Several years ago, I helped launch a new outdoor event. The opening ceremony attended by local dignitaries featured a battery of drummers who started their performance offsite. Roving cameras picked up their movements and broadcast it to the screen on stage. About half an hour before the start of the event, I overheard the AV technicians telling each other the venue had left the high-speed internet on. My immediate thought was to take the event hybrid. So dear reader, here’s my question to you. If you were in my situation, would you

A) Play safe and stick to the original plan without streaming the opening ceremony on social media, or

B) Go for it and not waste the opportunity, even though this was not planned or tested?

What did I do? The answers’ at the bottom of the newsletter.

This week's topic is about going hybrid. Let's face it - these days, adding a digital component to our live events isn't just a nice-to-have, it's become a must-have. No matter if you're putting together a cozy workshop or orchestrating a sprawling conference, the streaming platform you choose can really make or break your event.

In this edition, we're going to take a good look at some crowd favorites like Facebook Live, YouTube, Zoom, Vimeo Livestream, and StreamYard. We'll weigh up things like how user-friendly they are, what they'll cost you, how they can work for your sponsors, ways to make money, and tools to keep your audience glued to their screens.

To help you sort through all this, I've whipped up a worksheet to go along with the article. So, let's roll up our sleeves and dig into the world of streaming platforms - by the end, you'll be all set to make smart choices for your next hybrid event.

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A Comprehensive Guide to Facebook Live, YouTube, Zoom, Vimeo Livestream, and StreamYard

Since Covid, I don't think I have come across an event that didn't have a streaming element somewhere. We're all doing it one way or another, whether we're live streaming an event on Facebook, or recording a workshop for attendees to view post-event. But which platform should we use? Now that's the chicken and the egg question. It boils down to, a couple of questions: What are you using it for? Who is watching and are they paying for it? How tech-savvy is your team? And don't forget, what's your budget?

In this article, we'll look at five popular options: Facebook Live, YouTube, Zoom, Vimeo Livestream, and StreamYard. I'll walk you through their ease of use, cost, benefits to sponsors, monetization options, audience engagement tools, analytics, and potential for extending your event's lifespan.

Facebook Live: The Social Media Staple

Let's kick off with the platform that's probably already part of your marketing strategy. Facebook Live is a no-brainer if your audience is already hanging out on Facebook.

Ease of use? It's as simple as posting a status update. Cost? Free as a bird. Your tech-challenged team members will breathe a sigh of relief.

For sponsors, Facebook Live offers branded content tags and product showcases during streams. When it comes to monetization, Facebook recently introduced paid online events, allowing you to sell tickets directly on the platform. This feature lets you create, promote, and collect payment for your virtual events all in one place. It's worth noting that Facebook has waived fees for paid online events in many regions until 2023, making it an attractive option. As a secondary monetization stream, you can also use Facebook's Stars system, where viewers can purchase and send virtual gifts during your stream.

Engagement is where Facebook shines. Real-time comments, reactions, and shares create a buzzing atmosphere. You'll get basic analytics like peak viewership and engagement rates. Post-event, your video lives on, ready for more eyes and more engagement.

YouTube: The Video Veteran

Next up, YouTube. If you're already creating video content, this platform feels like home. It's free to stream, but mobile streaming requires a certain subscriber count - something to keep in mind if you're just starting out.

Sponsors will love the overlay ads and product placement opportunities. YouTube offers a few options for monetizing your live events. Their primary ticketing feature is through Channel Memberships, where you can offer exclusive live streams to paying subscribers. For one-off events, you can use YouTube's integration with third-party ticketing providers to sell access to your streams. Additionally, for extra revenue during the event, you can enable Super Chat and Super Stickers for viewer donations during live streams.

YouTube's live chat and polling features keep your audience involved. The analytics are top-notch, giving you the lowdown on viewer demographics and retention rates. After your event, your content stays put, potentially drawing in new viewers for months to come.

Zoom: The Business World's Darling

We've all become Zoom experts, haven't we? It's user-friendly for basic use, but some of the advanced features might require a bit of learning. Cost-wise, you're looking at US$159.90/year* for the Pro plan - not pocket change, but potentially worth it for longer or more complex events.

Sponsors can get creative with custom virtual backgrounds and participant spotlighting. Zoom's approach to monetization is straightforward with its paid webinar feature. This allows you to charge attendees for access to your event, handling both registration and payment processing. You can set different price points for various ticket types, offering flexibility for different audience segments or levels of access. While not as seamless as some dedicated event platforms, it's a solid option for business-oriented events.

Zoom shines with engagement tools like polls, Q&A sessions, and breakout rooms. You'll get solid analytics on attendance and engagement. Post-event, you can share or repurpose recordings, though they won't have the same discoverability as on public platforms.

Vimeo Livestream: The Quality King

If you're after a more polished, professional look, Vimeo Livestream might be your go-to. It's a bit more complex to use, but the quality is top-notch. Pricing starts at US$65/month*, billed annually - not the cheapest option, but you get what you pay for.

Sponsors will appreciate the custom branding and graphics options. Vimeo Livestream shines when it comes to monetization options. Their platform offers robust pay-per-view and subscription models, allowing you to easily set up ticketed events. You can create custom branded pages for your events, set your own prices, and even offer promo codes. This makes it an excellent choice for those looking to create premium, monetized live experiences.

Vimeo offers great engagement features like Q&A and polls. The analytics are comprehensive, covering everything from viewer behavior to streaming quality. Your content stays hosted on the platform post-event, continuing to provide value.

StreamYard: The Swiss Army Knife of Streaming

Last but not least, StreamYard. This browser-based streaming studio is gaining traction fast. It's designed to be user-friendly and lets you stream to multiple platforms at once. Pricing starts at US$39/month for the Professional plan - a sweet spot for many event organizers.

Sponsors will love the ability to display logos, banners, and overlays during your stream. StreamYard itself doesn't offer direct monetization features like ticketing. However, it integrates well with other platforms that do. For instance, you could use StreamYard to broadcast to a private YouTube stream or a Zoom webinar, both of which allow for ticketed access. While this requires a bit more setup, it gives you the flexibility to use StreamYard's production features while still monetizing your event through ticketing on your chosen platform.

StreamYard makes it easy to bring guests into your stream and display on-screen comments. While it doesn't provide its own analytics, it plays nice with the analytics of the platforms you're streaming to. The afterlife of your event depends on where you choose to broadcast.

So, there you have it - five platforms, each with its own strengths and quirks. The right choice? That depends on you, your event, and your audience. My advice? Take these platforms for a test drive. Run some practice streams, play with the features, and see which one feels right for your next event. Your perfect streaming solution is out there - now go find it and make your next hybrid event unforgettable!

Note: *The prices listed in this article were accurate as of the publication date and are subject to change.

To help you compare these platforms at a glance, I've put together this handy comparison chart:

Streaming Platform Selection Workbook for Event Planners

Now that you've read about the various streaming platforms available for hybrid events, use this workbook to help determine which platform might be the best fit for your specific event needs. Answer the following questions to gain clarity on your requirements.

1. Event Type:

 □ Conference

 □ Workshop

 □ Webinar

 □ Live Performance

 □ Other: ____________

2. Streaming Scope:

 □ Entire event

 □ Specific sessions only

 □ Keynote addresses only

 □ Other: ____________

3. Event Duration:

 □ Less than 2 hours

 □ 2-4 hours

 □ Full day

 □ Multiple days

4. Audience Size (expected):

 □ Less than 100

 □ 100-500

 □ 500-1000

 □ 1000+

5. Is this a paid event?

 □ Yes

 □ No

 □ Freemium (some content free, some paid)

6. Do you need ticketing integration?

 □ Yes

 □ No

7. Audience Engagement Requirements (check all that apply):

 □ Live chat

 □ Q&A sessions

 □ Polls

 □ Breakout rooms

 □ Other: ____________

8. Sponsorship Requirements:

 □ Display sponsor logos/banners

 □ Ability to spotlight sponsors

 □ Product showcases

 □ Other: ____________

9. Post-Event Content Plans:

 □ Make recordings available on-demand

 □ Use content for marketing future events

 □ Repurpose content for other channels

 □ No plans for post-event content

10. Technical Expertise of Your Team:

 □ Beginner (prefer simple, user-friendly platforms)

 □ Intermediate (comfortable with some technical aspects)

 □ Advanced (can handle complex setups)

11. Budget for Streaming Platform:

 □ No budget (need free options)

 □ Less than $100/month

 □ $100-$500/month

 □ $500+/month

12. Analytics Needs:

 □ Basic (views, engagement rates)

 □ Intermediate (audience demographics, retention rates)

 □ Advanced (comprehensive viewer behavior, quality of experience)

13. Integration with Existing Tools:

 Do you need the platform to integrate with any existing tools or systems? (e.g., CRM, marketing automation, etc.)

 □ Yes (please specify: ____________)

 □ No

14. Importance of Brand Customization:

 □ Not important

 □ Somewhat important

 □ Very important

15. Geographic Considerations:

 Will your audience be primarily:

 □ Local

 □ National

 □ International

After answering these questions, refer back to the platform comparison in the article. Look for the platform(s) that best match your needs based on your answers. Remember, you may find that a combination of platforms works best for your event.

What’s Next?

1. Identify the top 2-3 platforms that seem to fit your needs.

2. Sign up for free trials or demos of these platforms.

3. Test the platforms with a small team to assess ease of use and features.

4. Make your final decision based on this hands-on experience and the information provided in the article.

Last minute hybrid solution. What did you decide?

A) Play safe and stick to the original plan without streaming the opening ceremony on social media, or

B) Go for it and not waste the opportunity, despite the fact that this was not planned or tested?

Drop me a line in the comments below and let me know.

What did I do? I decided to go for it. We streamed the opening ceremony live on Facebook. Since the event was new, we didn't expect a huge online audience, so if something went awry, it wouldn't have been a disaster. Fortunately, everything went smoothly, and we ended up with great footage on Facebook that we could use to generate buzz on social media. It was a risk that paid off, giving us valuable content and experience for future events.

Thanks for reading, and I hope this edition of Event Pulse helps you make confident decisions about streaming your next event. Until next time, keep innovating and adapting in the ever-changing world of events!

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