Most of us have experienced the pain of a live stream gone wrong. Perhaps you’ve attended a webinar or event only to find the host holding their iPhone in an unsteady hand, streaming with a poor internet connection. If you choose to live stream, it’s important to get it right.
Whether you’re an artist or a budding entrepreneur, live streams are significant for your business. Do it well and you can grow your audience exponentially – but do it wrong and your followers might abandon you. So, how do you get it right?
Prepare a script before you start
While freestyling can be lovely, most broadcasts require some sort of planning. That’s why it can be useful to script your live stream so you know your angle. It puts a damper on the nerves and makes the experience more enjoyable. Ask yourself what you want to get out of it and consider using marketing tools to monetize your streaming.
Pick the right setting
If you plan on live streaming from your iPhone or iPad, light and location are of utmost importance. Choose a spot with natural light where you are facing a window. If that’s not possible, you must ensure the room is properly lit or take a look at Rolling Stone’s latest tips on how to get the perfect footage.
Know your platform
There are many live streaming platforms. From well-known giants like Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and Twitter to things like Ustream, Twitch, and Wowza. Regardless of what you choose, you need to know your platform. There is much software out there and sites like https://www.saasgenius.com offer a simple list of solutions organized by category.
Get a tripod or a gimbal for your iPhone
Before you start your live stream, your phone must be steady and at eye level. The best way to ensure this is by investing in a tripod that can help hold the phone still while you record your live stream. This way you avoid annoying disturbances, minimizing the risk of losing your audience before the fun has properly begun. If you really want t hodl the iPhone in your hand while you livestream, then consider investing in a gimbal for iPhone.
Do a test run
Like a play in the theatre, live streaming requires rehearsals. A test run enables you to identify problems early on, ensuring a better experience for you and your viewers. The biggest nuisance on live streams is poor sound quality, so you must always remember to test this beforehand. Jot down a do-do list before your test run and tick off each item as you go.
Enjoy the ride
But lastly and most importantly – savour the experience. Going live is thrilling. A real adrenaline-rush. And once you have the technical bits sorted, it’s much easier to let go and enjoy it. It gives normal people an audience and allows you to share ideas, perform songs and tell stories. Great, right?
