Lights, Camera, Audience! Suite Spot’s Top 8 Best Practices For a Successful Live Stream.
Once upon a time, in a world not so long ago, in-person events were the talk of the town. There was nothing quite like the buzz of a packed stadium, the hushed anticipation of a conference hall, or the triumphant roar of a concert crowd. But, as the world went digital, live-streaming events took center stage. And while many tried to replicate the magic of in-person events, not all succeeded. So, how can you pull off the perfect live-streaming event? Buckle up because we're about to take you on a whirlwind tour of the nine best practices to make your live stream a smashing success.
Picture this: you're seated in a grand ballroom filled with 500 people, a high-energy speaker taking center stage, electrifying the room with their charisma. The excitement in the air is palpable, and you're on the edge of your seat, eagerly absorbing every word. Now, imagine bottling up that magic and bringing it into the digital realm. That's what we do at Suite Spot, and we're here to share our secrets with you.
Make sure it is 'live-worthy.' Having a validated reason for the content being a live stream has to lead off as my most important recommendation. Only some things need to be live, and even a live event can be directed live and recorded live and either streamed later or edited and scheduled to be published. Answering the 'why' will open a conversation around the 'how.'
Have the right talent, topic, and location setting for engaging the audience and driving the show's narrative. Make it worth watching and entertaining. Make sure you have the broadcast rights and publish all your content for as long as you plan to. Knowing these areas of usage rights includes music rights, talent rights, and sometimes location rights, and more. For example, in major cities and towns, you may either need a permit to film outside on public property or pay a fee for an interior location. Live Nation Venues and some labor unions charge a live streaming fee which is an additional live streaming fee and separate from the rate of hiring them. It is always better to know and negotiate this ahead of time.
Choose the right streaming platform based on your target audience and content type. LinkedIn Live and Twitter are a good choices if you're in B2B. If you're reaching customers and selling live products featured in your show or using a live stream to sell products similar to QVC or HSN, then YouTube or Restream are easy options. If you want TikTok, Twitch, or Instagram, there are strict guidelines to follow so account status isn't jeopardized. Choose all of the above. You can multistream and simultaneously go live on multiple platforms to maximize and reach your audience. But with each platform you stream to comes the job of someone to manage it. Choose a platform with the features and functionality to make your live stream successful. Factors include the platform's ability to handle high traffic and reach your target audience, ease of use, monetization options, and analytics.
Whether you're new to live streaming or seasoned and know the ropes, hire a team of professionals from an experienced company you can trust. You will want a company that has done similar events to yours while being agile and creative enough to know how to improve and problem-solve. Your show and job are on the line here; pick the best partner to be in the trenches together, find the answers quickly to your questions, and deliver a high-quality show that makes you look good.
Rehearse, rehearse, rehearse… That's the best advice I can give you. On-camera talent and the tech team will both benefit from rehearsing. If on-camera isn't available, use people to go through each cue in the show. Test your failover plan and see if backups are in place and working. #NoSurprises. Also, include thoroughly rehearsing your streaming setup and backup failover before going live.
Backup to the Backup. Have backup solutions for your on-camera talent. What happens when a host or performer gets food poisoning the night before and can't be on camera? Who wants that phone call? Have a backup power and backup Internet plan in place. A backup may seem unimportant, but it can easily be overlooked regardless of location. For example, I was at E3 at the Los Angeles Convention Center, and the power and Internet went out for the entire complex during a live broadcast attended by hundreds of thousands of people. Who had a stream up and running with a happy and proud client and a great story afterward? Be sure to use battery backup for power if a dedicated generator isn't an option. Use a reliable, tested, high-speed internet connection to avoid buffering and lag issues, hardwired, never on Wifi, AND have a backup ISP even if it is bonded-cellular or satellite.
What happens after the live stream? Of course, the plan for the live stream is vital, but a post-live stream plan also needs to be in place from the start of planning. Think through what you want your viewer to see after the stream ends. Monitor analytics during and after your live stream to get valuable insights into your audience's behavior and engagement levels. What does that experience look like? A well-laid plan and a fast technical workflow can be your best friends. You should show a replay or a portion of the event. Create a sizzle video and make that highlight video available promptly afterward. Publish content in the hours or days following the event to maintain relevance. The rule of thumb is that sooner is better.
That's right, folks, the best live-streaming events capture the spontaneity and excitement of the moment while maintaining a professional and polished appearance. So, even when your on-camera talent's hair catches on fire (thank you, Kevin Hart and Diddy), or a pet decides to make a guest appearance on your set (Camilla Cabello), take it all in stride and laugh it off. Your audience will appreciate the authenticity and share in the fun.
Remember, live streaming is all about connecting with your audience in real time. So, engage them, entertain them, and make them feel like they're part of the action. When your audience laughs, gasps, and eagerly awaits your next move, you'll know you've truly mastered the art of live streaming.
As the curtain falls on our whirlwind tour of live-streaming tips, we hope you've found the inspiration and guidance to make your next event a rousing success. Remember, live streaming is an ever-evolving landscape; we're all learning as we go. So, whether you're a seasoned pro or a wide-eyed newbie, never be afraid to take risks, try new things, and, most importantly – have a blast doing it because an audience knows when the folks behind the scenes are having as much fun making the show as the audience watching the show!
