Insights
Video is rapidly overtaking traditional social media content. Get ahead with our top livestreaming tips
Audiences can’t stop watching video snippets. From TikTok to YouTube, video is fast becoming the modus operandi of social media. Reported by Forbes Magazine, mobile video consumption grows at 100% each year. Narrowing down to the type of video, the time spent watching livestreaming grew by 16% between 2019 and 2020.
These are trends charities can’t afford to ignore. Here, we offer our top tips to produce high quality livestreaming video.
While grainy video might add authenticity, you may not want the entire segment to have that feel. Investing in the right technology for livestreaming means charities can produce high quality video that can be used for other types of content.
There are three basic elements to streaming – video, audio, and lighting. For smaller teams, simple tech works well. As a producer, you’ll want to be able to stream directly to your computer. For the camera, make sure that there’s an HDMI port and AC adaptor. Content may run for hours, so the AC adaptor can take over from battery power.
For audio, choose a USB or XLR microphone. Shure Podcasting mics are a good option for charities producing video and audio content. For lighting, try soft lighting or LED panels to illuminate the space.
Top tip: For small teams, use a video microphone rig. These all-in-one devices mount a smart phone to capture livestream.
An important piece of tech, an encoder takes raw content and translates it into computer file types. You may also need software to translate your captured video into social media formats.
There are two types of encoders. A hardware encoder is an external piece of tech that is dedicated to converting raw video into digital formats. Hardware encoders come in many shapes and sizes, so the cost varies.
Software encoders are downloaded onto the computer and can process the raw video from there. OBS Studio is a popular encoder, and is free to download.
Top tip: Encoders digitise video into varying levels of quality. Choose the video quality that’s the most appropriate for your social media platform.
Livestreaming means that there’s probably only one chance of capturing the event. Since you don’t want to miss anything, make sure you have alternative tech if your primary equipment fails.
Top tip: Test your livestream with a back-up social media account with no followers. You’ll be able to review what you’ve produced and adjust your tech accordingly.
Make sure you know how your tech works, where it is, and what it captures. You’ll want to check out that your Wi-Fi network supports the broadcast bandwidth. Rehearse the entire video segment if you can.
Top tip: Give yourself extra time to prepare your equipment.
Since there’s only one chance to record the event, make sure there’s somebody there to watch for any glitches. Producers should monitor for audio and video synchronisation issues, lighting, or audio mishaps.
Top tip: Have your producer also watch for incoming comments and questions from audiences.
Prepare your audience for the livestream. Post the time and other details of the event on social media so people can tune in. Audiences are more willing to stick around for the entire programme if they are aware of when it starts and ends. As part of your digital strategy, try ‘leaking’ details of your event to generate maximum momentum.
Allow your audience to engage when you’re livestreaming. Interactive content helps drive excitement and creates a sense of urgency for fundraising campaigns.
Top tip: Decide how audiences will engage before the event, since instant feedback is important to building trust.
Captions increase reach and add clarity to your livestream. To add captions, create your own SRT files or use the captioning functions from YouTube and Instagram. You may want to add text to your livestream for certain segments or type up a question from the audience.
Top tip: Be creative with captions. You can be playful with words, fonts, and text elements.
Authenticity is what gives livestreaming power. Since the videos capture real-time moments, audiences get a sense of intimacy. To connect with audiences, let them see your imperfections. You may want to showcase how your office is in reality or record part of a live fundraising event.
Top tip: Orchestrate a surprise. Record reactions from beneficiaries or supporters to stir the audience’s emotions.
Once your livestream is over, save the content. Edit the video into snippets to post at a later date.
On the 17th October 2024, Charity Digital will hold our first ever Artificial Intelligence (AI) Summit, a ticketed in-person event that will help charity professionals master the most talked-about tech of the decade.