Going Viral – Harnessing the Power of Web Video for Event Promotion
Video over the Web is nothing new. With the advent of YouTube and the ever-growing trend of “reality” TV, using video to push a message to the masses has gained worldwide appeal. If you think there is a need for viral video as a way to promote your next event, you may want to consider these ideas.
Pre-conference Shorts
Ask presenters to provide a short video clip that outlines what they’ll be presenting. Upload the videos to YouTube and post links from your site directly to these clips.
Skype Interviews
Prior to the event, use Skype and a Skype video capture program for capturing interview footage with your presenters. Post the videos to your Web site to help promote the event.
Event Venue Videos
Acquire video footage of the event venue and post it on YouTube, iTunes and your own Web site.
Stream the Event
While hosting the event, broadcast a live stream of the keynote presentations through your site. This can also provide two forms of revenue: First, provide a secure login that can be purchased at a reduced price for Web attendees. Secondarily, you can find corporate sponsorship to help underwrite the streaming and bandwidth costs.
Streamed Interviews
During the event, interview speakers and attendees and stream them live through your site. You can also archive these interviews and utilize them, with permission, as testimonials.
