In a world where technology is evolving faster than we can often keep up with, one thing most of us are familiar with is waking up to a new feature on our favourite social media apps and the process of familiarising ourselves with it, which follows. In more recent years, the big social media players – Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Instagram and Snapchat have all introduced a new game-changing feature to their social media platforms: live video.
Live video is as self-explanatory as it sounds – it allows users to broadcast video in real-time to anyone willing to watch, anywhere in the world. And the beauty of it? All you need is a smartphone and an internet connection.
As a result of this new feature, big brands, companies and entrepreneurs alike now have an entirely new method of connecting with clients, customers and general audiences in providing a branded experience.
With this ability to connect with large audiences in real-time, companies can create better brand exposure and yield more engaging content. Viewers are also able to respond and comment during the live videos, in turn influencing content of the live stream, leading to the facilitation of meaningful business to consumer interactions and building a community-like audience around the brand.
Despite being a new concept, statistics are showing how effective live video is proving to be. On Facebook alone, live streaming videos are watched three times longer than non-live videos and 80% of audiences prefer live video over other forms of branded content, highlighting the power of adopting this new feature in your business strategy.
Whilst it can be a little nerve-wracking going live for the first time, we have put together three simple rules in getting you started to perfecting your first live video;
1) Select the Correct Equipment
Don’t get roped into buying expensive equipment – smartphones in today’s age work and they work well! We’re often quick in thinking that we will require high-flying, techy equipment to produce a great video. The techy equipment often comes with a high-flying price tag (accompanied by hours spent figuring out how to use it) which can put us off the whole idea of live video streaming entirely! A smartphone is a perfect tool in going live, and that way you are also able to respond and interact with those who have tuned in to watch in real-time.
2) Sound Quality is Very Important
Whilst using fancy equipment isn’t necessary in producing an engaging live video, good sound quality is essential. Distorted or muffled sound can be distracting and can divert attention from the topic at hand so ensure you have the correct equipment to be heard well. If you’re using a smartphone to go live, check that your mic or the sound equipment you are using is compatible. At the end of the day, you want your voice to be heard clearly – literally and otherwise.
3) Plan & Script!
Although the best live videos may feel improvised, appearing seamless from start to finish, this is most probably due to good preparation before the live video session. Whilst it is the conversational and free flowing nature of the live video feature which brings about its’ unique appeal, it is important to have planned a few things beforehand. Take into consideration aspects such as where to sit, where to position the camera angle, topics of discussion, even create a semi-structured script. These will all contribute to a positive social experience for your audience.
So, the overall message we’re conveying is, just start! Don’t worry about perfection and nailing every aspect or word of your live video, small glitches in your early live streams are to be expected, enjoy it and have fun with it – we’re also still learning and tweaking as we go along!
Is live video something you already use in promoting your business? Do you have any other useful tips? We’d love to hear your thoughts!
