Until recently, the term ‘corporate social media’ was defined as a refined and sophisticated profile of a brand and carefully generated posts. The fundamental objective of corporate social networks was to generate influence, promote brand recognition and, finally, sell the products or services. Although the concept of corporate social networks has not changed, the procedure has undoubtedly been transformed. With technological advancements, social media has become more powerful with trends like live video streaming. Live streaming means real-time continuous video streaming through social media websites or a dedicated streaming platform. With the emergence of Facebook Live, Instagram Live Stories, Snapchat, etc. many people are now familiar with live streaming.

Let’s take a look at the different aspects of live streaming step by step.

Live streaming and business – Leveraging live streaming video for business purposes pays off in multiple ways. Live streaming allows sellers to interact with buyers virtually and also in real time with minimal cost. The raw, natural feel of the content helps connect with viewers by giving them a personal experience. Videos broadcast on social media make the business go viral as its reach is much wider than other mediums. When a video goes live on social media, it continues to trend as viewers continue to comment, like, and share it if they choose. Steady internet bandwidth, a good camera, and enough talent are all you need to create live video. Therefore, the cost involved in it is very minimal. Once the live stream is done, you can use it to make a content marketing catalogue. Video content can be extremely useful for promotional purposes such as testimonials, websites, social media marketing, etc. Live videos are a great help for those entrepreneurs who are looking for a huge exposure in the market from all over the world.

Best Practices for Live Streaming – First, you need to focus on preparing your live video stream. Scribble out a basic format for your video or show; either scripted or improvised. Point out the execution methods and possible problems. Finally, make a complete production plan taking into account adjacent aspects of infrastructure, labor, finances, etc. Second, never compromise on video quality. Based on your budget, find the best possible equipment for a shoot. The technology and resources used in the production and post-production of your video decide the future of your live streaming videos; so never overlook it.

Once you are done with production, look for your promotion. You should treat live videos as live shows. Opt for promotional efforts like emails, social or digital commercials, video teasers, etc. Build excitement about your next live video so you can start gathering your audience already. Create a solid strategy to drive your marketing initiatives based on the results you expect. Keep coming up with innovative ideas and concepts that are likely to engage viewers.

Before you take a step forward to make your video go live; Think carefully about the desired platform. As discussed, you can stream the video live on any platform of your choice; however, you should also consider the specifics of your requirements. For example, the purpose of your video, the target audience, a different perspective to attract potential customers, the method and scope of interactivity, and platform compatibility. Once you understand what exactly your video needs to reach the world; you can quickly choose the best platform. There are many streaming apps that allow you to stream your live video on multiple social media platforms at once.

Tricks for a starter streaming strategy: You can hold closed sessions such as customer Q&A, expert Q&A to spin your video heavily. When customers interact with each other regarding content; experiences are exchanged and feedback is given. Influencers and industry experts can also get involved in the process to clarify viewers’ doubts. Product launches or product demos are likely to get massive publicity if they are done in a live streaming video format. They put on quite a show of excitement and engagement about whatever you’re launching or showing off to shoppers. Events, campaigns or contests when supported by social networks get excellent responses. A strategy made considering the pros and cons of the live video you are doing is known to be the most feasible and successful.

To summarize this topic, the suggestion is to focus on the items of interest to your target audience. The fun must be included in an innovative way that combines the desired message or information within your video. Each of your live streaming videos will certainly be a learning experience for you! Keep creating, keep streaming!