Live streaming has grown massively over the past few years to become a hugely popular form of entertainment across the world. If you are 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 a new source of instant entertainment whilst being stuck at home during lockdown.
A recent report from StreamElements claimed that Twitch viewers live streamed more than 2.72 billion hours of content in Q2, 2020 alone, showing the huge potential audience online. And while that means there are many opportunities out there for you to attract a new audience and build a loyal community, it also means there is a lot of competition.
So, how can you stand out in the crowd? Whether you’re a gamer, DJ or presenter, these top tips should help you get noticed; turning your content creation from a casual hobby to professional-grade streaming set up in no time.
1. Stream to multiple platforms
When starting out in the live streaming world, finding an audience can be difficult. So, to give yourself the best chance to connect with your fans, you should look to stream to as many different platforms as possible simultaneously.
Whilst Twitch is still the undisputed king of live streaming right now, both Facebook and YouTube are making big moves to emphasize their streaming platforms and grow 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 to multiple platforms not only increases the chances of your content being seen by more people, but also gives you a strong foundation to build on. So if, for example, Twitch disappears tomorrow, you aren’t left without an alternative streaming platform to turn to.
2. Add custom graphics and transitions
Building a recognizable brand when you’re live streaming is vital. Your audience should be able to spot your content instantly when tuning in and one great way to achieve this is with custom graphics, overlays, and transitions.
There is a reason that huge brands care so much about their logos - even Coca-Cola still spends billions of dollars every year advertising its brand. Having a brand that people care about and relate to is crucial to building a loyal fan base and community. So definitely put a lot of thought and care into the audience experience, because if they like what they see, they’re much more likely to return each time you go live.
3. Using a video switcher for variety and safety
Adding a second camera or output device to your stream can really increase the value that you provide 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 are playing. If you are streaming live music, a second camera showing a close up of your hand placement on the guitar might be really helpful to viewers. If you are hosting a show, then having the ability to play videos and change your background will really help to captivate your audience.
Of course, the more creative your streams become, the more complexity you introduce, which is where a video switcher like the ATEM Mini or ATEM Mini Pro from Blackmagic Design might come in handy. Switchers can manage multiple sources for you, allowing you to cut between different cameras and visual elements seamlessly. The Pro version of the switcher can also carry out the encoding of your stream internally. Dedicated hardware encoders like this allow you to create streams with lower latency and reduce the likelihood of dropped frames.
The ATEM Mini Pro can also offer live streamers a little peace of mind, continuously caching your stream, so that if you suddenly experience internet issues and your stream goes down, you can pick up where you left off once the connection is re-established. This switcher also has the ability to save an H.264 copy of your stream with AAC audio for backup or export.
4. Have a consistent schedule
Letting your audience know when and where they can find your content is key in any form of video production. Having a consistent schedule your audience can build into their routine is vital to building a fan base that returns for each of your streams and engages on a more meaningful level.
And that engagement should be matched by you. Where appropriate, be sure to shout out people in your audience and encourage comments. This will help build your community and keep them returning for your content.
But also be sure not to overstretch yourself. You might think that doing something you enjoy means you should do it as much as possible. However pushing yourself too hard could lead to burning out, with streaming becoming more of a chore than a hobby. This could cause your streams to dip in quality and consistency, and if that happens, viewership may drop off quickly.
So remember to stream the kind of content you want to watch and encourage your audience to participate and engage, and you’ll be a streaming pro before you know it.
