Faced with the constant need to interact with your audience, whatever your field of activity, live video is one of the most successful formats on social networks. It must be said that the algorithms of some of them give more importance to live broadcasts than to text, photos or simple video. Whether you’re on Periscope, YouTube, Facebook or Instagram, capture the attention of your audience and make sure you provide them with original content. Here are 8 keys to hitting the bull’s eye and making your life a success…
Organize Well Before Filming Live
Before filming live, take the time to properly prepare and organize yourself.
- Choose the location and angle where the camera will be installed and do some simulation to find the best place to install it;
- Develop the course of your presentation on various points and organize them by theme;
- Define your editorial line that should be in line with your audience’s expectations to invite them to discuss with you;
- Schedule a live broadcast. This should be what makes up the majority of your community connected in order to exchange with as many people as possible. Some social networks, such as Facebook, offer tools such as Facebook Insights to help you determine if most of your followers are online.
Define your objectives for better rendering
It is by defining your objectives upstream that you will be able to be successful in your live broadcast. Before you begin, ask yourself what are the reasons that motivate you to do this live broadcast:
- open a debate on a specific topic;
- Build customer loyalty;
- promote a service or product;
- broadcast a special message;
- convert prospects into customers;
- communicate with your colleagues;
- Promote your business.
Choose the platform according to your objectives
After defining your goals, you will be able to choose the most suitable platform for the type of life you want to achieve. Your choice also depends on other factors, such as your target audience as well as your expectations.
You can opt for internal communication tools like Teams, Skype or Zoom, or choose a social network like Instagram, Facebook Live or YouTube. A landing page, your website or even a web platform dedicated to live are all distribution channels to convey your message.
practice live
If you are a beginner, you might be intimidated in front of the camera. To master your speech and speak coherently, practice regularly. Put yourself in the live position and do some simulations to get used to it and watch as elements are removed, added and improved.
You can also practice recording your simulation with your phone by placing yourself in front of your mirror or doing “white live.” This technique involves modifying privacy settings by checking the “Only Me” option for live broadcasts. You will be the only one to have access to your live videos and will be able to analyze all the technical aspects that need fixing. You can then change your privacy settings at any time, no matter which social network you choose.
Choose Adequate Broadcast Equipment
Broadcast equipment is one of the key elements of broadcasting the quality images needed for the comfort of you and your audience. The choice of tool specifically depends on your purpose and the type of product you want to promote.
Smartphones and computers?
For example use a simple smartphone to promote a product such as clothing or an accessory. On the other hand, a more powerful device would be necessary to broadcast a drawing session over software or a video game. To broadcast a video game live, for example on YouTube or Twitch, use your computer instead. Achieving good quality rendering will also be essential during the filming and recording of a video game session.
get broadband connection
To be successful with your live broadcast, your internet connection must be of good quality. Bet on broadband all the time to receive and respond to your audience’s reactions in real time, but also to get a smooth and enjoyable video to watch. Make sure your bandwidth is not saturated with too many traffic spikes. Ideally, avoid family WiFi and choose a connection that you will be the only person using during your live.
Select the most suitable live format
The choice of format depends on how long your live video will last. Remember to take a break if your live broadcast lasts more than an hour, respecting the duration agreed with your audience.
Also follow the graphic charter to select the most appropriate format for your live (Marie-Louise, title, animation, jingle, etc.). Considering these various criteria and depending on your budget, choose the right format: testimonials, web shows, e-learning, masterclasses, debates, talk shows…
promote live date
There is no interest in Live without an audience! So be sure to promote your live a few days before the event. For this you can share information on your blog or your website or create a dedicated page on your site.
If you have already developed your graphic charter, create content on your social networks, such as a 30-second trailer. Take care to clearly specify the time and date as well as the guests who will be communicating on their social networks in turn.
To make a commitment, you also have the possibility to send a newsletter or a pre-registration link that you will place at the end of your e-mail.
connect with your audience
Live is the ideal opportunity to interact with your customers, and vice versa. It is therefore essential to promote exchanges by regularly encouraging them to appear in comments. During the broadcast, they can ask questions, comment, express their feelings in writing, or use “live feedback”. One trick that works every time, to get your audience closer to you while encouraging them to interact, is to regularly thank people who see you and call them by their first name or surname.