You might already know there are ample benefits of live streaming an event. We have explained the same in detail, here.
And while it appears glamorous, live streaming an event can be tricky. What are the pitfalls to avoid and what are the calamities to anticipate? In the blog below we answer these quintessential questions. So, read on!
Bad Video Quality
The main advantage of streaming your event is that people from any part of the country or indeed, anywhere in the world who are not able to attend, can see it live.
It’s important that these viewers are able to watch a good quality stream. But, if the footage streaming is blurry, too dark, lagging or even pix elated, your viewers are going to not be impressed and will ultimately switch off.
Here are a few things you should keep in mind when preparing your live stream:
Video Quality
This is important. You may assume that as long as you have full HD video then you will be fine, but you should think about who your viewers are. They may be viewing your stream on slow connections or may have limited data pack so you need to find the optimum middle solution to please all your viewers. As a guide, try streaming at half of your total upload speed.
Lighting
Consider the location and time of the day for the event. Is there plenty of natural light? If no, then consider the use of lights. Your live stream will suffer if it is too dark and shady to see anything, regardless of the quality of the footage.
Poor Audio
Your live stream could be functioning in full HD with great lighting and you’re providing a great visual for your audience, but this will all mount to nothing if they can’t hear the stream. Audio quality can make or break a live event.
When gearing up for audio, think about
Equipment
Use an external microphone. While the majority of cameras in the market have internal microphones, the audio quality will struggle to match that of external microphones. Picking a camera that has audio inputs is the best choice.
Monitor the audio and mic placement
Try plugging in a headset so you can listen to what your viewers will be hearing, and then make adjustments accordingly. If you decide to use an external microphone, it is important that you try and place it as close to the source as possible. It would be good if you experiment with different locations to determine what works best for you.
Lack of Preparation
Once you have collected all your equipment together it is important that you test it – AT LEAST more than once! You should plan the running of the session, looking very closely at the areas that may prove problematic.
You need to investigate and look for a good internet connection at the venue site. Check connectivity at the location before committing to using it to ensure it’s suitability.
Not Informing your Audience
The internet is vast and full of other content creators, so you can’t assume that when you go live users are going to find you easily. Like any other event – you need to promote it through social platforms, blogs, emails and event reminders.
To witness the real benefits of live streaming, you’ll need to ensure you’re sending out a high-quality stream and avoiding the mistakes listed above.
Remember – even if your stream is LIVE, everything may not go according to the plan, but the better prepared you are, the more easily you can cope with something unexpected.