When you’re organizing an event—whether it’s a product launch, trade show, gala, or grand opening—your to-do list is endless. But if video isn’t part of your plan from the start, you’re missing out on a massive opportunity.
A well-thought-out video strategy doesn’t just capture your event—it amplifies it. It helps you reach a bigger audience, extend your impact, and build long-term value from a one-time experience.
In this article, we’ll break down:
- Why you need a video strategy
- What types of videos to consider
- How to implement these strategies
- And how to figure out which video formats are right for your event
Let’s dive in.
Why You Need a Video Strategy (Not Just a Videographer)
Events are full of energy, inspiration, and human connection—but they’re also fleeting.
A video strategy helps you:
- Maximize visibility by reaching people who couldn’t attend
- Create long-term content for marketing, fundraising, or internal use
- Showcase value to sponsors, partners, or clients
- Preserve stories and testimonials that might otherwise be lost
Video adds life, emotion, and credibility to your event. And when done right, it keeps delivering value long after the last guest leaves.
What Types of Event Videos to Consider
There’s no one-size-fits-all approach. Your video mix should depend on your audience, your goals, and the nature of the event. Here are some of the most effective formats:
1. Promo Videos
Use these before your event to build excitement and boost attendance.
Best for:
- Social media campaigns
- Email invites
- Registration pages
2. Pre-Taped (In-Show) Videos
These are scripted or edited videos shown during the event to add emotional depth, context, or pacing.
Best for:
- Awards ceremonies
- Conferences
- Gala fundraisers
Use them for: Honoree stories, brand overviews, or fundraising appeals.
Case Study: For a nonprofit’s 50th anniversary dinner, we created emotional pre-taped stories that brought donors to tears and helped drive a record-setting night of giving.
3. Highlight Videos
These recap your event in 60 to 120 seconds. Think music, energy, quick cuts, and key moments.
Best for:
- Post-event emails
- Website or social proof
- Promoting future events
4. Live Streaming
Stream key sessions to remote audiences in real time—or record them for on-demand viewing.
Best for:
- Conferences and panels
- Internal company events
- Hybrid audiences
Case Study: At the ERE + SourceCon event, JSB Video provided multi-camera livestreams across several breakout rooms, helping our client reach a nationwide audience and offer value to virtual ticket holders.
5. Testimonials & Interviews
Capture guests, speakers, or staff sharing their thoughts during or after the event.
Best for:
- Building credibility
- Marketing next year’s event
- Sales tools or onboarding content
6. B-Roll and Photo Coverage
Don’t underestimate the power of quality b-roll: shots of the crowd, venue, décor, or product demos.
Best for:
- Editing future content
- Press kits and sponsor decks
- Internal training or documentation
Bonus: Our team covered a corporate grand opening with both photo and video teams, giving the company a visual archive to use across departments.
How to Implement a Video Strategy
Getting great content doesn’t happen by accident. Here’s how to do it right:
1. Start Early
Video should be part of your event planning—not an afterthought. That way, you can:
- Build content into the run-of-show
- Schedule interviews and pre-taped segments
- Coordinate brand messaging across platforms
2. Define Your Goals
Are you trying to:
- Drive ticket sales?
- Increase brand visibility?
- Raise money?
- Attract sponsors?
- Train or educate?
Your goals determine the type of video you need and how it should be delivered.
3. Make a Shot List
List the people, places, and moments you want to capture.
Some examples:
- CEO welcome message
- Sponsor booths
- Reaction shots
- Emotional moments
- Logos and branded materials
4. Plan for Post-Event Editing
Editing is where the magic happens. Decide in advance:
- How fast you want the recap video
- How many short clips you need
- Where the final videos will live
How to Know What Videos Are Right for Your Event
Ask yourself:
- Is this a one-time or recurring event?
- Recurring events benefit from highlight reels and testimonials you can reuse year after year.
- Who is the target audience?
- Corporate audiences may value live streams and on-demand talks. Donors may respond better to emotional storytelling.
- What’s your marketing strategy after the event?
- Need content for ads? Social? Email campaigns? Let that guide the formats you choose.
- What’s your budget and timeline?
- Prioritize based on impact. A strong highlight video might go further than a full live stream, or vice versa.
Still unsure? That’s where we come in! Book a Free Event Video Consultation
Final Thoughts: Think Beyond the Day-Of
Your event is more than a gathering—it’s a storytelling opportunity.
With the right strategy, a single event can give you weeks (or months) of branded content, powerful emotional moments, and a stronger connection with your audience.
At JSB Video, we’ve helped businesses, nonprofits, and startups turn their events into standout videos—from small trade shows to large multi-day conferences.
Want help planning your event video strategy? Reach out to our team for a free discovery call.
