Leebug was developed as a networking tool for physical events and has really focused on helping event producers monetize their social networking around the event. In fact, their business model is to partner with events and do a revenue share as opposed to charging outright for their solution.
“Since its launch as a ‘software as a service’ (SaaS) solution for events, Leebug has been adding new features and functionality,” said Stephanie Golden, Managing Partner at Leebug. “Today event managers can customize the platform to brand the site similar to their event website. We also provide a widget that they can place on any site that brings people to their Leebug network.”
As background, this is a social networking tool that allows event staff to upload attendees into their system and then the system will email the attendees to invite them to log in and update their profile. There is LinkedIn API integration to allow users to upload their profile information with a single click.
Leebug platform with Financial Times branding
Once in, your attendees can begin to connect with others based on their profile and contact preferences. The system allows for blog posting and chat as well as text messaging. With their mobile app, the idea is to get people connected before and during the event and keep them connected after. So it is a type of perpetual environment.
The mobile app also includes a full event guide with the schedule, speaker bios and sponsor/exhibitor and polling exhibitor info as well as the networking. Golden noted that the mobile app is also free which people are really interested in since the cost of those can be quite high.
The monetization comes in the form of site advertising, mobile advertising as well as a virtual booth presence. With V-Booths, your exhibitors can upload video, documents and branding items and interact with attendees on an ongoing basis.
“We integrate with all of the major social media platforms likeTwitter, Facebook, YouTube and exhibitors, for example, can use our widget to add their booth to their Facebook page,” said Golden.
Leebug looks like a good solution if you are looking to extend the value of your event but the challenge might be with integration with other existing systems like registration or an existing social network and if you are planning a hybrid extension of your event, you are going to have to figure out how you would do that in Leebug (which may be possible) as opposed to adding yet another platform to host your content streams and other event-related activities from the in physical location.
