If you’re planning to livestream an event, there’s a lot to decide on. You’ll need to figure out which platform(s) to use, how to structure your content, and how to make sure you have the right audio-visual (AV) equipment and bandwidth to ensure your stream runs smoothly. You might also want to find ways to get your audience involved with interactive content and live chats.
Whether you’re livestreaming a gaming convention, a concert or gala, or a corporate event like a conference or training seminar, you can’t go wrong with careful planning and solid teamwork. In this guide, we’re breaking down our top live event streaming tips to ensure you have a successful broadcast.
Before you start planning your livestreamed event, you should ask yourself some key questions about the following topics.
What is the primary goal of the stream? What do you want to get your viewers to do (e.g. sign up, buy, share, discuss)?
Who is your target viewer? What are their expectations? What are their online habits like?
What platform best suits your content and audience preferences (e.g. YouTube, Zoom, Twitch, Vimeo)?
Will you have a single speaker, a panel, interviews, or performances? How can you encourage audience interaction with chat features, polls, and Q&As?
Will you stream from a studio, event venue, outdoor space, or remotely? How will lighting, noise, and background affect your stream? Do you need to secure permits?
How can you incorporate logos, graphics, overlays, intros, and outros that reinforce your brand without distracting your audience from the content of the stream?
Do you have a high-speed, stable internet connection? How will you source equipment like microphones, cameras, lighting, and capture cards? Do you have backup power and spare devices? What AV services provider will you work with?
How many people do you have on your team? Do you need a producer, host, camera operators, moderators, or IT professionals? Is everyone trained in their field?
What day and time work best for your audience? Are they viewing from multiple time zones? When can your team be available for rehearsals?
Do you have the rights to use music and appearance releases? How can you provide accessibility features like captions or interpreters?
How will you market your event to viewers (e.g. email reminders, social media, paid ads)? Do you need a registration system?
Livestreaming an event requires extra attention to detail during the planning process. This is especially true for hybrid events with in-person audiences to consider. It’s important to ensure that the virtual and in-person elements are integrated seamlessly.
Create a show outline and stage design with the broadcast in mind. Simply setting up a single camera and hoping for the best is a surefire way to leave your online viewers feeling underwhelmed. For example, each presentation needs to be filmed at a good angle without distracting or obstructing the live audience. You also need to consider time zones and ensure your schedule accommodates attendees from various locations.
Choosing the right streaming platform involves a few considerations, including target demographics, social context, technical capabilities, and reliability.
For example, social media platforms like Facebook Live or YouTube are great options for mainstream corporate events targeted toward a general audience. TikTok, Instagram, and Twitch offer a more personal and interactive atmosphere that’s likely to attract younger viewers.
When livestreaming an event, you need to know your tech is efficient, reliable, and catered to your specific needs. That’s why it’s a good idea to hire an experienced AV company like Catalyst to help you design, manage, and troubleshoot your audio-visual systems.
An experienced team can assist you throughout the entire process, from equipment selection to curtain call, ensuring that your stream goes off without a hitch.
A strong internet connection is essential when livestreaming. The last thing you want is to plan a gorgeous, well-rounded event only for your broadcast to lag or shut down.
Always check bandwidth, upload speed, and network stability. It can also be helpful to set up a backup network to ensure you have a plan if things go south on the big day.
One of the challenges of livestreams is that it’s easy for virtual audiences to feel disconnected. Consider using online collaboration tools to engage your remote attendees. These may include live chats, Q&A sessions, real-time quizzes and polls, and virtual breakrooms.
You should always run through your entire program several times before broadcasting to a live audience. This gives you the chance to fix technical and human-caused errors and talk through any issues you see popping up.
Make sure your talent knows exactly what to do, when to do it, and where to look. Focus on achieving smooth transitions and minimizing dead air. The goal is to make your audience feel like they’re right there with you, so it’s a good idea to record your dry run and watch it back from the perspective of a viewer.
You should always record a high-quality version of your livestream locally. There are a few reasons why:
It’s always a good idea to get feedback from your audience and other key stakeholders after an event, whether you’re hosting it live or remotely.
One of the best ways to get honest responses is to send out a post-event survey to your guests. You can use their feedback to make adjustments for future events and find out what worked and what didn’t.
Livestreaming an event can be stressful. With so many moving parts and complicated tech elements, it can be hard to know where to begin. That’s where Catalyst comes in.
We offer full-service, integrated AV support to ensure your livestreamed event is truly spectacular. Our team is experienced, professional, and dedicated to your success.
Get in touch to learn more and set up a free consultation today!
If you’re planning to livestream an event, there’s a lot to decide on. You’ll need to figure out which platform(s) to use, how to structure your content, and how to make sure you have the right audio-visual (AV) equipment and bandwidth to ensure your stream runs smoothly. You might also want to find ways to get your audience involved with interactive content and live chats.
Whether you’re livestreaming a gaming convention, a concert or gala, or a corporate event like a conference or training seminar, you can’t go wrong with careful planning and solid teamwork. In this guide, we’re breaking down our top live event streaming tips to ensure you have a successful broadcast.
Before you start planning your livestreamed event, you should ask yourself some key questions about the following topics.
What is the primary goal of the stream? What do you want to get your viewers to do (e.g. sign up, buy, share, discuss)?
Who is your target viewer? What are their expectations? What are their online habits like?
What platform best suits your content and audience preferences (e.g. YouTube, Zoom, Twitch, Vimeo)?
Will you have a single speaker, a panel, interviews, or performances? How can you encourage audience interaction with chat features, polls, and Q&As?
Will you stream from a studio, event venue, outdoor space, or remotely? How will lighting, noise, and background affect your stream? Do you need to secure permits?
How can you incorporate logos, graphics, overlays, intros, and outros that reinforce your brand without distracting your audience from the content of the stream?
Do you have a high-speed, stable internet connection? How will you source equipment like microphones, cameras, lighting, and capture cards? Do you have backup power and spare devices? What AV services provider will you work with?
How many people do you have on your team? Do you need a producer, host, camera operators, moderators, or IT professionals? Is everyone trained in their field?
What day and time work best for your audience? Are they viewing from multiple time zones? When can your team be available for rehearsals?
Do you have the rights to use music and appearance releases? How can you provide accessibility features like captions or interpreters?
How will you market your event to viewers (e.g. email reminders, social media, paid ads)? Do you need a registration system?
Livestreaming an event requires extra attention to detail during the planning process. This is especially true for hybrid events with in-person audiences to consider. It’s important to ensure that the virtual and in-person elements are integrated seamlessly.
Create a show outline and stage design with the broadcast in mind. Simply setting up a single camera and hoping for the best is a surefire way to leave your online viewers feeling underwhelmed. For example, each presentation needs to be filmed at a good angle without distracting or obstructing the live audience. You also need to consider time zones and ensure your schedule accommodates attendees from various locations.
Choosing the right streaming platform involves a few considerations, including target demographics, social context, technical capabilities, and reliability.
For example, social media platforms like Facebook Live or YouTube are great options for mainstream corporate events targeted toward a general audience. TikTok, Instagram, and Twitch offer a more personal and interactive atmosphere that’s likely to attract younger viewers.
When livestreaming an event, you need to know your tech is efficient, reliable, and catered to your specific needs. That’s why it’s a good idea to hire an experienced AV company like Catalyst to help you design, manage, and troubleshoot your audio-visual systems.
An experienced team can assist you throughout the entire process, from equipment selection to curtain call, ensuring that your stream goes off without a hitch.
A strong internet connection is essential when livestreaming. The last thing you want is to plan a gorgeous, well-rounded event only for your broadcast to lag or shut down.
Always check bandwidth, upload speed, and network stability. It can also be helpful to set up a backup network to ensure you have a plan if things go south on the big day.
One of the challenges of livestreams is that it’s easy for virtual audiences to feel disconnected. Consider using online collaboration tools to engage your remote attendees. These may include live chats, Q&A sessions, real-time quizzes and polls, and virtual breakrooms.
You should always run through your entire program several times before broadcasting to a live audience. This gives you the chance to fix technical and human-caused errors and talk through any issues you see popping up.
Make sure your talent knows exactly what to do, when to do it, and where to look. Focus on achieving smooth transitions and minimizing dead air. The goal is to make your audience feel like they’re right there with you, so it’s a good idea to record your dry run and watch it back from the perspective of a viewer.
You should always record a high-quality version of your livestream locally. There are a few reasons why:
It’s always a good idea to get feedback from your audience and other key stakeholders after an event, whether you’re hosting it live or remotely.
One of the best ways to get honest responses is to send out a post-event survey to your guests. You can use their feedback to make adjustments for future events and find out what worked and what didn’t.
Livestreaming an event can be stressful. With so many moving parts and complicated tech elements, it can be hard to know where to begin. That’s where Catalyst comes in.
We offer full-service, integrated AV support to ensure your livestreamed event is truly spectacular. Our team is experienced, professional, and dedicated to your success.
Get in touch to learn more and set up a free consultation today!
Are you planning a shareholder meeting, conference, product launch, trade show, or other type of major event? You need to make sure the production value matches the quality of your event’s content. Working with a reliable, proven leader in audio visual event production like Catalyst ensures your event runs smoothly, exceeds the expectations of your audience, and has the impact you want.
Get in touch today to schedule a free consultation, learn more about our services, and tell us about your event.
We work events both nationally and internationally. No matter where you are, Catalyst can come to you.
(818) 818-6117
info@thecatalystcompanies.com