-Automation essentials: audience segmentation, tags, journey builder, and key KPIs (opens, spam, conversions).-Tools that work and are easy to use: Mailchimp, ConvertKit, and GetResponse (with webinar functionality)—and why seamless integration with your webinar platform matters.-UX first: “meet the client where they are”—reduce friction with simple sign-up flows, add-to-calendar links, mobile-friendly emails, and thorough end-to-end testing.-Benchmarks and realities: strong lists often convert at up to ~5%; if you’re still building your list, start now with targeted content.Key takeaways:-Lead with outcomes: what attendees will be able to do after your webinar.-Put the CTA above the fold with date/time/link; always include “Add to Calendar.”-Plan two journeys: one for people who register and one for those who haven’t yet.-Resend the same email to non-openers to lift open and conversion rates.-Final-week push: 3 emails, tailored messages for registrants vs. non-registrants.-Automation must-haves: segmentation, labels, journey paths, and basic KPIs.-Recommended platforms: Mailchimp, ConvertKit, GetResponse; ensure they integrate with your webinar tool (e.g., StreamYard/Zoom).-Test everything: links, deliverability, file formats, and layouts on desktop, tablet, and mobile.-Keep copy human: edit AI drafts, avoid generic scripts, and tailor to your audience.-Golden rule: make the process smooth—people will drop at the first sign of friction.If this episode helped, subscribe to The Webinar Hacker for more actionable tactics to grow your tech business with webinars. Like the video, drop your questions in the comments, and share which tools you’re using. #Webinars #EmailMarketing #B2BMarketing #SaaS #TechSMB #MarketingAutomation #DemandGen #GrowthMarketing

Unlock the secrets of virtual persuasion with this week’s episode of The Webinar Hacker, your essential guide to commanding the digital stage. Hosted by broadcast journalist and communications strategist Diego Laje. In this episode of The Webinar Hacker with Tim Ito, we reveal step-by-step techniques to captivate your virtual audience, including how to craft compelling narratives, avoid common webinar pitfalls, and use simple tools to instantly upgrade your video presence.

1. Audience-Driven Topic Selection is Critical

Don’t just choose comfortable topics. Go back to your audience’s pain points.

After a webinar, segment attendees:

• Treat these groups differently with targeted emails and messaging.

There’s no cut-off point for engaging with registrants, even those who didn’t attend. Remain present with regular, valuable contact; prospects may convert several months (even a year) later, especially when timing aligns with their needs.

Leverage webinar recordings by sharing them with non-attendees, putting them behind forms, and tracking content consumption in your CRM/marketing automation system.

• Assign lead scores based on engagement (e.g., downloads, repeated attendance) to prioritize sales follow-ups and identify your hottest prospects.

• For robust marketing and sales integration, tools like HubSpot (all-in-one), Salesforce (CRM with add-ons), or Active Campaign (cost-effective alternative) are recommended.
• Consider account-based marketing (ABM): If multiple stakeholders from a target company engage, tailor your outreach per role (CEO, CTO, managers) and even create dedicated webinars for high-value prospects.

And, B2B marketers should consider SMS for follow-up, but ensure compliance with privacy regulations—open rates are very high, making it a promising but underutilized channel.

Hear real-life stories from Ito's vast digital marketing experience and discover actionable tips you can implement in your next webinar, no expensive gear required.

Ready to transform your virtual impact? Subscribe now each episode includes quick fixes, expert guest takeaways, and bite-sized lessons in digital influence.

Our guest in this episode is Tim Ito, he is co-founder and Principal of Marketing Nice Guys, bringing over 25 years of leadership in content, SEO, digital marketing, and product strategy, with past senior roles at organizations like ASCD, ATD, AOL, Netscape, and AltaVista.

A dedicated educator and author, Tim teaches digital marketing at Georgetown University, and has co-written books including The B.S. Dictionary and Small Business Digital Marketing Handbook, helping demystify marketing for businesses and individuals.