Do you want to create a real buzz about your company’s latest products and services? There’s no better way to do it than arranging a live streaming event. You could instantly reach a vast pool of viewers without spending crazy money!
Once you take off the rose-colored glasses, however, you will realize that setting up a corporate live streaming event is no child’s play. A live streaming event can go terribly wrong if you don’t put enough thought and effort behind it.
We will share some event video production ideas with you today that could significantly ease off the process of organizing a live streaming event. So, stay with us for the next few minutes and learn how to see over a successful live session.
Treat It Like An In-Person Event
Put as much thought, care, and effort into your live stream as you would into an event that people would attend in person. If anything, the stakes are higher for live streams because they can reach a large number of people around the world.
Before you get started, you have to be 100% sure about what you are planning to do. Research and identify the key target demographics. Go through the budget to make sure you can pull it off. Also, don’t forget to pinpoint what you are trying to achieve from the event.
Like any marketing campaign, figuring out these issues will help you decide how to proceed with the stream.
Check The Venue
Make sure to scope out the venue before the day of the event. You should do this to find out
what kind of space you have to work with and if there are any problems that need to be fixed. You wouldn’t want any unpleasant surprises on the big day.
After checking out the place, you will know where to put your shooting equipment. Pay attention to the acoustics and lighting so that you can make proper arrangements. Having a good look at the venue will give you a mental picture of how the event will go down.
Decide Where You Want To Stream
The next step is to choose the platform you’ll use to broadcast your live stream. There are numerous options available currently, including Facebook Live, YouTube Live, and TikTok Live. Furthermore, there are platforms dedicated solely to live streaming, like Twitch or Periscope.
How long do you plan your broadcast to be? How many viewers are you expecting? Which demographic are you targeting? You need to ask yourselves all these questions to determine which platform will suit your needs the best.
Make A Backup Audio Plan
It might sound surprising, but you must emphasize audio quality over video. Even if the video feed cuts off, you would want the audio to continue as you figure out a way to bring back the video.
If the audio malfunctions, you would lose viewers immediately. Since your viewers won’t hear anything, they won’t understand what you are trying to say. If the audio keeps working, it would be easier to deal with a video problem.
When the audio is still running, viewers won’t mind staring at a blank screen for a while since they can still hear you. You will lose the visual part of your presentation, but you will still get your message across.
So, take contingency measures to keep the audio feed alive throughout the broadcast. Also, don’t switch on the audio before you start the stream. It could be embarrassing if pre-event chatter gets into the live stream.
Select The Equipment
Mobile cameras and laptop webcams have come a long way. But, for a corporate event, you are gonna need external cameras. On top of that, you need to use encoders to convert the captured footage into a stream-friendly format.
Sorting out the cameras will not ensure that your feed will not look grainy. You need a stable, high-speed internet connection for a smooth broadcast. Make sure the venue’s internet connection is up to par. If not, you will have to get a faster internet connection.
After you take care of all that, turn your attention to mics and lights. Use cardioid mics to minimize background noise and get the best possible sound. Don’t overdo the lighting. You don’t want the video to be dark or too intensely bright.
Prepare Motion Graphics And Animation
Your live broadcast should contain titles and graphics work to provide clear information, facilitate smooth transitions, and create a powerful sense of brand identity. It would help the viewers know who is talking and what the session is about.
More importantly, the use of graphics will allow you to present information in a more organized and visually attractive way. Without it, it would be difficult for you to keep your audience engaged and interested.
Make A Pre Roll Screen
Before starting your live stream, you can use a pre-roll screen to show an image or a countdown video. If you can’t start the broadcast in time, the pre-roll will notify the viewers of the delay and ask them to wait for a little while.
They also create suspense and anticipation in your viewers, giving them time to join the stream before they miss anything. To retain brand recognition, it’s a good idea to display branded visuals and titles on your pre-roll screen.
Rehearse
When organizing a live event, organizers prefer to run a trial run to make sure everything is in order. It gives the performers a chance to test themselves while those working behind the scenes can identify problems and solve them before the real event.
Live streams are the same. You should practice with the host and all speakers the day before to make sure everything runs smoothly. Have a look at the equipment too. Double check the audio and internet connections. Ideally, you should practice with all speakers and equipment the day before.
Create A Buzz
The best strategy for stream promotion is to schedule your broadcast a few days in advance, even if you can go live at any time. Doing so gives you more time to promote your live stream and build interest.
You can run ads on social media to draw more attention. Highlight the key features of the session. What can the viewers expect? Be specific about what you offer and invite interested people to watch the stream.
Final Thoughts
Real-time streaming can be a tricky endeavor, but if you can get it right, you could achieve incredible results. Set up your stream following the steps we mentioned above and make some test runs to ensure you are ready for game day.