Checklist for the ultimate webcast

76% of all Dutch listed companies webcast the presentation of their annual figures. For AEX companies this percentage is even 100%. Webcasting analyst meetings and even the AGM is a trend for 2007. How to turn a simple video into a successful webcast?
We will provide you with 17 useful tips.

A webcast is a (live) video of a corporate event that is being broadcast on your website. With help of Company Webcast we have created a checklist to improve the following elements of your webcasts:

• Usability
• Technique
• Extra features

Optimal webcast usability

• Make sure the webcast player matches your house style and is embedded in your website
• Indicate the length of the webcast in minutes and mention the number of slides of the PowerPoint presentation
• Provide an index within the archived webcast. This way the visitor can easily skip to the part that is of interest to him:
  • Provide a clear overview of all parts of the webcast
  • Indicate the length of each part
  • As the Q & A usually is long, index the separate questions
• Allow viewers to leaf through the slides during the presentation, while the video continues
• Do not forget the Q & A! It is often considered the most interesting part of the presentation and it lasts the longest

Technical issues

• Offer the choice between a narrow band and broad band connection. Or check the connection speed automatically
• Use multiple camera angles to avoid ‘talking heads’. Show the public and zoom in on the speaker
• Make sure the indexed (archived) webcast is available as soon as possible after the live webcast. Preferably within 15 minutes, or even during the live webcast

Extra service to your viewers

• Provide additional information on the speakers: a picture and a link to a bio
• Do not oblige visitor to register before viewing the webcast, this is not user-friendly. Do you have to? Then only ask little personal data. Or use registering only for analyst webcasts, not for public presentations
• Provide additional options within the webcast:
  • Send to a friend
  • Download slides
  • Bookmark the presentation
  • Download in MP3 format
  • Download the Vodcast
• Stimulate interaction:
  • Allow viewers to ‘ask a question’
  • Provide in-between polls
  • Offer a chat functionality
• Preferably, offer the webcast bi-lingual. If an interpreter is present, the webcast viewer should be able to choose the translation

A reliable partner

• Choose a reliable partner for the technique:
  • Are there references?
  • Is this party flexible to your needs?
  • Can the webcast be embedded in your own website
• When preparing the webcast, go through the following phases with your webcast supplier:

1. Test phase: one week before the event
2. Pre live phase: ten minutes before start. Check the room shot and go through the slides
3. Live webcast
4. Waiting for archived version (preferably as short as possible)
5. Phase of creating the archived and indexed version

• Make sure the supplier allows you to gain an insight into the statistics:
  • Number of viewers 
  • Country of origin of the viewers
  • Percentage of narrowband and broadband
  • Possible drop out of viewers

And finally…

• Consider using webcasts for more than just financial presentations. Think of:
  • CEO interview
  • Internal communications
  • Product presentations
  • Job market communications
  • Training and education

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