The COVID-19 outbreak has a huge impact on the event industry, especially due to the increased cancellation of events and fairs. Therefore, dealing with and postponing events is currently the top priority for all companies in and around the event industry.
Virtual event techniques are not new, but it can be challenging to create the required energy and engagement online. There are many possibilities: From webinars to web events to webcasts. But which solution fits your event best? We will provide you with clarity in this virtual jungle.
TL;DR The three categories (web meeting, web event and webcast) differ in participant and moderator capacity, as well as the ways in which they can interact during the event. The software and type of online event you choose depends on its characteristics (number of participants, moderators, interaction possibilities, etc.) and also on your individual requirements. When making your choice, you should be aware of all aspects of the event, before, during and after.
Many-to-Many (5 to 30 pax)
Few-to-Many (50 to 1’000 pax)
One-to-Many (from 1’000 pax)
The web meeting, also called a webinar, is an interactive meeting held over the web. Desktop content as well as recorded videos can be shared. At web meetings, everyone speaks to everyone else. Each participant has the same opportunities to participate in the event as in a regular meeting. Slide sharing and interactive participation via a chat and Q&A function is a standard feature of any web meeting software. In this overview we focus on solutions for commercial use.
Participants & presenters: Many-to-many (typically 5-30 participants)
Focus: Possibilities of interaction between all participants
Examples: Internal meetings (e.g. team meetings), online demonstrations or training, customer meetings, etc.
Suitable for you if: Simple and everyday web meetings with a maximum of 50 participants, where there should be an exchange between the moderator and the participants or the roles are not clearly separated. The possibility to share your own screen, but also chat and Q&A functions are in the foreground of every web meeting software.
Free:
Fee-based:
GoToMeeting Professional from LogMeIn:
The web event, also called online event, allows some selected moderators (usually 3-5 in number) to speak to a large number of participants. The focus is on the moderator and not on the visibility or contribution of the participants. This contribution should be made possible through interaction possibilities such as sharing documents, screens and text messages.
Participants & presenters: Few-to-Many (typically 20 to 1,000 participants)
Focus: Participants do not necessarily have to be able to share video/audio. Traditional: Presenters give speeches and give the floor to the guests at certain points.
Examples: Online events, classic in the range of 50 up to 1,000 participants, but these remain in the background and the focus is on the moderators. The possibility of collaboration, document sharing, multiple moderators and passive participants are integral parts of the web event software.
Suitable for you if: Any kind of event you want to carry out on a virtual level - from product launches, meetings, seminars and conferences to corporate events.
Free:
Fee-based:
Professional event solutions:
GoToMeeting Business from LogMeIn
GoToWebinar Enterprise from LogMeIn
Standard solutions:
Cisco Webex Meetings (business users)
GoToMeeting Professional from LogMeIn
GoToWebinar from LogMeIn
A webcast, also known as a video conference or live stream event, is relatively similar to a radio or television broadcast. However, it is a transmission streamed via the Internet. This means that a single source of content is broadcast simultaneously to many listeners or viewers. In addition, there is the possibility of interaction with participants, whereby there is an overlap with the so-called web event or online event. However, since the integration is limited to the chat or Q&A function due to the high number of participants, it is still called a webcast.
Participants: One-to-Many (typically from 1,000 participants)
Presenters: <= 5 moderators
Focus: For large events and conferences
Examples: General Assembly, product presentations, press conferences, forums such as the Swiss Economic Forum or Swiss Innovation Forum, etc.
Suitable for you if: Webcasts or large events with content that is broadcast simultaneously to many viewers. A larger volume presents challenges and requires correspondingly higher preparation and organization costs.
Free:
Fee-based:
Cisco Webex Events and Webcasting
meetyoo conferencing - meetyoo-Webcast
As you can see, every webmeeting, web event or webcast solution has its own characteristics and characteristics. Depending on your search there are different (software) options: from a free basic tool to a professional high-end product. When making your choice, you should be aware of all aspects of the event, tasks - before, during and after. You will find an overview in the following visualization:
There is much more behind a professional virtual event than just the technology. Steps such as guest management, event communication (invitation, agenda, etc. or the registration,) are just as important parts of the entire organisational process. Event marketing, subsequent event analysis and potential follow-up and feedback processes must not be neglected either.
evenito supports you before, during and after the online event. With various functionalities you can set up your next virtual event professionally, easily and completely tailored to your needs. Click below to find out more!
