With viewers retaining 95% of a message they receive through video, compared to 10% through reading, it’s easy to see why video marketing is so important. Today, thanks to the emergence of user-directed content (UDC) and the removal of the financial burden, video footage is no longer reserved for those with big budgets. For those running live events, this unleashes a wealth of opportunities.

Using tools already in our pockets, anyone can help you generate fun, authentic and engaging footage at any live event, from the employees managing it to attendees, ambassadors or influencers. The only thing they need is a smartphone.

That accessibility is moving video content production to the masses, leaving only one question unanswered: how can it be most effectively used?

At Cinebody, we’ve seen several effective strategies for leveraging the content possibilities available to you.

1. Pre-show Footage: Captivate Your Audience from the Start

Encouraging fans to film their journeys to the event, just like they did for Okeechobee and Snowglobe music festivals, has already proven popular. Simple things, such as asking people to film themselves packing and traveling to the airport, provide previously unseen perspectives that film crews simply cannot capture – adding to and enhancing the more traditional content that is already planned for and created. Several conferences have adopted a similar tactic, while pre-event filming involving key people can even create content to be played at the event itself.

2. Multi-perspective Event Coverage: Unleash the Power of Different Angles

Encouraging attendees to capture their own experiences or film from their vantage points can transform typical event recaps. Using a mixed media approach, by combining UDC with footage gathered by on-site film crews, elevates the final films even further.

“Cinebody has transformed the way we produce content for our events,” says Sarah Kincaid, President of event marketing company CKC. “We’ve been able to produce event recaps so quickly that we’ve even played them at the conclusion of an event. Seeing the expressions of attendees watching footage they filmed in the last few hours is priceless.”

3. Ongoing Promotion: Extend the Life of Your Content

By building up a bank of footage at your current event ready for your recap video, you also have a ready-made library of clips to call on when it comes to promoting next year’s version. This doubles the impact of your UDC – without incurring any extra costs. Your finance team will love it!

In conclusion, the power of video content cannot be underestimated. With user-directed content (UDC) and the ubiquity of smartphones, live events now offer a myriad of opportunities to create compelling and engaging material. By incorporating strategies like pre-show footage, multi-perspective event coverage, and ongoing promotion, you can leverage these possibilities to their fullest potential. So, gear up, unleash your creativity, and make your live events an unforgettable experience for both attendees and viewers worldwide.