Videos have become a critical element in the world of Internet communication. Today, it is important for all businesses to consider the use of a live webcast as a way to reach out to a much larger audience because of the increased use of video online. It isn’t only content videos you need to think about for your website; many businesses now use webcasting for other purposes, including meetings, lectures, conferences and other business events to help them better reach their audience. An Onstream Media webcast is a great way to give information to those you want to reach, but it is also a way to save money, especially when your audience is located around the world.
It doesn’t matter what the purpose of your live webcast is, when you follow the right webcast tips, you will be able to create a long-lasting impact. When you choose webcasting to meet your needs, you will be able to post a recording of the webcast for those who couldn’t attend, as well as those who would like to review the information. You will also be able to reach those who couldn’t attend a traditional event because they are located too far away, in a different state or even a different country. The interaction that is available at a live event will make them feel as if they are there.
If this is the right choice for your business, there are a few factors to consider as you set up your webcast.
The Planning Stages
A vast majority of the work required for a live webcast occurs before the event during the planning stages. When you take the time to think about the problems that can occur and research webcast tips, you will be able to reduce the amount of stress you will deal with during the event because you aren’t prepared.
There are many things that can go wrong, especially if you are hosting a live webcast. Just like live television, when something goes wrong, it will be broadcast to everyone. It is how you handle it that is important. However, if you run several tests before your live event, you will decrease the chances of problems during the event and will ensure a seamless broadcast that doesn’t cause frustration for your viewers. Before the event, it is also important to make sure your Internet connection and servers are capable of handling the traffic your webcasting will attract.
The planning stages are also a time to send out invites and market it in as many places as possible. You will need to make sure the date and time of the event are clear and everyone knows how to access the webcasting event. Some of the options for marketing your event include published advertisements and individual emails.
Recording Your Event
Think about the type of webcast you are hosting to determine if you can use a single camera for recording or if you will need multiple cameras to produce the effect you desire. Remember your Internet users are going to have a shorter attention span than if they are watching TV, requiring you to keep your recordings short and to the point. Choosing multiple cameras can also make things more interesting to hold the attention of your viewers.
Production value is another important element for your recordings. If the lighting isn’t suitable or the audio quality is poor, you will have a difficult time attracting the attention of your audience. If you are hosting a live webcast, this can be a bigger problem, but with the help of the right webcasting company, you will be able to achieve the level of quality you require to make an impression on your viewers. In addition to improved quality, this company can help you with any potential problems that typically occur during these webcast events.
Some events make use of a slideshow, in addition to a presenter. When this is the case, you need to be able to implement this smoothly into your webcasting. The best option to ensure you are able to seamlessly tie these two features together is to find the right company to work with you to broadcast the slides and the live video feed of the presenter at the same time on the same screen. This will provide a more interesting event your viewers will want to follow.
Your Delivery
Anytime you are in front of an audience, whether in person or via a live webcast, your delivery will make or break the event. With webcasting, the most important factor is putting your event in front of your audience. One of the most effective ways to do this is to send a link directly to your viewers that will take them to the webcast when they click on it. You can also implement your branding into this email for the greatest impact.
Another important factor for your delivery is the player on which your webcast will play. There are numerous players from which you can choose, making it essential to consider your audience’s needs when you select one. For instance, if a vast majority of your potential audience will view on Mac computers, QuickTime can be a great option. Using Adobe Flash Player is a good option for a more diverse audience because it is installed on a majority of Internet-enabled computers and devices. When you choose the right player, those who view from work computers won’t need to worry about the need to install something to view the webcasting or experience problems with their firewall.
If you choose something that may be complicated for some users, you need to do what it takes to make it easier for everyone to use. This may include offering a tech support number or a guide to teach users how to use the software.
Top Webcast Tips
Onstream Media is a leader in the webcasting industry, providing live webcast events for a large number of corporations of all sizes. With their experiences holding these events, they are aware of many of the most common problems and how to resolve them. Consider these webcast tips to ensure your success at your next event.
1. Production Quality. The production of your video will reflect directly on your business. If the video doesn’t offer the highest quality in streaming, video and audio, it will leave a bad impression on your viewers, potentially costing you customers. Write a script to follow and use specific cues to create quality content on a consistent basis.2. Think about Your Message. The message you are trying to portray is one of the most important factors in your live webcast. In your eagerness to get through the presentation, never forget about your audience and what you want them to know.
3. Keep Your Audience Entertained. The attention span of an Internet audience is much shorter than any other type of audience. Therefore, you need to keep things moving and entertaining. Separate your broadcasts into smaller sections, especially when playing them on-demand, and make sure to focus on the highlights.
4. Surround the Viewer in Your Webcast. Immersing your viewers in the webcasting event will keep them engaged and interested. Make use of extra features, including question boxes, polls and chat features. Giving them the ability to ask questions that may be answered live keeps them interested and engaged.
5. Contact the Professionals. Onstream Media is experienced in creating engaging, quality webcasting events. With our knowledge and dedication to our customers, we can help you create the right webcast to attract a large audience and hold their attention. We can even help if you plan to produce your own webcast.
