Businesses today face a growing number of challenges related to reducing costs and increasing market share while connecting a mobile and often decentralized workforce. From marketing and sales departments to human resources divisions, everyone is looking for a way to share content in a way that is cost effective and compelling.

How Webcasts Work

Webcast content can include video, audio, Power Point (or other presentation software) alone or in any combination. Webcasting will reach audiences in numerous locations as a live event, allowing for real time interaction, but can also be archived and viewed later as "on-demand" content. In short, webcasting is like being able to broadcast your own television show; a show that you have complete control over.

Webcasting also allows for measurement. Detailed reporting will confirm who registers, who attends, where attendees are logging in from, and when content is viewed after initial presentation.

Perhaps most importantly, webcasting eliminates the need for costly travel without sacrificing the ability to create a personal connection or encourage participation. This can be a deal breaker when your audience has questions or if your content requires detailed instruction or a demonstration.

How Can Your Company Benefit From Webcasting?

Edify Multimedia Group has created successful webcasts for a variety of businesses, and we are confident that there are at least four types of webcasts that every business can benefit from.

1. Training

Employee training and workshops are faster, easier, and more cost effective when accomplished through webcasting. You have all the advantages of one-on-one communication, with the added benefit of future access to those training sessions. Webcasting will allow you to include employees across all your branches at the same time without the time and money needed for travel. And if coordinating schedules is your greatest challenge, on-demand viewing will ensure that everyone learns the same material in the same way, in their own time.

2. Corporate Communications

Whether you need to address stockholders, employees, or the general public, webcasting is the perfect platform for communicating business information internally or externally. A simple webcast might include a single speaker in their office or at a company meeting, while a more robust scenario might involve transforming a room in your facility into a temporary studio. Check out how Edify transforms this cafeteria into a studio for a webcast project.

3. Sales - Marketing

Sales and marketing departments love webcasting because it provides outstanding and easy to measure ROI. Product launches and demonstrations are easier and more consistent when a single demonstration can be integrated into a variety of interactive presentations that allow for real time communication.

Global companies can use webcasts as an inexpensive alternative to televised broadcasting in order to reach emerging markets. In fact, internet usage is growing faster than television in many developing countries, giving webcast content a distinct edge or traditional broadcasting. Many companies are successfully using webcasting for video blogs or web shows that drive engagement for a specific product or service.

4. Live Events

Live events provide another opportunity to share an important occasion with a widespread audience. Company events can be easily shared with all branches and divisions. From awards to quarterly sales meetings, webcasting ensures that all of your employees can participate without the need for extended travel.

Webcasts are also a great idea for organizations that want to share entertainment or speaking events. The Boston University Symphony "Behind the Scenes" webcast provided a rare glimpse into the world of the symphonic orchestra, engaging audiences while driving attendance to performances.

Tedx at the Amoskeg Millyard webcast their Mindset 2013 seminar in order to reach a wider audience with a powerful message about disadvantaged children in the public school systems.

It's Not Complicated

Webcasting provides a variety of benefits for businesses. Webcasts are cost effective, promote interaction, can take place in real time, can be archived, provide measurable ROI, and can reach audiences across multiple locations. But perhaps the best thing about webcasting is that it is not a complicated process. A good webcast production team will work with an organization from planning to live production to post event management.

The best way to for you to use a webcast will depend on your business needs, your product, and your service. You can plan a full-out live event or a simple presentation with video and PowerPoint slides. Either way, your company will soon realize that webcasting is one of the most powerful communication tools available today.