Any successful program is based on a strong foundation of preparation and work. Here are 5 action steps that must be completed before any live streaming event.
1. Poll your members to understand why they are not attending your on-site events. The annual conference or your quarterly education seminars are big reasons why your members joined your organization. These on-site events are also large generating revenue for the organization. You need to know why your members are not attending. Are they concerned about travel or hotel costs? Do they not feel that they can leave their business for that length of time? When you know these answers, you can promote live streaming as a solution to their concerns. You are listening to your members, and you are building a true value into their membership.
2. Have your speaker sign a release form when they commit to presenting at the conference or education sessions. By making a speaker aware that their presentation will be live streamed to audience members off-site, and video captured for on-demand viewing, there will be less confusion at the time of the event. You are setting the right expectations that there will be audience members on-site at the event, and to be aware of the live streaming audience during their performance. Also, if a speaker has any concerns about videoing their content, you are aware of that right now, and you can make a decision if you want to contract this speaker for your event.
3. Create a video to promote the event. Why not use your past conferences to promote your new event? If you have video content from your previous sessions, like testimonials of participants, or simply smiling faces of attendees, put those together as a promotional video. Show people what they will be missing if they do not physically attend the meeting or live stream. If you do not have video content of past conferences, create a slide show video of photographs taken at the various events you have hosted, and upload the YouTube or Vimeo video on your website. You want to create excitement and that this is a must see event.
4. Advertise on your newsletter a couple months before the event. Not every member is going to go to your website or follow you on social media. Some members rely on your newsletter to provide what is up and coming for your organization. Start advertising your event and the opportunity to view and interact at the event by live stream, at least 2 months before the event. If they are not able to attend on-site, now they know that they can still be part of the event, and receive the valuable content through your fantastic live streaming program. Let them know that registration is available, and they do not have to be “techies” to view the live stream. Once they register, all they will need is an internet connection for their computer, laptop or mobile device, and you will provide the link.
5. Make use of the various social networks. Social networks are a great way to advertise the live streaming event, because you can provide information right away. It is not a bad thing to post information about the event daily or weekly, leading up to the event. People expect to see Facebook posts constantly. Create an “event” on Facebook, where your members can “like” the page. You can post pictures or quotes from past attendees. Create a Twitter #hashtag handle for the live streaming event. Post promotional giveaways to register by a certain date. You want your members to feel like they are going to miss something big if they do not attend the on-site or live stream sessions.
Keep these 5 tips in mind when hosting your next live streaming event. You are listening to your members’ needs, and you are promoting your live streaming event where your members are looking.