Live Streaming: the ultimate guide!

What is Live Streaming?

The ChatGPT definition is: “Live Streaming refers to the broadcasting of real-time video and audio over the internet to an audience in real-time. 

It enables content creators to share live events, performances, and presentations with viewers in real-time through platforms such as LinkedIn, YouTube, Facebook, Twitch, and Instagram. 

Live Streaming can be used for a variety of purposes, including entertainment, education, news coverage, product launches, and more.

The audience can interact with the content creator during the Live Stream through comments and chat features, which can create a sense of community and engagement. 

Live Streaming has become increasingly popular in recent years as internet speeds and technology have improved, making it easier for anyone to stream live content.”

The benefits of Live Streaming?

📡 Increased audience reach: Live Streaming allows you to reach a larger audience than traditional methods of communication. 

According to Livestream, 82% of people prefer live video from a brand to social posts, and Facebook Live videos have 10 times more comments than regular videos.

🎥 Improved engagement: Live Streaming allows you to interact with your audience in real time, which can lead to increased engagement. 

According to Brandlive, Live Streaming can increase viewer engagement by up to 10 times.

💰 Cost-effective: Live Streaming can be cost-effective compared to traditional marketing methods. 

According to Video Brewery, 73% of marketers say that video has a positive ROI, and 52% of marketing professionals worldwide name video as the type of content with the best ROI.

🤸 Flexibility: Live Streaming can be done from anywhere with an internet connection, allowing you to reach your audience no matter where they are. 

According to Livestream, 67% of live video viewers are more likely to buy a ticket to a concert or event after watching a live video of that event or a similar one.

👍🏼 Improved brand perception: Live Streaming can improve your brand's perception by allowing you to showcase your products or services in real time. 

According to New York Magazine, live video can help improve brand perception by up to 80%.

🤣 Entertaining: Live Streaming can be a fun and entertaining way to engage with your audience. 

According to a survey by Livestream, 87% of audiences say that online videos have entertained them or kept them engaged.

In conclusion, Live Streaming can have many benefits, including increased audience reach, improved engagement, cost-effectiveness, flexibility, improved brand perception, and entertainment. 

What makes a good Live?

A good Live Stream can be the result of various factors that all work together to create an engaging and successful event. 

Here are some elements that can contribute to a good Live Stream:

🎯 Engaging content: The content of your Live Stream should be interesting and engaging to your audience. 

Consider what your target audience would like to see and create content that meets their expectations.

💯 High-quality production: The quality of your Live Stream can affect the viewer's experience. 

Make sure to use high-quality cameras, microphones, and lighting to create a professional-looking stream.

💬 Clear communication: Clear communication is essential for a successful Live Stream. 

Make sure to communicate clearly and effectively with your audience, both through your presentation and any interactions with viewers.

🤝 Interactivity: Live Streams should be interactive and engaging for the audience. 

Use features such as chat or live Q&A sessions to encourage audience participation.

📢 Promotion: To ensure that your Live Stream reaches the maximum number of people, you need to promote it across various channels. 

This can include social media, email newsletters, or your website.

🔄 Consistency: Consistency is key when it comes to Live Streaming. 

Establish a regular schedule and stick to it to build a loyal audience.

🌟 Authenticity: Being authentic and genuine can help you build a connection with your audience. 

Show your personality and be yourself to make your Live Stream more engaging and relatable.

By considering these factors, you can create a good Live Stream that will engage and entertain your audience. 

Remember that it's important to be yourself, be prepared, and have fun with it!

How to prepare for a Live Stream

Preparing for a Live Stream is crucial to its success. Here are some things you should do before you go live:

✅ Test your equipment: Ensure that your camera, microphone, and internet connection are all working correctly. 

Conduct a test run to check for any technical issues and make adjustments as needed.

✅ Choose a suitable location: Select a location that is well-lit, quiet, and has a good background. 

A clean and uncluttered backdrop can make a big difference in the quality of your Live Stream.

✅ Plan your content: Develop a script or an outline of what you will discuss during your Live Stream. 

Keep your target audience in mind and create content that will be engaging and informative to them.

✅ Promote your Live Stream: Promote your Live Stream in advance through social media, email newsletters, and any other channels where your audience is present. 

This will help increase viewership and engagement.

✅ Interact with your audience: Decide how you will interact with your audience during the Live Stream. 

Will you have a live chat or Q&A session? 

Be prepared to answer questions and respond to comments during the stream.

✅ Set up a backup plan: Have a backup plan in case of any technical issues or unforeseen circumstances. 

For example, have a backup internet connection or a backup camera ready to go.

✅ Prepare yourself: Dress appropriately, take care of personal grooming, and make sure you are well-rested and hydrated. 

Being prepared and feeling confident can help you deliver a great Live Stream.

By following these steps, you can prepare for a successful Live Stream that will engage and entertain your audience. 

Remember to be authentic and have fun!

What content performs best on Live Streams?

The type of content that performs best in Live Streams varies depending on the audience and the purpose of the stream. 

Here are some examples of content that can work well in Live Streams:

❓ Q&A sessions: Q&A sessions are a great way to engage with your audience and answer their questions in real-time.

🚀 Product launches or demos: Live Streams can be an effective way to showcase a new product or demonstrate how a product works.

🎤 Interviews: Interviews with experts or influencers in your industry can be engaging and informative for your audience.

🎬 Behind-the-scenes glimpses: Giving your audience a behind-the-scenes look at your business or your creative process can help build a connection with them and make them feel more invested in your brand.

🎉 Live events: Live events such as concerts, performances, or sporting events can be streamed for those who cannot attend in person.

🎓 Tutorials or educational content: Live tutorials or educational content can be a great way to share your expertise with your audience and help them learn something new.

🎮 Interactive content: Interactive content such as polls or quizzes can encourage audience participation and engagement during the Live Stream.

It's important to keep in mind that the content you choose for your Live Stream should be tailored to your audience and aligned with your brand's values and messaging. 

By creating content that resonates with your audience, you can build a loyal following and increase engagement.

So, why not give it a try and see what it can do for your business or personal brand? 

Plus, with all those benefits, you might just have a laugh or two along the way!

The most user-friendly Live Stream Tools

Here is a bullet list of the pros and cons of arguably a few of the most user-friendly Live Streaming tools along with a brief summary of their fees:

1. StreamYard

👍 Pros:

• User-friendly interface with pre-built overlays and graphics
• Easy integration with popular streaming platforms such as LinkedIn, Facebook, YouTube, and Twitch
• Allows for remote guests to join in the stream
• Multi-streaming to multiple platforms simultaneously
• Free to stream to one platform at a time

👎 Cons:

• Limited customizability compared to other live-streaming tools
• Requires a stable and strong internet connection for the best performance
• The free version has StreamYard branding on the stream and a limited number of stream hours per month

Upgrade Fees:

• Basic Plan: $25/month, removes StreamYard branding and increases stream hours to 20 hours/month.
• Professional Plan: $49/month, adds custom branding, overlays, and other advanced features.
• Agency Plan: $99/month, includes multiple brands, team collaboration, and additional features.

2. BeLive

👍 Pros:

• Simple drag-and-drop interface with pre-built overlays and graphics
• Allows for remote guests to join in the stream
• Offers interactive features such as audience polls and Q&A sessions
• Offers a free trial for up to 20 minutes of streaming

👎 Cons:

• Limited customizability compared to other live-streaming tools
• Limited to streaming on the Facebook platform only
• The free trial has a limited stream duration and includes BeLive branding

Upgrade Fees:

• Standard Plan: $29/month, removes BeLive branding and offers additional features such as recording and multiple guests.
• Premium Plan: $79/month, adds custom branding, overlays, and other advanced features.
• Enterprise Plan: Contact BeLive for pricing, includes multiple brands, team collaboration, and additional features.

3. Zoom

👍 Pros:

• Easy-to-use video conferencing platform with screen-sharing and recording capabilities
• Allows for multiple participants to join the call
• Offers a free version with limited features

👎 Cons:

• Limited customizability compared to other live-streaming tools
• Not specifically designed for Live Streaming
• The free version has a 40-minute time limit on calls with three or more participants

Upgrade Fees:

• Pro Plan: $14.99/month, includes longer meeting duration and additional features such as reporting and custom branding.
• Business Plan: $19.99/month per host, adds more advanced features and dedicated customer support.
• Enterprise Plan: Contact Zoom for pricing, includes additional security features and other advanced features.

It's important to note that while these tools have varying pros and cons, they may be suitable for different use cases and preferences. 

It's recommended to have a look into each option in detail to familiarise yourself with the fees and capabilities and perhaps to try out a couple of options to find the one that best suits your needs and abilities.

Want some help?

Are you ready to take your business to the next level with Live Streaming? 

You don't need to do it all on your own.

Look no further than CKG Marketing.

We specialise in helping small businesses like yours harness the most powerful marketing strategies and technologies so you can outperform the competition without feeling overwhelmed or overspending.

So send us a DM and let's get started on choosing the perfect Live Streaming tool, preparing killer content, and presenting like a pro. I'll even appear on your next Live Stream with you to get your creative juices flowing.

Visit www.ckgmarketing.co.uk to book an Insight Call and let us show you just how fast we can get your marketing machine running. Spoiler alert: it's faster than a cheetah on Red Bull.

Don't wait, let's make your business a Live Streaming superstar today!