As a content creator, you would be aware of how live streaming connects viewers across the internet, but there are two types of streaming: live streaming and pre-recorded streaming.
The purpose of both is to engage the audience and get feedback but which appeals the most and how we both benefit the creators, if you have these questions in your head then this article will guide you into answers you are seeking.
Table of Contents
What Is Pre-Recorded Streaming?
Pre-recorded streaming is an excellent way to stream videos without going live, when you record the video content and stream it according to a scheduled time with flexibility and control over the video.
One great thing about pre-recorded streaming is if you are worried and nervous about going live with users flooded in your live stream then pre-recorded comes handy.
Added advantage of pre- recorded streaming is you can add multimedia and other enhancements to increase the quality of your content.
The Benefits Of Pre-Recorded Streaming:
If you wondering about the reasons to why choose pre-recorded streaming for showcasing your content, then here it is,
Editing: If you are a perfectionist and keen on delivering a picture-perfect content then pre-recorded streaming is a good choice, as it involves editing and removing the dull parts and improvising the content and quality of the video, thereby producing a refined presentation.
Pre and post Scheduling: Promoting your content at the right time brings in more audience from various sources and with pre-recorded streaming you can go live at a desired date and time, with a strategic plan and focusing on target audience.
Presentation flexibility: When you stream your content in pre-recorded live streaming you have more flexibility in your content as you can trim out unwanted parts, add media like music without any hiccups since they are not presented live.
No Technical glitches: Pre-recorded streams removes the risk of technical issues that occur during a live stream like internet connectivity issues, audio corrections, light issues and lag.
Multi-content possibilities: You can create a variety of content in pre-recording streaming, like tutorials, product demos, and evergreen videos, as it gives you a vast amount of time and creative space to engage.
Multilingual Support: With pre-recorded streaming, you can target audiences across borders as you can add translated subtitles and themes for convenient understanding.
Cons of Pre-Recorded Streaming:
No Real-time Interaction: Pre-recorded streaming creates an absence of raising questions in between the stream to the host. This creates a miss out on interaction and engagement.
History: Most of the pre-recorded content is created days before so charing real-time information, updates, or live coverage, is not possible.
Relevancy: Freshly updated content has more viewership value then a content that is days or week old, so the relevancy of the pre-recorded content becomes outdated and less efficient as it doesn’t cover trending topics.
Engagement Issues: Without live engagement with the Q&A sessions or polls, viewer engagement is reduced.
Use Cases of Pre-Recorded Streaming:
Tutorials and How-To Videos: Pre-recorded content is suitable for educational tutorials and demonstrations.
How-To videos are the best content for pre-recorded streaming, as they explain a step-by-step process where users can download and save them if the platform allows it.
Product Demos: Businesses can highly benefit from pre-recorded videos by explaining their products’ features, benefits, and usage with pre-recorded videos.
Workshops and webinars: To ensure the best quality, educational workshops and webinars can be recorded in advance and planned for suitable viewing times.
Storytelling and brand content: Brands can develop engaging brand narratives, ads, and promotional videos utilizing pre-recorded content to deliver a certain message or emotion.
What is Live-Streaming?
Live-streaming is a real-time streaming activity conducted by a streaming host with his/her followers. Live streaming offers authenticity, brand power, and real-time interaction with the viewers.
Product launches, events, webinars, and podcasts are the most popular live streaming contents. Instant feedback and spontaneous moments in live streaming benefit both the viewer and the host.
Benefits of Live Streaming:
Live streaming offers more solutions and use cases to different industries and businesses, some of them are mentioned below,
Real-time Interaction: Live streaming allows for immediate interaction with your audience through comments, queries, and feedback that are made in the moment.
Genuine interaction with viewers is made possible via live broadcasts, which strengthens trust and fosters a sense of community.
Timeliness: Live streaming is the best way to share breaking news, event coverage, and content that must be shared immediately.
Live Q&A sessions, surveys, and gifts can increase audience engagement and loyalty.
Algorithmic Favor: Live content is prioritized in the algorithms of many sites, potentially boosting visibility and reach.
Multiple hosts: When hosting a live streaming event, multiple hosts engagement is highly possible as it brings more authenticity to the content.
Cons of Live Streaming:
No edit: Unlike pre-recorded streaming, live streaming content cannot be corrected or edited during streaming.
Technical issues: During live streaming, there are high chances for audio and other technical issues to occur.
Use Cases of Live Streaming:
Live Conferences: Live streaming in real-time is appropriate for conferences, event coverage, sports gaming, and concerts with a huge audience.
Audience Interaction: Live streaming opens gates to live Q&A sessions, polls, and audience participation, thereby creating a community feel and increasing the engagement ratio.
Current News and Updates: updated current live news and media-related coverage rely on live streaming as it requires timely delivery and update.
Live Interviews and Panels: Live interviews, discussions, and panel sessions benefit from real-time audience questions and immediate interaction with guests.
Gaming: Live streaming is becoming popular in the gaming industry, where gamers interact with their audience in real time while playing and commenting on games and the experience.
Product Launches: companies launching new products or brands announcing updates, live streaming is a great choice.
Conclusion
Pre-recorded or live streaming should be chosen depending on various objectives, content, the target audience, platform, and audience participation. So decide on those factors and make a choice with purpose. Some firms and content creators switch and toggle between both based on necessity. At the end, if it serves both, there is no harm in opting for one or both streaming options.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. Why is live streaming better than pre-recorded ?
Live streaming creates interactions and builds engagement with the viewers, whereas pre-recorded gives out a telecast output,
2. What are the advantages of pre-recorded video?
1. Free from technical glitches
2.More time to prepare content and edit
3.Technical strong output
3. Can a live stream be pre-recorded?
Live streams can be recorded and you can live stream a pre-recorded video. Since, live stream is to go live in real-time, platforms like OnTheFly help you record the live stream with studio grade recording features.
4. Do I Need To Be Present To Start A Pre-Recorded Video?
It depends on the user, if you are willing to give an introduction to the viewers and stay throughout the presentation, then you can show up to the session, it totally depends on the presenter’s individual decision.
5. Can I Use Pre-Recorded Streams On Every Destination?
Platforms like OnTheFly offer embed URL features where you can embed your video into a link and share them on multiple destinations.