Successful Hybrid Events

What are the advantages of producing a hybrid event?

The advantages are quite significant when you look at the landscape of our economy at the current time. Travel is challenging and more costly than ever, the fight for our attention is being tugged at from many places and yet a demand for knowledge and continuing education remains. When putting on an in-person conference or seminar, the reality is that you have left some very large quotient of your membership/constituency out of the experience all together – those who are not there with you in-person. A hybrid event allows you to bring that event to them as you live stream the video, audio, materials and enable them to have an interactive experience through Q/A, social media, polling questions etc… All they need to do is be in front of their computer, iPad, iPhone or tablet device and login to the webcast.
One advantage is that you can now bring this experience to them and you are no longer bound to in-person participation, exclusively. Additionally, you can monetize your event in a whole new way, with very little additional cost

How can adding a hybrid component generate additional revenue for your event?

It is very simple, you now have an entirely new audience for the event. You are providing them with all of the content, the live event experience and even the ability to interact. That allows you, as the organisation putting on the event, to charge webcast participants a similar registration rate to that of the in-person audience.

What are some of the downsides to watch out for?

Technological problems, internet issues and alienation of the webcast audience are at the top of the list. First of all, you need to make sure that the production and technological areas of the webcast are being completely worked through and ALWAYS test the webcast stream at least one day in advance. Secondly, make sure you have considered all aspects of the internet connection at the venue. Always, always go with a hard-wired internet connection – never risk it with wi-fi. Consider roll over plans and back-ups, you never know when you’ll have to use them. Finally, make sure your speaker is recognizing the “cyber audience” and proactively directing them in how to ask questions, access the webcast materials and interact in the webcast environment. One of the worst things you can do is forget they are there and neglect them as paying learners.

Are there simple ways to improve the quality of live webcasts?

There are a few. First of all you can control the quality of the video by increasing the bit rate at which you are streaming the webcast and/or offer a multiple bit rate option for the end users. That will allow them to choose which bit rate they would like to receive the webcast stream at, according to the quality of their internet connection. Additionally, increase the ability for interaction by offering Q/A, social media interaction opportunities, a Twitter feed and/or a community for engagement. This will increase the quality of the webcast experience and keep people connected to the event.Finally, make sure your webcast platform is enabled for mobile viewing. With the ever increasing adoption of mobile devices, you can be assured there will be audience members that want to watch the webcast from their iPad, iPhone, Android tablet etc… In seeking out a partner, make sure you are inquiring into their mobile capabilities. This will certainly be a webcast standard in the next 6-12 months.