Lessons Learned from Livestreaming
Livestreaming allows organizations to share video content in an interactive, exciting way. Data from Cisco shows that livestreaming technology will account for 17% of internet video traffic by 2022, growing 15-fold since 2017. As this format of video creation increases in popularity, organizations should invest their time and energy into using this tool for their advantage. Here are some key lessons I have learned from livestreaming so you know what to expect and what to avoid before you broadcast live.
Alamo City Moms using Facebook’s livestreaming feature to interview our client about Grace Place alzheimer’s activity center
Plan Ahead:
Avoid situations where you attempt to share video without having an idea of what you want to shoot and how.
If you’re a newbie, give yourself plenty of time to learn how to navigate the features of mobile or livestreaming technology. You don’t want to be in a situation where it’s time to stream and you can’t work the application or your smart device properly.
Locate the livestreaming application of your choice. There are several livestream capable social media platforms, but the most popular are Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. Decide which of the available options makes the most sense for the scenario that you want to livestream.
Ensure you test the quality of your audio, video, and internet connection beforehand. Testing is essential to guarantee a positive user experience for your audience. You don’t want audio that sounds muffled or echoed, pixelated video feeds, and/or buffering issues. Additionally, be conscious of the fact that a shared WiFi network will alter the strength of your internet connection.
Pro Tip: Facebook livestreams allow users to set their audience to “Me only.” Set this audience up first and then livestream your content. This is a great strategy to use to carry out any necessary testing including tags and hashtags in copy. Additionally, this method gives the livestreamer the opportunity to watch the stream in its entirety to verify it meets quality standards before publicizing. After a quality check, simply change the audience setting from “Me only” to public.
Making the Most of Your Moment:
The duration and content of your livestream will ultimately have an effect on who is watching and if people even watch.
Host Roy of The Carpenters Apprentice interviews business owners live via Facebook at TCA 500, an event that celebrated 500 episodes of the web show
If you are streaming at an event, try to limit live video feeds to only the most exciting/interesting moments. The live nature of these feeds means your audience has a higher chance of experiencing a lull when you leave it running for a long duration. Don’t make your audience skip through your video content. Give them exactly what they are looking for.
Be conscious of your environment and what is appearing in the video frame of your stream. Make sure that the frame is clear, not shaky, and aesthetically pleasing.
Especially in event settings, be mindful of the audience in attendance. Do not block attendees, especially those who paid for an experience. Steer clear from allowing patrons to walk in front of your shot as it can be distracting. Set clear parameters and maintain those boundaries to avoid snafus.
My hope is that this post inspires you to think about ways to integrate livestreaming into your digital marketing plans. Use these lessons to increase your confidence when you livestream.
If you have any questions or want help livestreaming, drop us a comment below. Or contact us directly on this site.
Keep an eye out for our “how tos” on livestreaming in the coming weeks ahead!