Events are a great way to collaborate, celebrate, and discuss, but post-COVID-19, the world has greatly changed its way of consuming events.
Live streaming has come into the big picture, paving new pathways for all social events.
The benefits and reach of live streaming an events are mammoth when it comes to location-based participation.
But where does one get started, how to live stream an event,the best way to live stream an event, and how to reap the benefits of it? To answer all these questions, read through the article.
What Is Live Event Streaming?
Simply put, live streaming is streaming of real-time events in video and audio format through an internet connection from a streaming platform without being recorded.
Which Events Can You Live Stream?
Here are some use cases where content creators can make use of live streaming in different industries:
Product Launches: Live streaming can be highly effective if industries release products to people from different parts of the world with a live, engaging event.
Conferences: Live streaming conferences build a sense of collaborative discussions, interviews, and panel discussions and save a lot of effort and time.
Concerts And Festivals: Live streaming a concert or music festival is feasible and generates more income with fans and followers to participate from different parts of the world.
Post-COVID, most of the film festivals are conducted online, with a huge number of participants.
Educational Workshops And Classes: Live streaming educational classes help students engage consciously with digital learning by asking questions in real time.
Live Shopping Event: Live streaming increases the sales of e-commerce businesses by hosting a shoppable live stream featuring product demos. This increases your brand value and creates a new shopping experience for viewers.
Earnings call: Businesses use live streaming earnings calls for a wide range of purposes, from investor relations and transparency to personal branding and Q&A sessions.
Companies like Tesla and Alphabet are currently putting this into action.
Trade Shows: Online Trade shows and exhibitions let vendors go virtual and host online booths so that online viewers can interact and get with their products and services easily.
What Are The Benefits Of Live Streaming An Event?
- Wider audience reach
- Cost effective
- Real-time engagement
- Exploring new income stream
- Building brand awareness
Preparation For Live Streaming:
Before going for a live streaming event, make sure you ask these questions:
- What is the purpose of live streaming that event?
- Which platform is best for live streaming?
- What are the features of streaming?
- Will you monetize the event?
Answer the following questions, and make sure you are clear on the needs and wants of your live streaming.
10 Steps To Streaming Live Events
To live stream an event, you’ll need careful planning and the right tools. Start by choosing a platform like YouTube, Facebook OnTheFly, or Twitch.
1. Choosing The Right Platform:
Selecting the right streaming platform is very important. Some of the best live streaming platforms include OnTheFly, YouTube, Facebook Live, Twitch, and Instagram.
2.Target Your Audience:
Fix a goal and target audience on whichever platform you are choosing to use. Utilize the platform’s unique features.
3.Internet Essentials:
Make space for quality audio and video equipment, ensuring a professional streaming output.
- A high-definition camera
- a dedicated microphone,
- a stable and high-speed internet connection
- proper lighting are a must
Test-run your equipment beforehand to avoid technical glitches.
4.Selecting An Encoder:
An encoder is a tool used to convert your audio and video signals into a format suitable for online streaming. There are two types of encoder hardware and software, and the best available software options include OBS Studio, Streamlabs OBS, and XSplit.
5.Streaming Setup:
Set up a proper video resolution, frame rate, bitrate, and encoder settings for better streaming quality.
6.Rehearse Beforehand:
Conduct rehearsals for your streaming event to avoid issues while streaming so that it helps in delivering a professional live stream.
7.Engaging Your Audience:
Interacting with your audience is crucial, so choose a platform with real-time chat features to answer questions and acknowledge feedback. Engage them with polls, contests, or Q&A sessions during the event.
8.Promotion And Marketing:
Utilize social media, email, influencers, and your website to create promotion for your event. Share snippets, reels, and BTS content to build anticipation.
Collaborate with influencers to maximize your reach and attract a wider audience.
9.Monetization Strategies:
Explore monetization! There are plenty of platforms where monetization is available for live streaming without compromising on the viewer experience.
10.Monitoring And Analytics:
Monitor viewer count and engagement levels and understand the data to improve your streaming in real-time. Analyze the insights into audience demographics for future optimizations.
11.Recording And Repurposing Content:
Save your live stream for future use. Repurpose the content into shorter clips, podcasts, or blog posts to maximize its value and reach a broader audience over time.
Takeaway:
In conclusion, by following these steps, you can create a compelling and memorable live stream experience for your audience. Successful live streaming requires a thoughtful approach encompassing platform selection, technical setup, audience engagement, promotion, and post-event strategies.Platforms like Restream, OnTheFly, and Streamyard hold these features. Try them out and make your mark!