Webinars are now an essential part of all our lives, so it's important to understand how we navigate through webinars in a professional and respectful manner. Following certain webinar etiquette will help both attendees and presenters have a productive experience with their webinars.

Webinar etiquette for hosts/presenters

Be punctual

Nobody likes a host who is late to their own webinar. How it starts sets the tone for the whole session; if the attendees are frustrated at the start of the session, it will be difficult for you to get their attention back. Ideally, hosts and co-hosts should join the webinar early and practice the session before starting your webinar broadcast to the attendees.

Always wear a headset

Using a headset during a webinar is highly recommended because it improves audio quality and minimizes distractions. There won't be an echo, and there will be less background noise to give you better audio clarity. Making sure that you don't have any audio issues eliminates the "Am I audible?" question and gives you the confidence to run your webinar smoothly.

Make sure you have a well-lit environment

Good lighting enhances your appearance, ensures clear visibility, and helps you maintain a professional presence. If participants can't see the presenter clearly, it reduces their trust and will cause distractions. A well-lit environment helps you appear more professional, approachable, and engaged—making a big difference in how you’re perceived in a webinar.

Maintain eye contact

Maintaining eye contact with the camera builds trust, connection, and keeps the attendees focused on what you're trying to convey. Here are some ways you can establish eye contact with your audience:

• Look directly at the camera lens.
• Position your webcam at your eye level.
• Minimize distractions by turning off notifications on your device.
• Use gestures and be more expressive.
• Place any notes you may have in front of you to avoid any disturbance during the webinar.

Pace yourself

Pacing is crucial for clear communication, maintaining audience engagement, and delivering an effective presentation. Going too fast or too slow may frustrate the audience and can result in a higher drop-off rate. Finding the right pace and interacting with your attendees increases the chances that they stay for the entire webinar.

Establish expectations beforehand

Setting expectations before a webinar is the secret to avoiding chaos—no unexpected open-mic moments, no random Q&As, and no one zoning out halfway through. Let attendees know what they're going to get, how to participate (e.g., chat, Q&A, polls), and set some basic ground rules.

Promoting it with the right description ensures that you have the right audience for the webinar, and a quick agenda before starting the webinar keeps things on track. If you do this right, you can ensure that there are no awkward interruptions, no unnecessary delays—just a great experience for everyone.

Webinar etiquette for attendees/participants 

Join the webinar at the specified time  

Joining a webinar on time is similar to arriving at the beginning of a movie; if you miss it, you won't be able to follow the rest of the story. Being punctual ensures that you don’t miss introductions, instructions, or crucial early insights. It also shows professionalism and respect for the host and other attendees, preventing awkward disruptions when you join mid-discussion.

Know how and when to ask questions

Asking questions in a webinar without causing chaos is the best thing you can do to your webinar host and fellow attendees. Here are a few ways to do it:

• Use the Q&A feature (if it's available).
• If there’s a designated Q&A session, save your question for then.
• Be concise and stay on topic.
• Raise your virtual hand before asking the question directly.
• Avoid talking over others.
• If your question isn’t answered, don’t spam the chat—follow up politely at the end or over email if possible.

Avoid interruptions  

Avoiding interruptions in a webinar is key to keeping things smooth and professional. Muting yourself, using the chat or Q&A feature instead of speaking up, following the host's instructions, and double checking your camera and mic will ensure that you'll stay engaged without accidentally becoming "that person" who disrupts the session.

Give feedback after the session

Giving feedback after a webinar is a great way to help the organizers improve future sessions. Most webinars send out a survey or feedback form—this is the best place to share your thoughts. While giving feedback, ensure that you're constructive and don't come across as harsh. Keep your feedback respectful, polite, and relevant. Good feedback helps webinar hosts improve, encourages better content, and shows appreciation for their efforts. So share your thoughts—but do it with kindness and clarity.

Wrapping up

Webinar etiquette is crucial for both attendees and hosts to ensure a smooth, professional, and engaging experience. For hosts, setting expectations, pacing the session well, and managing interactions keeps things organized and interactive. For attendees, joining on time, muting when not speaking, and asking questions respectfully helps maintain focus and prevents disruptions.

Good etiquette minimizes technical issues, allows meaningful discussions, and ensures that everyone benefits from the session. Whether you're hosting or attending, following webinar etiquette shows professionalism and respect, making the experience productive and enjoyable for all.