In the present highly competitive business environment and fast-paced society, videos are hands down one of the most effective mediums for marketing. According to various surveys conducted by the marketing experts, videos generate 1200% more engagement levels, for instance, in the form of shares, than text with images. Additionally, among several formats of videos, live streaming, at present, is the highest in demand. It involves less rehearsal and editing, as it is a way more authentic option when it comes to interacting with the users. For brands and businesses across the globe, live streaming is an exclusive opportunity for connecting with the target audience and further receiving instantaneous feedback and reviews. So, let us now make ourselves familiar with a few ways explaining how you can successfully implement live streaming in your overall Video Marketing Strategy.
1. Find the right platform for live streaming
At present, there are various platforms for live streaming videos available for you to choose from, and they all come with pros and cons. For instance, the live streaming option on Instagram offers a high engagement rate and re-engages the target audience by automatically sending a notification for the same. However, the content is temporary on Instagram as it gets deleted after 24 hours. Additionally, you can also select the live streaming platform based on your target audience. For instance, if you own a B2B company, then LinkedIn Live would indeed be the best choice to build business networking and target professionals. For gaming companies and enthusiasts, Amazon’s Twitch is the must-go-to-channel, which reportedly has an average of 15 million viewers every single day.
2. Create compelling content
Although live streams are usually less rehearsed, creating one without a script in hand is not recommended. A script helps in staying on the objective of the live stream without getting distracted. Moreover, it is essential to make a point of the fact that the first 20 seconds of the live stream is pivotal to its success, like all other types of videos. Therefore, a well-planned opening with a clear cut objective will prove to be a good start. While preparing for your live streaming in the pre-production stage, here are four essential things that you need to consider:
- Objective – If the objective of your live stream is to promote some latest product, then you can give a detailed product demonstration and showcase the new features by comparing it to the previous models.
- Methods – For grabbing the attention of your potential customers, you can effectively use different methods like Q&A sections, rewarding games, and live polls, to name a few.
- Host – The host of the live stream is the one who has the most knowledge about the product and can efficiently answer all the questions concerning the product details and design.
- Features – A tour of the office, panel discussion, behind the scenes of product manufacturing, and product testing can be the prime features of the live stream. Moreover, it is imperative to align the live stream content with your communication to branding.
3. Release a teaser of your live stream
For increasing the chances of your live stream in reaching out to most of your target audience, you can utilize your social media networks to promote the same. You can proactively share a teaser of the live stream well in advance to make your followers aware and let them share the same in their feed. Furthermore, you can also come up with a countdown before the actual live stream.
4. Set up adequate equipment for live stream
Although a smartphone is an accessible device nowadays for live streaming, using a professional camera can ensure the most effective outcomes. Following is a pretty straightforward and convenient summary of the requirements when streaming with one camera.
- Camera with HDMI output
- A computer with 4GB Ram, Quad-Core Processor, Updated OS, and Dedicated Video Card
- Capture device
- Live streaming software
- Active internet connection
- A hardline connecting the camera with the capture device and computer