In-Depth: Live Stream Planning & Preparation Tips for Your Next Event
With COVID-19 rapidly spreading, quarantining and social distancing are crucial even today. However, despite the limitation of physical connections, people have managed to stay connected via video calls and the internet. In fact, in the last year, several interactions and events took place over the internet via live streaming.
Live streaming is the process of broadcasting that brings audio and video of real-time happenings to viewers over the internet. Live streaming is popular for grand events and concerts and is now being accepted in the professional world as well. This is because it helps organizations to connect with their audience on a deeper level despite physical barriers. In the last year, live streaming has also become popular with private celebrations like weddings, birthdays, anniversaries, and more.
If you too would like to jump on board with this trend and get your desired audience involved in your event even though they are miles away, Xpression Video Productions is happy to help you get started. As an experienced Toronto video production company, we know what it takes to deliver excellent quality live stream content. To help you prepare for your live stream, here’s what you’ll need to do.
Have a plan in place
The first thing you should do when you acquire our video live streaming service is to have a strategic plan and inform us about the event. You will need to provide us with some fundamentals about the event and perhaps the technicalities involved. Based on the information you provide us, we can give you options that fit your requirements and budget. For example, some events may not require too much set up like a multi-cam live stream. With events like weddings, we usually recommend a simple setup. However, with some businesses or clients hosting events in one-stage environments, we recommend a professional setup with multiple cameras. As a result, it is essential to inform us about the details of your event, the location, and staging capabilities. This will help us plan the setup in a manner that allows us to capture all of the great moments from the best vantage points.
Consider how the live stream fits your goals
Seriously think about how a live stream fits your needs. If you were planning on having a small intimate wedding, then a live stream isn’t required. As a company, if you’re considering reaching out to a small demographic, see if a live event makes sense or if recurring ads would work better. By thinking of your goals and what a live stream helps achieve, you will be able to determine if it is what you need.
Promote your event
If you want a large turnout for your live stream, you must promote it through different channels. You can start with emails and social media updates about two weeks before your event. Highlight the purpose of your event, the date, and the time. That way, those interested can mark it in their calendars and attend at the appropriate time. By promoting your event live stream, those who see it can share the details with their friends and family who might benefit. To intrigue, your audience to tune in, give them a reason to do so. It should be something they cannot ignore. You could also release teaser trailers to capture attention and generate excitement for a few days leading up to the event.
Prepare your setup and content
Once you get viewers to your live stream, they must stay until the end to obtain value from your event. To make your live stream worth watching, ensure that the lighting, sound, and backdrop are all on point. Ensure that all the people involved in the event are aware of how it will unfurl. They must also come prepared so they can communicate clearly and keep the audience engaged.
For exciting content, let your audience be part of the action, allow them to ask questions, let them join the live conversations, or offer them behind the scenes access to your business. You could even invite them to brainstorming sessions or train them on the spot during the live event.
Keep the event going
Even though the event may have lasted an hour or more, you can still keep it going in spirit for days by recapping it in your social media posts and stories or highlights. You could even post a blog about it or have it up in bits on YouTube for those who missed it. Sharing these posts about the event will help you draw more attention to your business and, in turn, multiply your reach. Make sure to recap the most intriguing part of the event, like conversations with people, answers to burning questions, etc.
Choose the best platform to broadcast
Several platforms offer live streaming options like Facebook, YouTube, and Instagram. Before you choose one of these options, be sure to go through its advantages and disadvantages. This will help you set up your live video with ease and carry out the in-video interactions you planned.
Check your venue’s internet connection
This is a critical aspect that must not be left unchecked, as the quality of your live stream is directly affected by the strength of your internet connection. Check the upload speed of the internet and how much of it you will need for the live streaming platform you choose. Usually, high-quality video will demand more upload speed. If your venue’s internet speed is poor, you will need to make arrangements for a better connection. Check out this site to test the speed of your internet connection.
Test everything before the live event
Test all of your equipment and software before you start the live stream. Schedule this testing at least an hour before the event, so you have enough time to make amends if something stops working. Also, try to have a backup plan in case a segment of the event falls through, or you face technical difficulties.
Have a clear “call to action”
If you are a corporate business hosting a live stream event, make sure you have a clear call to action incorporated into your live video. If you want a higher following, ask your viewers to subscribe to your channel and share the feed. Ask them to tell others about your content, products, and services. If you want to sell products, talk about them during the live stream and educate viewers about the steps they can take to purchase your products or learn more about them.
As you can see, there is a lot that goes into making your live stream successful. To begin preparing for yours, reach out to us at Xpression Video Productions today! We are a Toronto-based video production studio offering video production services to businesses and for personal requirements. We use state-of-the-art equipment with inspiring editing techniques to create your ideal video production. With expert planning and intuitive thinking, we take pride in our ability to realize your vision and needs. The final product we create is stunning and in line with your expectations for higher sales or sentimental worth.
For more details about our live streaming and other video production services, please click here. You can also get in touch with our experts by giving us a call at (416) 320-9001 or by clicking here.
