To Livestream Or Not To Livestream: That Is The Question!

What do TIVO, Neflitx, HULU, Amazon Prime, and even Peacock have in common? They fill the same need: consumers want on-demand entertainment – the content they want, when they want it. So, while a live stream broadcast can maximize your reach, is it really what consumers want?

In this article, we’ll discuss three reasons you would want to live stream so that you can decide if it’s right for you!

Inclusivity

Live streaming your event is inclusive. One of our clients had us live stream their event just because a few key donors and participants were across the country and would not be able to attend. It was important for the client and the donors to feel like they were part of the event. 

Remote Participation and Interactivity

If your event has built-in opportunities for interaction; Q&A, a game, or time-sensitive opportunities to donate; then live streaming is a must! Anyone with a Peloton knows that when it’s your 100th ride, you saddle up for a live ride and hope they give you a shout-out. Live streaming is best when it fosters interactivity – for both your live attendees and online viewers. 

Time Sensitivity

If the content is time sensitive, then you should live stream! We live stream the High Holiday Services for Congregation Rodeph Shalom so their congregants can worship in person or online. While this is inherently inclusive – it also meets the needs of the congregants who need worship when services are held. Live streaming is a great solution when on-demand content is really not an option.

If your content can be deployed in a way that doesn’t need to foster inclusivity, interactivity, and time sensitivity – then recording and editing the content may be a better solution.

If you do need to live stream, it is critical to produce a technically sound broadcast.  While there are no guarantees, there are things you can do to reduce the risk of technical errors.

Check out the 5 tips listed below!

5 TIPS TO PREPARE FOR A LIVESTREAM BROADCAST

1. Use Multiple Cameras

Having at least two cameras (three or more is better), gives your technical director options to cut to different angles to make the viewing experience more interesting as well as providing a back up shot in case of technical difficulties.

2. Record the Program

Record the program so you can rebroadcast and repurpose as marketing content.

We picked up a client for livestream because their prior livestream partner didn’t record the program… so after all the money they spent on the program, they only ended up with a low quality Zoom recording that they couldn’t repurpose. We make sure to record in all cameras AND our video mixer. For example, if you have 4 cameras, you will get 9 recorded files:

1. 1. • 4 internal camera recordings
      • 4 ISO recordings (the individual camera feeds recording in the mixer)
      • A recording of the full program exactly how it was shown at the event

This might feel like overkill, but with these recordings, we are able to edit a program in a variety of ways which can serve as a backup for a livestream that fails or a way to repurpose content and get a better return on investment.

3. Use a Cellular Bonding Backup

A cellular bonded back up means that you will have a backup connection to the Internet in the event that your main connection goes down. Whenever possible, try to use a wired connection to the internet, wireless as a secondary, and then have a back up cellular connection in the event that the primary connection goes down. It is best to be prepared for all scenarios.

4. Have a Good Plan and Properly Scripted Run of Show

It is important to note that online attendees don’t have the context for what’s happening in the room. For example, if you are running a few minutes behind, the in-person attendees will probably continue conversing and not even notice… but your online attendees will be wondering when the program will start, if they have the right link, and so on. Even run of show elements like the transition time between speakers could feel like an eternity online. If you are doing a livestream broadcast, consider the online experience and how it differs from the in-person experience and make a good plan for both.

5. Rehearse the Program

Practice doesn’t make perfect, practice makes better. There are a lot of things that you can’t control when livestreaming but running through a few rehearsals will lessen the chance of mistakes.

Interested in live streaming your next event? Reach out to us today and we will make sure you livestream goes as smoothly as possible!