Webcast

What is a webcast?

A webcast is a live event that's broadcast online. Webcasting can used to stream roundtable discussions, presentations with one or more speakers, or live panels. Essentially, any professional event that can happen in front of an audience will work for a video webcast.

As a webcaster, you can distribute your live webcast with webinar software that makes it easy for hosts to share slides. And since most webinar platforms have recording features built-in, you can repurpose and redistribute your webcast at a later time.

Examples of webcasts

Examples of a webcast include company town halls, web conferences, panel discussions, niche award ceremonies, or marketing events.

For instance, you could make a web broadcast for a product launch. Invite the press and a few key influencers to attend in person. Then, encourage other relevant personalities and customers to watch the stream.

How does a webcast work?

Webcasts work by providing a livestream of an in-person event where one or multiple speakers are presenting to an audience. Depending on the webcasting platform you use you can also record your webcast and make it available on-demand as part of your evergreen video content strategy.

Webcasts require the same level of preparation as creating a webinar, including:

• Planning the content
• Contacting speakers
• Defining an agenda
• Promoting the session
• Making it engaging
• Analyzing attendance metrics

But webcasts also require physical event planning as you’ll need to:

• Find a venue
• Rent or buy high-quality and compatible video cameras, microphones, and speakers
• Pay for a video streaming platform

As your video streaming platform, you could use Livestorm to reach up to 3,000 online attendees (even more if you use our integrations with Twitch and YouTube to stream to a wider audience). Plus, Livestorm comes with an integrated encoder for streaming 1080p videos, so you’ll always ensure a great viewer experience.

Pro tip: If this is your first webcast, hire an audiovisual technician so they can explain how to webcast an event properly. They’ll help you set up cameras and microphones to ensure your brand has a smooth audio and video experience. This person can also help set up an encoder in case your live stream platform doesn’t have this functionality.

Webcast vs webinar: What is the difference between a webcast and a webinar?

Webcasts and webinars are easy to confuse, as they're both online video events that viewers can watch from their browser. However, there are a few key differences.

Webcasts usually have a Q&A session with the live and online audience at the end of the presentation. Because webcasts have a live aspect to them, you'll need to consider all the normal preparations for event planning. Finding venues, speakers, and technology that's up to par for the streaming component all factor into webcasts.

Webcast vs podcast: what is the difference between a webcast and a podcast?

Webcasts are sometimes confused with podcasts because they have similar-sounding names. And while they aren't the same medium, they're both valuable tools for marketing and have a "share" factor that makes them reach large audiences.

The main difference between a webcast and a podcast is that a podcast contains no visual elements. Podcasts are audio files and lack any engagement features present in a webcast like registration pages, chat tabs, screen sharing, automated recordings, and more.

Webcast vs broadcast: What’s the difference between a webcast and a broadcast?

A broadcast is similar to a webcast because they both involve streaming a live event. However, broadcasts usually reach a much larger audience. Examples of a broadcast include live TV or radio shows. The issue with broadcasts is that it’s harder to know who’s watching. For instance, you can’t really tell if the people watching it matches your ideal customer profile (ICP).

Webcasts are usually broadcast live to a target audience and have both an in-person and online audience. Webcasts can also include automated content within the presentation as the speaker can play a video or audio during the event.

What are the benefits of webcasts?

Here are a few benefits of webcasts:

• Less costly
• Better reach
• Save on travel costs

The ideal use case for a webcast is an event that can be hosted in a smaller venue and is live streamed online. The limited live audience can participate with the speakers, while still benefiting from the high standards of a physical event.

Event organizers pay less overall, while the reach of any particular event is expanded. Plus, webcasts help to save on travel costs for attendees.

What is the best webcast software?

If you're looking for webcast solution to manage every part of your webcast, look no further. From the registration pages to hosting the actual webcast — and even the follow-up afterward, Livestorm is the world's first video engagement platform that can do it all. You can try it for free here.

How to organize a great webcast

Careful planning is the key to crafting and executing a successful webcast. But unless you’re an expert, you might not know where or how to start. Here tried and tested tips from Hannah Dean, Customer Success Manager at Livestorm.

To start, you’ll need to plan your webcast, define your metrics, pick the best webcast platform, find the right equipment and setup, and test and monitor your webcast stream.

1. Plan your webcast

Webcast planning takes time. And if it’s your first webcast, Hannah recommends scheduling it no less than eight weeks in advance to have ample time to pick your topic and speakers, practice your material, iron out any technical issues, pick your engagement tools, and align with your marketing or brand team.

Once you’ve set your date, to successfully plan your webcast, you’ll need to:

• Choose an event type. Whether it’s a virtual or hybrid event, or a bigger production-based event, understanding which type of webcast you’re creating will help guide planning and preparation.
• Pick a topic. Start with a problem you want to help solve - that’s your topic. You can even ask your audience what they need help with. Try emailing them a survey, or sharing a poll on your social channels.
• Select your speakers. The number and type of speakers will depend on the format. Whether you organize a panel discussion or decide to only have one host, your speakers should always provide value for your audience.
• Add it to your marketing calendar. Make sure to leverage your webcast and promote your webcast on social media, or blog about it on your website to raise awareness and viewership.
• Troubleshoot in advance. Consider questions like: what tools do I need to run my webcast? Do I need a set or backdrop? How should I switch between screens/speakers? Use these questions to proactively problem-solve well before the event.

2. Define your webcast metrics

Set benchmarks for progress and evaluate your marketing strategy by tracking virtual event success metrics. Which variables you measure depend on your goals, but here are a few failsafe metrics to consider for your webcast:

• Conversion rate/number of registrants: Use the number of registrants to measure how effective your campaigns are and see if you’re targeting the right audience.
• Number of attendees: Just because someone registered for your event, doesn’t mean they’ll be able to make it on the day of. Track the number of actual attendees to see how convenient your event is to attend and how successful your comms strategy is post-conversion.
• Engagement: Factors like the number of questions asked, attendance duration, and chat messages all fall under engagement. Tracking the engagement rate helps marketers understand if they’re creating a dynamic, entertaining experience for their audience and if they need to improve it.
• Retention rate: Use retention rate to measure how successful your content is at keeping your audience’s attention, and if you’re meeting their interests and needs. You can boost retention rates by making additional content available at the end of the webcast, and making sure your audience knows what’s to come.
• Replays: A high webcast replay rate could indicate you’re providing real value to your audience, even if registrants couldn’t attend it live. Track your replays to understand if your content translates into evergreen lead generation material, and leverage it.

Pro tip: Use the Livestorm analytics dashboard to track the above metrics and see what’s working in your virtual selling strategy - or what you could improve to better engage and educate your audience.

3. Pick the best webcast platform

To run a successful webcast, you need a powerful event live streaming software platform that helps you convert, engage, and retain your audience.

Look for features that’ll help you achieve your specific marketing goals and enable a great attendee experience. For example, if your main objective is to increase engagement rates, you’ll want a platform that measures audience engagement with actionable data, so you know what to improve.

Here are some Livestorm’s features that help marketing teams create compelling webcasts that convert:

• Easy-to-embed registration pages and forms that are optimized for conversion to help capture leads and boost attendance rates.
• Email cadences to send automatic, personalized event follow-ups and reminders.
• Contact records and native CRM integrations for reliable contact and CRM data. See which contacts engaged with your webcast, and which weren’t able to attend, and use it to inform outreach.
• On-demand and automated events for webcast replays and post-event lead generation.
• Analytics dashboard for actionable insights into your webcast experience and hitting your KPIs.
• Engagement features like live chat, polls, Q&A, virtual whiteboards, virtual backgrounds, and emoji reactions to grab your audience’s attention and boost retention.

4. Find the right webcast equipment

Once you’ve chosen your webcast streaming platform, you’ll need to find the right webcast equipment to level up the quality of your production and get more views. Here’s what our team suggests:

Audio

Pristine sound is a requirement for engaging a large audience and maintaining your brand image. Make sure you’re in a quiet environment to set yourself up for success. You’ll also need a high-quality mic and headphones if you really want to elevate your sound.

Our top microphone picks are:

1. The Blue Yeti
2. Elgato Wave3
3. HyperXSoloCast

And our favorite headphones are:

1. Jabra BIZ 2400 Duo / Mono
2. Logitech G4333
3. Bose Noise Canceling
4. 4. Jabra Evolve 75 MS

Video

The better your video quality, the more traffic you’ll attract. So, it’s important to invest in a great camera or webcam to create a flawless video presentation that can be accessed again and again. We also recommend using a switcher for seamless transitions between cameras and shots.

Here are some of our favorite cameras:

1. Sony XV-1
2. Logiteach Brio 4K Webcam
3. Aukey FHD Webcam

And, according to Hannah, “if you have a DSLR or a mirrorless camera already at home, you can use Cam Link 4K instead, which uses a universal driver to turn your camera into a webcam without any delay.”

Lighting

Great lighting gives your webcast a professional ambiance and competitive edge. Make sure you find the right angle for your camera (that complements your lighting setup) and doesn’t create any unwanted shadows. Here’s what we recommend:

1. Elgato Ring Light
2. Lume Cube Air VC Kit
3. Elgato Keylight Mini

5. Use an encoder

If you’re more advanced at streaming live events, or have a more technical production setup, you’ll need an encoder. An encoder is software or hardware that converts multiple raw video and audio sources into a compressed, streamable digital format.

Hannah recommends OBS Studio, which is a free encoder software popular for live streaming webcasts. “With OBS you can create dynamic productions with multiple elements, layouts, and video sources,” she explains.

Since encoder software is more cost-effective and widely used than hardware, here are some other options:

• Switcher studio
• vMIX
• Ecamm
• Streamlabs OBS

Keep in mind that using an encoder comes with streaming latency — or a five-second delay. So, it’s important to keep everything (audio and video components) within the OBS itself when streaming your web video cast.

6. Configure your streaming software settings

After choosing your encoder, you’ll need to configure your streaming settings. But before you start, it’s important to choose an encoder that’s compatible with your online video platform. Here’s how to configure your streaming settings:

Configure your encoder

Check if your video platform uses RTMP ingest and set up your RTMP encoder. You can either stick to your pre-set settings or consider the following configuration:

**Pro tip: **Hannah recommends a 1080p HD configuration for a crystal clear image that will be sure to impress your audience.

Select your source inputs

Source inputs vary for each video platform or encoder. But once your encoder is set up, it’s important to connect your source inputs (like cameras and mics) to your encoder so they’re part of your stream. Consider the following setup for audio and video inputs:

7. Test and monitor your webcast stream

For optimal results, you’ll need to test and monitor your webcast stream to make sure everything’s working correctly and you don’t encounter any last-minute surprises. Here’s how:

• Check your setup. Double check if everything has been plugged in properly, if your Bitrate’s well-configured, and check your internet connection and speed before starting your test run for any last-minute fixes.
• Run a test stream. Put your video platform, equipment, and encoder to the test to check if there are any technical issues that need to be troubleshot. Use your test run to practice your material, or have speakers run through their presentations for a more seamless experience on the day of.
• Troubleshoot technical problems. If you’re experiencing technical issues during your test run, make sure you check your video and audio quality, webcast stream consistency, and encoder settings to prevent any issues during the event.

Frequently asked questions about webcasts

What is a webcast example?

A webcast example could be a live podcast recording. These special episodes typically get recorded in front of a live audience or get livestreamed online. So, instead of the hosts recording the audio in a studio, they would:

• Book a venue
• Sell tickets
• Host the show
• Record the episode in front of an audience
• Upload it to YouTube where people can watch it live or on-demand

Can you be seen in a webcast?

You can’t be seen in a webcast—or at least not in most cases. While online webcast attendees can ask questions, usually the only people on-screen would be the event speakers and hosts. The only time an audience member would be seen in a webcast is if the host recorded the live audience as part of the event, but participants would need to be notified or sign a waiver for them to be shown on screen.

How much does a webcast cost?

The cost of a webcast varies depending on whether or not you already have access to the technology, location, and speakers in-house. So, prices for hosting a webcast can range from $0 to thousands of dollars.

Editorial & methodology — Written and reviewed by the Livestorm content team, based on first-party product experience and platform documentation. Last updated: July 2026.