There are many steps to live-streaming. It requires far more work than just showing up to the scheduled streaming time and presenting the content. There is a lot of preplanning and post-production work as well. Meaning streamers work far longer than you may realize. If they stream for eight hours each day, Monday to Friday, they work for more than forty hours a week -- another factor to consider before you start a live streaming business.
Before:
Plan Your Content and Test Your Equipment
Never go in without a plan. You don’t want to rely on your audience to direct the content. Then about five minutes before you go live, test your equipment and the materials you need.
Warn Your Audience
Provide a five to ten-minute warning before you really go live to let your audience get there. You don’t want to start your main content right in the beginning. Even if you don’t have any viewers at the start, provide an introduction so you can get used to it for later.
During:
Allow Introduction Time
Before you jump right into the main topic of your live stream, give your audience some time to tune in. You don’t need to jump right into it, and you don’t even need to show your face right away either. Instead, create a graphic or timer that shows your audience you are preparing to go live. You could use this time to say hey to people in the chat as well casually. This encourages viewers to show up earlier as they get a chance to engage with you before the main event.
Engage Your Audience
Say “hi” and always recognize the information chat provides you. For example, if you have donations, subscriptions, and follower notifications, acknowledge them and thank them for their contributions. Then, keep the engagement moving by asking questions or never breaking away from the content.
Be sure to thank your audience before you leave, provide your social media handles, and ask them to follow you and subscribe to your newsletter, so they never miss your content. If the live streaming platform you use no longer exists one day, you have their e-mail or other third-party service information to still communicate with them.
Post To Social Media
Let your audience know you are live. Create a separate post to let your audience know how you are enjoying it. You can even show your chat you are doing it to add a little behind-the-scenes action shot to those who have not joined yet. Then post it to your pages to encourage them to join in before it is too late.
After:
Repurpose Your Content
Take your live streams and trim them down to be shared on different platforms like Instagram, YouTube, and even e-mail campaigns.
Keep Track of Results
You don’t need to be crazy or too picky, but it is healthy to look at your analytics about once a week to ensure the content you are developing resonates with your audience.
Thank Your Audience
Don’t end your stream without thinking about your viewers or those who plan to watch your content later.
Use this list as a detailed plan of action to ensure you have a successful first stream and continue to develop a sustainable business.
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