Get your message out there. We’ll make sure the audience can see and hear you. We’ll show you the difference between webcasting, webinars, podcasts and the like. With years of experience and hundreds of webcasts and webinars under our belt, we can help you improve and modernize your communication strategy, expanding your reach to audiences well beyond the onsite venue.
Which communication technology is best suited to your needs? Although many people use the terms interchangeably, there are some basic differences between them. Here’s a look at the different technologies, and their generally accepted definitions:
Webcasting, Webinars, Live Streaming and Podcasts
All of these are examples of streaming, or broadcasting, over the internet. The main use of these technologies is to make the information available to a much wider audience, expanding beyond that of the physical space and timeframe of the initial event. The differences between each lie in the type of media each typically streams, whether it’s live or on demand, and whether it’s a single event or part of a series.
Webcasting
Webcasting typically involves a rich media experience, where video is being streamed with synchronized audio and presentation slides. Webcasting is commonly used for public and private sector presentations, as webcasting allows presenters to send video, audio, synchronized presentations to users located anywhere in the world with sufficient internet connectivity to download the stream via computer, tablet or mobile device. Participants of the webcast can collaborate and communicate with each other and the host site/presenter via a built in chat feature. Webcasts are typically broadcast live, but can also be recorded and posted as an archive for future view-on-demand reference.
Webinars
Webinars are very similar to webcasts, except that a webinar will typically consist of audio with synchronized presentation slides and a chat feature (no video). As is the case with a webcast, a webinar can be recorded and viewed later as a view-on-demand archive. A webinar is a very popular method of webcasting that is slightly cheaper to produce, since no cameras or operators are required.
Live Streaming
Live Streaming is essentially a form of webcasting that streams video and audio in a live broadcast over the internet. This term is typically used to describe the internet broadcasting of live entertainment/sporting events. These streams often incorporate social media feeds as well, as a means of promoting awareness and collaboration surrounding the event. Many live streaming events are coupled with a paywall, to create a pay-per-view webcasting / live streaming event. This generates revenue from the live streaming event that not only offsets the cost of live streaming, but also enables the event sponsor/producer to profit from the experience.
Podcasting
Podcasting typically refers to media being streamed over the internet (audio, video, or files) in a distributed fashion as part of a series. Typical users subscribe to and download the event(s). This is similar to webcasting, except that the series may be released in a batch, have multiple pieces of media as user-selectable components available for download, and be available on a subscription basis and/or through membership.
Sample: Live Media Webcasting
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The Benefits of Webcasting
Webcasting has significant benefits to your organization, from cost savings to searchable content. Here’s a look at some of the most common advantages:
Webcasting increases your potential audience size. By webcasting your event, you are no longer limited by the number of seats in the physical venue. Viewers can watch from anywhere in the world, provided they have sufficient bandwidth. This is extremely valuable, enabling participation to those who are unable to attend the event in person. Live Media’s webcasting services can deliver your event to that virtual audience with ease.
Webcasts and webinars extend the return on investment in your onsite meeting. Having gone to the trouble and expense of setting up your meeting, you can then utilize webcasting or a webinar to increase awareness, promotion and participation by those outside the venue. In addition, you can use the recorded webcast or webinar as a view-on-demand archive after the event adding the value of longevity to it. Live Media can easily plug in to your existing AV services (audio, presentation slides) and take your event live to the web. Or, we can supply the AV package as well, simplifying your planning and procurement processes.
Webcasting and webinars are good for the environment. Organizations with a ‘green print strategy’ utilize webcasting as an effective method to reduce the amount of paper used. Live Media has worked closely with many government organizations, helping them both meet and green their communication objective.
Webcasting saves you time and costs associated with travel. Large organizations use webcasting to reach larger audiences over time. Live Media serves many private and public sector organizations that have a mandate to reach more people than is sometimes economically viable in a fiscal term. Live Media enables these organizations to connect with staff and stakeholders throughout the year via webcasts and webinars, reaching considerably larger audiences without the added costs associated with travel.
