The world of online marketing has evolved over the last ten years. Not only do digital marketing professionals have to seek their prospective customers where they are more likely to be, but they also have to do so in a manner that these leads would prefer.
There is no question that in recent years, more and more people have preferred to attend live events, as shown by reports that reveal that nearly a third of all internet users watch at least one live stream weekly. Hence, as a marketer, you need to commit in this regard before you can experience the business benefits of live streaming on major social media platforms.
A live video content: What does it mean?
Making a social media live video is often referred to as going live. It refers to sharing videos on social media shared in real-time. The live features of most social media platforms like Instagram often include audience engagement tools such as live chats, polls, comments and question prompts to make the event more enjoyable. Other streamers also include gifts that can be redeemed by either the creators or participants across multiple platforms.
Like any other live event, when you live stream on social media networks, you get an opportunity to connect with prospective leads and connect with them on a more personal level. You also boost your social media presence, which is suitable for selling products. With some skill, you can get them on your landing page and convert them to paying customers.
What is the best platform to do a real-time live stream?
If you decide to go live as part of your social media strategy, you may be overwhelmed by the multiple social networks or platforms. Even more overwhelming is the amount of advice on which platform is the best for selling your product or service. While many insist that Twitter and Instagram are the best places to sell products, some swear by Facebook Live or TikTok Live. Then there are the other platforms, such as YouTube, LinkedIn Live, and Snapchat. Choosing a platform that best suits your marketing strategies can take much work.
In reality, choosing the best live-streaming platform that suits your content strategy is not a one-size-fits-all situation. Each platform is essential for specific businesses, so choosing one for your live-streaming strategy would boil down to what you're selling and where the likely customers of that product are. Here are some factors when trying to choose what suits your needs before you create a live stream.
- Before you start live streaming to showcase your products or services, know your ideal customer and their preferred social media platform.
- Check out social media demographic information and compare it to the demographics of your customer persona.
- Know your product and compare it against the search trends of each social platform; this should give you an idea of what the users of each social media platform are actively seeking.
Having the following information can help you decide on the best social media platform for incorporating live streaming into your social media marketing strategy.
How to successfully plan a live stream on social media platform
If you want to carry out a successful live stream for your target audience, there are some factors that you want to consider to boost the impact it could make. Some of them include:
Figure out your audience needs before you start streaming
Live streaming platforms let you connect with your audience and address their pain points. This rule applies whether the event is a webinar or a social media livestream. You want to ensure that the audience uses their time effectively by attending. One way to do that is to focus on the problems they are trying to solve and channel the event to address them.
Focus on one big idea when you want to host live streams
Your live broadcast should cover only a few topics in one event, which often backfires and leads to audience confusion. However, even if the audience has many pain points, it's best if you don't have to address them all in one event. Instead, break significant points into smaller ones and address one in each event. Be specific with each topic; doing this will show you have thought leadership and expertise and can dish out real value. These qualities will undoubtedly resonate with your audience as you commit resources to promote your live stream.
Choose your live stream option
Each livestream content should have a specific purpose, and you want to ensure that you stick to that so as not to confuse your audience. Some standard livestream options include product launches, product reviews, education on market trends, and brand updates. You can also focus on Q & A sessions to learn more about the audience and their needs or host a tutorial on some audience pain points. Remember that the goal of the live stream would determine the kind of information you would disseminate and how you do it. For example, a tutorial and review will be more detail-oriented than a brand update.
Create a storyboard
Storyboards may seem like a Hollywood invention, but they are still an excellent way to plan and visualize the main points and the order of arrangements that would be the most effective. You can create a storyboard by following the steps below:
- Choose a Format and a Storyboard tool such as Canva or Creatly. You can also use traditional paper format if you would rather not waste time mastering a new app.
- Have a Script or talking points attached to each frame of the storyboard.
- Include engagement cues so you know when to allow for audience participation.
- You may also want to list intended shot angles and transitions so there is no confusion about when and how you would place your camera.
- Review and revise everything.
Basic equipment setup
Your equipment will make or break you in a live stream, so you want to ensure everything is ready and operating at a top-notch level. Ensure you have good internet connectivity and quality video cameras, microphones, and lighting to make your live streaming experience enjoyable. If you're using tripods or stabilizers, you want to check them out before the streaming starts.
Pick the right social media live streaming software
Picking the right social media platform will play a role in the success of your livestream. We have already discussed some ways we can pick the right platform. Still, here are some social media platforms and what they are usually best for:
- YouTube Live is usually best for social media influencers, brands, and mass appeal. Plus, they have over 2.7 billion users.
- Instagram Live is usually good for social media influencers and brands. It is also easy to broadcast live sessions from your phone and don't have a monthly subscription fee.
Conclusion
An effective live-streaming strategy is a powerful way to push your products and services before new audiences, and hefty social media users. More and more people enjoy live-streaming events, so it can no longer be ignored. But to make live streaming work, there are factors that you need to consider, such as the right social media platforms, equipment, audience needs and pain points, and the point of the live event.
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