Live Streaming Broadcasts and Twitter for Events a Must
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In our last blog we talked about how savvy marketers are opting for live streaming of video to make their events available to remote audiences, as well as giving their live and Internet audiences the ability to communicate with an event moderator via Twitter – otherwise known as live webcasting. This was exactly what Varvid did with Wistia, Contest Domination and other companies at the Video Marketing Explain-a-Thon held at the Hard Rock Café in downtown Seattle.
Varvid has been streaming events live for more than a decade, but what’s new as of late for a lot of our clients is the addition of combining Twitter to the online event video player – this way attendees can see the interactions they are having with the event host by using hashtags when they post on Twitter.
Varvid has been streaming events live for more than a decade.
This fact was brought to our attention in a recent blog written by Stephanie Clifford called A Front Row Seat via Video where she explains that “As more brands offer live videos of the shows, regular viewers see exactly what the buyers and editors are seeing, and influence what will be made by pausing on an outfit or posting Twitter messages about a particular style.”
In other words, the content at the shows can be discussed, influence viewers, and create trending conversations that are tracked and searchable by search engines (like Google).
The morale of the story: if you have an event you want people to engage in and develop a following with – leverage the expertise of a company that understands how to live stream events with an internet video broadcast, and host conversations with the audience via Twitter – these are connected events!
“Connected Events” use live video streaming to connect local attendees on the web
In today’s fast paced world where everyone is on a device and on the move, live video streaming for business and networking events is becoming strategic to event planners and event companies providing solutions for client events.
In a recent blog post written by Sandra O’Loughlin, Savvy Marketers Are Bringing Their Events to a Screen Near You, she declares that “events can be the stuff of great stories,” and some marketers “are taking the next chapter online.” So, if you are marketing your event you need to be able to stream live video.
Marketers are taking the next chapter online.
The ability to provide live video streaming is like having a live satellite broadcast on television, but instead live streamed via the Internet. This concept isn’t new, but when you consider that YouTube is the world’s second largest search engine and videos (live or recorded) are being watched everywhere online, it only makes sense that live streaming is becoming an integral part of marketing for events where not everyone can attend in person. Just as Netflix has become a fantastic online way to view top shelf Hollywood content – live streaming is a great way to deliver great event content. Ted Talks are a perfect example of expanding the reach of one’s event. (We LOVE Ted Talks, whether live or on demand!)
This powerful combination of video and live streaming is what Varvid is calling The Connected Event. In fact, a recent case study highlights how Virgin used video marketing to boost sales by 28.5%. It’s here to stay!
If you’d like to experience this in person or by live streaming video, you can register for an upcoming event called The Video Marketing Explain-A-Thon put on by Wistia at The Hard Rock Cafe in Seattle:
Wednesday, May 22, 2013
5:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Hard Rock Cafe – 116 Pike St Seattle, WA 98101
Varvid will be working in conjunction with the following participating companies to teach Event Planners, Marketing Professionals, Business Owners and Marketing Directors how to use video to market their businesses:
We’re very excited to be participating in this great educational event. Register if you want to attend.
It’s no Oscar, but we sure are happy to win!
For over twenty-seven years Mission Arlington has brought hope to the people in Arlington, Texas. One of the main forces behind the success of the mission is Tillie Burgin, Executive Director who works tirelessly helping to organize and oversee the various services Mission Arlington offers: health, dental, spiritual support, and crisis intervention.
When we have the opportunity to produce a film that shares the positive side of humanity – yeah we like that!
Because of the fine work Mission Arlington does within the community, they were recently selected to receive an “IT Makeover”, a not-for-profit technological makeover sponsored by Intel, HP, Microsoft, HTG Peer Groups, and Networking Solutions. The ‘IT Makeover’ team contacted Darrel Phipps, System Administrator for Mission Arlington, and asked, “If you had everything you needed as far as equipment and software to help continue the efforts of the mission, what might that entail?” Mr. Phipps was more than surprised when he found out that Mission Arlington had been selected for the complete IT Makeover.
Varvid, Inc. was asked to produce a video that would not only introduce Mission Arlington and the various services they provide, but setup the technological challenges they faced, and show specifically how the new donated computer equipment, servers, backup system, and various software programs would help ensure that the mission would continue its positive impact.
Michael Pearce, Creative Director at Varvid, Inc. directed and shot most of the scenes for the project. “It was an honor to meet someone like Tillie who gives her heart and soul to this worthy cause. This is one of those feel-good projects where people are recognized for their hard work in ways they had never dreamed possible. Intel, HP, Microsoft, HTG Peer Groups, and Networking Solutions all came together and provided everything Mission Arlington to continue their services to the community. Varvid works on a variety of projects that takes our crews to different parts of the world, highlighting various industries. When we have the opportunity to produce a film that shares the positive side of humanity – yeah we like that!”
Varvid was recently informed that the video had won an Honorable Mention – 2012 Strategic Video Award.
Technology’s Future, Webcasting and Varvid – It’s Friday, I’m in Love!
Webcasting — it’s one of the first services Varvid initially offered and it continues to be a cornerstone to our overall success. While most of our projects have us traveling to wonderful locations across the globe, we are pleased to be planning, preparing and testing for one right here our own backyard. On Friday, January 18th, we’ll produce and live stream Technology Alliance Group Northwest’s (TAGNW) Annual Predictions Luncheon from Syre Hall on the campus of Whatcom Community College. Living in Bellingham is wonderful and working in Bellingham is even better! We are honored to be part of what we expect to be a long running tradition.
Living in Bellingham is wonderful and working in Bellingham is even better!
The event and webcast gets underway around 11:45am with some formal introductions and organizational announcements. Once the formalities are out of the way, the program moves right into tech-savvy prognosticator Mark Anderson’s predictions and some Q&A until about 1:30 or so. After a little research, his ability to forecast the IT future is pretty darn good… he’s been right more than 90% of the time over the last 10 years!
There are a couple things that make this webcast really cool:
- You can participate via our live chat feature. So if you have questions, we’ll ask them on your behalf.
- This is a great way to save on travel costs and time away from the office.
- If you are not in Bellingham but would like to attend, no problem.
- We’ll be broadcasting in H.264. So, it’ll work on your mobile device.
If you’d like to be part of the audience, either live or virtually, contact the good folks at TAGNW and they’ll set you up. We’ll see you there or “there.”
Top 10 Predictions for 2013 & What It Means For Online Video
Mark Anderson
In a recent interview with NPR affiliate KPLU, tech guru Mark Anderson of Strategic News Services (SNS) shared his top 10 tech predictions of 2013. Published in his newsletter, these forecasts are aimed at providing cutting edge news for the computing and telecommunications industry – hey, that’s us!
Our Take On It. . .
First of all, Mark knows his stuff. . . over a 10-year period his accuracy rating is over 90%. Of his predictions for this year, one in particular will affect the way video and other digital media content is viewed on the web. His number one prediction, “Surface and slates and iPads and Kindle Fire and Nexus 10 and everything else that’s got a 7-inch screen plus or minus an inch or so, will be the biggest category of computing device.” That’s scary if your company isn’t doing anything to stay relevant in this growing digital atmosphere.
It is important, for anyone publishing content on the web, to know these devices are integrated inside and out with Google and Bing search capabilities. Why is this important? Decision makers across the board are searching for advice and insight online. As it turns out, more and more of this is taking place on tablets and mobile devices, increasing the importance of staying relevant and attractive on the web. One powerful and effective way in doing so is through video. In 2012, mobile video ads alone made up 33% of the average marketing budget – with 56% of consumer web traffic in 2012 being video, we can certainly see why!*
In the online landscape of uber-short attention spans, delivery is king!Most of us experience streaming video content on a daily basis – we get the concept and we see the value. The million dollar question we should be asking is not why video, but how? Simply put, it’s not just about creating video content. In the online landscape of uber-short attention spans, delivery is king! Flash has been replaced by HTML5, standard 4:3 aspect ratio is now glorious 16:9 widescreen! So we’ll ask again… how are YOU delivering your message? Is your video and digital media optimized for today’s mobile audience? It should be.
If you’d like to know and hear more on this topic, join us Friday, January 18, 2013 in the Syre Auditorium at Whatcom Community College. Varvid is honored to be a sponsor for the 2013 Predictions Luncheon featuring Mark Anderson.Visit the TAG website for more info:
http://www.tagnw.org/events?eventId=568722&EventViewMode=EventDetails
*source - Social Times: http://socialtimes.com/infographic-2012-online-video_b112645
Varvid is proud to support the Burned Children Recovery Foundation
Join us in supporting Camp Pheonix!
Varvid was asked to produce a ten-minute video for the Burned Children Recovery Foundation- Camp Phoenix. Each year Ryan Stiles hosts a celebrity golf tournament and gala auction to help raise funds. Camp Phoenix provides a safe and comfortable environment for children who have been severely burned. During camp these kids learn how to share their feelings, communicate with others and have fun at a place where they can just be kids. This event raised over $130,000 for the BCRF and Varvid was proud to lend a helping hand.
If you would like to donate to this worthy foundation click the link below:
Varvid Heaven: NAB Show 2012
Aaron, Mike Pearce and myself snuck away from the office for a few days to attend the NAB Show® (National Association of Broadcasters) in Vegas. Shot and edited this on my iPhone as more of an afterthought – was hoping to take a trip without actually shooting something, but the creative demon inside couldn’t help but capture some footage of all the shiny things on display. Some shaky camera work, but still fun to edit and produce right on my iPhone. Hopefully this will inspire some of you get that camera out and start shooting 
As for the show itself – amazing and overwhelming! This was a great chance for us to check out new innovations in the world of digital production, as well as meet and hang out with friends and peers from the many like-minded companies we work with everyday. NAB is the mecca for all digital media – content creation, consumption, distribution and management. Oh, and it’s big: 90,000+ media and entertainment professionals from over 150 countries – betta’ recognize!
Transformative technology comes together in one place for small business.
The Small Business Tour
- April 12, 2012
- Meydenbauer Center – Bellevue, WA
Learn about new concepts around Small Business 3.0 including money, growth, customers and people productivity with the latest technologies. The Time to Thrive Small Business Tour 2012 is where to be! Varvid will be webcasting live discussion panels with Microsoft, Intuit, Concur, Constant Contact, Corelytics, Rocketship, the SBA and more. The 12-city tour kicks off in Seattle on April 12. Check it out: www.TheSmallBusinessTour.com
Drew Graham with Michael Prebezac at Northwest Festivals and Events Convention & Expo at the Semiahoo Resort in Blaine, WA
Drew Graham from Varvid caught up with Michael Prebezac, President of Washington Festivals and Events Association, at the Northwest Festivals and Events Convention & Expo at the Semiahoo Resort in Blaine, WA to talk about the event, what it offers members, and it’s impact on the community. Attendees of the event can expect to come away with a vast amount of insider information (thanks to the great speakers and presenters), networking opportunities, an awesome trade show, and many more opportunities.
Windows 8 Beta (Consumer Preview) Step by Step Install
Step by Step tutorial showing an install of Windows 8 Beta (Consumer Preview - In real time)
This installation was done on a HP Elitebook 8560w with 16GB RAM and a Crucial M4 256GB SSD Drive. Quadcore Intel i7 15" portable workstation with 4 memory slots for low cost upgrade to 16GB RAM.
DOWNLOADS & IMPORTANT LINKS
- To download Windows 8 go here: http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows-8/download
- To get the Flash Drive (or DVD) install tool for using the ISO that you download - go here: http://www.microsoftstore.com/store/msstore/html/pbPage.Help_Win7_usbdvd_dwnTool
- To see reviews and prices at Amazon (best prices I've found) on Crucial SSD's (we're in the process of putting them in every computer in our company: http://amzn.to/crucialssds
To see more video from Tech Events and coverage of the IT Industry: http://www.varvid.tv
To learn more about Varvid's video services - http://www.varvid.com
