Tips and tricks: using video for events

Do you look around you in a waiting room or on the train? Then you see that people consume endless amounts of videos on their smartphones. On Facebook alone, no less than 8 billion videos are viewed daily. This offers opportunities for event marketing. In this article, we provide tips and tricks for successfully using video for your event.

Why use video for events?

Video contributes to the success and experience of your event in multiple ways. Before the event, you stimulate potential visitors, for example with short clips in which speakers already lift a corner of the veil. During an event, you reach a large audience with a live video stream. And a good aftermovie is already great marketing material for the next event. A few tips and tricks for maximum effect:

#1 Think of your target group

Before you start making videos, it is important to think about what your target audience finds interesting. What really appeals to them? And how do you show that your event is relevant to them? Take this into account for both the visual and content aspect of your videos.

#2 Do what you can yourself and hire professionals for the rest

With a smartphone in hand, everyone is a cameraman, right? No, not quite. Of course, you can do a lot yourself. Think of short videos or live vlogs. This is personal and inexpensive. If you want a smooth-running livestream or a flashy aftermovie, it is wise to hire professionals. They deliver − if all goes well – top quality in terms of image, light, and sound.

After movie Entree Awards 2019 from Theater Amsterdam on Vimeo.

#3 Dare to think out of the box

So much is possible with video. Work with a special story or format, use drones, have special music composed, or use fun animations. This results in videos that really catch the eye.

#4 Keep it short and catchy

The right length of a video depends on the channel on which you publish. On social media, viewers often drop off quickly, and 25 to 30 seconds is considered ideal. An event video on your own site can be longer, but still preferably not more than 1 minute.

#5 Don't forget the call to action

Videos shot, edited, and ready for publication? Don't forget to add a call to action. Do you want viewers to purchase a ticket, sign up for the newsletter, or start following your organization on social media? Make that clear, for example at the end of your video or in the text below it.

#6 Distribute the videos through the right channels

The beauty of videos: you can distribute them in countless ways. For example, via your social media channels on Facebook, LinkedIn, or Instagram, on video platforms like YouTube, on your own site, in your newsletter, or by email. Naturally, you choose channels and platforms where your target group can be found.

#7 Make videos discoverable

Make sure your event videos can be found on social media. You do this, among other things, by adding a description. And it helps if you invite people to rate the videos and give feedback. Who knows, a lively discussion might arise, and the event will simply continue online!

#8 Social sharing

Finally, if #6 and #7 are well set up, you naturally want your video to go viral. Through likes, shares, and comments, you ensure that your video rises higher in the search results and you create maximum reach.

Organizing an event at Theater Amsterdam? We would love to brainstorm with you. Feel free to contact us without obligation.