We’re finally getting to a point where COVID-19 restrictions are lifting enough for us to gather and host large events. We all want to be interacting with people like we used to, in-person and altogether after two very long years of working from home and virtual meetings.
Let’s face it, even with the restrictions lifting it isn’t always a good idea for people to gather for health reasons. And we need to start making our events more accessible to everyone. But how can we do that?
How will events look going forward? Can we make sure that events can still take place even if we have to go back to distanced socializing? What can we do to keep events relevant in a world where many of us work virtually?
Let’s take a look at what we can do to create an amazing event-style experience for everyone, no matter if they choose to attend in person or have a reason to stay home.
Live Streaming Events
One thing to keep in mind is that not everyone will be comfortable attending an in-person event right away. It might take a little time for some people to warm up to the idea, and some people may just not be able to attend but still want to participate in the event you’re putting on. So, it’s important that we make sure our events can still accommodate those who will need to stay home.
There are a lot of things we can do to make our events accessible! The main solution that we’re going to talk about today, is live streaming. Live streaming your event is a great way to make it more accessible to people who can’t or don’t want to attend an event in person.
There are a lot of things to consider when you’re planning an event in a post-covid world. With a little creativity and planning, you can make sure that your event is safe, fun, and accessible to everyone.
By live streaming, you’ll be able to keep your audience engaged during the event, after the event, and bring in a new audience even after the event ends.
What Can I Do with a Live Stream to Keep the Event Trending?
There are a lot of ways to take the footage from your live stream event and make sure it’s still trending and talked about long after the event is over.
- You can post snippets or clips from the live stream on social media platforms like Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.
- You can create a highlight reel or video of the live stream and post it on social media or your website.
- You can also create a live blog or podcast of the live stream to keep people engaged and talking about the event long after it’s over.
These are just a few ideas of ways to keep your live streaming event trending. Be creative, and have fun with it! If you’re looking for more ideas on how to keep the engagement coming in even after the event is over, check out our post on repurposing old video content.
What to Consider in Event Production
There are a few things you’ll need to consider when live streaming your event:
- Technical aspects like internet connection, equipment, and software
- Live streaming platform
- Content (what you will be live streaming)
- Audience engagement
- The possibility of hiring outside help from a video production company
Let’s take a look at each one a little more in-depth:
Technical Needs
Event production requires a lot of planning and coordination. Make sure you have a plan for technical difficulties and be prepared to troubleshoot any problems that may arise.
What equipment do you need? Well, you’ll need the right video recording equipment, computers in order to make sure your stream is going live on the programs or platforms of your choice, microphones to make sure that you’re catching high-quality audio for your audience to be able to understand, and lighting to make sure your live stream looks great.
You’ll also need a strong and stable internet connection. A live stream can use up a lot of data, so it’s important that you have an unlimited data plan or access to Wi-Fi. You should also consider how much power you’ll need and how much space the equipment will take up.
What Platform to Use
The live streaming platform is also important to consider. There are a lot of live streaming platforms available, and each has its own benefits and drawbacks. Do your research and choose the platform that best suits your needs.
What platforms are out there for live streaming?
Well, you can live stream on essentially any social media platform including TikTok, Facebook, and Instagram just to name a few. There are also programs out there that allow you to live stream to only certain audiences. These programs are perfect for companies that are selling tickets to their events.
OBS Studio, YouTube, and Wirecast are three popular live-streaming platforms that give you a lot of control over your live stream. They’re great for live streaming events like conferences, webinars, and more.
Content
The content of your live stream is also important. Make sure you have a plan for what you’ll be live streaming and make sure the content is interesting and engaging for your audience. The content should be following the theme of the event and have a purpose. You should be sharing important information as well as making sure that it’s something people will engage with both during the event and after.
Who do you have speaking? What kind of presentations will be going on throughout the event? Think about these things and make sure you have a well-rounded live stream.
Knowing what you’re going to live stream long before your actual event will make sure that you’re reaching an audience that is interested in the content you’re going to be producing.
You’ll want to make sure that your entire live stream is accessible in every way. Make sure that you provide captions for those who are hard of hearing. You might want to also consider providing live translations for those who don’t speak the same language as you, including sign language.
Audience Engagement
Audience engagement is key when live streaming an event. Make sure you have a plan for how you’ll keep your audience engaged throughout the live stream.
Engagement can look however you want it to! You can have live polls, ask questions to the audience, or even have them submit questions ahead of time. You can also give away prizes to thanks those who tuned into the live stream.
You can always have your viewers engage in the most basic of ways. These can be likes, comments, or just tuning in to watch! Depending on the platform you choose to use, you can create more opportunities for engagement as the live stream goes on.
Through the commenting section, you can have your audience ask questions for your speakers to answer. Some platforms allow you to post polls for your audience to engage with, too.
You can also live tweet or live blog the event as it happens to get even more engagement from your audience.
In order to keep your live stream feeling like an event, you’ll want to make sure that you’re engaging with your audience as much as possible. Ask them what they want to hear. Answer their questions either through the person currently speaking or through a text reply on the platform you’re streaming on.
Bottom line is that you should be engaging with your audience as much as they engage with you. It will make sure that your audience feels seen and heard throughout the event.
Hiring Professionals
What should you do if you don’t have the manpower or equipment to broadcast your event’s live stream on your own? You should hire a video production company that specializes in live streaming, of course! C&I Studios is exactly that. We have the equipment, the know-how, and the staff to really show off your event in style as it happens!
Depending on the size and scope of your live streaming event, even if you have the people and equipment, you may want to consider hiring outside help from a video production company. A large event for thousands of people might need multiple streams going at once or a live video feed to a bigger screen so everyone can see during the actual event as well as at home. You might also want to consider live streaming your event in 360 degrees so that your audience feels like they’re right there in the action!
We can help with everything from planning and coordination, to live streaming and audience engagement. Contact us to learn more about our live streaming services!
In Conclusion…
Live streaming events is really a great way to make them more accessible and allow more people to participate and engage in your content. If you keep these things in mind when planning your live stream you’re sure to put on a great event! And you’ll be reaching many more people than just those who attend in person!
It’s important to consider everything that you need to put on a live stream production of your events when planning said event. Live streaming can be a great way to include more people in your event as well as keep them updated. live streaming platforms give you a lot of control over your live stream. make sure to plan accordingly and you’re sure to have a successful live streaming event!