Over the last few years, live webcasts have taken off as a way for entrepreneurs and businesses to connect with their audience.

During the pandemic the notion of online delivery of content and announcements really accelerated all with varying degrees of professionalism.

Live events serve various business functions, from stakeholder meetings to engaging consumers and everything in between. 

As communication tools have become more sophisticated, remote event attendance is growing. Live webcasts offer a cost-effective way to increase your reach while providing consumers with a convenient way to connect with your events.

Audiences have expressed a clear preference for videos. Live event production is an incredible tool to boost your marketing and internal communication in an era of remote and hybrid work. However, producing broadcast-quality video content isn’t easy without the right experience, equipment, and technical skills. 

In this article, we’ll look at the benefits of a professional live webcast and how they can take your content to the next level.

What is a live webcast?

We’ve all heard the word webcast, but there is a lot of confusion about what it means. For starters, it’s a contraction of “web broadcast” and refers to any content streamed from one source to many over the internet. However, a large portion of webcasts are pre-recorded.

On the other hand, a live webcast is a live stream broadcast to an audience at a fixed time. Although they can be recorded and accessed later via video on demand (VOD), the main characteristic of a live webcast is that people watch them as they are happening.

Webcasts are very flexible. You can use them to capture sporting events, weddings, or any independent broadcast. In the business world, brands use webcasts to broadcast conferences, summits, earnings meetings, and to speak to their employees and customers. 

While video-on-demand, blogs, and social media content are great communication tools, a live event provides an engaging experience that facilitates audience participation, exclusivity, and a deeper connection. 

However, a lot of live-streamed material lacks quality. While the content itself may be good, choppy, unclear feeds can appear amateurish and low-effort. With the advent of 5G and more powerful streaming devices, broadcast-quality video content is possible.

Here are some of the benefits of a professional live webcast.

#1. Broadcast-quality video content looks professional

Broadcast-quality video content looks the part. Whether you’re streaming a meeting, a webinar, a conference or any other event, you want it to look as good as it can. 

High-quality production, like high-quality content, says a lot about your organisation. For starters, it shows you’re serious and professional. While users might not think a blurry picture is the end of the world, a clear, well-defined feed offers subtle clues about your business’s attitude. 

Well-produced live event production can enhance trust among your customers too. For sales organisations, broadcast-quality video content offers a route towards the sort of credibility, competence and professionalism needed to close deals.

#2. No technical problems

Technology like phones, tablets, and webcams have made live event production accessible to everyone. While these tools do a decent job, we’ve all sat through online talks and seminars riddled with technical problems.

While that’s fine for informal events, it can look disappointing in a professional context. Trust is essential in the business world. Your content is important, so let your consumer experience it without disruption or frustration.

#3. Less setup

If you’re running a webcast for a conference, a seminar, or a meeting, you’ll have a lot on your plate. Coordinating speakers and guests, remembering your presentation, and dealing with timings and event staff are just a few of your worries on the day. Adding technical setup and concerns into the mix can be hugely stressful.

When you outsource your live event production to the experts, it’s one less thing to worry about. You can concentrate on delivering your event, safe in the knowledge that it will look crisp and professional.

#4. Lighting

Lighting has a considerable effect on video quality. It’s a subtle art that takes years of practice and experience to get right. When done correctly, it can take your webcast to the next level and make you and your fellow speakers look their best. 

If you want broadcast-quality video content, you need a cinematographer that knows how to shoot an environment. That can involve using expensive external lights or having an awareness of how to achieve the best, most vibrant shots. Professional live event production means a product you can be proud of. 

#5. Quality editing

Live webcasts allow you to reach a broader audience. In theory, everyone can tune in at the time. Of course, in practice, not everyone who wants to see your event will be available.

Live content can be repurposed in several different ways. For example, you can use the best parts to drive interest in upcoming events. Additionally, you can make the event into video-on-demand content that keeps producing interest. 

In both scenarios, you need to think about editing. While users will tolerate a bit of flabbiness in a live event, they expect VOD content to be concise and to the point.

Using a professional live webcast company gives you access to quality editors. They can make judicial cuts that improve the flow of your video, allowing you to generate more views, shares, and likes if you decide to post it on social media or your own site once the event is over.

#6. Event documentation

A professional live event production team can add other benefits to your event. In particular, they can document the entire event and not just the speaking portions. 

If your live event has attendees, a broadcast crew can conduct vox-pops both before and after the main talks or demonstrations. Additionally, they can record interview-style content with your main speakers. 

Working with professionals helps you capture this extra content in an unobtrusive way, allowing your guests and attendees to focus on whatever you are presenting.

By recording this additional material, you can capture more memories of your webcast event. What’s more, you can repurpose this content and use it for your social media, PR, or more general marketing. 

#7. Save costs

Hosting live events can be costly. For starters, hiring a large venue to cater for attendees is expensive. One of the advantages of hosting a webcast is that you can stream them from smaller venues or your office. This situation cuts down on expenses considerably.

#8. Increase your reach 

As any marketing team knows, reach is an important concept. Increasing brand awareness is essential if your business wants to expand and grow. Broadcast-quality video content allows you to connect with a broader range of consumers regardless of their geographical location.

Live event production allows your events to knock down geographical boundaries. They enable people to access your content without the time and financial costs of travelling to an event. The upshot of this is that you can drive up remote attendance and interest.

#9. Scaleable

Broadcast-quality video content allows you to scale your events. For example, if you run talks or conferences, venue capacity places a limit on how much revenue you can generate. 

Offering remote attendance tickets means you add more paying consumers to your events without having to hire a larger venue. Additionally, it takes a lot of the risk away from forecasting what venue size you need, which is a fantastic option in an unpredictable market.

#10. Environmentally friendly

Broadcast-quality video content offers an incredible alternative to in-person attendance. Concern about climate change and global warming are at the forefront of most people’s minds, with excessive travelling one area that has been earmarked as a way to reduce carbon footprints.

Flying or driving to events across the country or internationally produces emissions and relies on fossil fuels. Live webcasts offer an eco-friendly option that your audience will appreciate.

#11. Better data

Webcasts also offer excellent data collection opportunities. If attendees need to register to see the event, you can add their details to your customer relationship management (CRM) tools and generate leads. Additionally, event organisers can include forms to capture great sales discovery information.

Live attendance has far more barriers than remote. Marketing teams can use their events to drive awareness and capture more leads. By harnessing better data, you can ensure your sales pipeline is full of excellent prospects.

#12. Better onboarding

Hiring is a huge issue for many businesses right now. The demand for specialist positions has left many companies struggling to retain their best staff. 

Good employee onboarding experiences are a strong predictor for retention. You can use broadcast-quality video content to help orient new employees and train existing staff members in a cost-effective and engaging manner. Anything that boosts retention in the modern business environment.

Conclusion

Broadcast-quality video content is a great way to bring your webcast to the next level. As video communication tools become the norm in our increasingly remotely connected world, finding ways to deliver engaging, quality content is essential.

Outsourcing your live event production to a team of experts ensures your product is as professional and competent as your organisation. If you want to boost brand awareness, reach, revenues, or retention, quality live event production is here to help.