Share
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.
Monday, 22 August 2011
Monday, 1 August 2011
Blogging Ideas for Your Event or Event Business
Your blog is usually the fulcrum of a good social media marketing strategy. So whether you are marketing an event or your event business, it's important to create a site that is engaging and effective at helping you to build relationships with potential attendees or clients.
Here are 11 tips to help you.
1 - Find Your Niche
It may be weddings or charitable events or eco-friendly promotional products, but find your niche and write your posts for that particular group. You can connect with them by doing searches for key terms on Twitter. Follow these people, and write helpful blog posts with them in mind.
2 - Just Post It
Don't worry about being perfect. The beauty of blogging is that once you have published something, you can still go back, make corrections and update your post. Too many new bloggers sacrifice frequency and volume in an attempt to be perfect. It's better be noticed because you are an active, if imperfect, blogger than it is to have a couple of perfect articles posted that no one knows about.
3 - Comment on Other Blogs
Each time you comment on another blog, you have the opportunity to add a backlink to your blog that will increase your presence in the search engines. Commenting on other blogs helps you build a community of readers who will comment on your blog. AND the search engines favour blogs that get comments. ALSO other bloggers may not be your potential clients, but some of their readers could be, so don't miss this chance for exposure.
4 - Use Twitter & Facebook to Promote Your Blog
Post links to your blog on Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter. On Twitter, post at least 3 to 4 tweets at different times of the day per blog post. Tweeting at different times will help you reach people who are not on Twitter all the time. If you've been helping to promote other worthy bloggers by tweeting links to their posts, you will probably get some retweets that will help increase your reach.
5 - Use Twitter & Facebook to Promote Other People's Blogs
You can subscribe to your favourite blogs that are particularly useful to your niche by using a Feed Reader like iGoogle or Google reader. I use iGoogle like my own personal newspaper. I check it a few times a day. When I see a useful post that I think my Twitter followers or Facebook friends would appreciate, I post a link to it. Often, the authors of those blogs appreciate the promotion and will return the favour later on.
6 - Put Thought into Your Headlines
Even more important than your actual content may be your ability to craft a headline or tweet that will compel your readers to click on that link. For the best examples, look at newspaper headlines.
7 - If Not a Thought Leader, Be a Questioner
You may have a wealth of knowledge about your topic to share with your readers. But you don't have to be a thought leader. You can be a reporter and dig for information that your readers would find interesting. A great side benefit to engaging on Twitter is that you meet people who have expertise that can be useful to your readers. You can ask them to guest blog for you, or just email them a few questions. Their answers can make an excellent interview post for your blog.
8 - Post on a Regular Basis
Once you start to post on your blog, commit to posting at least once per week. It's very difficult to build a following if you are posting less often. Remember, you are creating a space for your potential clients or attendees to browse, comment and just generally hang out. No one wants to hang out in a ghost town.
9 - Respond to All Comments
You are on social media to build your brand by building individual relationships. This means that ANYTIME someone mentions you or goes to the trouble of posting a comment on your blog, you need to respond. Comments are wonderful opportunities to build relationships with people who may help promote you or your event by becoming your brand ambassadors. Don't waste them.
10 - Copy Edit for Spelling, Grammar
While your goal should not be a perfect blog, pay attention to your spelling and grammar. Bad grammar and misspelled words only serve to make you look unprofessional, the last thing you want to convey on your event or event business blog.
11 - Write Articles That Can Be Easily Scanned
Blog readers are scanners, so write with them in mind. Keep your paragraphs under five sentences. Don't be afraid of one-sentence paragraphs. Use pictures and sub headings. You can even break things up by highlighting a quote in large font.
Here are 11 tips to help you.
1 - Find Your Niche
It may be weddings or charitable events or eco-friendly promotional products, but find your niche and write your posts for that particular group. You can connect with them by doing searches for key terms on Twitter. Follow these people, and write helpful blog posts with them in mind.
2 - Just Post It
Don't worry about being perfect. The beauty of blogging is that once you have published something, you can still go back, make corrections and update your post. Too many new bloggers sacrifice frequency and volume in an attempt to be perfect. It's better be noticed because you are an active, if imperfect, blogger than it is to have a couple of perfect articles posted that no one knows about.
3 - Comment on Other Blogs
Each time you comment on another blog, you have the opportunity to add a backlink to your blog that will increase your presence in the search engines. Commenting on other blogs helps you build a community of readers who will comment on your blog. AND the search engines favour blogs that get comments. ALSO other bloggers may not be your potential clients, but some of their readers could be, so don't miss this chance for exposure.
4 - Use Twitter & Facebook to Promote Your Blog
Post links to your blog on Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter. On Twitter, post at least 3 to 4 tweets at different times of the day per blog post. Tweeting at different times will help you reach people who are not on Twitter all the time. If you've been helping to promote other worthy bloggers by tweeting links to their posts, you will probably get some retweets that will help increase your reach.
5 - Use Twitter & Facebook to Promote Other People's Blogs
You can subscribe to your favourite blogs that are particularly useful to your niche by using a Feed Reader like iGoogle or Google reader. I use iGoogle like my own personal newspaper. I check it a few times a day. When I see a useful post that I think my Twitter followers or Facebook friends would appreciate, I post a link to it. Often, the authors of those blogs appreciate the promotion and will return the favour later on.
6 - Put Thought into Your Headlines
Even more important than your actual content may be your ability to craft a headline or tweet that will compel your readers to click on that link. For the best examples, look at newspaper headlines.
7 - If Not a Thought Leader, Be a Questioner
You may have a wealth of knowledge about your topic to share with your readers. But you don't have to be a thought leader. You can be a reporter and dig for information that your readers would find interesting. A great side benefit to engaging on Twitter is that you meet people who have expertise that can be useful to your readers. You can ask them to guest blog for you, or just email them a few questions. Their answers can make an excellent interview post for your blog.
8 - Post on a Regular Basis
Once you start to post on your blog, commit to posting at least once per week. It's very difficult to build a following if you are posting less often. Remember, you are creating a space for your potential clients or attendees to browse, comment and just generally hang out. No one wants to hang out in a ghost town.
9 - Respond to All Comments
You are on social media to build your brand by building individual relationships. This means that ANYTIME someone mentions you or goes to the trouble of posting a comment on your blog, you need to respond. Comments are wonderful opportunities to build relationships with people who may help promote you or your event by becoming your brand ambassadors. Don't waste them.
10 - Copy Edit for Spelling, Grammar
While your goal should not be a perfect blog, pay attention to your spelling and grammar. Bad grammar and misspelled words only serve to make you look unprofessional, the last thing you want to convey on your event or event business blog.
11 - Write Articles That Can Be Easily Scanned
Blog readers are scanners, so write with them in mind. Keep your paragraphs under five sentences. Don't be afraid of one-sentence paragraphs. Use pictures and sub headings. You can even break things up by highlighting a quote in large font.
Make your meetings iPad-friendly
1. Use a Stand
Whether you're showing something on your iPad or using the device to take notes.
2. Sync Together
When you want to share a document with your attendees, there is a new app that will make the presentation experience a breeze. Idea Flight allows you to share multiple file formats with other iPad users, up to 15 people in fact. If your colleagues have iPads, they simply download the app for free to tag along. The best thing is that you can lock the presentation so everyone sees what you see, or you can unlock it to allow your "Passengers" to browse through at their convenience.
3. Use Video
With so many people working virtually, the norm these days is to assign an attendee a call-in number and listen to him chirp in on a Star Trek-like phone in the centre of the boardroom table. To bring the caller into the room in a more physical way, try using Skype video on your iPad 2. This way you can truly have everyone at the table at no extra cost.
4. Make Notes
If you're wondering what tool you should use to take notes in a meeting on your iPad, look no further than Evernote. This popular software now has more than 10 million users, thanks to how easy it makes it to capture ideas, share notes across multiple devices, and tag things for easy searching. With all this functionality, you'd expect to pay a price: however, the iPad download is free (extra features are available in the paid Premium version).
5. Be Courteous
While there is no doubt that technology can make us more productive, it can also make us less courteous. When you're in a meeting with your iPad, it's a good idea to mention that you're using it to take notes.
Whether you're showing something on your iPad or using the device to take notes.
2. Sync Together
When you want to share a document with your attendees, there is a new app that will make the presentation experience a breeze. Idea Flight allows you to share multiple file formats with other iPad users, up to 15 people in fact. If your colleagues have iPads, they simply download the app for free to tag along. The best thing is that you can lock the presentation so everyone sees what you see, or you can unlock it to allow your "Passengers" to browse through at their convenience.
3. Use Video
With so many people working virtually, the norm these days is to assign an attendee a call-in number and listen to him chirp in on a Star Trek-like phone in the centre of the boardroom table. To bring the caller into the room in a more physical way, try using Skype video on your iPad 2. This way you can truly have everyone at the table at no extra cost.
4. Make Notes
If you're wondering what tool you should use to take notes in a meeting on your iPad, look no further than Evernote. This popular software now has more than 10 million users, thanks to how easy it makes it to capture ideas, share notes across multiple devices, and tag things for easy searching. With all this functionality, you'd expect to pay a price: however, the iPad download is free (extra features are available in the paid Premium version).
5. Be Courteous
While there is no doubt that technology can make us more productive, it can also make us less courteous. When you're in a meeting with your iPad, it's a good idea to mention that you're using it to take notes.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Simon Young Profile
