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We have safely arrived in December and I am so happy to be in my job, especially at this time of year as parties, events and celebrations are underway.

Before we sign off for annual leave and days of Christmas festivities, I thought it would be useful to cover some of the questions I get on building a great online event. There is still an air of mystery about how online events and our studio works so I had a look through my LinkedIn messages and emails at the questions that need answering for studio events. If I don’t cover everything in this post please message me or add a comment and I can answer anything else.

How do I bring an online or studio event to life?

Content is key. Rather than thinking differently about in-person and studio/online events think smart. Content/presentations will always be the one thing that can make (or break) an event. It needs to be relevant, on point and match the expectations of your audience. Your event host/presenter is also crucial, they are the hook that connects with your audience and creates engagement.

Virtual events do have some subtle differences from in-person events and the LZ team will always recommend the best way to execute and deliver your event based on your type of online event and your goals.

Studio/online events tend to be shorter, created as a series or available on-demand so can be viewed as a delegate wishes so bear timings in mind when planning.

How can I make my studio event interactive?

Hold polls and quizzes that are fun but also meaningful. LZ tech team handles all the technical aspects of this and how it works. All you need to do is think about how you could incorporate it into your content – and use the output from those polls into your event.

There are many platforms such as Zoom or Teams that enable you to collaborate with other team members, presenters and guests that can join as part of a live interview or Q&A. LZ manage the technical aspect to bring guests into the virtual studio as and when you need them. It could be managing the seamless transition of other presenters in the studio alongside you or via a virtual platform to full screen and in shot for those viewing online.

Microsites are another way we work with clients to stream out to delegates using platforms such as Vimeo or other preferences.

What is a green screen studio?

Green screen is the use of special effects to immerse you in the setting of your choice. Think of the studio as a blank canvas that can be adapted using a backdrop to look like a scene - literally anything you want – a corporate scene, an office or even the beach!

How do I handle the production of a virtual event?

In short, leave it to the experts. Be clear on what you want to achieve and your objectives and the LZ experts will advise and make it happen. The event host typically plans the content aligned to objectives and LZ advise how best to deliver it. Our LZ engineers handle the audio-visual delivery and use powerful graphics for engagement.

Who manages the ‘agenda’ so the event runs smoothly?

The agenda comes from the client and LZ makes sure it can work in a virtual environment – or offer solutions to what can.

LZ handles the stage management of a virtual event to ensure the event flow. Lots of thought goes into how multiple cameras will work to get the right shots and viewpoints for the audience, the switching between presenters and managing the slides and graphics. LZ makes the magic happen, for example, once the agenda and running order are agreed, LZ provides the experts such as a show caller, video engineer, v-mix operator, etc - just like we would for a live event.

We always do rehearsals so everyone knows exactly what will happen and when.

Finally….

Studio and Hybrid events came at us like an ocean wave as covid hit, they are here to stay and are a smart way to reach audiences with a range of options. If you are still unsure, run your event thoughts by me and I will give you my professional viewpoint on how best to execute your event and what options are available. I can show you around our studio or send you clips from events we have delivered from the studio or other venues.

In the meantime, to all of my network, friends, colleagues and partners, it has been a pleasure to share my event thoughts, ideas and knowledge over the year. Thanks for being part of it.

I wish you a very Merry Christmas