FAQ.

What we do is different...we get it.  Here's some answers to questions we get a lot about Engagement Broadcasting.

What is an Engagement Broadcast?

An Engagement Broadcast combines webinar platforms, professional live streaming software,
​and real-time social media engagement, in a produced event live streamed to the Internet. The Engagement Broadcast process is easy to learn and accessible to anyone with Internet access. Every production role can be performed from a home, office, or any location with Net access.
The basic tech is simple. We take the participants in a webinar platform like Google Hangouts or Zoom, and separate them on camera in professional live stream software (Livestream Studio). This allows us to mix the shots like mainstream media and make it seem like everyone is in the same physical space. Then we train the crew on the process to engage the audience in chat and on social media. The process is what makes it work for volunteers.

How is it different from a webinar or a typical broadcast?

Webinars are not “produced” or controlled by a producer, engineer, and conversation based process. Webinar platforms do not provide the capabilities of professional streaming software including, mixed camera shots of participants, multi-layer graphics for lower thirds and on screen media, RSS and RTMP real time data integration. Most webinars can be streamed or broadcast, none of them have the features of professional broadcasting software. You’re stuck with one shot at a time and very limited media abilities. These factors limit the engagement possibilities and the value of the event beyond Live.

Why is an Engagement Broadcast better than traditional broadcasting? ​

Traditional Broadcasting is a one way message without any interaction with the live audience. That was fine before social media. Today’s information seekers want more than a speech, they want a conversation. The Internet gives us the ability to have that conversation in real time.
The advantages for an individual or organization are vast and depend on what the end goal is. It is reach, new followers, donations..? With an Engagement Broadcast, we start with the end goal and produce an event that will achieve that goal.
The key advantage of an Engagement Broadcast over traditional broadcasting is the ability to engage your live audience in a moderated and organized manner. By directly engaging your audience you:
​
1. Encourage more engagement
2. Reward them for participating
3. Create evangelists from passive viewers
4. Increase audience retention / watch time
5. Build relationships between you, and the people who care about what you do.

This is the evolution of broadcasting to include the audience in a conversation. That’s what the Internet has done to the flow of information. Our Engagement Broadcast system harnesses the power of both broadcast worlds to create a real time conversation that benefits all involved.

Another major advantage is cost. Traditional broadcasting costs thousands of dollars per minute to produce. The need for an expensive studio and satellite uplinks make the cost of production out of reach for most businesses and organizations. Engagement Broadcasting creates a distributed production environment and relies on a blend of prosumer tech and professional gear to produce an Internet based broadcast that costs far less.

What are the advantages for the community?

Cost and accessibility are the key factors for any community. Traditional professional broadcast solutions require a costly investment in studio space, equipment, and trained staff to manage it all. The Engagement Broadcast system reduces these costs significantly by providing a “distributed production environment”, utilizing prosumer gear, and the Internet rather than Satellite upstream.

The Engagement Broadcast process is easy to learn and accessible to anyone with Internet access. Every production role can be performed at home, office, or any location with Net access.

The system can be run by volunteers. Events and series can be produced by volunteers.. All of which can participate at any level from their homes. The possibilities are endless from local news to livestreaming musicals, movie nights, dance recitals, parades, rallies, etc. All hosted by a live crew with social engagement to get more of the community involved. This helps rural areas feel included and participate.

One EB System can support numerous communities, events and series. To expand we will need to build more systems.  These systems can be built for ~ $10,000. This is a significant savings from a traditional network broadcast studio because it doesn't rely on a large studio space or costly studio gear.

What are the disadvantages?

The primary disadvantage is the limitation of the end users Internet access. Participants in areas with low bandwidth and slow net speeds may not be able to perform some of the live on camera roles.