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Increasing audience engagement has always proved to be a difficult task for companies and groups during events. Whether you are marketing or networking, the amount of audience you can reach is always crucial.
Because of the pandemic, this arduous task proves to be even more challenging. Attending events causes stress and fear for the audience. To work around this, businesses around the world started to direct their efforts to stream live events. Check out how we expertly provide event live streaming services.
Now you might have several questions about streaming events and how it works. Fortunately, we have all the answers here just for you. Start reading up because it’s time for you to explore the world of live streaming!
Why Should You Live Stream?
It is Cost-Effective
You can start a live broadcast even with a limited budget. High-end products would give you the advantage of having better video quality, but cheaper alternatives are shown to produce competitive results. The process to create may be different, but the effects on users are the same.
In our technological age, it is highly possible that you already have the tools needed for a live stream event. If you have any iOS devices or Android equipment, then you would only have to set up your camera, microphone, and screen. Then, choose a live streaming platform to start a broadcast.
You can use certain apps and platforms such as Facebook and YouTube to connect with viewers. Users from these social media platforms can access the app or use the browser to view your livestream. With these platforms, you can create a seamless livestream. You can simply share the link to the said event on your social media post. Before the schedule of the said activity, you can also tease your audience with a sneak peek to entice them to watch.
Your Users Can Enjoy Content Mobility
Did you know that just last 2020, 68.1% of all website visits came from mobile devices? Nowadays, people prefer to consume content with their phones, because they can do so anywhere. A livestream allows you to share activities with your audience in a virtual space. For as long as you have a webcam and platform, you’re good to go. Top it with high-quality video that your audience can zoom in and out, you can bring these events to life.
Live streaming allows you to produce and release content that is “on the go”. Some of the most popular live-streaming apps like Periscope and Facebook live rank above the rest because they are easily accessible on mobile devices.
It Promotes Valuable Customer Experience
Both customers and companies are embracing video engagement in this changing climate. Live streaming platforms are used to connect brands to their customers and get important feedback.
When streaming, viewers and guests can comment and chat in real-time and you can see these on your screen. Through this, you are immediately made aware of your virtual guests’ experience. You then have control to create changes necessary to improve the stream’s condition.
In business, promoting valuable customer experience can set you apart. View our selection of video production and creative services perfect for you.
Bigger and High-Quality Reach
Whether with COVID restrictions or not, the number of people you can reach online can easily surpass the number of people you could accommodate in a venue. Any location has its physical limits.
On the other hand, putting your event live on the web can make it accessible to a worldwide audience. To further increase your reach, you can also choose to stream your service on multiple platforms such as Zoom, Facebook, and YouTube.
At the same time, there is more to live streaming than just an increase in quantity. Because a live stream event requires people to watch your content during your time regardless if it’s the time that they prefer or not, you automatically target your content to people who are interested in what you offer and are more likely to convert or follow you even further.
More Interaction, More Opportunities!
One of the biggest benefits to live streaming is that it allows real-time user engagement. Now that these platforms are available, more and more people start to look for approachable and proactive companies. Blog posts are good sources of information, but unlike live events, they are works of the past. Live streaming allows direct conversation and engagement in real-time.
Because of this attribute, live streaming itself can act as a social platform. Opportunities for new connections, learnings, and network enrichment are at the tip of your fingertips! You may use it to offer live support, forums, Q&A sessions, conferences, and tours. Setting up an entrance fee for private streams to produce additional revenue.
How to Increase Your Reach With Live Events
There are different components to even the most simple live stream events, but you don’t have to be overwhelmed. In every event you host, you need to engage your audience. However, the fact that you have an exciting activity is not enough. You need to have a working plan on how to share this event with the virtual community. You also need to ensure that sharing is done in a professional manner. When you stream an event to your audience, ensure that the video is of stellar quality.
Here are the steps to creating the best livestreaming events.
1. Check Your Internet Connection
First and foremost, the internet connection in the venue is the most crucial component of a successful live stream. Use a trusted internet speed test at the venue and check the actual upload speed. We recommend that it doesn’t go any lower than 7 Mbps.
It is essential that you check the upload speed more than once to make sure that the internet is stable and reliable. Some areas may have poor service for you to successfully livestream. A low or unstable upload speed will prevent your live streams from being viewed. Try different web providers or get a backup internet ready as an easy streaming solution.
That being said, not all venues have sufficient internet speed for live streaming. In these situations, you can set up your own network instead. This ensures that you would be independent of the internet connection on-site and would not have to compromise your stream.
2. Get Your Equipment Ready
The extent of your equipment will depend on your needs, preferences, and capabilities. But in general, live events require more complex video equipment. Aside from your laptop or desktop, it is important to use good computer peripherals so that your live stream looks and sounds professional.
Take, for example, a small internal event for your business. It can be done with a smartphone set up on a tripod to cover the entire event in a single shot. Nevertheless, if you have the resources for a second camera, it will look better if there would be an assigned device for on-site shots.
With multiple cameras, you have to prepare the transmission path for their respective signals. Also, if there would be an additional audio-visual presentation alongside the speaker, you have to prepare for how they will be live-streamed as well.
In terms of audio, do not use your camera’s built-in microphone. Internal microphones don’t hold a candle over external microphones, and an online audience will not be able to keep track of the event with poor audio condition.
If there is a sound technician at the venue, simply request access to the master sound. If there is none, bring external microphones that you will connect to the cameras to synchronize the sound to your live video.
Lastly, find your video mixer and encoder. You can choose between hardware and software encoders. If you already have a hardware encoder or you can allot a budget for it, it will be a more reliable choice. On the other hand, there are software encoders that can produce good video quality. The most popular software encoder is OBS Studio, which can support more than one input.
3. Fine-Tune the Details
Before the event, keep in mind the angles of the cameras, positioning of the microphones, and the lighting in the venue itself. Evaluate a test shot to make sure that the colors are natural and pleasing to the eye. If not, you can use studio lights to improve camera lighting and ensure good video quality.
4. Choose A Streaming Platform
There are three factors to consider in choosing a streaming platform:
- Content
- Target audience
- Existing online presence
There are different social platforms available online such as Youtube, Facebook, Linkedin, and Twitch. Software programs and apps such as Zoom, Google Meet, or Microsoft Teams are an excellent choice for audience video interaction. They allow viewers to chat with other people tuning into the live stream.
5. Start Live Streaming!
You can use the steps we outlined in this article. Don’t worry if you start by being a little rough around the edges. With more practice, you can wing it.
Call the experts in!
Once you have everything set up, don’t forget to run a few tests and make the proper adjustments. There would be no time to fix the equipment while streaming without disturbing the video content.
Contact us to experience hassle-free and expert live streaming services. Finally, when you are satisfied with everything all you have to do is wait for the event and then start the live broadcast!
Bonomotion Video Agency
120 SW 8th St Suite #104,
Miami, FL 33130