Live streaming offers event organizers unique opportunities to increase their reach, market event content and harness additional monetization potential. We reviewed 5 providers for you which can provide easy and quick LIVE stream solutions (for your events).

Livestreaming – Why is it so Relevant?

Today, events are expected to create a live experience that feels genuine and to offer participants not only added value in terms of content, but also in terms of lasting impact and brand recognition. That’s why event organizers are looking for an all-inclusive, carefree package to meet all of their guests’ requirements. Unfortunately, events capacities tend to be limited by budget constraints, seat numbers and/or space (such as seminar rooms). There are also external (environmental) circumstances — e.g. participants cannot travel to the event. These are the main reasons why virtual events are becoming increasingly important. 

What’s the deal with video content? First, you can monetize video content. Thanks to live broadcasting or video content streaming/sharing, you can address a “secondary” audience and thus expand your reach beyond your traditional list of participants. This creates not just an opportunity for people to virtually join your event from anywhere in the world but also for your event to showcase your brand to potential leads beyond your current market. 

Secondly, you can use these videos for marketing purpose. If you decide to offer them for free, then you can maximize their visual impact and reach to bring further attention to your events. You could post an entire talk or lecture or short clips via social media to attract potential new participants with interesting and relevant content. This way you create incentives for people to get a ticket for your events at the next opportunity. You can also publish these videos as a learning tool on your website or blog or provide them to your participants instead of presentations.

B2B or B2C?

An important challenge is to find the right streaming provider for your event. One of the most important questions you have to answer is: which target group should your streaming be directed to? Consumers or businesses?

One can understand why some companies initially choose free B2C streaming services. However, most popular B2C streaming solutions, such as YouTube Live, automatically get the rights to your video content and can monetize it themselves. This approach can be beneficial for some broadcasters. However, many companies that operate in the B2B sector want to avoid this, as well as third-party advertising and comments. 

Therefore, we are going to show you different providers from across the B2B and B2C sectors.   

YouTube Live

The world’s most famous video platform has long been offering not only beauty blogs, tech reviews, and vlogs, but also extensive live-streaming of music, news, sport events etc.

ADVANTAGES:
360° videos
huge user base
embedding on your own website
various monetization options
promotion by Google

DISADVANTAGES:
account verification and video encoding software required
use of Google services forbidden/blocked by some companies’ policies

PRICES:
free of charge

Facebook Live

In recent years, Facebook Live has made live streaming of events possible for everyone.

ADVANTAGES:
huge user base
direct integration into Facebook
defined range and visibility
video is available after the event with the timeline
live marketing for every budget
video length up to 8 hours

DISADVANTAGES:
frequent technical problems and streaming crashes
Facebook is often forbidden/blocked by some companies’ policies
occasionally low quality of the stream

PRICES:
free of charge; upgrades from 1 EUR per day

FURTHER B2C PROVIDERS: Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn, Periscope, StreamShark

Vimeo Livestream

The strength of Vimeo is primarily in its excellent video quality. In addition, the platform offers the Mevo Plus, a purpose-made camera as well as various interesting monetization options. For a rental fee or a purchase, interested viewers can either watch the video for a certain period or if bought, have it available permanently. This platform focuses on professional (business) customers and offers many additional marketing tools.

ADVANTAGES:
HD (1080p live) +4k streaming
streaming of 3 parallel events
embedding on the own website
Live Q&A, graphics and surveys
public chat

DISADVANTAGES:
not suited for streaming via Smartphone

PRICES:
70 EUR per month

IBM Watson Media Video Streaming

In 2016, the company Ustream was acquired by IBM and merged with other companies specializing in various streaming processes. Ustream was originally developed for communication between soldiers and their families.

ADVANTAGES:
cloud-based solution, available on multiple devices
possibility of monetization (paywall)
lead generation
high safety standards
Live polls
chat room

DISADVANTAGES:
HD 720p streaming only
maximum 5,000 spectator hours

PRICES:
from 99 to 999 USD per month for different packages (Silver, Gold, Platinum)

dacast

In contrast to consumer-oriented platforms like YouTube or Facebook Live, dacast works with B2B customers.

ADVANTAGES:
integration on websites and social media
white label
video hosting
analytics
flexible prices (suitable for one-time-use)

DISADVANTAGES:
paywall possible with a package starting at 125 USD
storage up to 500 GB, expansion possible against an additional upgrade

PRICES:
from 19 to 289 USD per month for different packages (Starter, Premium, Enterprise) also one-time use per event possible

FURTHER B2B PROVIDERS: Wowza, brightcove, vplayed, boxcast, StreamingVideoProvider

Summary

Live-streaming of events offers organizers great opportunities to monetize their event content or to strengthen marketing activities. In this article, we have introduced 5 providers of live streaming in detail and pointed out the difference between B2C and B2B platforms.

The post Event-Livestreaming – The 5 Top Providers 2020 first appeared on LineUpr Blog.

We have another case study for you! Today it will be about the colleagues at the Silicon Saxony e.V. They’ve been using LineUpr for a while and we were fortunate enough to be at one of the local events. You can expect information about the event, the organization and the use of LineUpr for the distribution of information and the use of our interactive live surveys.

The Organization – Are Technicians Automatically Technically Affine?

Silicon Saxony e.V. is a trade association of the semiconductor industry with a regional focus on Saxony. Its members include both companies and individuals. Most of them have a technical background in common. One can, therefore, assume that the participants are quite technically affine.

The age structure of the association is very diverse. Everyone, from the early 20s up to the age of retirement, was to be found among the participants of the Silicon Saxony Day.

The usage figures of the app speak for themselves. In total, 223 people used the app. On average, everyone visited the app 2.82 times, opening 8.33 pages in each session. The total number of visitors, 300 people, is a great amount! It turns out, that the format of the Silicon Saxony Day is perfect for the use of an event app, despite the age structure. What exactly this event is will be highlighted in the next section.

Silicon Saxony Day 2018 – A lot of Well-Planned Content

The Silicon Saxony Day is the annual conference of the association. A lot of content was offered in this and the past years. The language of the conference was English. The reason for this is that the association was able to welcome guests from abroad.

In addition to the keynote speeches on the different topics typical for conferences, there were workshop tracks for which each guest could individually choose for themselves. Here, practical knowledge was imparted, the best practices were discussed and the professional exchange with colleagues was maintained.

During the lunch break, various companies presented themselves in an exhibitor pitch. The atmosphere here was rather laid back – the audience stood at bistro tables and the pitching exhibitors had space in front of a monitor to present their company.

After the lunch break, companies that registered in advance could participate in speed dating with interested students. The students were looking for internships, final theses, traineeships or direct entry. The speed dating served to get to know each other better and explore potentials.

The event was then concluded in an informal round in the evening.

The Objective

Different organizers have very different goals when using an event app. Since Silicon Saxony already used apps from LineUpr several times, the plan to replace printed materials is almost achieved. The organizers wanted to completely get rid of printed materials. Additionally, another goal was to increase the interaction at the event and to offer a database where the participants could retrieve all information in bundles after the event.

The App – What was Presented?

In addition to the classic what, when, where and with whom, other features of LineUpr were also used. Basic event information and information about the organizer were presented.

In the corresponding profiles, the sponsors of the event were presented and could, therefore, be particularly well acknowledged by the participants. In addition, the post function was very well used. A total of 10 messages were distributed to the guests via this service. The messages were all prepared in the CMS of LineUpr and were published at the given times. If you want to do that, check out the instructions here. Posts were the third most opened page after the homepage and the program – so in-app messages work very well!

The survey feature was also extensively used, both during and after the event. But we will touch more on this in the following section.

The Surveys – Promotion is Key!

Two survey types were used. The feedback – in duplicate – was used after the event. Once for the companies that participated in the speed dating and once for all guests to ensure the quality of the event for the following years. In order to achieve the highest possible number of participants, the organizers subsequently sent an email with a request for feedback.

Behind the button “START THE SURVEY” is the link, which led directly to the survey.

The voting rate for the feedback was remarkable in comparison: 65 participants rated the event afterwards. The reason for the good participation was the form of advertising. If you also want to know how to properly promote your event app, check out this tutorial.

In addition to the feedback, our live survey was also used. After a demo of technologies from different companies, a winner could be chosen by means of a survey and corresponding results presentation on the screen. The live survey was technically implemented with our slide view. One of our colleagues was on site as a director to publish the prepared survey, while the presenter on stage called for participation. The director then placed the slide view on the screen while the results were received. After a suitable time, which varied each time, the survey was deactivated again and the result was announced. The optimal voting time depends on how many people are in the room. Over time, the dynamic decreases noticeably. If that is the case, the poll should be deactivated again.

Interested in creating a survey and conducting it yourself? Then this guide is just right for you to read.

Networking – Use Existing Channels

The organizers decided to map the networking by using participant profiles in the app. Since the participants do not have to register with LineUpr to use the app, we imported the participants’ data in the form of a list before the event.

This offers several advantages. On the one hand, the guests can quickly get an overview of the other participants and can inform themselves in advance about their company, field of business and offers. In addition, we at LineUpr rely on existing communication channels, which the participants generally appreciate, because new contacts do not need to be transferred to other systems after the event. Above all, existing channels mean e-mail, as it is still the most widespread form of communication in the business context. But Xing or LinkedIn profiles are also very popular communication channels. According to the motto “Please your customer, not your ego”, this is the best way for the participants.

You would like to know more about creating appealing personal profiles? Then click here!

The second benefit has to do with the content of the event. The content presented in the workshops was linked in the respective profiles of the speakers. The guests can easily access the presentations and these are once again associated with the speaker.

Summary – Goal Achieved?

The goal from above was achieved. There were no printed materials and the participants were able to network with each other as well as with the companies on site. All the documents for lectures and presentations are available online and the interaction at the event could be significantly increased.

To clarify this once again, we will let Carola Schulze from the organizers’ team speak at the end.

What the Organizers say

The great thing about the app is that it is totally easy to handle. You can easily set and retrieve content. The user gets an overview of the program and receives information about the individual lectures. You can also set favorites and knit your own program. No printed program booklet is required anymore, as today almost everyone owns a smartphone. The live voting function is also great. As a trade network, we want to constantly know what moves our members and what they think. You can use the app to ask specific questions about specific topics during an event and receive replies in seconds, which can be presented directly on a slide. We will use the app more often in the future, on the one hand to convey program content and on the other hand for surveys in order to get the opinions of our members faster.

“Silicon” Icon created by Symbolon from “The Noun Project” (https://thenounproject.com).

The post The Silicon Saxony Day with LineUpr – Interactive Surveys and Information Right in your Pocket first appeared on LineUpr Blog.