The products look very similar sometimes and only a subtile feature may distinguish whether you prefer one or another.
However, there can be a dramatic difference in solutions, when you know exactly what sort of experience you want to create with your digital event. Do you only want to deliver a content? Then don't call it a digital meeting - it is just a webinar. Do you want people to interact during this meeting? How do you want them to interact? With voice and video or chat and text? If chat and text is your preference, then relax and don't call it a digital meeting - it is still a webinar. Read about online events terminology here.
A more detailed article on terminology is coming soon, in the meantime if you want more than just a webinar you can start by asking yourself these simple questions:
1. What type of interaction do you want to create?
- Many-to-many - bidirectional video and sound. In other words not only speaker but attendees can talk to the entire audience, share and present. A chat function or polling is not many-to-many category. (Online meeting)
- One-to-many - participants join, watch and listen, ask questions via chat (Webinar)
2. How would you like to have your content shared?
- Now or never - You present content in real time, but not planning of streaming or having immediately accessible for later view. The quality and customisation is low. (Online meeting)
- Now and at your own pace - Speaker will present pre-recorded content. This video feed can be accessed at any time via any streaming option, live or right after your event. High customisation (Show production)
3. Do you want to create sponsors and exhibitors virtual experience and help generate leads for your partners and have analytics about this interaction?
- Yes - You want to build a virtual exhibition hall where your sponsors and exhibitors can customise their virtual exhibition space OR you want to direct your attendees to a platform where they may discover special enticing partners deals
- No
4. Does this system needs to be integrated in your technology stack (EMS, CRM, Marketing automation tool, event management tool, etc)
- Integrated in your current tech stack
- Standalone
Once you have these questions answered, it will help you to move forward with selecting a platform.
‼️ A combination of Many-to-many + Now and at your own pace + Virtual exhibition + Integrated in your current tech stack - does not exist yet, or I haven't discovered that solution yet.
💰A combination of One-to-many + Now and at your own pace + Virtual exhibition experience + Integrated in your current tech stack would be the most expensive solution.
Do you need help with choosing the right tool, do not hesitate to contact me at elina.jutelyte@endo-exo.net