Should Podcasters Livestream?
Livestream is a broadcasting practice that brings real-time video to viewers over the internet. For a podcaster, it’s one of the best tools to get their vision out there and connect with the audience at a deeper level wherever they are. Podcast Livestream is becoming more and more popular, and with the reduced physical interaction due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it is becoming our second nature. We’re social beings, and it doesn’t matter how we practice it, whether virtual or live. Social interaction remains our core.
Livestreaming is here to stay. I know you’ve been thinking about starting your own—that is why I dug up information on why podcasters should or should not Livestream to help you move to the next right step. So read on and learn about the ABCs of Livestreaming for beginners and identify what your next move ought to be.
SIX REASONS WHY PODCASTERS SHOULD LIVESTREAM
Let’s begin by examining a few reasons podcasters should leverage live streaming and its advantages on their podcasting journey.
DEEPER CONNECTION WITH YOUR AUDIENCE
Podcasting is a great way to reach your audience, and doing it live can help you connect with them at a deeper level. Livestreaming allows you to interact and share in-person information, experiences, and lessons with your audience, which is more impactful compared to a recorded video or audio. Doing a live event doesn’t mean you will forgo recording, but you will take advantage of both avenues to communicate with your audience.
Livestream isn’t solely restricted to live video and audio. It has other features that you can use to interact with your viewers in real-time, including audio calls, video calls, text, and live chat. Most Livestream solutions provide a lot of flexibility to help you build your capacity, confidence, and trust.
LIVESTREAMING IS CONVENIENT AND COST-EFFECTIVE
There are different myths about live streaming, the most common being that it’s expensive and requires technical knowledge for an average person to push through. On the contrary, live streaming can be very cheap and straightforward, and you will be amazed at how easy it can get. All you need is an internet connection, webcam, microphone, and encoder. In addition, some platforms offer Livestream solutions, and using them will enable you to
broadcast live with just a few clicks of your mouse.
Setting up your own live stream is easy, and you can use the platform of choice depending on your budget and your preferences. Many streaming services providers offer in-depth information and tutorials to help broadcasters efficiently use their features. You don’t need technical skills or hire a developer to benefit optimally from them. The tools are designed for your convenience with easy-to-use features. Some of the most common tools include zoom, YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, Wirecast, StreamYard OBS, and Ecamm Live.
Check out our blog on the Top Five Livstreaming Platforms!
EASY MOBILE STREAMING
Today almost everybody owns a mobile phone, and of all devices, this is the most portable and popular in any population. This means that as a podcaster, most of your potential viewers are likely to use smartphones and similar smart devices. The good news is that most Livestream solutions are mobile-friendly. They will allow you to stream your content easily to mobile devices and tablets, making work easier on your end.
With a smartphone, viewers can access your live stream anytime, anywhere, as long as they are connected to the internet. They don’t need to have a computer like with the previous Technology.
LIVESTREAM IS A RELIABLE DELIVERY SYSTEM.
Most Livestream providers partner with content delivery networks (CDNs), enabling them to enhance their delivery across different regions. Using digital tools can secure quality and reliable content delivery to viewers wherever they are, both near and far.
Additionally, most of these Livestream solutions are free of distraction from Ads and adverts. You have control over the ads that appear on your video. Too many Ads can divert user attention and negatively impact their experience. If you’ve watched recorded videos with Ads, you would know how annoying this can be.
LIVESTREAM IS EASY TO MONETIZE
You may be wondering how you can make Money from livestreaming? Very simple. Luckily, many live-streaming digital solutions are equipped with different features to help you monetize the video. However, as a beginner, this should not be a priority. Instead, your focus should be to build your brand and grow your audience. Once you have this done,
it is time to decide on the best way to start monetizing your Livestream videos without negatively impacting your brand.
You can charge your viewer by using pay-per-view or a monthly subscription, just like they do in movies or concert tickets. You can also use a video paywall. Using this method, you will restrict free access to digital content, and your viewers will be required to purchase or pay for a subscription to get full access. Another method used by most live streamers is monetization using Sponsored Ads. Similar to host-read ads on most podcasts – the best thing about this is that you have control over the ads to display on your content. Too many Ads are annoying and can affect the end-user experience.
There are a variety of ways that you can monetize your podcast Livestream, but it’s up to you to identify what works for you and your Livestream goals.
THREE REASONS WHY PODCASTERS SHOULD NOT LIVESTREAM
Live streaming is a great medium that allows you to utilize tools at your disposal to expand your reach and to interact with your audience. However, if you’re planning to do your podcasting live, you need to be well prepared for a quality outcome.
Just like any type of video production, creating a professional-looking and engaging live stream is key in building your brand and growing your audience. The process involves handling some broadcast media elements, and if you don’t have them, you shouldn’t Livestream. Be patient until you acquire all the necessary tools—your first impression matters.
Here are a few tips to help you plan and know when you’re ready to put on a good Livestream show.
YOU DON’T HAVE A RELIABLE INTERNET BANDWIDTH.
This is where many beginners get it wrong. Just any network will not suffice. Before you begin, ensure you have a consistent network and bandwidth that can support your Livestream activities without fail. Low and inconsistent bandwidth is bad news to your viewers. The quality and the resolution of your video are at risk of fluctuating in the middle of the live stream. Therefore, prepare beforehand to avoid turning your viewer away with pixelated videos. We recommend using a wired connection with an upload bandwidth of at least 700 Kbps for normal and 20,000-51,000Kbps for 4k Livestreaming. You can test your connection speed for free at www.speedtest.net.
YOU CAN START WITH YOUR PHONE OR WEBCAM
If you don’t have a camera, you can be patient to get one. There are some great However, I started Livestreaming with my iMac built-in camera. Also, your smartphone’s camera may be able to do Livestream effectively. For seamless and more professional live streams, you’ll need to use a quality camera for your broadcasts (Be sure to check out our blog post on the top five cameras for Livestreaming). High-quality videos and good sound recordings will keep your viewers attentive and happy. With live podcasting, you are likely to go live more regularly; hence, the end-user experience should always be your priority and it is critical in building your brand.
IF YOU ARE NOT PLANNING TO BE CONSISTENT, DON’T LIVESTREAM.
If you are not consistent, you should not Livestream. Irregular and inconsistent live streams will turn away your viewers and put you at risk of losing followers and wasting your efforts. Consistency is the key, and it will give you an opportunity to build your brand and grow your audience at ease. Inconsistency is a vision killer. No one will follow an inconsistent content creator. Prepare to show up and keep your viewers on their toes so they can have something to look forward to.
Plan your consistency, work on your schedule, and prepare a regular schedule for your shows beforehand.
How To Get Started on Livestreaming
You don’t need to purchase a complete multimedia gear set to present your podcast Live to your audience. I’ve been there, and it’s normal to be tempted to purchase a whole set plus a few extras for sound and video effects.
Luckily, you only need a few tools to produce a high-quality professional video when live streaming. So, keep your setup simple and consider getting the most important, high- quality components that you need for your Livestream podcasts. We learn as we go.
Also, make sure you have a second pair of eyes. This is someone who can monitor your Livestream to ensure your end-users are getting the expected outcome constantly. However, you don’t have to employ an expert to perform such a task. You can ask a family member or a trusted friend to tune in and instantly inform you of any deviations. Nevertheless, paid services are more effective. Prepare beforehand.
FINAL WORD
As you’ve read, a successful podcast, Livestream, comes down to thorough preparation. Testing your streaming capability, planning your schedule, and Investing in quality equipment beforehand will help you provide value to your audience. There is a lot of temptation to start with the next shiny object but being patient until you’re ready with the appropriate resources will pay off handsomely.
I hope you found this content helpful in taking your podcast to the next level. Please feel free to share with us your opinion on why you think podcasters should or should not Livestream in the comments section.
Thanks for reading, and good luck with your plans for future podcast live streams!
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