A live streaming event requires some techniques, resources and some knowledge on event preparation and production. Some tips and tricks are never enough.
1. Start ahead of time
First of all, you should not talk about the event when it’s about to start: social networks, landing pages, a small space on the website are just some ways to publicize and call people’s attention to it… don’t forget that a live event is only worth it if you have enough audience.
“Starting ahead of time” doesn’t mean it must be prepared before it is needed or beginning the transmission 2 minutes sooner, it means starting it some time before. If there is nothing in concrete to present, you can always show a countdown or a catchy sentence like “stay tuned”… We advise not to show only the player.
2. Live streaming test
This pre-test is not optional. There may be some glitch and having the right resources and people may not be enough. Before the event, you should go ahead with sufficient tests to make sure everything is in order. And you shouldn’t test the resources individually; you should run a full, all resources and material check, at the right location and with the matter at hand, as if it were the event itself…
During the test, check the transmission from several locations and in several devices.
3. Mixer
One of the best ways to have a good video is to use multiple cameras and a mixer where you can alternate what you broadcast therefore creating a dynamic transmission.
As for additional resources (background, sets, camera positioning…) you might as well think ahead and cover all bases.
4. Plan B, C or D.
Even though the check went fine, contingencies may occur and you can’t just cancel the transmission or ignore that problem with sound…
A plan B may just be having some extra material and resources. Some simple measures, that won’t even imply spending any more money.
The idea is simple, be on your guard in case something happens.
5. Post-production
When the transmission ends, the event should continue on social networks and the screen shouldn’t just go black. The ideal thing to do is to seize this moment to ad a call-to-action or allow the repetition of the event’s reproduction.
Keep in mind that the event should start before the transmission and extend itself after the transmission in hours, days or even months! Why not use social networks to show some photographs taken at the event?