The confetti has settled, the last high-five has faded, and the post-event glow (and maybe a little exhaustion) is setting in. Now what? Many event planners fall back on the trusty event recap video, hoping to capture the magic and extend the buzz. They then post the recap on social media, blast it out to their email lists, saying “look at what we did!”……then crickets. Likes and engagement are only limited to internal staff saying “awesome event!” then 2 days later it’s irrelevant.
While recaps have their place, relying solely on them can be a missed opportunity. Let’s talk about why ditching the recap and strategically leveraging your event for alternative video content can be a game-changer for your brand and audience.
Why Recap Fatigue is Real:
- Passivity Trap: Recaps passively showcase what happened, but rarely engage viewers with deeper narratives or actionable takeaways.
- Limited Reach: Recap videos often languish on YouTube channels with low viewership, their impact confined to a small circle.
- Generic Syndrome: Many recaps fall into a formulaic trap of flashy B-Roll edited to high energy music, lacking the spark to truly stand out and connect with audiences.
The Power of Alternative Video Strategies:
- Testimonials: In this post pandemic world, it’s RARE to have all your staff, members, clients, and industry colleagues under one roof. Leverage this rare opportunity to encourage members of your community to share their stories.
- Expert Interviews: Capture bite-sized knowledge bombs with speaker interviews on key topics, offering valuable content beyond the event itself.
- Pre-Event Hype: Generate excitement with teaser videos showcasing speakers, sneak peeks at activities, and testimonials from past attendees.
- Full Coverage recordings: Panels, Q&A’s, and speaker presentations are a part of EVERY event and cost ALOT in AV, lighting, stage design, and speaker appearance fees. Why not capture those full speeches and discussions and get even more value from the money you’ve spent. You can then take statements and bits from those speeches to use in social media posts and marketing promos.
- Behind-the-Scenes Access: Offer exclusive glimpses into the event’s planning, setup, and backstage moments, building anticipation and connection.
Beyond the Tactics, the Strategy:
- Align with your goals: Define what you want to achieve with your video content. Is it brand awareness, lead generation, community building, or thought leadership?
- Know your audience: Tailor your content to resonate with their interests and needs. What format will grab their attention? What information will be valuable to them?
- Promote strategically: Utilize your existing channels and networks to distribute your videos effectively. Consider paid advertising for wider reach.
- Measure and iterate: Track your video performance and use insights to refine your approach for future events.
Remember: Your event is a treasure trove of content potential. By ditching the recap and embracing strategic video creation, you can extend the life of your event, engage your audience in new ways, and achieve your marketing goals. So, get creative, experiment, and unleash the power of video to truly make your events shine!
Ready to get started? Share your event goals with 8 Media Group and let’s brainstorm some video ideas together!
