2016 is the year of Live Streaming. 2014 was the year of mobile, 2015 the year of video and now we have the perfect storm.
Live streaming is nothing new but now it is simple, can be used on mobiles and immediate connects you to an audience, plus this audience can interact with you.
Live streaming is all about making your business up close and personal for your audience.
Connecting with your audience always adds to your reputation as a company that cares about its customers.
Live streaming is also about getting attention in a moment. Attention is currency to the human brain, it is not easy to get and can be very expensive when you resist adopting new opportunities.
Here are a few ways your business can benefit from Live Streaming:
- Brand equity: Be there when they look for you. Engage on a more personal level
- Q&A for customers and prospects– Invite them to ask. Have different team members answer.
- Product or service education – Is there a learning curve to start using your products or service? Here is the perfect way to show how they work
- Broadcast events– Ribbon cuttings, anniversaries, special company events, parties
- Discuss new developments and company news– New website, people in the company moving places, exciting news? Keep your people in the loop.
- Introducing new employees– Some team members coming in, others going out. Talk about this with your customers
- Release of new products– How cool it is to show an interested audience what is coming up?
- Information product creation free during live– Online courses, training programs can be created live.
- Behind the scenes– Show us what happens behind those doors
- How-tos– Cooking, crafts, how to install
- Donor Research Connect with donors by showing them how their donations get put to use. Or use it to solicit donations online by live streaming a fund raising event.
- Restaurants. Show your specials! Live stream it! Show your audience how popular you are by the long lines.
- Public Relations. Create a live streaming press release or announcement. Invite journalist, local influencers and prospects.
- Research. Ask customers for immediate feedback on a product, idea, person, new menu item, etc.
- Creating Podcasts
- Tip of the Day. Industry specific news piece that would interest your customers.
- Special Offers. Create limited special offer opportunities to drive in-store or online traffic.
- Consider Timing: Don’t go too long.
- What are some best practices I should follow?
- Respond to comments live: People who are watching your stream will have the option to comment.
- Rehearse: Test your equipment and do a bit of planning when creating your first live stream just to get used to the experience.
- High-speed connection: Since it is a live stream, having a powerful internet connection is a must for the best viewer experience
- Charge your device: You don’t want your device to die in the middle of the conversation.
- Hold your device vertically: Most apps don’t calibrate for the landscape view. This will change soon
- Have a call-to-action in the title: Direct your viewers to what you want them to do next.
Live streaming today can be done from any phone. Not much to invest to get started.
We’ve been working with Live Streaming for many years. Training, creating products, creating online courses.
When you decide to start using live streaming in your business, we can consult with you, show you how to do it and even create a complete strategy. Just contact us!
