ENDAVO BLOG

Endavo to “Rock The Camp” with Interactive Music Contest

Move over, American Idol. The new tune of music competitions is here—and it’s more interactive than ever before. Rock The Camp, a national talent search, is looking for the next big thing, and it’s turning to online video (and Endavo) to do it.

Already nearly 600 bands have signed up, and the site has received more than a quarter of a million views. What’s more: The content has attracted a host of big-name sponsors and 10,000 registered members.

The prizes aren’t bad, either. The winner opens for multi-platinum music artist TobyMac in Nashville, receives a recording session with Grammy Award-winning producer Paul Ebersold, and performs on the K-LOVE Friends & Family Music Cruise.

Through the end of February, bands across the country can upload a video or MP3 through Endavo Media’s Platform. Fans then register and vote on their favorite performers (through the end of March), and the top ten entries are judged by leading industry professionals.

This hits all the right notes for content producers. Rock The Camp has secured sponsors and advertisers, is capturing valuable user information and is creating brand awareness across the nation. And all this Idol-like buzz required was some user-generated content, a custom-branded look and a healthy dose of creativity.

Been There, Streamed That: 3 Lessons Learned

By Jason Anderson

Well, I'm back! I returned from the 2009 Lifelight Music Festival in Sioux Falls, S.D. a couple weeks ago, and I'm already looking forward to next year's event. To say the least, I had an amazing trip. The bands were great, the crowd was full of energy and the experience was unforgettable. But even more exciting than being out there with 300,000 fans was knowing that I was a part of something bigger.

For the first time in their 12-year history, LifeLight wanted to offer live streaming concert coverage to fans across the nation during the 3-day festival. So, you better believe that we were there to make it happen. So while live events are fresh on my mind, I wanted to share a few tips to help make your next online video live event a success. Sure, every live broadcast is going to be different in terms of venue, content, audience, production, budget, schedule, etc. But there are a few fundamental things that it’s always good to remind yourself of when preparing for your event.

1) Internet Connection is King

When planning a major online event, be sure to repeatedly test your live online connection strength prior to your event. This can easily be accomplished by connecting a DVD player or other video source to your streaming computer and to check out the quality of your broadcast. Don't take your internet provider's word on your upload speed -- inspect it personally.

2) Cameras, Computers and Coding, Oh My!

Prior to a live online event, be sure to test the quality of your input and output devices (cameras, encoders, etc.) to guarantee a flawless end-user experience.  Remember, the live stream can only ever be as good as your original source.  Also, try to dedicate a computer solely to the live online broadcast, and have a back-up. 

3) Ready, Set, Subscribe!

Be sure to set up an automatic subscription process through your live broadcast/video on-demand platform. This will streamline the user registration and log-in process, and simplify the way you manage registrations. By keep it simple, you’ll not only increase the number of people who subscribe but also increase the quality of the experience. Then, your audience can enjoy the event, without getting hung up during the registration process.

More live event tips to come. In the meantime, thanks to the incredible folks at Lifelight Festival. See you next year!

LifeLight Music Festival 2009 Teams Up with Endavo Media to Stream Live Concert Footage Online

By Jason Anderson

These days, live online streaming is hotter than ever. Take the LifeLight Festival, the largest free Christian music festival in the U.S. happening this Labor Day weekend. Last year, over 320,000 fans gathered on a grassy plain in Sioux Falls, South Dakota for the free outdoor concert. This year, the event will extend far beyond the Mount Rushmore state-- it's going online to a live global audience.

LifeLight will broadcast nearly 30 hours of live music to paid subscribers over three days in stunning audio and video quality. During the live broadcast, fans will see interactive banner advertisements for the on-stage artists' latest CDs, future concert tickets and more. Between acts, LifeLight fans will also have the opportunity to enjoy music videos from their favorite bands or cruise back to the LifeLight main website to find out more about their non-profit ministry.

So what does this have to do with your brand or, for that matter, your band?

Now is the best time to consider new ways to reach your audience. Think about it -- how do you to connect with clients, fans and others in real-time? Live online broadcasting within a custom-branded environment will build a lasting relationship with your audience, especially if you're featuring niche events for dedicated fans and followers.

While some of the video sharing sites do offer to host your live broadcasts, you better be prepared to give up control over your revenue and your brand. So if you’re serious, stop reaching for their “carrot on a stick” and begin fully capitalizing on live event opportunities to connect with your fans with your own platform. Learn from LifeLight's cost-effective, custom-branded efforts and capture your own dedicated fan base using live online broadcasting.