Google Hangouts for Webinars

43 replies
Is anyone successfully using Google Hangouts for Webinars? I understand only 9 people can be part of a Hangout (video), but I was interested in seeing how far you could take it by linking it to a "Live" You Tube broadcast, which in theory means it can be broadcast to the world (or privately by delisting it in You Tube I think).

Benefits are:

- You get then whole thing automatically recorded on You Tube so you have content to use at a later date

- It's free (most decent webinar services I have seen are around $100+ per month)

- You have video (some webinar software only lets you upload a static presentation)

- You can do screen-sharing (some webinar software only let you show static screen stuff)

- There might be some SEO benefits as it's Google's own technology you are using.

- You can add telephone participants (although only one at a time I think - fairly limited)

- It is probably pretty robust in terms of network reliability

Has anyone manage to do this and work out a way to:

1) Take questions privately (the "raising hand") via You Tube - either by text or audio.

2) Enable people watching the You Tube video to interact?

3) Also, there appear to be Apps for Hangout - has anyone found good ones for using in Webinars?

Could Hangouts ever replace GoToWebinar and the like?
#google #hangouts #webinars
  • Profile picture of the author jpsween88
    Webinars are nice when you have a large client base or a lot of people to reach but if that's true IMO you should have some money to invest.

    I like to use join.me for 2 reasons:
    1 - It's free
    2 - 1 on 1 is way better than 1 on 100 (again IMO)
    Signature

    Please do not use your signature to promote affiliate/MLM programs

    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[7855901].message }}
  • I'll have to try it, can you avoid the camera and just do screen sharing?
    Signature

    Join Next Live Mastermind Zoominar 100% Real World Secrets to Get Up And Running. Are you Stuck? Don’t miss it www.MonthlyMastermind.org
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[7860845].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author colll999
      Originally Posted by HelpingYouBeAnExpert View Post

      I'll have to try it, can you avoid the camera and just do screen sharing?
      Yes you can just do screen sharing or you can do both, switching between cam and whatever applications you have open e.g. PowerPoint, internet browser, Photoshop etc
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[8016456].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Sadeone
    I personally think that google hangout is my number 1 tool when it comes to close sales. Person got interested, you invite him to a hangout, talk a bit and then show the presentation, and closing is very easy when it is live conversation with a person
    Signature

    Are you NEW to internet marketing?
    Struggling?
    Spent a lot of money on things that do not work?

    Contact me and I will help you!

    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[8016558].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author JasonAaron1
      We use hangouts a lot for our business. Primarily if we are doing pure content webinars because we embed the hangout on our site and then all of the audience can watch it live and also access the recording on the same site. For your first couple times, I would suggest keeping it small so you can figure out all of the functionality and moderating comments if necessary.

      I definitely think it is the future of interaction with the audience. GotoWebinar still has it's place, but it is very likely they will have to shift their model once Hangouts become more mainstream.
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[8016873].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Paul Gram
    Hangouts is cool if you only have a small number of people on the webinar. We use Meeting Burner because it allows you to have 1,000 people and it's WAY more affordable than GoToWebinar.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[8017198].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Coach Comeback
    Like was stated above.... Google hangouts are FREE so you can have an unlimited number of people attending for the price of zero!

    You take the embed code and place it on your own website and domain. Youtube will host the recording for you.

    Then just install whatever your favorite chat plugin is below the embed code. At the time of the event (webinar, hangout... whatever) send people the link to your domain. Something like Example Domain or example.com/webinar

    I really cant think of an instance where I would go back to using webinars now. I really don't see any benefits over a hangout that would make it worth it anymore.

    I wouldn't be surprised if down the line they start charging for Hangouts lol
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[8093588].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Daniel LaRusso
    How does a chat plugin work and what are some good ones? Will a chat plugin work with hundreds of people?
    Signature

    It is unwise to trust all you read on the internet.
    - Benjamin Franklin

    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[8099777].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Coach Comeback
    there are plenty that will work by adding a simple shortcode under your video. Chatroll is a really popular one.

    But you can search the wordpress directory. There are literally thousands. Find one that best suits your needs.

    It seems people like the ones where you can post using whatever social media ID you are logged into.

    I personally don't like one that allows anonymous posting. Can get out of hand really fast.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[8099842].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author sogregory
    never used hangouts before but i can see how easily they can put gotowebinars out of business.

    I've never attended a hangout before - so please invite me to one :-) just for the experience.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[8099889].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author Coach Comeback
      Originally Posted by sogregory View Post

      never used hangouts before but i can see how easily they can put gotowebinars out of business.

      I've never attended a hangout before - so please invite me to one :-) just for the experience.
      Sure thing!!! I was planning on doing another one maybe friday.

      Just did one with a partner of mine on monday. I am starting to get the hang of it too!
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[8099946].message }}
      • Profile picture of the author sogregory
        Originally Posted by Coach Comeback View Post

        Sure thing!!! I was planning on doing another one maybe friday.

        Just did one with a partner of mine on monday. I am starting to get the hang of it too!
        so what do you need like email or twitter? my blog has my email address anywaz if that's what needed
        {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[8100050].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author vener
      Jason Fladlien is one of the few internet marketers who have been acknowledging the huge potential of Google Hangout. In fact he's used it very recently to promote his new program, AffiliateHD that launches on June 27th, this coming Thursday. You can watch this hangout replay that he just did. Click the link below.

      AffiliateHD Hangout Replay
      Signature
      http://www.homebizbay.com
      Ideas For Profits
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[8211116].message }}
      • Profile picture of the author Coach Comeback
        Originally Posted by harrydog View Post

        Hi sogregory
        I have got both plugins.
        hangout Plugin and webinarexpress. Both are really good.

        Pros and cons
        hangout Plugin


        Pros - very easy to sue and is connected directly to your Google account and youtube account so you set it up once and it links into google hangouts. The creator is really good at building a community around the plug and they have done some raelly good hangouts with some great content. I did have a problem trying to join the latest hangout with lots of error messages coming up so will watch it on the replay.

        Cons- the interface is a little clunky and the registration page and live page design elements are very limited, but I think they are working on an update for this. All in all well worth the money.

        Webinar Express

        Pros - The user interface is very slick and easy to use. There are tons of options that you can set up and it easily integrates with livefyre chat module. the Registration page and live page designer is far better than the hangout plugin.

        Cons - doesn't integrate directly with google hangouts. You have to set up your hangout get the embed code and go back to webinar express and paste the embed code in. There has been some issues with support (there is a whole thread on this). I did put in a support request and got an answer but all it has was a link to a google hangouts help section

        If you could marry the two plugins it would be the perfect solution.

        Before you go and buy either of the plugins I would go and check that google hangouts actually works for you. I don't know why but whenever I try to actually use Google hangouts and use the "Share my Screen" option - which for most people is what they would to do so they can use power point presentations or show people actions on their screen etc - My pc just hangs and I have to re boot. I have checked my bandwidth and have very good download and upload speeds. I cant seem to work out why this happens so at the moment google hangouts dosent work for me but thats nothing to do with the actual plugins.

        As other people have said you can only have a maximum of 9 people actually live so if you want more than that you save the recording in your youtube account and embed it on your site and then have a live chat plugin to answer questions as the video plays. At the moment its not really a replacement for the likes of Gotowebinar but hey its free.

        Hope this helps
        Cheers
        mark
        Originally Posted by vener View Post

        Jason Fladlien is one of the few internet marketers who have been acknowledging the huge potential of Google Hangout. In fact he's used it very recently to promote his new program, AffiliateHD that launches on June 27th, this coming Thursday. You can watch this hangout replay that he just did. Click the link below.

        AffiliateHD Hangout Replay
        Are affiliate links allowed in regular forum posts??? :confused:

        Just curious I guess
        {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[8211279].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Coach Comeback
    If you Circle me on Google+ you will automatically be notified... if I am not mistaken. https://plus.google.com/104873484825996097704

    But if you give me your google plus id I will be sure to send you an invitation.

    or of course... you could always subscribe to my email list, or like my facebook page using the video page in the sig as well =-)
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[8100082].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author sogregory
      Originally Posted by Coach Comeback View Post

      If you Circle me on Google+ you will automatically be notified... if I am not mistaken. https://plus.google.com/104873484825996097704

      But if you give me your google plus id I will be sure to send you an invitation.
      My id: https://plus.google.com/102969799854637216800/posts

      Also added you to G+
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[8100115].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author sogregory
      Originally Posted by Coach Comeback View Post

      If you Circle me on Google+ you will automatically be notified... if I am not mistaken. https://plus.google.com/104873484825996097704

      But if you give me your google plus id I will be sure to send you an invitation.

      or of course... you could always subscribe to my email list, or like my facebook page using the video page in the sig as well =-)
      did not get your invite

      anywaz when you do the next let me know
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[8114893].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author JPBailey
    With a gmail account anyone can get on google+ and do a hangout, it's pretty cool, I've done a couple.

    Only thing is, when you're done be patient because it doesn't always load to youtube if you close out of the page before its done, and there isn't a way to see it for several minutes... I know, I lost 2 really good content ones that never got uploaded. I think it could be from closing out the page before I knew what to do next. I'm going to try waiting a bit longer before going over the yt to check if the video made it there. Since my other hangout videos did upload, I can't be sure what made the difference.

    But also you can SEO your video and do all the other cool things you can with your videos.

    GoToWebinar may have competition, but it still feels more "official" to me to go there and "safer" when buying into an offer at the end. Hangouts still feel pretty casual, imo, if that makes sense.

    JP
    Signature

    NLP Ninja for Success Mindset - Master Your Inner Game. Check Out My WSO Here

    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[8100338].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author drewfioravanti
    Can you download and then delete the videos from YouTube?
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[8100396].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author drewfioravanti
    Good point. Thanks. I am going to look into this. Might be easier than CamStudio.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[8102492].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Alexchan338
    Google hangout is nice for one on one coaching or group coaching / group meetups and such. For webinars with more attendees, I would suggest to use paid services Cisco webex is a nice and cost less.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[8115112].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author ronw100
    Yes it so obvious that google hangouts are the way forward.There are too many positives to it.They outway all other tools out there by far.The number one factor is the cost.FREE.

    The only problem i see apart from a few technical issues(due to me) is whether Google are going to charge for this service.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[8162253].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author sogregory
    we now have two cool hangout plugins on the market....anyone using yet?
    there is hangout and web express.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[8169209].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author harrydog
      Hi sogregory
      I have got both plugins.
      hangout Plugin and webinarexpress. Both are really good.

      Pros and cons
      hangout Plugin


      Pros - very easy to sue and is connected directly to your Google account and youtube account so you set it up once and it links into google hangouts. The creator is really good at building a community around the plug and they have done some raelly good hangouts with some great content. I did have a problem trying to join the latest hangout with lots of error messages coming up so will watch it on the replay.

      Cons- the interface is a little clunky and the registration page and live page design elements are very limited, but I think they are working on an update for this. All in all well worth the money.

      Webinar Express

      Pros - The user interface is very slick and easy to use. There are tons of options that you can set up and it easily integrates with livefyre chat module. the Registration page and live page designer is far better than the hangout plugin.

      Cons - doesn't integrate directly with google hangouts. You have to set up your hangout get the embed code and go back to webinar express and paste the embed code in. There has been some issues with support (there is a whole thread on this). I did put in a support request and got an answer but all it has was a link to a google hangouts help section

      If you could marry the two plugins it would be the perfect solution.

      Before you go and buy either of the plugins I would go and check that google hangouts actually works for you. I don't know why but whenever I try to actually use Google hangouts and use the "Share my Screen" option - which for most people is what they would to do so they can use power point presentations or show people actions on their screen etc - My pc just hangs and I have to re boot. I have checked my bandwidth and have very good download and upload speeds. I cant seem to work out why this happens so at the moment google hangouts dosent work for me but thats nothing to do with the actual plugins.

      As other people have said you can only have a maximum of 9 people actually live so if you want more than that you save the recording in your youtube account and embed it on your site and then have a live chat plugin to answer questions as the video plays. At the moment its not really a replacement for the likes of Gotowebinar but hey its free.

      Hope this helps
      Cheers
      mark
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[8170116].message }}
      • Profile picture of the author sogregory
        Originally Posted by harrydog View Post

        Hi sogregory
        I have got both plugins.
        Thanks for the info very useful

        Might stick to manual integration for now..
        {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[8170161].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Coach Comeback
    that last part on webinar express:
    Cons - doesn't integrate directly with google hangouts. You have to set up your hangout get the embed code and go back to webinar express and paste the embed code in. There has been some issues with support (there is a whole thread on this). I did put in a support request and got an answer but all it has was a link to a google hangouts help section
    "you still have to set up the hangout on google, click start, get the embed code, comeback and paste it in" thats ALL you would have to do anyway.

    I had been debating over both plugins for awhile.... but that just sealed it for me.... NEITHER!

    I dont get it. If you still have to do all the back-n-forth forth of the manual starting and embedding, what are you really paying for?

    Auto-responder integration and fancy landing pages? There are literally hundreds of those that can do the job really well right here on the forum. Just not packaged as a "webinar" plugin.

    You can use something simple like Robert Plank's Paper Template, embed your hangout code and put the livefyre chat box on a page and duplicate all of that in minutes and it will look damn good!

    At least hangout plugin gives you a one-click setup that is pretty slick I watched in the demo.

    But really, I would be most of you already have some sort of great landing page templates already (optimize press, profits theme, lead pages etc), aweber auto responder to setup you reminder messages, and a redirector if you want to use the same url to change to the live page. Can be done with pretty link's free version.

    I am glad I waited. The more I reviewed both... the more I realized it was "just another plugin" that was doing something I was already doing without much effort.

    I was 100% going to purchase hangout plugin. Webinar express lost them the sale by forcing me to compare them both... revealing I REALLY didn't need either one and was about to be victim to Shiny Object Syndrome... yet again lol

    Thank you Mark Thompson hahaha
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[8170214].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author JaceBarnett
      Originally Posted by Coach Comeback View Post

      that last part on webinar express:

      "you still have to set up the hangout on google, click start, get the embed code, comeback and paste it in" thats ALL you would have to do anyway.

      I had been debating over both plugins for awhile.... but that just sealed it for me.... NEITHER!

      I dont get it. If you still have to do all the back-n-forth forth of the manual starting and embedding, what are you really paying for?

      Auto-responder integration and fancy landing pages?
      How do you integrate Google Hangouts/On Air with your auto-responder? You're right in that I have multiple fancy landing page options, but I can't think of what I would do to get a person to register for my webinar (hangout) and capture their address with my autoresponder.

      Any quick tips?
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[8216171].message }}
      • Profile picture of the author Coach Comeback
        Originally Posted by JaceBarnett View Post

        How do you integrate Google Hangouts/On Air with your auto-responder? You're right in that I have multiple fancy landing page options, but I can't think of what I would do to get a person to register for my webinar (hangout) and capture their address with my autoresponder.

        Any quick tips?
        There really is no difference than a regular webinar: They register for the webinar using a traditional landing page, you make sure you put them in a "dedicated" list in your aweber, send out the emails with a link to the hangout.

        You can give them the direct Google plus link, the youtube link or, ideally, you want to just give a a redirct link... something like this "yoursite.com/hangout", then after you go live, embed the hangout on a page on your blog, and point that redirect to it.

        Hope that makes sense
        {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[8216433].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author jonb
    Just bought Webinar Express yesterday and have been testing it out. Then I received an email today from the developer saying automatic Hangout creation is coming very soon. Very cool -- that was the only thing missing, IMO. Otherwise, it's a super-slick and really well-conceived plugin. Really happy with it.
    Signature

    .

    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[8170899].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Istvan Horvath
    Just a clarification for all those talking about 9 people in GH.

    That's true (kinda): you can have only 10 people, including yourself as "active" inside the hangout.

    However, when people talk about having many people as in a webinar... they refer to Hangouts On Air. Please, read about the difference inside your G+ account.
    Signature

    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[8171016].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author JennyLon
    I found out heaps about using google hangouts on a recent youtube videos this week by Jason Fladlien all about using google hangouts and what you can do with them many folks may have not realized the awsome power and potential etc...


    Anyways, Jason is on one of numerous youtube videos he even interviews Walt Bayliss the other day - creator of hangout plugin this and other videos gave loads of pointers and how you can not only monetize with it overnight, but get instant SEO high rankings by google and youtube just by virtue of USING google hangouts ....


    wow never knew that!:rolleyes:
    he talked about The big mistake that people make with hangouts and the massive benefits from using google hangouts to grow your business and your presence and profile online it was fascinating!

    And hence the recent plugins such as webinar express etc may for many folk help you understand the sheer potential and power of using google plus and google hangouts let alone like me especially who are new to IM and anything technical!)

    so simply go to youtube, and type in his name, and followed by the words: 'google hangouts, see all the videos and search by date order...bet you find it useful and eye opening and great ideas flow how we can make use of these new hangout plugins!
    Exciting!

    Now imagine using some of their ideas you heard (plus yes he has a course to plug in this vid as well sounds good actually) Especially combined with webinar express and or the other plugin

    (That said, but do we really need them I guess is the debate or which one is overall the best option?)

    Share your thoughts on this as well as what they said in the youtube various vids....
    Jenny
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[8176487].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author harperdy
    Google hangouts is only good for you and your buddies, nothing reliable for a webinar of buyers. Hope this helped.
    Dylan
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[8176546].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Sarevok
    I haven't used them successfully yet, but make no mistake; they are the future of webinars and events.

    People love and trust Google, it's free, and the features will only improve.

    It also enables free function and free replays.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[8216600].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author DennisM
      Right now, obviously Google is only allowing 10 users for a hangout. Once Google raises this to even 50 people for free or maybe 1,000 users for a nominal fee GoToWebinar will get crushed!
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[8216751].message }}
      • Profile picture of the author zigstonk
        Originally Posted by DennisM View Post

        Right now, obviously Google is only allowing 10 users for a hangout. Once Google raises this to even 50 people for free or maybe 1,000 users for a nominal fee GoToWebinar will get crushed!
        I believe Google allows up to 10 people to speak/present in the Hangout. The number of participants/users who watch the Hangout is unlimited (free).
        Signature

        zigstonk

        {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[8481332].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author desgreen
    Hi fellow warriors have do you stream a live GH to other web 2.0 websites at once?
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[8492733].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author CageyVet
    Hangout on air might not be a direct replacement for webinars but they are a great alternative.

    As for the 10 person limit, you can have yourself as well as 9 other people in the hangout on air which all have the ability to speak,show their camera, etc. You can have an UNLIMITED number of people watching the webinar and anyone that is signed into their G+ account can watch AND use the chat function right in the Hangout. If you embed the hangout on a website, you will need to have a 3rd party chat app or something like hangout plugin.

    Anyone that does not see the value in Google's Hangouts on Air is insane.
    Signature
    I'm just an opinionated ******* Today!
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[8633273].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Frank Schwarz
    I love the info here, BUT....
    Google Hangouts is a must for your business. Setting up your hangout "before" or "after" the Live hangout on other sites is super easy. Just embed it.

    Send folks to your YT channel and as they comment there you will see it in the hangout with the Q&A app that is inside the GHOA (Google Hangouts On Air) system.

    I've been teaching the Hangouts use for business (offline and online) for over a year and there are a ton of options to play with.

    Want to sell something ? Place your GHOA embed code on your WP site and put a paypal button underneath.

    It may be a very simple approach, but "Why build the ARK, when you only want to cross a stream?"

    GTW or GTM are going to be very cheap and will remain because of those that "know" the system, but how long will "we" as viewers continue to accept "oops..the video never rendered. Come watch us again!" or "Yes, there is going to be a recording." or "Let me render this and I'll send you the link to the replay as soon as it's available." or " sorry for all the technical difficulties. GTW doesn't play well with camtasia" or "Guys, no kidding. We are at maximum capacity. DO NOT leave or you will not be able to get back in."

    With GHOA the excuses and lame issues are going away. Yes, there are sometime issues with Hangouts, but a simple screen refresh usually fixes audio and video problems.

    The only hard part, is what I call a "Pay Gate," but some of the plugins fix these issues. Just remember that if you are expecting HUGE traffic, your hosting may not be able to handle it.

    Hope that helps and that I have put some value out there for you all.

    Thanks.
    Signature

    Frank "at" SchwarzMediaGroup.com

    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[8732717].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author drlelong
    Hangouts OnAir are great for hangouts.

    You can setup your own registration process using a squeeze page and thank you page, or you just send the link to people to join directly.

    I like the fact you can have multiple presenters, do screen sharing, and host directly on YouTube.

    Definitely a great way to communicate to large groups.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[8734491].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author John J M
    For my day job, I got my co-workers to agree to start using easy webinar plugin with either recorded hangouts or live hangouts.

    I work at a nationally known web-based company, so it's definitely not just for the little players. After so much frustration with other methods, you might end up back with hangouts anyway.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[8734563].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author hostdare
    Google+ Hangouts already enables live video chat with a small circle of people (up to 10). With Hangouts On Air, however, you can broadcast to a much wider audience through your Google+ stream, YouTube Channel, or even your website.
    Signature
    Hostdare Unlimited cPanel SSD hosting | Managed cPanel Dedicated Servers | Dedicated server starting @17 usd/mo
    █ Cpanel/WHM | Not Oversold | Reseller / Managed dedicated Plans Available
    www.hostdare.com Email : sales@hostdare.com
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[8734797].message }}

Trending Topics