If you invest time, energy and money in organising an event, you naturally want as many people as possible to be able to participate. Even the participants who, expectedly or unexpectedly, cannot be there. And that is possible by streaming the event. But streaming is more than just filming your event. We explain how to go about it.
Why stream an event?
Organising an online event has several advantages. For example, increasing your reach. Or the impact. And what about all that digital content you suddenly have available? Perfect to reuse and use as marketing material. As far as we are concerned, these are the biggest advantages of streaming your event:
- Wider reach
Whether from home, the office or even by the side of the road: participants can attend the event from all corners of the world. In short, it has a wider reach than a physical event. - More participants
Sometimes participants find it daunting to attend in person. Or they live far too far away. In that case, a streamed version is ideal, as it makes it much easier for them to follow the event. - A sustainable alternative
Fewer journeys automatically mean lower CO₂ emissions. A sustainable alternative, then! - Greater visibility
By hosting your event online, you’ll increase your visibility. After all, you’ll attract more participants and be able to share your knowledge with people all over the world. - Measurable results
You can see exactly who is watching and for how long. These useful insights can help you improve your content for future events.
What do you need to stream?
You won't get there just by putting down your phone or camera. Event streaming needs more. Think about:
- Professional equipment
A camera with crystal-clear images is essential. The same goes for microphones. After all, you want everyone to be clearly audible. And don’t forget the internet connection – without it, you won’t be able to stream your event at all. In other words: HD cameras, plenty of studio-quality microphones and a stable, high-speed internet connection. - Experienced staff
A live stream isn’t something you can just ‘do on the side’. Think of it as a full-scale broadcast. You need people who know what they’re doing – from operating the camera to the director in the control room. Want to be absolutely sure everything runs smoothly? Don’t do it yourself; let an external provider take care of it. That way, you’ll avoid mistakes and give your participants a better experience. - Interactivity
Staring at a screen gets boring quickly. People’s attention spans are simply shorter when they’re looking at a screen. But how do you stop your participants from clicking the ‘X’ to close the window? By getting them involved in the event. Make them feel like they’re part of your gathering. Add interactive elements such as polls, Q&As, chats or people calling in live. - The right platform
Have you thought about where you’re going to stream your event? There are various platforms available for this. If you’re going to do it, do it properly and choose a reliable platform. Consider YouTube, Vimeo, Zoom or a private platform. Which one you choose also depends on your target audience. And of course: do you want it to be public, or should people only be able to ‘join’ via a personal invitation link?
Script We often say this: treat the stream as a live broadcast. Just as if you were making a film or TV series. This enhances the experience for participants. To direct this effectively, you need a script. This contains all the key information, sometimes even down to the minute. A good script sets out who speaks when, which footage is shown and when there are breaks.
What is a suitable location to stream your event?
Not every event venue is suitable for streaming the event. Indeed, sometimes it is not even possible. Because the connection does not allow it, for example. Or because there is too little space for all the staff. A good event venue therefore has:
- A reliable and fast internet connection with wifi
- Enough space for cameras and staff, preferably your own control room
- Room(s) with good acoustics
- Flexibility in setting up technology and furniture
- Professional support on the floor
Stream your event at Jaarbeurs
At Jaarbeurs, we have years of experience in organising and hosting events. And good to know: during the corona period, we pioneered tremendously with hybrid events and livestreams. We even built our own livestream studio!
Moreover, our halls are set up with the right equipment and equipped with good acoustics. This ensures that everything comes across as beautifully on screen as it does in real life. Wondering what all our possibilities are or what we can achieve together? Contact us, we will be happy to show you.
