How can you connect and engage with customers and prospects when the trade show floors are closed? Virtual events are the year’s marketing buzzwords – businesses are scrambling to create engaging virtual experiences for their audiences at home that stand out. But how do you pull one off successfully and quickly, while making for an experience that is impossible to forget? 

Building a virtual event that excites and impacts your audiences isn’t as hard as it looks. With the right tools and the right technical partner to help guide you, you can make a transformative, engaging experience seem like a piece of cake. 

However, there are a few things you need to know before you get started that will help make your next virtual event a huge success.

Figure out what it is you want to accomplish first – everything else should come later.

This may sound obvious; but, establishing realistic goals for your virtual event is paramount to ensuring there’s a meaning behind everything you do, from whom you choose to invite to how you manage revenue and sponsorship opportunities. What are you trying to accomplish? Is this event a brand booster, or will your sales team use it to nurture some of their most qualified leads? Having clear goals for your virtual event will help you create and design the content and a matching virtual experience that best suits your audience. 

Consider the big picture and commit to active engagement.

It’s not only about the day your attendees log on and watch live panels or keynote sessions; it’s also about everything leading up to it and everything that follows when it’s all said and done. It’s about curating active engagement through email invitations, social posts, customer calls, press releases, etc. 

Your audiences are no longer walking in and out of sessions. They’re miles away from you on the other side of a screen, looking for an experience that’s just as engaging as it would be if they were there in person. Which means your focus needs to be at the user level. From the moment they click “register now” to when you send a reminder email the day before the event, how you engage your attendees will determine the excitement they feel going in. 

Also, consider how you want to engage with each attendee. Do you want chat and moderated Q&A for live sessions? Do you want interactive elements built into the video-on-demand sessions? Consider how this should all look and feel and then execute on it. 

For example: 

• Determine key themes for your event. What sort of topics will your sessions be covering? Why will your event matter to people in your industry? Once you’ve answered these questions, you’ll find a common message or messages that’ll help drive the theme of your event.   

• Set a timeline of event marketing deliverables to determine how and how often you will reach out to customers, prospects, and partners before, during, and after your event.

• Start using those themes to draft creative content that will capture your audience’s attention and keep them thoroughly engaged until your event goes live and long after it’s over.

“Give us the tools, and we will finish the job” – Winston Churchill.

How people view your content is as important as the content you’re providing. Ensure you have the right tools to reach your audiences, such as a robust online video partner that encompasses a variety of video needs, especially when trying to reach thousands of viewers at once. With the right platform, you’ll stream high-quality video in real-time and provide on-demand assets that your audience can watch. You’ll also be able to customize the user interface to fit your brand, gain valuable data into how your viewers are watching your content, and so much more.

To help you get a deeper understanding of how you can optimize your next virtual event experience, Brightcove and Adobe have created an eBook to help you Launch Virtual Events That Stand Out, Scale Up, and Soar . It covers everything you need to know to create a world-class virtual event that will deliver results. 

To view our Partner blog, click here

Video is the ultimate way for people to connect and inspire, and more than ever people are craving connections and inspiration. At this moment in time, Brightcove is in a unique position to help democratize video and help our customers bring their stories to the eyes of the world. As one solution, we were able to welcome Lynn D. Tinney to the Brightcove family.

A partner-industry veteran, Lynn has been a part of building partner programs from scratch, improving them, and honing mature partner programs. She was able to assess how Brightcove could bring a world-class partner program to life and after talking with customers, the market, and partners, Brightcove recently announced an expanded partnership under Lynn’s leadership. 

At Brightcove, her goals are to simplify, improve, and expand the Brightcove Partner Program to serve more partners and their clients across the globe. 

With the official announcement of our expanded partner program on July 14, I recently had the opportunity to interview Lynn diving into her career, what brought her to Brightcove, why she is so passionate about partners, her partner philosophy, and what the expanded Brightcove program entails. 

Let’s dive in. 

Tell me about yourself, and what got you into the partner career path?

I started in a channel role at a large organization 2-3 years out of college with minimal direct sales experience, so I asked my manager for a position in direct sales to get the experience under my belt. This move helped me learn how to create and keep customer relationships. It also taught me to better understand a partner’s business. Eventually my career took me back to partnering and I had the opportunity to lead a team selling with a great set of partners.

To me, selling direct is like playing checkers and selling with partners is playing chess. Partner selling is dependent on building strong relationships as you need to understand all of the moving parts, including fiscal, technical, and competitive differences. In the end, you need to trust one another. That takes commitment. I enjoy putting that effort in and seeing it pay off for both my company and my partner.

What brought you to Brightcove, and what intrigued you about video?

I was at the point in my career that I wanted something new. Video is exciting as it’s the next big thing that is going to transform how businesses work, communicate, and entertain. Video has become the critical medium around the world in which we communicate today. As someone always curious, I wanted to jump in and make an impact immediately. Brightcove is the leader in the space and I really liked the people. Throughout getting to know Brightcove and its team, it became clear that it is a very human organization, and very authentic. Everyone I met was knowledgeable, passionate, and welcoming. There was an extraordinary and undeniable human factor, all the way up to the CEO. Walking out of the interviews, I knew I had to work here. I’m about five months in and thrilled to bring my expertise to Brightcove to build its partner program. 

What does a successful partner program look like in today’s landscape? 

A successful partner program in today’s landscape needs great technology with the most reach. But the program was also set up to ensure it communicates and is consistent. It brings a full suite of resources to our partners and their customers. Beyond consistency and mutual expectations, we need to be flexible and recognize differences across the globe and continue to work together to innovate on the best ways to partner together. It’s important Brightcove is available and supportive in the way our customers and partners move business. 

How important is it to have a team and partners around the world?

Brightcove is a global organization, we have customers in 180 countries so global business is in our DNA and it’s also foundational to our partner program. 

The human element at Brightcove ensures that every area is unique. Having a team around the world, recognizing the different needs and expectations, is critical to our success. We strive to have that human element in the Brightcove Partner program. Remember there is always a human on the other end, and building local relationships is critical. 

Tell me about Brightcove’s partner program and why we are expanding it? 

The program has expanded in two ways. The first is enhancing the program we already have to put consistent structure and communication around it for our solution and referral partners. 

The second is launching the Master License Partner program. Clients of all sizes and partners come to us, and they need the quality and dependability of Brightcove. The Master License Partner program puts the full Brightcove platform within reach for all size clients. This new part of our program aligns costs with revenue streams. Partners can now deliver Brightcove video to multiple customers in an affordable way that recognizes how their business moves.

The Master License Partner is the unique differentiator for Brightcove’s partner program, why did you feel the need to expand to include Master License Partner’s?

In recent months, we’ve seen enterprise video grow over 91% . With the world working remotely due to Coronavirus and the cancelation of in-person events, video is vital to business in today’s climate. Due to Brightcove’s history and reputation around the world, the demand for Brightcove video is high, allowing us to expand our partner program in this way. 

As the need for reliable enterprise video and virtual experiences exploded, the need for the Master License Partner program was evident. We deliver a high commitment level to our partners and ask for the same from the partners who participate. They commit to leading with Brightcove and we support them knowing we are critical to how they serve their clients.

Partners and aspects of the market that we would not be able to reach in our direct sales model now have the ability to use Brightcove video with the quality, scalability, and level of support they desire through our partners. In this crucial time, video delivery cannot be compromised as it’s all about delighting an audience. 

What are you looking for in potential partners?

In one word: committed. We want to be committed to our partners, and we want our partners to be committed to us. We also want there to be a mutual expectation of commitment throughout the program. Brightcove is committed and dedicated to our partners, and we hope for the same in return. 

Why is it pivotal for companies to embrace video today and in the future?

The world we live in has accelerated the need for everyone to understand video as a communication tool and that it’s not just for entertainment. Video enables communication in the business world, our personal lives, our healthcare journeys, our learning, and so much more. It’s not a “nice to have” anymore, but a must-have. It brings an intimacy back to where it has been missing in communication.  

Additionally, today’s decision makers are video-oriented. Its second nature to consume information via video as they have been entertained by it, played sports, and stayed connected through video. Video done right is informative, engaging, compelling, and connected. Brightcove platform allows content creators to focus on the message because they know the delivery of the video is not in question. 

The buyers of today grew up on video. Organizations are learning their employees and consumers, whether B2B or B2C, are very comfortable with video and a virtual environment. What audiences won’t tolerate in compromised quality. Smart organizations are implementing a video-first strategy. 

And lastly, what can we expect out of the partner program in 2020 and beyond? 

We have so much in the works. We are going to listen and grow the program with our partners. We are committed to innovating together and continuing to grow our enablement including upping our game in partner marketing and building pipeline together.  

It’s really an exciting time to partner with Brightcove.

To view our Partner blog, click here

Video is a powerful motivator, often channeling the kind of stories that inspire and captivate the audiences that watch them. We asked renowned adventurer and award-winning filmmaker Jimmy Chin his thoughts on the power of video to tell stories and connect audiences.

How did you get started directing and creating your own documentary films?  

I never had formal instruction on photography or filmmaking. I was self-taught and spent most of my career making it up as I went. For the most part, I feel like I still am. I started as a climber first. I loved and still love climbing and being in the mountains. That passion for living life and pushing myself was my door into understanding people who did the same. It was through that door that allowed me access to photograph and later film with some of the greatest athletes and adventurers of our time.

I’m motivated to tell these stories of people dreaming and achieving the impossible but also to show the realities, sacrifice, hard work, and tenacity it requires to achieve anything great. These are the stories that inspire me and push me to do my best work.

What is something you believe video has the power to do that nothing else does? 

I think we are told a lot of ideas, given things to think about. We get a lot of material to digest intellectually. Film is powerful because it can not only get ideas across on an intellectual level, but it can make you feel something, experience something new, see something in a way you never had before. It can transport you. That is a very powerful tool. If you do your job well, you can create empathy.

Films are one of the most incredible mediums to create empathy. You have the opportunity to share an experience with someone from a totally different world or perspective. And not only will your audience learn something new and see something from a different point of view, but they should feel something and be moved.

Why do you think it is important for video experts to share their stories and ideas?

Films have the capacity to not only convey complex ideas to audiences on an intellectual level but also have the potential to move people on a visceral and emotional level.

It is an incredibly powerful tool to do good in the world. You never know who will be moved and inspired by your work and what it will motivate them to do in the future.

This year we’re talking about the importance of serious storytelling through video. Why do you think it’s important to be serious about what you do?

I believe in pursuing my craft with passion and excellence. There is an incredible opportunity to contribute to the human experience and understanding of the world. There is also an amazing opportunity for self-discovery in one’s journey towards perfecting a craft. It can provide meaning and purpose in one’s life. Is there anything more important?

Lastly, where do you see the future of video going in 2020 and beyond?

I believe technology will help enhance the potential for filmmaking and the viewer’s experience in the future, but the age-old craft of storytelling and creating empathy will always be at the core of making great films.

To view our Partner blog, click here

Going live can sometimes seem nerve-wracking, but if you cross all your T’s and dot your I’s, live streaming can have a big impact on companies. In fact, according to Zoom Info Live video is more appealing to brand audiences, 80% would rather watch live video from a brand than read a blog, and 82%  prefer live video from a brand to social posts. To help ease nerves, here are three tips from the experts to enable you to have the most successful live stream:

Know your variables. 

When live streaming there is no second take, so it is important to understand your variables before starting to stream.

• Ensure you have a stable network: We recommend a hard line into the streaming laptop.
• Understand background noise:  Minimal background noise produces better quality audio. 
• Secure decent lighting: This means no shadows on your face or dimly light streams,  sometimes it’s as easy as shifting towards a window for natural light. 

Test everything.

Technical testing is very important. We recommend doing multiple tests of the technology to ensure there are no issues. Ideally, we do an initial test of the technology to make sure it works the way you envision it working, followed by testing the day before and finally a final test the day of the event to confirm that everything is still working as planned. 

Have a backup plan.

Even if you test right up to the event start, there is always a slight chance something can hiccup, having a backup plan is vital. 

• Live redundancy will allow you to have automatic failover for uninterrupted reliable playback. This means that you can combine two or more live jobs into a single stream with automatic failover, if stream one goes down, stream two is there to pick it up immediately, no need to reconfigure. 
• You never know if something will happen to your internet connection and when those times come a backup connection can be a life saver. Having a backup Mifi device is always a good tool to have in your back pocket, literally. A cellular internet hotspot that’s easily accessible from anywhere. 

At a time where in-person events are turning virtual, Live streaming is the new norm. I hope these tips help you feel more comfortable with running a live event. 

To view our Partner blog, click here

The COVID-19 pandemic and the continued stay at home orders much of the world is still experiencing has created extraordinary challenges for businesses of all kinds. With varying degrees of readiness, enterprises around the world have had to quickly transition to a remote workforce and find ways to continue to be productive with little to no contact with employees, vendors, suppliers, and customers. For companies that were prepared, video was a major reason why. 

We partnered with research firm YouGov to conduct a survey of over 800 senior decision-makers from companies with 500 or more employees across the US, UK, India, and Japan. We wanted to share insights from the industry that we are seeing, and how organizations are using video to navigate the current crisis and build a strategy to ensure continuity in the future. 

According to our research Executive Outreach is one of the top ways we are seeing video used for business continuity. Employees look to the organization’s leaders to provide clarity, guidance, and direction on how the organization will work remotely. Video allows leadership to communicate with a greater degree of empathy, reassurance, and authority that you can not get with text. Video gives them a secure platform to provide company updates, progress reports, and sometimes even have a little fun.

Training has become increasingly difficult with organizations working remotely and travel restrictions still in place. Sales teams are used to in-person training, new hires normally head to headquarters to start their new adventure, however, organizations have had to make the shift to virtual training. Using video to train employees, partners or customers not only provides a sense of consistency, but it also assures that everyone is getting the same message with that training available to be used over and over again, which can help save travel costs in the long run. 

External Marketing is a way to educate your customers, prospects, and the community where your organization stands in a time of uncertainty. According to our recent YouGov research, 74.4% of global organizations say they are using video more to engage with customers. Video enables businesses to stay connected not only through websites and social media but also eases the transition from in-person events to immersive virtual experiences. With immersive virtual experiences, company’s can demo new products, share company news, feature customer testimonials, and even have headline keynote speakers, all while reaching an even wider audience than intended with an in-person event. Video generates more leads, improves conversation rates, and provides data that is not available with text on a page. With video, all things are possible to stay connected with customers and the community.

Want to see how future proof your business continuity strategy is compared to other organizations around the world?  Take our quiz now. 

To view our Partner blog, click here

DRM encryption technology plays a huge role in today’s media market, but now more than ever Enterprise companies are seeing the need for heightened security & encryption technology – hello DRM. If a company is creating, delivering, and distributing content online, they need to be that they have the necessary protection in place. So let’s start at the top: What does DRM actually mean?

What is DRM?

DRM, which stands for Digital Rights Management, is a method of securing digital content to prevent unauthorized use and piracy of digital media. This mechanism prevents users from copying, redistributing, or converting content in a way that is not explicitly authorized by the content provider. As more and more content is being delivered via the internet, DRM is becoming a standard requirement for many organizations.

How does DRM work?

DRM confirms that video content is encrypted and packaged properly during the storage and transmittal processes, the main goal here is to ensure that only authorized devices and users can play the video back. When the necessary DRM schemes are in place, the video player will only decrypt the content if it determines the device and user have the proper authorization. 

In a nutshell, DRM ensures that video content is stored and transmitted in an encrypted form, so that only authorized users and devices can play it back, depicted below:

Which DRM system should I consider?

There are a variety of different DRM systems available to protect your video content. But when it comes to supporting the most popular devices & browsers, you really only need to consider The Big Three: Google’s Widevine , Apple’s FairPlay , and Microsoft’s PlayReady .

When should I be using DRM?

There are a variety of different scenarios in which you should be leveraging DRM to protect your digital media assets. In particular, you should have a DRM system in place when you are:

• Delivering any subscription-based, authenticated business model

• Licensing other content (particularly OTT video assets)

• Creating your own content

• Using live environments (this will help to ensure your content doesn’t get shared on social without your consent!)

• Concerned your content will be pirated

What changes to my content do I need to make?

If you’re using an online video platform, like Brightcove, supporting DRM may be as simple as upgrading your account and configuration to enable it. Enabling DRM requires changes to at least three components of your streaming workflow:

1. Content – your assets must be transcoded, encrypted, and packaged in formats compatible with the DRM systems you need to support.

2. Player – your video player must be able to request a key from a license server and decrypt the video; this may require different players on different platforms.

3. License Server – your video player will request decryption keys from a license server every time a piece of content is requested; the license server authenticates and responds to these requests.

To view our Partner blog, click here