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How to Pick the Right Tools for Your Next Virtual Event

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Since the pandemic, more organizations are looking to virtual and hybrid solutions to replace large-scale, in-person events. Communicating virtually opens the doors for organizations to create corporate town halls, trade shows, shareholder meetings, time-sensitive training sessions and conferences.

We want to make sure that whatever your goal may be, that your virtual event is professional and polished. From generating sales leads, converting leads to customers, or just staying connected with shareholders, we have the tools to make your webcast goals a reality.

If you are operating with outdated teleconferencing software, these needs are probably going unmet. In today’s virtual environment, audiences expect the highest quality audio and video, as well as an issue-free and engaging experience.

Are you ready to host a seamless virtual event? Then choosing the right technology is step one. But before you choose a dedicated tool for your online events, make sure you think about the following questions.

Identify the Type of Virtual Event you are Hosting

Choosing the right tools for your virtual event can only happen once you have thought through some other key details. The number of attendees you plan to reach, the overall purpose of your event as well as the content can all play a part in choosing the right webcasting platform. You might even need to go back to basics and truly understand the term “webcast” and what it means for your event.

Simply defined, a webcast is an online event that streams audio, video, and often still images (such as slides) to audiences of any size anywhere in the globe. Serving many purposes, webcasts can bring audiences together virtually for:

  • Companywide town halls
  • Corporate communications and sales
  • Marketing and public relations
  • Onboarding and training
  • Human resource and employee benefits communications
  • Shareholder and investor meetings
  • Disaster/crisis communications

Know the Security Features You Must Have for Your Webcast

No matter the kind of event you’re hosting, enterprise-grade security is a top priority to protect your organization’s network and any proprietary information potentially shared during the event. The information of your event attendees should also be a consideration, ensuring that their private data stays secure in the log in process.

Here are some of the enterprise-grade security features required of webcasting tools:

  • Gated audience access
  • Login authentication
  • Password protection

Weigh Your Options Between a Fully Managed and Hosted Virtual Event

There are three main service levels when it comes to webcast tools: self-service, self-service with live event assistance, and fully managed service. Not every event, even if the organizer is the same, will required the same level of service.

For example, corporate trainings or department meetings will typically operate successfully without outside management, if the platform is easy to control and use. A hybrid service level is also an option, where solution providers offer training and are available to help as needed. This is a great option for several different types of events.

When your event is large-scale, however, and needs to reach outside audiences (like sales leads or investors), an experienced production management team might be the right call to handle each element of your webcast. This type of fully managed and hosted services take care of all the behind-the-scenes technology and let you focus on the event content.

This type of fully managed and hosted service can help put your mind at ease during a high-intensity webcast.

For more information on how to choose a dedicated tool for your next webcast, contact us today.


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Before you jump into virtual events planning, make sure you know the right questions to ask of your webcast platform! Here is a great roundup of questions to get you started: [link to partner blog] #PGiPartners #PGiConnect