Providing a live stream is a top priority for many marketers—and for good reason. Real-time videos captivate audiences by creating the feeling of exclusivity and immediacy, giving viewers the impression that they are among the first to witness an event. Companies like Apple exemplify the power of live streaming by showcasing their product launches in real time.
Live streaming has the potential to elevate your video marketing by fostering deeper engagement. However, many marketers hesitate to dive in due to the challenge of delivering high-quality video and creating an interactive online experience that keeps viewers engaged before, during, and after the event.
OVERCOMING THE CHALLENGES OF LIVE EVENTS
As daunting as it may seem, don’t let these challenges hold you back. With our Live Event Template, you can easily manage live streams and create engaging video experiences for their target audiences. Integrated into Brightcove Gallery, this user-friendly template empowers marketers and PR professionals to promote and stream live events without the need for dedicated IT support.
Further, our live streaming solution enables simple live event setup and streaming across web platforms and iOS/Android devices. This combination puts marketers in full control of real-time events, enhancing engagement and supporting additional marketing activities beyond the event itself. The template also promotes audience interaction through scheduling tools, social media integration, and pre- and post-event chat. Sponsorship features within the video player and event page allow for monetization through calls to action and ad placements.
Here’s how you can take your live streaming events to the next level with three key strategies.
1. GET ATTENTION EARLY WITH A PRE-EVENT SIT
It’s crucial to create a dedicated destination for your live stream before the event. If you wait until the day of the event to build your site, you’ll need to manage all promotions and integrations in real time, which can be overwhelming. A pre-event site simplifies this process, allowing you to focus your resources on delivering the event itself.
The Live Event Template makes setting up a pre-event page quick and easy. This page serves as a hub to promote your event early, offering features like a countdown clock, event calendar downloads, and lead capture widgets. These tools help you collect information about your audience and generate social media buzz. By engaging potential viewers before the event, you turn them into leads and build excitement around the live stream.
2. DELIVER A HIGH-QUALITY, INTERACTIVE LIVE EVENT PAGE
Once the event begins, the live stream experience needs to be seamless and captivating. A high-quality live stream page should include:
- Large, responsive video players that adapt to mobile devices and deliver high-definition streams. The better the viewing experience, the more likely your audience will stay engaged.
- Interactive social features such as live chat and Twitter integration to foster a sense of community among viewers. By allowing viewers to interact with each other in real time, you create an engaging, shared experience that adds value to the event.
The Live Event Template makes it easy to incorporate these elements. It also includes a mini video player that follows viewers as they scroll down the page, ensuring they never lose sight of the event. This dynamic setup keeps the focus on your content and maximizes audience engagement.
3. BOOST ROI WITH A POST-EVENT DESTINATION PAGE
The impact of your event shouldn’t end when the live stream does. Without a recap, many who missed the live event might never know it happened. A post-event video page ensures that your efforts continue to pay off.
Using the Live Event Template, you can quickly create an archive page featuring highlight clips, calls to action, and tools to attract new visitors. This page allows you to maintain audience interest, strengthen brand connections, and drive additional business outcomes. For instance, you can encourage visitors to sign up for newsletters, register for future events, or explore related content.
REAL-WORLD SUCCESS: SILVERLINE GLOBAL
Silverline Global, a leader in sponsored media activation for endurance events, used the Live Event Template to deliver a seamless live streaming experience. According to Co-Founder and President Holden Comeau:
“We recently used the Brightcove Gallery Live Event Template for an event where we needed to move quickly. We were able to deliver a great product and experience while keeping costs reasonable for the event.”
Silverline’s targeted live event reached its audience of athletes and fans effectively. By creating a video destination site featuring event highlights, they continued to engage their audience and extend the value of their efforts.
Are you ready to host a live event? Give the Live Event Template a try and ensure your event’s success from start to finish.
