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Live Streaming

ByEvent Leadership Institute
Smarticle

READ TIME: 2 minutes

It’s no secret that live streaming has taken the events industry by storm. Live streaming presents a unique opportunity to promote your event and reach attendees all over the world.

From Facebook Live to large-scale live streaming platforms, there’s something out there for every event or meeting planner.

In this Smarticle, we take a closer look at live streaming and provide you the details you need to implement live streaming at your next event!

What is live streaming?

  • Dictionary definition: “Transmit or receive live video and audio coverage of an event over the Internet”
  • This Smarticle will focus on the transmitting of live video and audio coverage, not the receiving

When is live streaming used?

  • Broadcast events
  • Hybrid events
  • Multi-venue events

Don’t forget! Live streaming is NOT on-demand streaming like Netflix. Posting event-based video and audio content after the event for people to watch is not considered live streaming, as it’s not live.

Not sold on the value of live streaming? Here are some reasons it might be worthwhile for your next event:

  • Presents remote attendees with a clean and easy-to-use interface
  • Most live streaming platforms allow attendees to see the camera feed, presentations being shown, and make questions or comments
  • Widen your event’s audience
  • Can help with cost savings by removing need for attendees to physically be at the event/meeting
  • Smaller environmental impact
  • Offering live-streaming at your events could increase in-person attendance or demand for
    tickets at the event
  • Generate on-demand content you can use for future marketing purpose

Not all events are appropriate for live streaming. Check out these examples of events that could benefit and even improve from live streaming:

  • Product launches
  • Company meetings (especially for international companies)
  • Events already being recorded for on-demand content
  • Events already being televised
  • Paid conferences and events

Implementation

Are you interested in implementing live streaming at your next event? Here’s what you need to get started.

  • In-room AV – Cameras, sound, and lighting
  • Streaming device – Takes the feed from your event’s camera, microphones, and presentations, makes it digital, and then sends it out over the internet
  • A person responsible for testing the live stream configuration in advance and monitoring the stream the day of the event
  • Bandwidth – Strong, hardwired outgoing internet connection separate from attendee’s internet connection (obtainable through your venue or outside provider)
  • Streaming platform/hosting service – Live stream needs to be hosted on a website that can accommodate attendees watching the event