Livestreaming events: these are the benefits and how to do it

A phone with a camera and a stable internet connection. That is all you need to livestream your event. Right? Unfortunately, a successful livestream involves quite a bit more than that. With the practical tips from this article, you will be well prepared. 

5 benefits of livestreaming events 

Some organizations find it quite exciting to get started with livestreams of events. They wonder whether a livestream really adds anything. The short answer: yes. It boosts your event in several ways: 

1. You reach a larger audience 

With a livestream, you not only reach the visitors physically walking around at your event, but also people who cannot attend due to distance or lack of time. The beauty of the internet: there are no borders. This way you can (potentially) reach a global audience. 

2. Attractive for sponsors 

Do you have sponsors for your event? Then a livestream immediately makes you a lot more interesting to them. As we wrote above: you can reach a much larger audience. And that also means a bigger stage for sponsors. 

3. You get valuable input

An essential part of livestreaming is interaction with followers, both at the event itself and from a distance. Followers of the livestream ask questions and give feedback. This can be done via the social media platform you are streaming on, but also via a chat function or polls. This often yields highly valuable information. If you host events for the same target group more often, you might even build an online community. 

4. It provides footage you can use later 

Often you can save the footage you livestream and use it later in all kinds of ways. Perhaps on your website, so that those who missed the event can still watch? Or you can share the best clips on your social media channels. 

5. Promotion for your next event

A livestream is immediately great advertising for the next event. People who only watch online the first time get a taste of the atmosphere. This makes them more likely to actually register for the next event. 

Tips for livestreaming events 

A good livestream contributes to the professional image of your event and organization. Therefore, make sure that the image quality, content, lighting, and atmosphere fit well with your event and target audience. And this is how you make that happen: 

1. Make a plan

The golden rule 'look before you leap' applies twice as much to livestreaming events. Make a plan beforehand in which you answer questions such as: what do we show in the livestream? And what do we not show? Is the internet on location fast and stable enough? What about the lighting? And will you hire a professional moderator and camera operator? 

A post shared by Theater Amsterdam (@theateradam) on Nov 27, 2018 at 7:57am (PST)

2. Choose a platform that fits your event and audience 

Livestreaming can be done on all kinds of platforms. Think of Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, Periscope and, of course, YouTube. Every platform offers different possibilities. On one platform the focus is mainly on video, the other offers more opportunities for interaction. Choose a platform where your audience feels at home. 

3. Announce the livestream 

If nobody knows about the livestream, you won't attract many viewers. Therefore, announce it clearly, via your site or (targeted ads on) social media. Very important: if you have said you will start the livestream at 2:00 PM, then really go live at that exact moment. Impatent viewers drop out if you are late. 

4. Create relevant content 

The goal of a livestream is (among other things) to strengthen the connection between the audience and your event. And that audience is not waiting for unfiltered advertising messages. New information that is actually relevant to them: that's what keeps them hooked.

5. Ensure interaction 

A chat over drinks afterwards is obviously not possible with the followers of the livestream. Interaction during the event, on the other hand, is all the more possible. Do viewers ask questions, for example via Twitter? Then make sure they get an answer. You can stimulate interaction even more by asking them specific questions. This can be done via a webinar or live Q&A session. 

6. Don't forget the follow-up 

Event over, livestream offline, is that it? Not quite! Because you get even more out of the livestream if you ensure a good follow-up. Share the best moments on social media, publish a blog post with video footage, and announce your next event already. 

A post shared by Theater Amsterdam (@theateradam) on Jun 30, 2018 at 3:48am (PDT)

Organizing an event at Theater Amsterdam? We would love to brainstorm with you about the possibilities for livestreaming your event. Want to know more? Feel free to contact us.