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What is a webcast? Use Cases and Advantages

Webcast definition: What exactly is it? We give you the best overview in the following article.

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Visual perception is of particular importance to humans and shapes their sensory impression of the environment. At events and trade fairs, visual stimuli consist of shapes and colors as well as the prevailing lighting. Therefore, it is especially important for organizers to deal with the psychological and biological aspects of human visual perception and to use them for the design of a booth or event.

One of these formats are webcasts. They offer the possibility to communicate certain content efficiently via the Internet not, only auditorily, but also visually.


Webcast definition: what exactly is it?

A webcast is a live broadcast of a meeting, online or hybrid event from the speakers or an on-site presentation to a much larger online audience via the Internet. It is essentially a one-way broadcast with little to no interaction between the online audience and the host.


How can a company use the format to convey targeted information to its own target group?

Give your audience an immersive virtual experience available anywhere, live and on-demand on a Mac, PC, smartphone or tablet - at a fraction of the cost.

By recording your web or broadcast, you ensure that your content can be reused and accessed long after it has a ired (for example, as valuable marketing material across other channels or for innovative new hires).

The direct connection of the webcast software to the video content management system (video CMS) facilitates the further use and management of your video assets. The following table is intended to provide an overview of this.


An overview of the different formats webcast, webinar and livestream

Webcast vs. webinar/conferences


Conferences and live webinars tend to be designed for small groups of people up to 250 participants. With large numbers of participants, the ability to use a camera or microphone can quickly lead to chaos. Thus, the webcast is primarily without interaction compared to webinars / conferences.

Essentially, a webcast follows the motto that a presentation is followed by a livestream with any number of participants (so-called one to many communication).

This distinguishes a webcast, for example, from a video conference, where all participants take part in a conversation and interactivity is naturally much higher this way.

Moreover, a fixed broadcast follows a well-structured flow in advance. The course of a webinar/conference can depend on the behavior and wishes of the participants. Both formats can be made available afterwards via a video platform as video on demand .

Webinar software can help automate manual processes.


Difference between webcast and webinar.

Webcast vs. livestream


Especially for influencers, livestreaming has become an attractive format in recent years. Both individuals and brands use social media platforms like YouTube or Instagram to reach their audience, usually streaming live video from a smartphone camera with ease. Audience engagement with the audience is often the main focus.

Special feature of live streaming: broadcasts are publicly accessible to everyone via the corresponding live streaming platform.

Webcasts are ideal for broadcasting events such as professional conferences or business events to reach the widest possible audience. The webcast can then be streamed simultaneously on one or more websites, platforms such as social media or YouTube with a multi-channel strategy.

Customized webinar software


What are the application scenarios?


The scenarios are diverse and go far beyond simple content streaming. Therefore, webcasts are becoming increasingly popular and offer a cost-effective and efficient communication tool.

The format is also suitable as a tool for internal or external corporate communication.


However, webcasts can not only effectively increase the reach of events or meetings, but also reduce accommodation and travel costs in the long term. Listeners and participants no longer have to travel to an (expensive) local location, they can simply follow the event live - live and digitally via PC or smartphone.


Possible application scenarios of webcasts are:

  • Live events and conference software
  • Technical interviews
  • Exhibition films/ product demos
  • Lectures and videos
  • Product Launch/ Company Updates
  • User Group Meeting
  • Trainings/ Trainings



Tips for a successful webcast

  • Make sure you have good technical equipment
  • Create a high quality presentation

- Define clear goals and strategy already before the event

- Appropriate equipment for production such as microphones and a camera (but not as extensive as for a livestream

- Preparation is the key

- Follow-up mail after the event

- Variety increases the interest of participants and lowers dropout rates, e.g. through expert interviews and trade fair films


Advantages of a webcast

- High reach through digital broadcasting / possibility to access content regardless of location

- Integration possibilities of the corporate design

- Long term use

- Easy access

- Ideal for remote workers

- Low costs, since the location as well as an extensive direction are not necessary

- Qualitative content despite "small" effort

- Environmental impact is low

- Resource-saving, as no travel expenses, catering, etc.

- Can support event marketing

- Generate leads and awareness

- Explain complex topics for a specific target group

Pro Tip: Look for web-based platforms, as these can be used by anyone

Features between Free and Paid Hosting.

Conclusion


With webcast you can cover the whole world live. If a prospect is unable to watch your live webcast, it can be accessed at any time later if desired.

With webcasts, there are no long travel times and high transportation costs. So each of your key audiences can attend your event easily and cost-effectively. And with fewer trips, your carbon footprint is also reduced.

Webcasts are a great way to deliver on-demand events, to attendees anywhere in the world and in different languages, either as an online archive or video platform.

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