Live broadcasting or streaming comes with its own challenges. There are no do-overs. You could have the best content and probably great potential, but minor mistakes can break the experience. To make the process smooth, and to look good on the screen, plan everything out.
Most live streamers don’t have a written script in hand, but they certainly keep pointers to be certain they don’t distract from the subject and cover everything at the same time. To get it right, here is a checklist that will get you through this at home:
1: Upgrade Your Internet
There’s nothing more frustrating than poor Internet speed, slowing down the entire streaming experience. If you are pixilated, your audience might exit the session.
When the first lockdown was imposed in March 2020 to contain the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic, I immediately switched to Spectrum Internet plans to continue working from home. The lockdown also inspired me to start my own YouTube Channel on skincare!
2: Position the Camera
First of all, get a webcam. It’s mandatory. Period! The camera must be placed at the eye level, not above, not below. If you need some height, don’t be afraid to give it a little lift by placing your monitor/laptop on books.
Live streaming is different from a conference call. In a live video, you are always doing something. Looking good on camera helps your audience get comfortable with you.
3: Prep Time Is Important
In a live stream, it’s critical to stay professional. I would recommend budgeting some time to prepare before going live.
The more organized and mentally prepared you are, the higher the chances of delivering top quality live stream. Pre-show preparation also helps in reducing stress.
Practice your key points to avoid long pauses. Keep a checklist with you to look at from time to time to organize your thoughts.
4: Get a Green Screen
If you do live streaming often, get a green screen. It allows you to change your background depending on your mood or even the topic.
Go for a screen that creates a full-frame background. You can use it while sitting or standing up. A stand normally holds the screen so make sure the one you invest in is sturdy. A green screen lets you virtually stream from anywhere.
5: Test and Configure the Audio
Often, live streamers forget about configuring and testing the audio.
Audio is an essential ingredient in helping you deliver a professional live stream. Give yourself enough time to minimize the room's noise, test the autistics, and configure the audio settings. Before going live, go for a test run to ensure everything is well-configured.
6: Keep Your Eyes on the Camera
Many live streamers make the mistake of looking at the monitor’s screen instead of the camera. Reference monitors are perfect for confidence monitoring. Most streamers like to place them before the camera. The only problem is this location makes the monitor tempting to look at. Whatever you do, don’t stare at the monitor. Stare into the camera because you want to be making a virtual eye-contact with your audience!
7: Invite a Guest or an Extra Host for a Day
To make your live streaming interesting, invite a co-host or a guest every now and then. Choose a random topic to talk about. It can also be your experience about dialing the Spectrum phone number for receiving Internet support. Random talks like these will make your sessions more engaging and exciting.
Inviting a guest over is also a great opportunity to cross-promote. Let them speak about their product/service at your show, and they will give a shut out to you at their show!
Summing Up
Live streaming is challenging yet fun. If possible, do read the comments posted by your audience.
Don’t strive to be a perfectionist, just do your best. Pay attention to what other streamers are doing. Copy the ideas you like, of course, by adding a personal touch.
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