Going live doesn’t have to be complicated! So, here are 3 things you should know before live streaming to set yourself up for success!

Many brands and content creators have adopted live streaming as a more personal way to connect with their audience in real-time. With the pandemic, live streaming and broadcasting gained even more popularity as an alternative means to many marketing practices – such as product launches and demonstrations, and Q&A panels, to name a few. 

These days, it can seem as though you need to incorporate live streaming to compete with other brands/creators in the market, and if you’re trying to grow your reach and break the boundaries between you and your audience.

You may be intimidated to start if you’ve never done it before, but you should know that live streaming can prove beneficial for your growth and branding as long as you are prepared.

In this article, we share with you 3 things you should keep in mind before live streaming that will help get you started on your broadcasting journey. 

Want more live video tools for your streams? Check out ManyCam and download it for free today!

3 things to consider before live streaming

Plan your live stream carefully 

Though the charm of live streams is that they are organic and spontaneous, it’s still super important to have some structure to your stream. Some things to plan before going live include: 

• Make sure you and your environment look presentable

Just as important as it is for you to appear presentable and professional when going live, it’s also crucial to make sure your environment looks great as well.

Besides just having a clear, orderly background with absolutely NO clutter to distract your viewers, consider setting up a visually appealing experience. Simple details like good lighting, art on the walls, and plants can make all the difference. An alternative many people opt for is custom virtual backgrounds to reinforce their branding. Virtual backgrounds can help make your life easier and increase your productivity.

• Schedule

Figure out peak times your audience and target audience are usually online to schedule ahead. This will ensure you have the highest possible chance of people tuning in.

If you don’t want to go too in-depth, there are some universal peak times to consider, such as around lunchtime (12-1 pm), in the evening after work (6-7 pm), and late-night on weekends (11 pm – 12 am). Though keep in mind, there might be more competition during these times too. 

• Niche/Strategy 

With the overload of live streams, it’s important to find a niche topic to discuss if you’re a content creator. Otherwise, if you’re a brand going live for marketing purposes, you should define your strategy beforehand. You can check out these 5 strategies to boost brand awareness through live streaming if you need some help with ideas.

• Set goals 

Sometimes you may just want to go live to connect with your audience through an impromptu Q&A session, for example. But, even then, it’s essential to set goals and prepare for your live, so you don’t seem lost or drag it on for unnecessarily long.

More on live streaming planning here!

Get the basic setup before live streaming

Though you don’t need the fanciest equipment to get started with live streaming, it’s still essential for you to have a basic setup. This includes: 

• Camera/webcam

Most laptops are equipped with a built-in webcam, which often has subpar quality. So, before live streaming, make sure you get an external HD webcam to deliver a high-quality video feed. Depending on the purpose of your live stream, a webcam may not suffice. For example, some may be streaming on the go and need a phone camera, or even an action camera, such as Go-pro.

• Microphone 

Though your camera doesn’t have to have the best quality, you should definitely opt for a high-quality microphone that will provide clear audio. Of course, the best mic for your stream will depend on the purposes of the video. For instance, you may want a standing mic if you’re sitting at your desk or a lapel mic if you’re on the move.

• Streaming software 

Though you can go live straight on streaming platforms, they tend to be limited. A streaming software, such as ManyCam, will give you more creative freedom with your broadcast. With Manycam, you can add multiple video sources (slides, PDFs, videos, and more), use virtual backgrounds, create picture-in-picture layers, stream to multiple platforms at once and deliver an engaging live video. 

• Good wifi/internet connection 

Perhaps the most crucial thing for you to consider before going live is your internet connection. There’s nothing worse than a laggy live stream. So, check (and check again!) that your connection is stable and fast, and you’re all set!

Check out the best live video production gear to get on a budget here!

Choose your platform carefully 

Finally, before live streaming, it’s vital to consider which platform will be your chosen one. Most social media platforms these days offer the live feature, but you should choose one according to the purpose or niche of your stream. These include: 

General:

• Facebook (check out our blog post on 5 Reasons Using Facebook Live to Grow Your Business is the Way to Go
• Instagram (super useful for spontaneous streams)
• Youtube (one of the best platforms to get discovered)

Creative: 

• Mixcloud (for DJs, radio shows, and podcasts)
• Picarto (for artists to take you through their creative process and connect with other artists)

Gaming: 

• Twitch (the most popular, with a massive community)
• Facebook Gaming
• Youtube Gaming

Business: 

• LinkedIn Live (Though it’s not available for everyone yet, it’s a great way to connect with your clients in B2B markets)

E-commerce: 

• Amazon live (a great, new feature for registered Amazon vendors to connect with their audience for marketing tactics such as product demonstrations or Q+A’s, and to boost sales)

Note: If you want to stream on multiple platforms simultaneously, make sure you get a ManyCam Studio, Premium, or Enterprise subscription!

Key Takeaway

If the thought has ever occurred to you to go live, to boost awareness, engagement, personability, or even just to build a rapport with your audience – do it! 

Keep this checklist of three things in mind before live streaming. Plan and execute your vision, and watch how much closer it brings you to your audience and draws new followers in.