Captions are generally situated at the bottom of any video content screen; they are typically created for the sake of the viewer who is unable to catch the audio. Captions’ creation is done via the division of the transcript message into caption frames.
When the globe was struck with the COVID-19 pandemic, there was a shift to virtual events. These events have continued to be an essential factor in the business and marketing industry as they link the company with its desired audiences.
You cannot ignore creating audience engagement, even if you are a veteran in event hosting. Audience engagement is the secret behind having virtual or in-person events.
Through online captioning, many businesses and even event organizers have been able to engage with their audiences and retain the information. Captioning your events has many benefits thereby, it’s important if you consider doing it.
Below are 7 top reasons you should include captions for your live events
Captioning enhances attendee participation, comprehension, and control
Through captioning, you will improve engagement, comprehension, and control for the attendees and the on-demand viewers. It doesn’t matter if they are viewing it silently or with sound.
Content that has been captioned increases the percentage of viewers completing the videos. This indicates that your event message will be effectively spread to your targeted audiences when you do caption.
International accessibility
By doing virtual events, you are at the advantage of reaching many audiences worldwide. Therefore, captioning will significantly affect your events to help your audiences in the non-native language.
Doing this will enable your audiences to understand your content better. Also, they will feel considered, and this will make them develop an interest in your events, thereby ending up as your loyal audience.
Caption expectation on-demand events by audiences
Some people may have a tight schedule, attending your event at the required time might be a problem. Such audiences can participate on their terms through on-demand video.
Setting up events and employing speakers is quite a complex task.
But if at all you can do it, why don’t you consider having extra eyes on your content via the on-demand viewing probabilities. Specifically, when you are not live, the caption will aid you in attracting on-demand viewers and upholding their attention.
Members with hearing disabilities and the aging members of the society
According to the World Health Organization research, over 5% of the world’s population suffers from hearing disability. 5% is quite a large percentage, as it sums up to 360 million individuals.
So, when you decide to caption your live event, you will enable such people to participate with equity. It doesn’t matter if they appear in person or do it virtually. Ignorance has no defense; if you fail to have such people, you may end up suffering from the long arm of the law.
Despite facing the authorities, you will also miss out on their buying power; 360 million is a pretty large number to miss. You may experience a significant loss; it is better to caption your live events.
Not everyone with hearing implications was born with it; others come by in the stages of life. A good example is the old members in our society, about 1/3 of them have lost their hearing abilities. Data shows that these members are the wealthiest age group.
Individuals over 50 years and above are liable to 50% and above of consumer spending. Despite their contribution, only 15% of advertising companies focus on them. When doing captioning, you will engage and connect with the golden age population.
Silent viewers
Over 50% of viewers’ watch videos with their sounds turned off. This might be when they are at their workplace or home with their family members who don’t want the distraction.
So, whenever you caption your content, you enhance such audiences’ flexibility and increase their chances of taking part in your events. If you fail to caption, you may end up losing such audiences. As they may notice, your content is not helpful as you don’t give them the sound option.
Developing a prestige of being inclusive
If you want to show your corporate dedication to inclusivity, consider captioning your events. Gaining prestige have extensive positive impacts. Most of the buyers tend to purchase from companies which they as inclusive.
Responding to the requirements of several attendees will attract more audiences at your events and enhance your company’s bottom line.
Enhances the search engine optimization (SEO) of your site
Captioning your events will improve your brand’s SEO. It can be done through live streaming your events with online captioning and producing transcripts immediately after the events. With this, Google plus any other search engines will access them. This will make your content searchable, and also your SEO ratings will automatically increase.
