Tips and Best Practices to Boost Your Live Streaming Event
“Livestreams give artists an unparalleled medium to engage with their audience in a high touch way at scale”
One of the most immediate ways for musicians to continue performing during this COVID-19 pandemic is through live streaming. But not everyone knows how to navigate this vast online world, so we've gathered some of the best practices and tips to make sure your live event streams go off without a hitch.
Promoting your live streams
Much of your traction on digital streaming comes from the efforts you do off those platforms, so it's important to let your fans know well in advance of your live-streamed events. Bandsintown's VIP Features allow you to schedule several posts in advance to announce your online shows, or even target specific groups. Some other useful features - available in the upcoming weeks - are the Events Promotion Page, which will facilitate sharing your streaming dates on all digital platforms and merch, and the Events Widget, that will sync your online concerts to your website.
Starting the live event early
The time before the live streaming starts isn't just for testing. A good practice is to begin streaming well before the actual event starts. Industry experts recommend going live with a countdown and music (or a background shot of the event) as early as 6 hours before the event. This will also be helpful for fans that are in different time zones than you.
Considering unique ways to engage with your audience
According to Sam Hysell from NOX Media, “Livestreams give artists an unparalleled medium to engage with their audience in a high touch way at scale. During a recent livestream we produced with Blond:ish on Twitch, one fan commented saying ‘let’s never forget for a short time in history there was an appropriate time to ask a DJ a question during a set.’ Use this to your advantage, come up with unique ways to engage with your fans, whether it’s simply Q&A, call-ins, group activities or whatever else you can come up with. Live Streaming is just as much a conversation as it is a megaphone.”
Streaming to multiple platforms at once
Some artists have capitalized on their streams by simulcasting to several places at once. This is possible through services that will connect your stream to Facebook and YouTube at the same, for example. Many of these platforms are free of charge. Here are some suggestions:
Approach Live Streaming with Consistency in Mind
Also according to Sam Hysell from NOX Media, “think about Live Streaming like it’s own social media platform. Like Instagram, YouTube or TikTok, the same core principles apply. Create great content, do so consistently, and drive as much engagement as possible to boost organic reach. When thinking about how you’ll leverage live streaming, rather than creating a flash in the pan moment, instead commit to some sort of cadence, ideally at least 1x/week.”
Making sure your music sounds good via live stream
Make sure the room you are in sounds good, to begin with. Check for any echo sounds. If your space is too 'open', maybe consider picking another room. If you are only using one microphone or just the microphone on your computer or phone, give some thought to where that microphone is placed. A slight move up or down can make all the difference.
Don't fade to black and simply stop
When your live streaming ends, don't just fade to black. Some streaming service providers offer the ability to set up a replay after the live stream ends. Another good idea is to switch to a final slide or vignette with a call to action such as 'Follow us on Instagram' or 'Come back at a certain date for another live show'.
Moving meet-and-greets online
Meet-and-greet packages have been one of many ways artists have been able to earn extra income while on tour. But since tours have been largely postponed or cancelled, in-person interaction with fans is also changing. Platforms like Looped and Chatalyze charge fans to spend time with their favourite artists. While fans wait for your live event, they can join you in an interactive waiting room.
Pre-Event Testing
An essential piece of advice every streaming expert will give you is test, test, and test. Pre-production tests can help discover problems in advance. During the test, confirm the live stream is working on all your end-user devices (desktops, iPads, phones, and any other).