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So, you have set up a live streaming show, and everything appears to be going smoothly—congratulations! You might think that now would be the time to relax, sit back and watch as friends, family, and thousands of viewers join your live stream video from all over the world.
However, as stress-free as live streamed events may seem at first, it can actually be one of the hardest events to set up because now, more than ever, you need to be able to pay attention to everything that’s going on in your event all at the same time such as the upload speed, internet speed, social channels, video quality, online guests, streaming platform, etc.
After all, if your audience doesn’t know what is happening, then they are not going to stick around for long—and there go your subscribers and viewers!
Live Streaming Event Setup
It can therefore feel like a bit of a juggling act, ensuring that you engage viewers through a seamless live video and that you answer all their questions and comments in the chat while managing the show.
A lot of successful live streamers will tell you that engaging with audiences from social media platforms like Facebook, YouTube and others is a top favorite part of streaming because it means there’s never an idle moment.
When a professional host starts live streaming, they regard those who participate as friends and the broadcast as a team effort. But access to livestream technology doesn’t guarantee the success of any virtual event.
Get your live streaming production company to test run the latest features such as the lighting, microphone, webcam, and other hardware. Live streams can be so unpredictable that just when your broadcast seems to be the desirable quality, and you can take a moment to catch your breath, something else happens. And you will need to be on the ball once again.
To be honest though, this is what draws many to live streaming video services. It’s an exciting way of life that gets people hooked!
Challenges of Setting Up Live Streaming Event
While live streaming is brilliant, it isn’t without its problems. For example, if an earpiece cuts out halfway through a broadcast, it can be pretty awkward to carry on as though nothing has happened, even for professionals.
Similarly, if you encounter problems like limited bandwidth or your browser acts up for some reason, then people are likely to get frustrated and just a few seconds is enough time to make them switch.
Whether you’re livestreaming conferences, webinars or meetings, or a business session, make sure you connect with the audience seamlessly across different platforms as they access your video and audio service. However, for the sake of contingencies, prepare the necessary troubleshooting tools.
Live Stream Beta Testing
Fortunately, you can prevent some unpleasant surprises from happening at all. Before you live stream events publicly, first, run private streams that can be regarded as a form of beta testing. To simulate the live streaming effectively, plan ahead and put important things in place.
For instance, the embed code should be fixed, your video sources should be settled, prepare your capture card, get suitable hardware encoders and be prepared to meet any demand that will come up along the line.
This way, you can ensure your next show goes off without a glitch and right on schedule. Ultimately, your service would provide an unforgettable experience watching the show on the live streaming platform of their choice.
So, what does it take to provide quality live streamed service? Well, let’s take a look:
1. Keep Your Live Streaming Basics In Order
The most obvious pro tip for live streaming events is also the most important one: make sure all of the technical aspects are in place before going live: have enough bandwidth for the number of users watching, check that your camera batteries are fully charged, and double-check that all of your microphones and earpieces are working properly. Ensure every tool and technology is ready-for-use.
If there is a problem with any of the tools or processes at the beginning, then it’s guaranteed to get worse with time. So, take care of them before you go live. Other aspects of your business can wait.
2. Make Sure You Have a Live Streaming Plan B and C
Running a successful live video stream means that you are putting every aspect of live streaming into the hands of technology—from your camera being able to communicate with your earpieces to your earpieces being able to communicate with your computer screen: there’s absolutely no room for errors at all. When something goes wrong during a live streaming show, then you need to be ready to control it so it doesn’t completely drive engagement downwards.
Now, obviously, if something as huge as a general power outage happens, then there is not much you can do, but at least, prepare for smaller problems like bad internet signal, capture card, or frozen screens. You should also have someone or a team in place to chat and connect with those who watch the live video on social platforms.
3. Have Lots Of Backup Content Ready To Go
If something does go wrong as you stream live events, then you need to have alternate content ready that you can switch to in order to stop your audience from missing out on crucial information. Think about having short social media videos prepared in case the streams freeze or not enough people are online at once. You could even show snippets of other videos if the connection is not great.
If your internet speeds drop drastically, then make sure there is always something that viewers can watch instead; either fill this time discussing what has happened or try to make light of the problem. You could share a link for an activity related to the event to interact with them in other ways. The viewers can usually tell when something is amiss, but they’re always willing to extend grace if you provide benefits in similar ways. So, using your creativity and sense of humor will help them realize that everything is fine.
4. Have Your Own Network Of People If Things Go Wrong
If you are hosting an event streaming show, then your first priority should be to make sure it goes smoothly for everyone involved; this includes you and other staff members, as well as any other staff who may be working at the event itself.
Having a livestream video production crew to communicate with privately provides immense benefits if there are problems at virtual events —whether that’s through text message, your Facebook group chat, or walkie-talkie or just shouting loudly across the room.
The more people you have on your side, the better chance you have of dealing with problems that may arise in real-time. Plus, the energy the live streaming crew have will rub on the engagement of those who join the streams.
5. Make Sure You’re Ready To Go Live at a Moment’s Notice
Although it may seem like common sense, it is worth mentioning that any event streaming show will need to be ready at a moment’s notice. This is true the first time and for every other virtual events you create. Don’t wait until the last minute to set up your equipment, and make sure everything is working perfectly.
Check to be sure everything is in place for the live stream event. By ready, the set up should be complete at least an hour before the show is scheduled to start.
6. Make Sure You Test Your Live Streaming Connection a Number Of Times Before Going Live
In order for a live streaming show to work smoothly, it needs a strong internet connection, one which you have already tested, preferably by having someone from outside the venue try connecting to your stream. The audience engagement level will drop if people can’t hear what is being said, the video quality is poor, or if there are constant dropouts.
That is why you need to test the connection repeatedly before going live. So, if anything does go wrong, it’ll be easier to fix without panicking.
7. Make Sure You Have a Live Streaming Backup For Your Internet Connection
Think of all the possible things that could go wrong with your live event. Any one of them could put viewers off and make them leave your channel. Even worse, the viewers might not come back! No matter how likely or unlikely these problems are, it’s always worth preparing for them and having a backup plan in place: whether that is additional staff members capable of managing the stream on their own, or an alternative way of connecting to the internet.
The last thing you want is for viewers to notice that something has gone wrong with your live streaming platform, so having that backup will allow you to fix any problems behind the scenes instead of letting them distract your audience!
8. Make Sure You Have Someone Watching Over Your Live Stream at All Times
Once everything has started running smoothly with your live streaming show, have at least one person watching so that if there’s a problem, they’re the first to know. Live events are serious business and you should begin to rectify any issue immediately.
By the way, problems don’t have to be technical all the time. It could be about stage management such as if someone appears on screen who shouldn’t. Or if something happens which is very distracting or worrying for viewers (such as another speaker going on stage with a gun—this has happened before!).
A live streaming show is not just about what you want to share with your audience. It is also about their viewing experience and making sure they enjoy themselves.
9. Make Sure You Have a Dedicated Live Streaming Camera Operator
Although it may seem like an obvious point, the number one rule when you start live streaming is to ensure you don’t distract your audience. Have dedicated camera and webcam operators who check to be sure that no one walks into the shot unexpectedly, the focus setting is correct and doesn’t keep changing, and that everyone who is meant to be on camera is in the shot.
Your live streaming platform also matters. Many businesses have a lot of live streaming solutions to choose from, so select the one that has the kind of feedback you want.
Conclusion on Live Streaming
A live event show enhances any special occasion anywhere in the world, from wedding receptions and birthday bashes to awards ceremonies and presentations for businesses. If you get stuck somewhere in the process, don’t hesitate to ask for help from reliable event streaming services in your area. A good video streaming company will give your presentation a professional touch.
And by following the nine pro tips above, you can ensure your stream runs smoothly so that everyone can enjoy it!
Complete the live streaming event info form below today!
Bonomotion Video Agency
120 SW 8th St Suite #104,
Miami, FL 33130