WhatsApp and other messaging platforms have become an integral part of our everyday lives. We send hundreds of messages to family, friends and work colleagues every day. Messengers have also become increasingly established in other areas such as event organisation and customer communication.
These tools have also become indispensable for us at Stream1, the professional livestream and event agency from Munich. That’s why we talk to Martin, CEO of Stream1, about how WhatsApp helps with the organisation of events, customer communication and in the livestream and hybrid sector. Martin also provides specific insights into the development, use cases and future trends.
How has the use of messaging platforms such as WeChat and WhatsApp developed in the field of event organisation in recent years?
The importance of messaging platforms has experienced a significant upswing in recent years. Particularly in cultural regions such as China or the USA, a large proportion of customer communication has been handled via messenger services for some time now.
Messages in Messenger have increasingly replaced conventional e-mail. Voting and coordination are increasingly taking place in group chats instead of extensive CC distribution lists in email conversations.
However, this development is also reducing the importance of traditional means of communication such as telephone calls. However, personal conversations on the phone remain an important component, especially for building trust and direct coordination.
What advantages do these messenger services offer for communicating with customers and partners during event organisation?
The use of messenger services such as WeChat and WhatsApp has numerous advantages, especially in the hectic world of event organisation. The speed and real-time communication means that information can be exchanged immediately and responses are expected straight away.
This means that changes or adjustments to plans can be communicated and implemented in staccato. The use of messenger services is particularly useful when organising groups or coordinating different stakeholders, as they enable efficient and uncomplicated communication.
Can you give specific examples of how WeChat and WhatsApp have helped with the organisation of events, particularly in terms of efficiency and time savings?
The use of WeChat and WhatsApp has proven to be extremely beneficial, especially when organising international events with participants from different countries and languages. The integrated translation functions make communication much easier and promote efficient collaboration.
One concrete example is our experience with extensive trade fair live streams involving a team of ten. Thanks to Messenger, we were able to organise ourselves quickly and work together smoothly, even during demanding product presentations for global companies such as Alibaba. The ability to exchange information directly and make decisions promptly contributed significantly to the efficiency and success of these events.
Our Chinese customers in particular appreciate the accessibility via WeChat, as this is their preferred communication channel.
How have these messaging platforms affected customer communication at Stream1?
The integration of messaging platforms such as WeChat and WhatsApp has undoubtedly influenced our communication behaviour. While these platforms make an important contribution to the efficiency and speed of communication, it is important to recognise that they do not play the same role in every area.
Especially at the beginning of a customer relationship, the personal telephone call is irreplaceable. Similar to interpersonal relationships, a customer relationship also needs to grow and build trust. This is not achieved solely by exchanging messages via messenger.
Email remains the method of choice when it comes to confirming contracts, sending summaries or exchanging documents. It offers a formal and reliable communication platform that is indispensable in many business contexts.
What trends do you see regarding the use of messaging platforms for event organisation and live streaming in the future?
In the future, we can expect to see more integration of messaging platforms in event organisation and livestreaming as companies look for more efficient and direct communication channels. The use of AI and automated chatbots could increase to improve attendee interaction and support. Increased personalisation of messages and content is also expected to optimise the user experience and strengthen customer loyalty.
Are there specific challenges or pitfalls that companies should be aware of when integrating messengers such as WeChat and WhatsApp into their event and livestream strategies?
Integrating messenger services such as WeChat and WhatsApp into event and livestream strategies can present some challenges. Companies need to ensure that data protection regulations are adhered to in order to avoid data breaches.
Managing groups and contacts can become complex and requires efficient mechanisms. Language barriers can lead to misunderstandings, especially at international events, so translation tools are important. Coordinating participants in different time zones and their availability can be a challenge. Seamless integration with other tools and platforms is crucial to increase efficiency and keep relevant information centralised.
In conclusion, messaging platforms such as WeChat and WhatsApp are becoming increasingly important in event organisation and the live streaming industry. These tools enable efficient communication, especially at international events.
