Why waste time and money gathering multiple people together in one location for a presentation, seminar, or general business meeting? A webcasting solution allows you to present the same event over the Internet and invite anyone to view it from anywhere in the world.

Webcasting uses streaming media technology to transmit video and audio over the Internet. Visitors to your webcast can see and hear the event through their computers and get the information without having to leave their offices. While you'll have limited opportunity to interact with your guests, you'll still be able to take select questions at the end of the event.

Who uses webcasting?
Many television stations rely on webcasting to allow viewers to watch live programming online, or to pull up programming through their web site. Musicians use webcasting to promote their latest projects, announce tour dates, and even air live concerts. And these days, the business world would be turned on its ear without webcasting because it's critical for releasing quarterly financials or announcing important company news to investors.

Webcasting setup
To present webcasting, all you need is a computer, Internet access, an input device for delivering sound (like text sound cards or wireless microphones), and a visual component (such as video capture cards or video cameras). You also may need encoding software to convert standard video to streaming media, but a webcasting vendor can help you set that up when you're ready.

And it's an even easier setup for your audience! As long as they have a computer with sound and Internet access, they can view the webcast. They simply click on an email link that takes them to the webcast at the scheduled time. From there, they download client software or access their computer's media player. Webcasting invitees can also reference the email to access archived presentations at another time.

Webcasting alternatives
If you need more features than traditional webcasting offers, you could explore other online conferencing models including:

• Web conferencing – Application-rich technology for online meetings, seminars, and presentations
• Webinars – Web conferences with Internet-based audio used for structured events such as training sessions
• Web video conferencing – Highly interactive online meetings with television-news quality

Whether you need webcasting or other web conferencing model, it's important to work with a quality provider who can get you set up immediately. With BuyerZone's free request for webcasting quotes service, we'll connect you to the best providers to find you the right solution to deliver your presentation to your audience. Once you research the options they offer, you can then select the provider who offers a solution with the best mix of customer service and price.