How to Design a Webcast

Webcasting is broadcasting news, information, and entertainment over the Internet.

Webcasting is broadcasting information over the Internet. Webcasting takes one of two forms: real time broadcasting of live events or programs (simulcasting radio or TV programs) and on-demand playback of pre-recorded events or media files (like YouTube). Webcasts can be watched by millions over a live Internet "feed," or accessed by viewers from a collection of available files for viewing or download at a later date. Designing a good webcast requires extensive pre-production planning.

Things You'll Need

• Active domain name and website
• Webcast production and broadcasting software
• Professional-grade webcast production equipment

Instructions

1. Check with your website hosting provider about any special requirements or quotas for sponsoring live web broadcasting feeds for events. Long before scheduling any live "streaming" event, determine whether you can produce this show on your current host account and what it may cost in extra bandwidth leasing.

2. Establish up-front policies regarding use of images or audio files in your webcast. You cannot use popular music soundtracks without prior clearance. The same is true of copyrighted images, including video clips, photos, and illustrations. Likewise, if your webcast will feature material for which you hold the copyright, place copyright information on the site to protect your interests.

3. Prepare all the content for the webcast in advance. This includes slides, videos, and scripting for any narration. If you're planning a webcasting conference or podcast, script the entire event from start to finish. If you're producing a podcast intended for playback by participants at a later date, you can do some editing after you've recorded the show, but a fully scripted production is still a must.

4. Use professional-grade production technical equipment if possible. Purchase a good screen capture software title for podcast productions. For non-digital productions, use a proper video camera (preferably with an adjustable lens settings to avoid facial distortions), a tripod, and good microphones. Shooting a webcast with a cheap webcam and headset microphone will produce a show that looks amateurish. While some webcasts can flourish with a homemade look, webcasts produced by institutions or businesses need to look and sound more professional.

5. Set a proper pace for the program. If your webcast will feature instructions or tutorials, move slowly through the teaching information. Show plenty of examples, and repeat demonstrations several times. Use recorded screen shots with narration if you're demonstrating a web-based topic. Make sure your viewers can see important details on their screens that you easily see on your production monitor.

6. Use a professional narrator or voice talent for high-end productions. A professional narrator can cut your production time significantly and make your business or enterprise webcast stand out as a professional and credible source.

Tips & Warnings

• Avoid "PowerPoint fatigue." Don't use slides that contain too many words because viewers tire of reading content like this in slide form. Instead, use slides that illustrate core concepts graphically and give the audience something interesting to view. Live-action videos or animations are even more appropriate for the web than are still photos or graphics. Highlight important terms by broadcasting a "power word" on the screen, and then rely on tight voice-over narration to tell the story. If heavily detailed printed information is required, provide this through downloadable handouts after the webcast or podcast.

• Avoid "dead air." Script your webcast so there is no interruption in the flow of visual or audio information. Avoid awkward pauses while fumbling for the right words or the next slide for your podcast by scripting the event and rehearsing it before production begins.

• Broadcasting radio station type content can, in some cases, fall under the aegis of the Federal Communications Commission. If yours is a licensed broadcast station, you may need permission to simulcast content over the Internet.

References

• "Hands On Guide To Webcasting;" Steve Mack; 2005
• "Podcasting Do It Yourself Guide;" Todd Chocrane; 2005
• "Podcast Solutions;" Michael Geoghegan; 2007

Resources

• Read this Article in Spanish
• The Webcast Academy
• Webex Podcasting Services
• Dim Dim Webcasting Service