Live events are huge business boosters, no matter what size your business. Big-name brands and solopreneurs alike can schedule a weekend retreat for a small number of people or plan monumental events at convention centers with many thousands of people. No matter what type of event you plan, you can reap some benefits from livestreaming some of the speakers and activities.

One of the most frequently asked questions regarding this subject is whether people will forego traveling to the event in lieu of watching the livestream. If you plan properly, you can attract those who love – and can afford – to attend live events AND those who aren’t quite ready to spend that kind of money yet. You’ll also want to pick and choose which speakers to livestream so you’re giving a taste of what you have to offer without giving away everything for free.

Here are five strong reasons why livestreaming your event is a good thing:

1. Expand your reach and name recognition. Not everyone has the means of traveling to live events but this could be a way to reach new people and get them into your sales funnel. Look outside your current social circle and run Facebook ad campaigns to publicize your livestream, especially if you fill your venue to capacity with attendees.

2. Build a sense of urgency. People pay closer attention to one-time events than they do a series of events. By livestreaming your event – and promoting it in advance – you’ll appeal to more people. Promote with email campaigns or run Facebook ads and use eye-catching text to get people excited.

3. Build buzz for next year’s event. If you’re planning on making this event an annual gig, this year’s livestream will give your audience a taste of what you offer and will get them so excited they’ll watch for ticket announcements for next year. Better yet, add a call-to-action throughout your livestream to register on the waitlist for next year’s event. That way you can communicate with them throughout the year and they won’t miss when tickets go on sale.

4. Create a paid product from your livestream recording. Who doesn’t love increased sales? This livestream recording can be a standalone product or can be coupled with a workbook or other course for added value. Or charge a fee for watching the livestream as it happens.

5. Create a virtual networking community. Networking opportunities abound at live business events but they don’t have to end after the event is over. Create a Facebook Group specific to your event so those watching the livestream can still have that networking opportunity and those who attended the live event can share their experiences with others in the group.

Planning a live event is surely challenging but adding livestream capabilities for select speakers or activities will be the easiest part of your planning. Your virtual attendees will thank you and your speakers can also use their livestream clips in their portfolio or on their own social media pages, which means even more exposure for you.

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Tracey Lee Davis, founder of ZingPop Social Media, turns busy small business owners into online marketing rockstars! A social media expert and Certified Solution Provider for Constant Contact, she coaches entrepreneurs in how to grow their business using social media and provides total management for their email marketing campaigns. Tracey Lee is also a feat

ured speaker for associations and business groups. She is Alignable's 2021 Local Business Person of the Year for San Jose, a Certified Content Marketing Strategist, and the Co-Owner and Vice President of the Women’s Networking Alliance. She also really, really loves cheese.