Webinars are one of the most accessible ways to invest in professional development. With more than 200 free CPE and CAE webinars offered each year through UST Education, participants have many opportunities to learn from experienced professionals.
However, attending a session and learning how to get the most value from a webinar are not the same thing.
When webinars are approached with intention, they become more than calendar reminders. They become practical tools for learning, reflection, and growth. This guide explains how to get the most value from a webinar before, during, and after the session so your time spent learning leads to real results.
Why It Matters to Get the Most Value from a Webinar
Professional development works best when learning is applied, not just consumed. Many participants attend webinars with good intentions but little structure, which often leads to forgotten insights and missed opportunities.
When you learn how to get the most value from a webinar, you:
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Improve retention and understanding
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Make better use of your time
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Apply insights more quickly at work
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Gain more long-term benefit from CPE and CAE credits
Intentional participation leads to better outcomes and a more meaningful learning experience.
Before the Webinar: Prepare with Purpose
Preparation does not need to be time-consuming, but it does make a difference.
Before the webinar begins:
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Review the session description and learning objectives
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Write down one or two questions you want answered
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Block your calendar to avoid distractions
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Download any materials provided in advance
These small steps make it easier to get the most value from a webinar by helping you arrive focused and ready to engage.
During the Webinar: Engage, Don’t Just Attend
Live participation is where much of the learning happens.
During the webinar:
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Take notes on ideas that feel relevant to your role
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Use the chat or Q&A to ask questions or share insights
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Listen for examples you can apply in your day-to-day work
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Stay present instead of multitasking
When you actively engage, it becomes easier to get the most value from a webinar, especially during live, interactive sessions.
After the Webinar: Turn Learning into Action
The value of a webinar does not end when the session concludes.
After the webinar:
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Review your notes within 24 hours
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Identify one idea you can apply immediately
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Share a key takeaway with a colleague or team
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Save the recording or related resources for future reference
Following through helps reinforce learning and ensures the webinar delivers value beyond the credit earned.
How Free CPE and CAE Webinars Support Ongoing Growth
Free professional development does not mean low quality. UST Education partners with experienced practitioners to deliver relevant, practical learning opportunities that support career development.
When you approach these sessions intentionally, free CPE and CAE webinars become a reliable way to build skills, stay informed, and grow professionally over time. Learning compounds when participation is consistent and applied.
Final Thoughts on How to Get the Most Value from a Webinar
When you get the most value from a webinar, you move beyond attendance and into intentional professional development. Preparation, engagement, and follow-through turn each session into an opportunity to learn and grow.
With hundreds of free CPE and CAE webinars available each year, the opportunity is there. Learning how to get the most value from a webinar is what makes that opportunity count.
Explore upcoming webinars and build your professional development plan with UST Education.
OR watch past webinars on demand and invest in learning that works for you.
