According to The Oxford Dictionary, it’s the action of broadcasting something over the internet, like an event – well, something along those lines. Broadcasts, of course, can be audio only, video only, just presentation content, or a combination of all three.
So, what kind of “events” do you get to see in these online broadcasts? Well, that can hugely vary. For example, a business might use webcasting for industry presentations, product unveils, training sessions, conferences, and what have you. In fact, all of these and more are shared as webcasts in the form of either on-demand or live video so that people can view them at their convenience or as they happen.
If you were a business or marketer, why would you webcast any of the above events? The answer is a very straightforward one: webcasting opens you up to a huge audience, so you’re saving lots of money, especially when you want people to view your broadcast who are unable to attend the event in person. So, it’s a very simple yet effective way of sharing ideas with your audience across the world. Another major benefit of webcasting: you can save a lot of costs which may have otherwise gone into hosting events.
More benefits: no travelling or accommodation to worry about, food, or other added extras on your budget which are typically the case when hosting a large-scale event. Furthermore, webcasting is very engaging and interactive. The best part is, it doesn’t have to be only you delivering a lecture while everyone just listens intently. It can be a two-way conversation – Q&A webcasts or audience polls is not just a great way to engage viewers but also make them a part of the online conversation, or webcast, more specifically.
Getting started with webcasting
Webcasting venue
Choosing a professional setting for your webcast is an absolute must. The main hall of your office is obviously not a great place where mouse clicks and keyboard taps can be heard out aloud and Jim from Marketing passing by loudly sipping his coffee. So choose a place that is quiet and professional looking, where echo is minimal and there’s adequate sound proofing. A great backdrop helps too.
Online upload performance
What’s the fastest way to ruin a webcast? A less than impressive internet connection!
Make sure you have reliable high-speed internet – the upload speed in particular needs to hold up. Anything upwards of 10mbps would be fantastic, keeping the stream viewable and running smoothly.
Lighting and sound
This may take a fair amount of experimentation because no one would want to watch the entire webcast where you are barely visible or they can’t clearly see the expressions on your face. It’s always a good idea to invest in some quality professional webcasting equipment – Google is your friend as there isn’t enough screen real estate to discuss all this in one piece!
