How do you fill an online programme? Of course with interesting guests and topics. But in what form do you offer this and how do you make sure there is flow and variety in your programme? An online broadcast should ideally never last much longer than 60 minutes: we only have limited attention spans and online this certainly applies. I hereby like to give you 10 programme elements you can use to set up your online script.
- Waiting room and countdown timer
Before an online programme goes live, participants are often greeted in an online waiting area or land on a landing page: an ideal place where you, as an organisation, can start the first interaction and make people feel welcome. Show a countdown clock a few minutes before you go live, to build excitement and alert participants that the programme is really about to start!
To make it concrete:
- Unlock practical information in the waiting room in advance: e.g. the login for interaction tools.
- Have a chat moderator answer practical questions and encourage interaction.
Bumpers are short video or audio clips of 3-10 seconds. So-called intro, outro and transition bumpers are used to introduce, lead off or connect items in the online programme, respectively. The use of bumpers contributes to a professional impression, the recognition of your brand and above all: a pleasant flow in your programme!
To make it concrete:
- A bumper is a nice short respite for the moderator, guests and crew!
- Use transition bumpers to e.g. get videos ready or placate new guests.
- Include bumpers clearly in your script and prevent speakers from talking too early :)
A sidekick is an assistant to the moderator: he or she instructs the audience on how to submit questions and responses and keeps track of all incoming responses throughout the programme. The sidekick selects the most interesting and/or frequently asked questions and submits them live to the moderator or directly to the studio guests at scripted moments. The contribution of a sidekick is not only convenient, but also creates a fun dynamic.
To make it concrete:
- Know that a sidekick does not have to be a content expert. Rather not even.
- Ask participants to add their name to their question: this creates engagement.
- At the start of your programme, state what you will do with unanswered questions.
- Always have a first question ready, this encourages valuable follow-up questions.
- Apply "upvoting" and let the audience decide which question should come forward.
- Alternate and vary question types: polls, wordclouds, open-ended questions and Q&As.
A table lady or gentleman accompanies the moderator during the online programme. Unlike the sidekick, the table guest is involved in the content of the programme. A table guest can provide a pleasant sharpening of the conversation, make valuable additions at set times and often evoke recognition among viewers. A table guest is often a figurehead within the organisation or within a certain sector.
To make it concrete:
- A director who wants to moderate? As a table guest, one often comes into his/her own better!
- Take into account the extra time in your script for the often spontaneous table guest contributions.
One of the main ingredients of your script is one or more short interviews with an expert speaker. In many cases, it is good to prepare the content of the interview with the speaker. Spontaneous interviewing can be fun and good, but requires moderator and speaker to have a good awareness of time management. Again: online people have very limited attention spans!
To make it concrete:
- In a preliminary conversation, come up with three bullet points that summarise the message.
- As a moderator, reach out for a bullet point if the guest unexpectedly takes side paths.
- Be sparing with presentations and monologues during a live broadcast.
- Online, experts do not have to be on location: they can therefore contribute globally!
As with a live event, a panel should ideally be varied in backgrounds and viewpoints: if it doesn't rub off somewhere, it often won't be an animated conversation. So spend careful time on your panel speaker line-up. Give your panel discussion structure by basing it on 2-3 statements, each of which viewers at home can vote on live: agree/disagree. That way, you keep everyone involved.
To make it concrete:
- Keep in mind the RIVM guidelines for the number of guests and spacing.
- Determine the number of cameras in relation to the number of guests:
To display 3 to 4 guests, you need at least 3 cameras. - In your script, handle 10 minutes for one statement:
1 minute for introduction, 1 for the poll, 7 for the conversation and 1 for a viewer response.
When RIVM guidelines allow , you can suggest participants to form "satellite locations". People gather at different points around the country to watch the online broadcast together in small groups on one screen. This increases the sense of involvement and it is a valuable contact moment with your relations. Moreover, it allows you to digitally "visit" one of the satellite locations during the live broadcast via a video connection - how fun is that!
To make it concrete:
- Decide in advance how many and which satellite locations will be in the live broadcast.
- During a walk-through with the satellite venues, check: the lighting, sound and imaging.
Visual content helps to further clarify and enliven themes. Think videos, images or slides. Videos can be professionally recorded, but a simple recording with your own smartphone often suffices as well. Video can also be used to introduce a new programme component.
To make it concrete:
- Sponsored content allows stakeholders to contribute to the programme with video.
- Keep videos short to preserve the live character of a live stream.
- During the walk-through with callers, check the display of slides from their computers.
Unlike TV, you do have room for live audience interaction in an online broadcast. Make the most of this: not only by handling live viewer questions, but e.g. by playing a quiz via an interaction tool or presenting an award. Another form of entertainment , is of course a nice music performance!
To make it concrete:
- Make sure quiz players enter with their own names to determine the winner.
- A 20-second latency applies: the delay between what you say/ask in the studio and what the viewer hears/answers at home.
- Music performances often require additional commitment in terms of audio equipment
Spoken word, e.g. a "spoken column" , not only offers a nice change in your programme but is often a powerful form to convey the importance of a topic. Ideally, spoken word should be spoken standing up to reinforce the message.
To make it concrete:
- Ghosts are often spoken standing up: take this into account in terms of camera setup.
- Spoken word can also be recorded in advance and shown as a video.
Have more questions or want to take a look at your script? Then take non-binding contact up!
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