Live streaming has grown significantly in recent years to become an extremely popular form of entertainment around the world. If you're looking to move your entertainment business online during the pandemic, there couldn't be a better time as more and more people are turning to Twitch, YouTube and Facebook live streams as their new source of instant entertainment. while stuck at home while on lockdown A recent report from StreamElements claimed that Twitch viewers streamed more than 2,72 billion hours of live content in Q2020 XNUMX, showing the huge potential audience online. And while it means there are plenty of opportunities to attract new audiences and build a loyal community, it also means there's plenty of competition. So how can you stand out from the crowd? Whether you're a gamer, DJ, or presenter, these great tips should help you get noticed; Transform your content creation from a casual hobby to a professional-quality broadcast set up in no time.
When you first start out in the world of live streaming, it can be difficult to find an audience. So, to give yourself the best chance of connecting with your fans, you should try to simultaneously stream on as many different platforms as possible. While Twitch is still the undisputed king of live streaming right now, Facebook and YouTube are hard at work showcasing their streaming platforms and growing their audience. And remember, no matter how popular a platform is right now, that doesn't mean it will stay that way forever... remember MySpace? Exactly! Streaming across multiple platforms not only increases the chances of your content being seen by more people, it also gives you a solid foundation to build on. So if, say, Twitch goes down tomorrow, you won't be left without another streaming platform to fall back on.
2. Add custom graphics and transitions
Building a recognizable brand when you go live is vital. Your audience should be able to spot your content instantly when it's focused and a great way to do that is with custom graphics, overlays, and transitions. There's a reason big brands care so much about their logos, even Coca-Cola still spends billions of dollars every year promoting their brand. Having a brand that people care about and relate to is crucial to building a loyal fan base and community. So bring a lot of thought and care to the audience experience, because if they like what they see, they're much more likely to come back every time you go live.
3. Use of a video switch for added variety and safety.
Adding a second camera or output device to your stream can really add value to your audience. If you're a gamer, your audience might be interested in seeing your hands on the controller, as well as the game you're playing. If you're playing live music, a second camera showing a close-up of your hand's location on the guitar could be very helpful to viewers. If you're hosting a show, having the ability to play videos and change your background will really help captivate your audience. Of course, the more creative your streams are, the more complexity you present, this is where a video switcher like the ATEM Mini or ATEM Mini Pro from Blackmagic Design can come in handy. The switchers can manage multiple sources for you, allowing you to seamlessly cut between different cameras and visual elements. The Pro version of the switch can also encode your stream internally. Dedicated hardware encoders like this one let you create streams with lower latency and reduce the chance of image loss. The ATEM Mini Pro can also provide live streams with some peace of mind, by constantly caching your stream, so if you suddenly experience internet problems and your stream goes down, you can pick up right where you left off when the connection was re-established. This switcher also has the option to save an H.264 copy of your stream with AAC audio for backup or export.
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(Image credit: BlackMagic Design)
4. Have a consistent schedule
Letting your audience know when and where they can find your content is essential in any form of video production. Having a consistent schedule that your audience can integrate into their routine is essential to building a fan base that will come back for each of your feeds and engage on a more meaningful level. And that commitment must be matched by you. If so, be sure to yell at people in your audience and encourage feedback. This will help build your community and keep them coming back for your content. But also make sure you don't stretch. You may think that doing something you enjoy means you should do it as much as possible. However, pushing yourself too hard could lead to burnout, and streaming becomes more of a chore than a hobby. This could cause the quality and consistency of your feeds to drop, and if this happens, the number of views can drop rapidly. So make sure you're streaming the kind of content you want to see and encourage your audience to jump in and participate, and you'll be a streaming pro before you know it.