How to Host A Live Podcast Event

How to Host A Live Podcast Event

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Are you using live podcasts?

You should be!

Why? Because a live podcast is a great way to engage your audience. A live podcast will allow you to chat with your audience and instantly receive their raw feedback in real time. And by doing this, you are building a rapport with those in your audience and creating loyal, potentially lifelong followers.

Many people have heard of podcasts and probably even participated in them. But they don't know exactly how to present one themselves. Thus the reason they aren't using them even though they are an extremely powerful method of audience communication and engagement.

The Benefits of a Live Podcast

There are plenty of benefits that come from implementing live podcasts into your marketing and follower retention campaigns.

• Increased real-time follower engagement
• Building brand authority, promotion, and retention
• Can be produced on demand
• To create a following
• A podcast atmosphere is more natural and intimate
• Instant feedback from your audience
• Podcast audience interactions provide you with new, fresh ideas and potential trends

Eight Tips for Hosting a Successful Live Podcast Event

1. Teamwork

You will first need to put together a team to help you cover all the necessary rolls such as producer, recording tech, administrative and marketing tasks. If you're just starting out, work with what and who you have available.

2. Determine Your Budget

Your budget should include items such as venue, equipment, sound crew, and other staffing if needed. The equipment will usually be your biggest expense depending on what you need which could include special lighting, microphones, mixers to plug into the house PA, etc.

However, if you want to help offset some of these costs, you can always charge admission to your event or solicit a sponsor.

3. Find a Venue

To find the perfect venue, you will need to estimate how many people you anticipate attending. But it's always a good idea to rent a venue that can accommodate more. Once you've determined that, you will need to visit that venue in person to make sure it's the right fit. Consider the cost, size, its geographic location, parking, public transportation, and the physical characteristics of the space versus your needs.

4. Video Projection

Your video projection can be something as simple as a PowerPoint or Keynote slideshow. If needed, you can also use software such as Q-Lab, which is a theatrical cueing software that automates the lights, videos, and graphics. However, some people find such software programs a bit complicated. So if you decide to go that route, make sure you schedule some time to learn it well before you begin.

5. Promoting Your Live Podcast

They are so many different ways you can promote your live podcast, especially in the current age of social media. Here are some other ideas you can use:

• Fan communities like Facebook Groups, Google+, Reddit, etc. Participate in these communities by posting and answering questions, and sharing comments then linking back to your podcast promotion.
• Publish relevant content, then link it back to your podcast promotion.
• Ask your existing followers to help promote your upcoming podcast.
• Twitter. Find the official hashtag then participate and promote your event on Twitter.
• YouTube video promotions.
• Local merchant participation in exchange for free advertising.

6. Rehearsal Run Through

After arriving at the venue, but prior to the event, once you have everything setup, you should perform a rehearsal run through to make sure everything goes as planned. This will also help you identify any obstacles and fix any equipment issues before you begin.

7. Involve the Audience

Involve the audience as much as possible. You can invite them onstage to participate in games, contests, Q&A's, opinion sound bites, etc.

One word of warning though, never release the microphone to anyone in the audience or you could lose control of the show if the conversation gets spirited or begins to take a different direction. Designate someone on your team to control the microphone at all times.

8. Have an Aftershow

Live streaming can be distracting to some of your audience; therefore, you should consider hosting an aftershow.  Just allow enough time, about 15 minutes or so, for you and your audience to transition. This will give your audience another opportunity to participate, share their reactions, and provide you with more feedback.

Hosting a live event doesn't have to be hard, nor does it have to be perfect. You will get better and better with each event you perform. If there's one thing you should remember though, it's to make sure your presentation is informing and entertaining to keep your attendees looking forward to coming back for more!

5 Apps that Will Help Boost Ticket Sales

5 Apps that Will Help Boost Ticket Sales  

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If you’re hosting an event in and around Miami, making tickets accessible around-the-clock is key. There may be people in town visiting and want something to do, or someone that meant to purchase tickets and it slipped their mind. Making tickets available through an app can be a lifesaver, and help boost ticket sales, especially since most people look to the convenience of their mobile devices to get things done. Here are five apps worth using:

• Eventbrite

Eventbrite has been around for a while and is useful when planning something. This app takes the location of the user, providing a list of things happening in the area. They can find the event, purchase tickets, and it’s added to their calendar so they won’t forget. It’s available on Android or Apple.

• Ticketfly

With Ticketfly, users can find events going on in the area, or in other areas by entering an artist, event, venue or city. Tickets are stored in the app for use once purchased, and is simple to use. The only caveat of this app – it’s only available for Apple.

• Splashthat.com

Splashthat takes things to another level. This app allows the vendor to customize their event experience from start to finish. With this app, the vendor can create and manage a mobile-optimized event page, send out email invitations to guests and sell tickets for the event. If planning an event, this would be a one-stop solution for management and tracking. You can also share the information via social media platforms. Guests can also check-in via the app. Available on Android and Apple.

• StubHub.com

StubHub allows users to buy or sell tickets to events. Through searches, they can browse specific interests, or just type in the event they need tickets for. Users can also indicate the types of events they are interested in, and receive notifications when something is coming up. One of the best features of this app – the ability to pick your seats. There are processing fees associated with using this app. Available on Android or Apple.

• AroundMe.com

AroundMe is fairly new, but is useful for finding a number of events in the area. It also helps guide you to banks and other venues. With this app, users are sent to links where they can purchase tickets, so this could work in conjunction with any special sites where you want to direct the audience to purchase tickets.You can look at reviews and photos on this app, providing a birds-eye view of helpful information. Available on Android or Apple.

Making sure eventgoers are able to secure tickets for last-minute functions or pre-planned events conveniently and efficiently makes the difference. With mobile app usage on the rise, it is a good idea to select apps that will help your events run seamlessly from beginning to end. Personalization and customization should also be factors when deciding where you want to direct your audiences. When convenience is at the top of the priority list, everything else falls right into place.

How to Use Snap Glasses Like a Boss

How to Use Snap Glasses Like a Boss  

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Experiential marketing events are all about the visuals, and Snap Spectacles are being used by today’s idea-creators to craft memorable times. Snap Spectacles are smart glasses, developed by Snap—also known as Snapchat—for iOS and Android devices. They give Snapchat users a new way to capture, store and share content via the Snapchat platform—all with a hands-free spin.

They have a trending design, looking like a colorful pair of party shades. Each Snap Spectacle features a 115-degree wide-angle lens, giving the wearer the ability to capture circular video. Basically, they’re created for on-the-go video capture. Any user with a smartphone can sync footage, connect to users on Wi-Fi and share mobile content. Meanwhile, snaps recorded with iPhones can be transferred through a Snap Spectacle’s Wi-Fi or Bluetooth connection. The day’s footage is compiled into a Snapchat Story. Then, it can be exported as either individual snaps or entire collections.

They’re $130 for a pair, but they’re incredibly useful as event tools. If you’re able to throw down on a Snap Spectacles investment, the strategies below might be useful to you.

Strategy One: Implement Games

You’re already on a highly visual path. Spectacles aren’t only useful for digital picture snapping; they’re awesome live-action tools for high-energy situations. So, implement games at your event! Trolli’s used Snap Spectacles at its Beardsketball activation, engaging consumers on a new, immersive level. By focusing the spotlight on the players, you’ll create an environment conducive to engagement, long-term action and a great social media campaign.

Strategy Two: Get First-Person

Because Spectacles offer a rare first-person point of view, they’re solid tools for any experiential campaign which utilizes on-site visuals, movement and attendee engagement. When viewed by the Snapchat app, captured Spectacles footage gives viewers the ability to rotate their phone while holding the same image. Even if the phone is turned around, Spectacles can capture a full range of motion via its circular lens. Tell attendees to show their hands, and show how hands-off your event can be.

Strategy Three: Prep for Augmented Reality

Spectacles don’t have augmented reality features yet, but they’re going to have them in the figure. At least, we assume they will. Last month, a Snap patent application for future AR glasses was discovered by Mashable. If you’re dropping money on a Spectacles investment, consider making it the first step of many. A long-term Spectacles campaign might be the push you need, as a marketer, to craft a road to success. As for an AR experience, combine the first two strategies while giving attendees the chance to engage your product on a new, digital, level.

Snapp’s app is expected to grow—and quickly. Aside from its AR patent for a product called World Lenses, it’ll be a useful tool for marketers wanting to engage attendees with Snapchat filters, 3D object placement and a slew of other nifty games. If you haven’t yet, check out the Spectacles web page. If you think your strategy has room for such a device—don’t hesitate. It’s totally worthwhile.

When A Photo Booth and Fujifilm Birthed an Epic Event

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When A Photo Booth and Fujifilm Birthed an Epic Event

Well known for its photographers, mini-workshops and knowledge-sharing expos, Fujifilm is at it again. This time, they’ve hosted a two-day photo booth event to showcase its newest gadget adoptions, photo op opportunities and slew of creative screens, filters and talent.

Fujifilm invited an audience to try out its all-new, instant-digital camera. As if it wasn’t enough, the company created a photo-friendly playland to display the product across various high-energy environments. The immersive event highlighted the new camera’s capabilities, giving event-goers the chance to snap their own art.

Bathouse Studios and a Hybrid Event

On May 17, Fujifilm hung out at Bathouse Studios, inviting influencers and guests alike. The event featured the Instax Square SQ10, a hybrid camera made famous for its instant-digital design. The camera was set up in several screen-centric booths, and attendees were invited to try out its many filter options. As a bonus, operators could edit their photos, share them and print them;

The engaging environment was inspired by the recent popularity of instant-square photography. It was also established to prod customer imaginations. Performing at the event, pop band AJR created an emotionally heavy environment to supplement the event. Influential foodies were later granted entrance to an exclusive brunch hosted by Fujifilm partner, Tasting Table. Bathouse Studios opened the floor for a three-course-meal, an expansive menu and a hands-on food photography class. The workshop, of course, featured the Instax Square SQ10.

A Public Activation for Exclusive Options

The Fujifilm way of handling a product release was unique. Known for its top-tier B-to-B marketing events, the brand has produced a number of popular events in the past year. Its recent Instax line’s success can be attributed to the product’s capabilities alone, but the brand’s willingness to connect to its audience can’t be ignored.

The activation was open to the public. Over 500 visitors and guests arrived, exploring the brand’s products and services across two days. Fujifilm reached its target audience and more, connecting with its audience at the individual level. Fans explored the event’s double-floor design, enjoying a mirror maze, lounging at the event’s secret bar and sipping on signature cocktails.

Social Media Outreach

Meanwhile, Fujifilm hooked up with Jackie Gebel to use the @noleftovers name in a social media marketing movement. Alongside chef Branden McHale, Gebel gave event-goers the opportunity to reach friends and family by sharing event photos on social media.

The New York event was huge, and it was Fujifilm’s final destination in its multi-city launch party series. It hit Berlin, Tokyo and a slew of others. Expected to travel across the United States in upcoming months, Fujifilm’s event hasn’t slowed down at all. New locations have always inspired new photographic urges, and Fujifilm’s recent focus on the public is certainly a step in the right direction.

Fujifilm’s fan dedication was also evident in February, when it hosted FijuLove LIVE. Guests were invited from around the nation to explore the art of photograpy. Featuring artists like Elia Locardi, Valerie Jardin and Karen Hutton, FujiFilm LIVE was a fantastic kick-start to the brand’s eventual fanbase exploration. Fujifilm has a reputation for educating, presenting to and sharing work with its audience. Likely, we’ll see much more from Fujifilm in this department. For now, however, let’s appreciate their recent campaign for what it was: a pretty swell time.

How to use Photo Printing Backpacks for your Next Experiential Event

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How to use Photo Printing Backpacks for your Next Experiential Event

Marketing tech firm, M-ND, connected with the B Positive Foundation, expanding nonprofit support into the baseball stadium. Their photo-printing backpacks were a huge hit, heightening much-needed awareness of kids with cancer. The technology which regularly promotes social media pictures is wide-ranging and varied, but a hashtag, a little organization and trending technology goes a long way.

The #BePosNYC Movement

On August 8, Texas Rangers attendees were invited to engage the B Positive Foundation campaign via social media, promoting the #BePosNYC hashtag via backpack screens. The screens, designed to display real-time picture updates, were directly connected to the campaign’s photo print awareness plan. Attendees posting game photos on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram could use the #BePosNYC hashtag, both raising awareness for the event while connecting with other baseball fans.

The Andrew McDonough B Positive Foundation has conducted similar events in the past. Their slogan, “Kids Helping Kids Fight Cancer,” has historically been a useful tag for humanistic ventures. Recently being used at City Field, the slogan headlined their movement for young cancer patients as well as their supporters. Attendees who weren’t part of the event, meanwhile, were invited to print event photos at home.

M-ND and B Positive

M-ND has plans to work alongside B Positive in the future. A donation-by-text campaign is, reportedly, in the works. Focusing on raising funds for charity, M-ND will likely take advantage of new opportunities with B Positive. Creating a unique experience for event attendees is difficult. Often, promoting interactive designs capable of garnering attention is met with technological barriers and audience-reaching difficulties. The partnership worked, however. It worked splendidly.

The B Positive Foundation has assisted thousands of United States families treated in over 200 hospitals. Intending to alleviate the financial burdens of ongoing healthcare, the foundation continues to grow. Many B Positive initiatives have offered research grand cycle options, too. On every level, the Foundation promotes the study of cutting-edge childhood cancer research. In the past, the Foundation has supported St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Seattle Children’s Hospital and Harvard Medical Center.

Where Experiential Marketing and Proactive Care Meet

Both groups are assisted by some national childhood cancer collaborations, too. While childhood cancer charities may not be directly connected with events conducive to funds, they’re well-connected to communities. This presents an interesting angle for groups breaking into the experiential marketing world. Nonprofits have had historically tough breaks, fund-wise, in the experiential marketing world. Numbers change, however, when mass audiences are met.

Advocacy via social media, here, is a great takeaway. The B Positive Foundation and M-ND proved individual-level digital promotion works. Photos taken at the game served as memorabilia for those who were part of the foundation, raising awareness for both the foundation and its few causes. Mets colors were used, making the event highly personal. Curated social media photos are influential when aligned with an event’s overall theme. If you’ve ever wondered what a successful nonprofit social media marketing campaign looks like, look no further than the B Positive Foundation’s addition to the baseball diamond.

Emerging Trends in Experiential Marketing Events

Emerging Trends in Experiential Marketing Events

Trends are everything in advertising and marketing. Campaigns across several industries often share certain themes at any specific time. This is true not just for things like logos and packaging, but also for big meeting events and experiential marketing extravaganzas.

Despite this, it's important to do more than just copy what the other marketers are doing. In order to make your brand stand out from theirs, you need to put your own twist on any trend. With that in mind, here are some of the emerging trends and some tips on how to personalize your versions:

Allowing the Audience to Partake in Making the Event Happen

This is becoming more popular thanks to improvements in technological capabilities. If you hop on this trend, your event should be done in a way that ties into your guests' interests and skills. One good example is an event that used the Slido audience participation app. It let the audience write a third of the code needed for the event's computerized features – in real time. Participants got to see exactly how the code developed and how Slido works, all in a way that drew their full attention.

Most companies don't have audiences that can jump into something as complex as coding right on the spot, but all can find something that their expected guests can do. Choose an activity that fits both your company and your audience for great results.

Make Your Event Emotionally Driven

Studies show that human decision-making is influenced far more by emotion than hard reasoning. Keep this in mind when designing the experience and atmosphere of your event. Avoid dry, facts-only presentations and go for the gusto. Otherwise, people will find them boring and tune out.

The Elimination of Psychological Barriers in Learning Environments

Typical conference tables – or even worse, school-style desks – put psychological barriers between attendees, presenters, and the audience. The new trend is to get rid of all of those things and replace them with interactive displays or pods. This puts your audience right into the midst of the learning and makes your messages much more memorable. It's an especially good replacement for traditional seminars, which are normally boring precisely because of their school-like formats.

Is Silence Golden?

For some presenters, it most certainly is. More and more often, events are being broken up with quiet or even silent activities like yoga, meditation, and similar things. These breaks give participants a chance to unwind, and more importantly, regain their ability to concentrate on your messages.

Despite the benefits, silence breaks aren't fitting for all events. If your company's image is that of excitement and endless vigor, you'll be better off finding another way to recharge your audience. On the other hand, if you focus on subjects like how to become a more effective businessperson, this type of diversion should go over great.

Choose the Right Venue for Your Event

One thing that will never become obsolete is the need to choose the right venue. This will be the scene of your show and can make or break the event.

For a versatile venue in Miami that can be customized to meet the needs of nearly any event, come to Soho Studios. We have up to 70,000 square feet of indoor space available as well as two outdoor pavilions.

How to Use Haptic Technology to Engage your Event Goers

How to Use Haptic Technology to Engage your Event Goers

First of all, if you're not into gaming, you might not be too familiar with haptic technology. This technology uses touch as a means of interacting with computer or video game applications. With this technology, a person can feel and change items within a virtual world. It's like something from the future, and we have access to it today. How does this technology relate to you? You can use it to create an amazing experience for your event goers. 

Trending Ideas for Using Haptic Technology

Here are some ideas of how you could use haptic technology for an event:

Create Excitement Before an Event: Even before event goers reach your event, you can use haptic technology to create excitement about the event. Take some inspiration from how brands are using this technology for ads. For instance, Arby's created an ad that allowed the audience to feel a golfer's footsteps through an Android phone, and Showtime gave watchers the experience of sensing a bomb explosion during the Homeland Season 4 teaser. You could do something similar by creating an ad with haptic technology that simulates some experience of your event, such as the beat of music or the feel of catching a baseball. 

Help an Audience Feel the Music: If you're having an event with music, your audience could feel the rhythm of the music as they listen to it with the help of haptic technology. A wearable device gives the user's body the sensation of the music's timing and beat. 

Bring Interaction to Tradeshows and Event Stations: If your company is going to a tradeshow or creating an interactive station at an event, you could use this technology to interest your audience. It allows you to give your audience a sensory experience through touch screens. You could use it as a way to draw attention to your brand or to share an experience that provides a feel for your brand, such as the feel of your tires moving over gravel. 

Create a Calming Experience: If your event is focused on health or relaxation, such as a yoga event, or if you simply want to get everyone to take a deep breath before starting a talk, you could use haptic technology. The Apple Watch has an app called "Breathe" that helps the user take a break and focus on breathing as a form of meditation or mindfulness. The watch taps the wrist to guide the breathing. 

Provide a Virtual Experience: At your event, you can give your audience an amazing virtual 3D experience that involves the sense of touch in addition to auditory and visual stimulation. Haptic technology makes this possible so people can explore a virtual environment, play a game, make something or learn with a three-dimensional sense of touch as part of the equation. 

This list gives you some ideas of how you could use haptic technology to create an experience for your audience. Yet the sky's becoming the limit with this technology, so don't put your company in a box -- think of innovative ways you could adapt haptic technology to your brand. 

Why You Need to Use Drones for Your Next Event

Who wants aerial coverage? We do, and you should too. Drones have made several appearances in 2017, and they’re popping up more frequently. You should invest, because they’re becoming a go-to resource for event marketers, brand promotion teams and event backers. If you want to have a successful, engaging event, take to the skies. Here’s why:

Outdoor Safety Precision

What? You don’t need a weather radar? Well, not exactly. You should still check the day’s forecast. You should also still invest in a security guard. Drones can pack high-end cameras, however, and they can hit regularly inaccessible angles. Whether you’re fearing crowd control issues or security breaches, a droned camera, really, is your best bet.

Facebook’s Favorite Livestream Tool

Facebook is already a popular event media platform. If you want to ramp up your event’s visibility, you should outfit your platform with a drone. Already, event marketers are using DJI drones to stream Facebook Live video. Let’s face it: Social media visibility is the best visibility. Live video via drone provides an immersive experience. It also offers an unrivaled POV.

Mobile-Controlled Mobile Hotspots

Strangely enough, you can use a drone as a WiFi hotspot for mobile devices. Drones can be makeshift cell towers, if you launch them correctly. If your WiFi networks are getting crowded, consider using a drone to boost patron reception. Your attendees will thank you.

Everyone Wants Quick Action

If you’re tired of wheeling around massive equipment, settle for something more agile. Today’s event drones weigh under 55 pounds, on average, and they’re capable of covering tight angles with the push of a button. Sometimes, the event area is too tough to cover, ground-wise. If this is the case, circumvent the headaches by using aerial coverage. Just makes sure you have FAA permission, first.

The Bird’s-Eye View

If you thought mobile-controlled drones were cool, you haven’t seen anything yet—literally. Pilots, now, can use specialized goggles to get a drone’s-eye perspective. You can also have a copilot who watches the physical equipment. Assuming you’re not understaffed, the combination makes for excellent footage coverage. A lot of todays’ event planners are hiring professional pilots to manage their drone activities. Yes, professional drone pilots exist.

At the end of the day, a drone is worth its weight in maneuverability. Before you invest, make sure you’ve got the gumption to repair, upgrade and replace when needed. Move your events at the speed of flight, and outfit your brand with a high-in-the-sky view.

How to Immerse Your Guests With the Ultimate Interactive Experience

Who doesn’t like being immersed? Successful event marketers understand the importance of attendee engagement. That said, too few impact consumers the way they want to be impacted. If you can immerse your audience, you can captivate them. In 2017, interactive technology is king.

The Future of Interactive Visuals

Technology has come a long way. Now, intuitive interfaces are being used alongside touch screen technology. Developers like MultiTaction have strategized the process, making touch display a king-of-the-hill tech avenue. Modern surfaces are using infrared cameras, “seeing” what device users are touching. When sensors can capture dynamic touch range, anything is possible.

So, where does this leave you? It’s a good idea to invest in tech which recognizes a limitless marker input range. Get big with coded event items—like Glenfiddich’s coded glasses. Interactive bars, tables and games, too, can spice up your event. Much can be said for information composition. By creating interactive displays, you can create enthralling technology.

The Modern Brand Experience Studio

If you’re gunning for a highly immersive experience, why settle for a single display? Companies like Ford are creating entire experience studios. Its FordHub, launched back in January, outfitted the Westfield World Trade Center with countless digital experiences. Ford’s innovations addressed today’s city-wide mobility challenges, creating memorable pop-ups worthy of continuous exposure.

Interactive LED displays, illuminated water patterns and innovation challenges are fantastic inclusions. By building alongside other tech providers, you can create an environment which encourages exploration. Provoke curiosity, and help your guests linger.

Downloadable Demos

Where out-of-event immersion is considered, downloadable demos go a long way. Ford’s digital record presentations are a great example, as they’ve let users download configured models in online spaces. Provoke the imagination, and create dialogue between your brand and the consumer. Anyone can install an Oculus Rift booth, and anyone can utilize the iPhone 7’s VR capabilities. In 2017, quality VR needs to be more than immersive. It needs to be memorable.

Pinpointing the Quality Consumer Experience

The goal of any event activation is to garner attention. If you can make your consumer’s feel, you can make them think. If you can make them think, you’ll make them talk. Build lasting impressions, and engage attendees at the ground level. A little immersion goes a long way, and you needn’t resort to straight-up VR displays to invoke excitement. Loyal audiences stick around, but they’re paying attention to brands maintaining a competitive edge.