Well that applies to to webcasting, like it does to television.  We are all familiar with a stations on our own televisions that may not come in clear.  And we can see the difference between regular cable channels and high definition channels.   It’s all about the signal in and the signal out.

The audio and visual feed that Webcast Group acquires from your/our AV team makes a difference as to what the final product will look like.  If you try to cut costs in this area, it may haunt you right in front of your client.  They may not notice any issues during the live event, but when they sit down at their computer to watch the archive, they will notice everything.

And here’s the thing, this doesn’t mean you have to have a multi-camera shoot with boom mics, no, not at all.  But what you do need to have is high quality working equipment and proper lighting.   Before you hire your AV company ask to see a sample of their work, asked them for a current reference.  You may want to ask them if they have sent signals through encoding, but this isn’t a per-requisite.

( also depending on your location we may be able to make AV recommendations – just ask )

Another point of quality control is at the bandwidth level.  The higher the bandwidth used to send the webcast signal out the higher the quality that appears on the desktops of your viewers.

What’s important here is that you serve your targeted viewer group.  Meaning you have to gauge if the connection speed of the majority of your viewers.  So that everyone can enjoy the presentation.   Thankfully this is getting much easier to do by the day, as most people have learned the importance and value of high-speed internet.

So remember while the event may only been an hour or two, your client’s and  your client’s viewers may be watching the final product for months to come through the archived webcast.   And of course we all want your webcast to look fantastic.  So be sure to invest in top quality of AV services.  We’ll take care of the rest.

When it comes to technology, there is absolutely nothing to gain in promising any client, (yours or ours) something that will not work.  No ones ends up happy and return business for everyone involved disappears.   That’s why it’s imperative for everyone involved to work together and keep realistic expectations.  Those expectations have to be based on facts.

We are webcasting experts.  When you ask questions, we answer honestly and correctly.  That’s how we roll.  Webcast Group is committed to being completely truthful and upfront about our capabilities.  There are times we even send business away when our webcast platform isn’t the correct solution.

Just like you, we want your viewers to like what they see and to enjoy their experience.  We pride ourselves on creating the best viewing experience for your viewers.  In fact, our only goal is a successful webcast from start to finish.

So when considering adding a webcast to your event or your client’s event, ask away.  As they say, you can never ask too many questions and there are no questions too little or too big.  Even if you are only at the very early stages of planning your webcast give us a call.  We’re here to help and we will steer you in the right direction.

To get you started, here are the four basic keys.

1. The Webcast Group Platform:
This is what your online viewers see and hear on their computers.  Features include branding, slides, Q & A, polling, tech-support, registration, and in depth reporting.  You want your viewers to enjoy a seamless on-line webcast that presents a high quality image of your organization.  We make that possible.  Webcast Group provides professional level webcasts and we have a long track record of success.

2. Audio, video and staging:
AV and staging includes microphones, one or more video cameras, mixers switchers, projectors, pipe and drape and more. AV can be as simple as a single camera and mic, or elaborate including multiple camera angles, staging , lighting, effects, and more.  The quality of your webcast will be as good as the audio signal and video captured on site by your AV provider and equipment.   More isn’t always better, quality is what is important here.

3. A high powered encoder:
A high powered encoder will capture a single stream and send it to Webcast Group’s platform.  We then distribute the stream to your target audience over the Internet.   Live encoding of audio and video is done by a very powerful computer configured as an encoder or an encoding appliance.

4. High speed outbound Internet:
Your venue must provide high speed Internet connectivity.  This is commonplace now.  Most venues offer this and their levels are perfectly acceptable for live event webcasting.

That’s it in a nutshell.  Let us know how we can help you increase your on-line presence.  We look forward to hearing from you and discussing your specific needs.

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The number one tip is for your eyes, and where they can look.  Always look directly in the camera.  If you have notes you can look at those, and if you are on a  panel you can look to other speakers (while they are speaking), but that is it.  Only three places you should ever look while on camera.  This takes practice and discipline, but the pay off is well worth the effort.

Many people don’t even realize that a shift in their eye direction can make them appear untrustworthy, uncertain, and unfocused.  We have been exposed to professional media types our entire lives, and when we see someone who isn’t looking into the camera, a mental trigger is pulled that leads us to question their credibility.

always know which camera is live

So treat the camera like it is your friend.  Speak directly to it with your eyes.  If you our dealing with multiple camera ALWAYS know which camera is live.  It’s easy to stay engaged with your viewers by keeping your eyes focused on them.

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Both types of  these events can be LIVE, but only one has a physical presences like in the photo below.

Live Physical Webcast Event - expands your viewing audience by webcasting

A Live Physical Event , has a live audience and is usually held in a hotel ballroom or a corporate office.  It can be held anywhere that the client wants, as long as they have the required amount of  connectivity to the internet.   Whereas a Virtual Event is a presentation that does not have a physical audience, just an on-line audience, like the man in the picture below sitting at his computer and enjoying a webcast.

Virtual Webcast Event - veiwers are on-line only

Both types of webcasts are extremely powerful in extending the reach of your message, and promoting your brand.  Think about the next presentation that you need to deliver to your targeted audience and whether you need a Virtual Event or a Live (Physical)Event.  Which ever you choose Webcast Group is here to help.

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