As a kid, it blew my mind that I could watch live events from the comfort of my living room.
From the Super Bowl to New Year’s Eve in Times Square, watching live TV was like magic to me. Now I have a greater appreciation for all the work and planning that happens behind the scenes to make the magic happen.
Livestreaming has become a popular feature on social media platforms, but it’s undoubtedly riskier than recording your content in advance.
Although it comes with more risk, it’s still a powerful tool to support your business goals because sharing content in real time provides authentic opportunities for engagement. It turns your video content into a forum for immediate feedback and meaningful conversations.
YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and many other online platforms give you the option to stream content live. Why? It’s what the people want!
For a third of internet users globally, live video streams are their most-watched video content each week. However, brands are lagging. Only 19% of brand videos on Facebook were live between May 2020 and May 2021.
If you’re ready to take the leap into livestreaming, here are six common mistakes to avoid.
1. Shaky footage
A tripod is the best investment you can make for recording videos from a stationary position. A motionless recording device is key for creating a polished, professional video. (I promise your hands aren’t as steady as you think!)
Any unnatural movement during a live video could distract your audience from the content you’re trying to share, ultimately leading them to scroll away.
If you’re recording live videos from your phone, make sure the tripod is compatible to hold a mobile device.
2. Inadequate audio
Have you ever been to an event where you couldn’t hear the speakers clearly due to technical issues or bad microphones? You’re stuck sitting through those in-person occasions, but online audiences always have the option to watch other content.
In certain situations, it’s impossible to position your recording device close enough to the action for clear audio. Due to noise from wind and traffic, outdoor events add an extra level of complexity. Audio issues could easily leave you with useless content.
Be prepared with the proper equipment, such as a Bluetooth microphone. A microphone will be more expensive than your tripod, but the investment will bring your video to the next level.
3. Spotty internet connection
Because live videos are broadcast to the social media platform in real time, a good internet connection is crucial for success. When your audience is expecting to watch an event live, a dropped connection is sure to disappoint.
When recording in areas with unreliable connections, live videos won’t be the best option. Instead, consider recording the video on your device to post afterwards.
4. No advanced promotion
Going live on the fly can sometimes give you great content, but it’s always good to drum up some buzz in advance for pre-planned livestreams.
Even if they can’t watch the video live, your audience may be interested enough to tune in afterward!
5. No practice run
Live videos leave you vulnerable to unpredicted scenarios, and that’s part of the appeal for audiences. Things won’t always go as planned, but a practice run can iron out the kinks and leave you feeling more prepared.
6. Forgetting safety measures
When you’re recording at an event, it’s likely you’ll be positioned around other people. A person tripping over your equipment could cause injury – not to mention it would ruin your video.
Keep safety in mind and make your presence known. When you must record in a high-traffic area, placing traffic cones around your set-up will increase your visibility.
As for people walking in front of your shot, that’s another story! Consider mitigating that by placing signs around the area to let people know that live video is being recorded.
Don’t let fear of failure stop you from taking the leap into live video creation. Going live becomes a bit less daunting with every video, and adequate preparation will set you up for success.
Equipment list
You don’t have to be a professional videographer or TV cameraperson to get quality content. You just need a few key items: camera or phone, tripod, and microphones.
Here’s a list of equipment we use at Ceisler Media:
Camera: We use Canon EOS Rebel T7i and Canon R6 cameras, but your phone is perfectly acceptable, and news stations are happy to accept video taken on phones for newscasts. |
Tripod: Any tripod will do, but we use the VICTIV brand of tripods. |
Microphones: We use Rode-brand lavalier mic systems. |
Ally Roshannon is a digital content associate in Ceisler Media’s Harrisburg office.
