Three (Maybe Four) Reasons To Stream Your Event In 2022
Live-streaming took off in 2020 because of lock downs, it grew in 2021 because of easy barrier-to-entry, but in 2022 it’s going to solidify itself as a main way to do events. As we deal with the ever-changing gathering and travel restrictions, we think streaming events is the way to go in ‘22. Here’s why:
Let’s be real, it’s cheaper than bringing everyone into one place. We’re not suggesting that you have to have people only online, but finding a room for half the amount of attendees is easier to set up, cheaper to rent and cheaper to clean up. Then there’s the travel expenses. Not to mention, if you have at least a partial online component to your event, it gives you the opportunity to bring in remote speakers or content. You can add real value to people’s lives for less money. Win-win.
It gives an opportunity to build an online community. We’ve all sat next to someone in a live event and made comments about something under our breath so we don’t disrupt those around us. Well, by live streaming your event, you open up the possibility for a running conversation in the chat. Observers in live events become participants on a stream. Whether you have online hosts or you let the comments go organically, the value that people add in the chat is priceless. How many times have you missed what the speaker said and asked your neighbor for help? With an online community, not only can they help each other out, but they can also share what they took away from the speaker’s point. They can champion each other. They can be a community. Speaking of missing what the speaker said…
You can rewatch the experience! There is a freedom in knowing you can rewatch a live experience. The notetakers can still feverishly write away, but some people just want to enjoy the experience or interact online. Now everyone can relax and know that there is a digital archive of the event and they can go back and use it to jog their memory later. Pro Tip: say you are streaming a conference, if those in attendance wanted to take your talk back to the office with them, you can sell the copy of the talk for the whole office to enjoy together. You could offer to get on a Zoom call and watch with them and do a Q&A after as well. Just an idea.
If you’re smart, it can add to weekly interactions with people online. People are getting tired of binge-watching content (hence Disney+ dropping weekly episodes of everyone’s favorite shows). They want something that is well thought out and something they feel they are adding value to. They want live video and according to Marketwatch.com, they want weekly content. If you do an in-person/online event, you push even those who attend in-person to the weekly follow up call where you can share more content with them that is focused on their needs. You can do live Q&A’s as a way to interact with them on a weekly basis and convert them from casual observer to bought-in participants.
Obviously these aren’t the only reasons why live streaming is a great idea for your event, but it should get you thinking about doing it for your next event. We’d love to come alongside you and help figure out how to do it best for you. Ready to go live? Let’s talk. Kyle@streammy.co