For years, live streaming has been a controversial topic in the world of event production. However, with the availability of technology such as smartphones, anyone can now live stream events.
This article will explore the popular live event streaming platform options available through mobile devices, including Facebook Live, YouTube Live, Instagram Live, and Periscope, and which one is the best choice for your events…
What is live event streaming?
Despite initial fears from event planners that live streaming would negatively impact attendance numbers, progressive events have embraced this technology and have seen unprecedented growth in attendance.
Live streaming can provide benefits for event producers, such as additional revenue opportunities, increased sponsor exposure, and increased interest in future events.
Additionally, enterprise-level solutions are available for events to have full control over their streaming experience, including appearance and available bandwidth.
Just, internalize a very simple thing: live streaming is not a threat to events but rather an asset. But most importantly, do not confuse live events with virtual ones...
What is the difference between live and virtual events?
Before we consider this issue in our article, let us first determine the difference between live and virtual events.
In the modern world, the concepts of live and virtual events are commonly used, often interchangeably, and can be difficult to differentiate.
Live events refer to activities that occur in the same physical space and time, such as concerts, sports matches, or theater shows, while virtual events are activities that take place online, such as virtual conferences or concerts.
Live events come in various shapes and sizes, from small gatherings to large-scale productions, including corporate and private events, festivals, and concerts.
When deciding between live and virtual events, it is essential to consider the pros and cons of each option. Live events provide a natural atmosphere and enable in-person relationship building, while virtual events are more cost-effective and accessible to a wider audience. Ultimately, the choice between live and virtual events depends on personal preferences and resources.
What are the advantages of live event streaming?
The video has become an essential and versatile marketing tool over the past decade, allowing you to create a record of your event and display great content on screens at the venue and on websites. But, you may have heard that live event streaming is either too expensive, can lower attendance, or is only useful for large events like Glastonbury Festival or Dreamforce. However, this is not necessarily true.
With the rise of platforms like Facebook Live, YouTube Live, Instagram Live, or Periscope, it is now more important than ever to understand how video can play a role in your event.
Because you don't need to spend a lot of money to stream your event live. In truth, there are several cost-effective options available, for example, utilizing Facebook Live from a smart device.
Thanks to these apps, live video streaming has become more accessible and affordable, creating new opportunities for the live events industry.
One of the biggest misconceptions is that live streaming only makes sense for massive events, but live video is a worthy investment for many types and sizes of events, including small concerts or corporate events that need to achieve a global reach.
If your event is at capacity, live video is a great way to expand your brand beyond the room and reach a broader audience. Live streaming may even be most appealing to small events with an attendance cap, allowing you to maintain an intimate experience while still reaching a large audience.
Which live event streaming platform is better?
There are various live event streaming platforms to choose from, such as Periscope, YouTube Live, Facebook Live, and Instagram Live among others.
However, determining which platform is best for gaining more audience support may be a challenging task for many.
Some people may opt for the platform where most of their friends are connected, but there are many features to consider when selecting a live streaming platform, as performance can be influenced by various factors.
So, let's take a closer look at each of them and try to choose the most suitable and attractive options among them...
Facebook Live
Previously, Facebook was only a famous social media, but now the addition of live-streaming capabilities has made it even more impressive.
The app has three icons for easy navigation, allowing users to choose between Check, Photo, and Live.
You can send messages to followers informing them about your live stream via the notification Bar. Also, Facebook Live offers 360-degree viewing options, which have received great responses from viewers.
Privacy settings can be easily adjusted for each upload, and filters and masks can also be applied, similar to Snapchat.
While Facebook Live is user-friendly, it generates a lot of notifications, which can be annoying for subscribers, and the Live feature affects news feeds.
YouTube Live
To begin streaming on YouTube Live, select the camera option from the top menu. This will present two options on the screen: Record for your camera roll or Go Live for a more interactive experience. You can choose to make your content public or unlisted.
YouTube Live will automatically generate a thumbnail for your video, which will be visible to your subscribers and provide a better description for your next post.
Additionally, you can choose to broadcast in horizontal or vertical mode, and you'll have access to editing controls with filters, such as Sepia, Dawn, Dream, and more.
YouTube Live is currently popular among millions of users worldwide, primarily on desktops, but if you have over 10k subs, you can also use the mobile live streaming feature.
Pros of YouTube Live include its user-friendly interface, easy access to content, and earning options for streamers. However, a potential drawback is that important comments can be easily missed, as they tend to fly by too quickly.
Periscope
Periscope, the live mobile streaming application updated by Twitter, is considered one of the best in its category.
With its ability to process videos quickly while maintaining high quality, users can easily go live and notify their followers about their broadcasts. This helps spread the word about the latest updates around the world.
Additionally, Periscope enhances the live streaming experience with engaging features.
Given Twitter's popularity and existing user base, many users prefer Periscope as a reliable platform for live streaming.
There are several benefits to using Periscope, such as its extensive settings and features, user-friendly interface, and ability to connect with a larger number of subscribers.
On top of that, Twitter recently added the ability to stream 360-degree videos to Periscope. However, infrequent updates can be a drawback for professional streamers.
Instagram Live
Facebook has released an update to Instagram that includes a live streaming service called Instagram Live. This service is intended to slow down the momentum of Snapchat.
Live videos live next to Stories, just above the main Instagram feed. When you go Live on Instagram, your live feed jumps in front of every Story, which means you can grab your followers’ attention without worrying about being bumped by the algorithm.
However, Instagram Live is a basic service with limited features such as no desktop viewing, archival options, video descriptions, filters, or doodles.
Its success lies in creating a fear of missing out (FOMO) since live broadcasts disappear after 24 hours. This feature can be useful for event marketers to live stream presentations without risking the long-term impact of giving away all the materials.
Instagram Live is ideal for Q&A sessions with followers if engagement is the primary motivator.
Although, hashtags and native sharing are not as effective in directing new followers to live videos as they are on other services.
But Instagram Live also has advantages, as demographics must also be taken into account. Because younger users are more likely to participate in a live video on Instagram (given that the average age of Instagram's user base is younger than that of Facebook's).
In summary, Instagram Live can help to maximize engagement from Instagram followers, but it may not be the best option for long-term investment.
How to better use the live streaming of your event?
Live streaming events aren’t just for organizations with big media budgets - it’s for everyone. From small businesses to startups, everyone can stream live events!
If you’re new to live streaming, you might be overwhelmed with all the techy stuff. But with some learning, you can be a pro at streaming live events.
Here are a few tips on how to better use the live streaming of your event:
1) Offering a live video is a great way to create excitement about your event before it happens. You can host behind-the-scenes looks or Q&A sessions with speakers on your event website or app to encourage audience participation and engagement.
2) Attendees at busy events may struggle to attend everything they want to, but live streaming your events allows them to access more content from screens around the venue or on their own devices.
3) Live streaming allows your event to reach beyond the physical location, giving people the opportunity to participate from anywhere.
4) Live streaming provides a simple way for people to become TV stars, and event organizers can use this to their advantage by conducting live-streamed vox pops for instant feedback or streaming special audience events. Viewers enjoy being on camera as well as watching the live stream.
5) If you intend to stream videos for minor events or gatherings, it is advisable to opt for simpler tools designed for seminars and conferences. However, if you require a live event video streaming service that provides interactive features, and comprehensive analytics, seek out services that provide event management tools.
In conclusion
Picking a live event streaming platform can be a challenging decision, as needs to take multiple factors into account. Each platform has its unique features, audience, and technical characteristics, and there isn't one that's better than the others. What works well for one individual or brand may not be suitable for someone else. It's essential to consider your specific requirements when making a decision. Additionally, if you're having trouble selecting a platform, you can always multistream...
