Live streaming has become an extremely popular and effective way for businesses to engage with their audience in real-time. With platforms like Facebook Live, YouTube Live, and Instagram Live, going live is easier than ever. For businesses, live streaming offers immense marketing and customer engagement benefits compared to traditional static content. From using a video background remover to streaming ideas, keep reading for some tips on how to make live streaming a success.
Why Businesses Should Be Live Streaming
There are several key reasons why live streaming should be part of your business’s marketing strategy:
Builds Trust and Authority
Viewers get to engage with a real person from your business in an authentic way through live video. This helps humanize your brand and builds trust. When audiences feel like they know your hosts and team, they’re more likely to become loyal followers.
Drives Interactivity and Engagement
Live video is highly interactive. Viewers can comment, ask questions, and get real-time responses. This level of engagement is much higher than with traditional blog posts or social media updates. Strengthening connections with your audience leads to increased sales.
Provides Behind-the-Scenes Access
Give your viewers exclusive behind-the-scenes access they can’t get anywhere else. Show your office, introduce your team, or take them through your production process. This “insider access” makes fans feel valued.
Enables Lead Generation
Your live streams give you a direct pipeline to generate leads. Include calls-to-action to drive viewers to sign up for newsletters, download content, enroll in a webinar, or buy a product featured on the stream.
Boosts Brand Awareness
Interacting with audiences directly where they’re already spending time (social platforms) gets your brand in front of more potential customers. The more familiar people become with your brand through live video, the more likely they are to buy from you.
Best Practices for Business Live Streaming
Now that you know why live streaming is so valuable for brands, let’s look at some best practices for creating captivating business live streams.
Have a Plan
Don’t just go live randomly. Plan out your streams and promotion ahead of time. Decide on your content, guests, talking points, and call-to-action for each stream. Promote it on your website and social channels to drive viewership.
Optimize Your Shooting Location
Set up your camera or mobile device in an area with good lighting and a professional background. A video background remover tool lets you digitally replace or blur your environment to keep the focus on you.
Engage with Comments
Don’t just talk at your audience. Engage with their comments and questions in real-time to make them feel heard. Having a moderator helps for larger streams.
Promote Your Team
Let your viewers meet the faces behind your brand by bringing team members on camera. Show off your expertise through demonstrations, office tours, or by taking questions.
Try Different Stream Formats
Get creative and test different types of streams like Q&As, exclusive product reveals, behind-the-scenes footage, expert interviews, or tutorials relevant to your industry.
Ideas for Business Live Streams
Here are some specific live stream ideas that are proven to captivate and engage your target audience:
“Ask Me Anything”
Invite viewers to submit questions then answer them live on a dedicated Q&A stream. This shows you have nothing to hide.
New Product Launch
Give viewers a first look when launching a new product or service. Build excitement by revealing features and benefits live.
Office or Store Tour
Take viewers behind the scenes to show off your office environment, production floor, retail shop, or other facilities.
Video Product Review
Reviewing or demonstrating products on video is extremely effective. Be sure to mention where viewers can purchase them!
User-Generated Content
Incorporate user photos, videos, and testimonials into your stream. This makes fans feel part of your community.
Exclusive Discounts or Giveaways
Offer live viewers special discounts on products or fun giveaways to drive engagement and sales. For example, promo codes given out during the stream only.
Industry Q&A
Interview an industry expert or have a panel discussion with your team answering common customer questions.
Step-by-Step Tutorial
Show your audience how to use your product or educate them on a topic relevant to your niche with a live how-to tutorial.
Make Live Streaming Part of Your Strategy
As you can see, live streaming offers tremendous benefits for boosting brand awareness and customer engagement. With so many formats to choose from, you can keep your content fresh and interactive. Use a combination of planned streams and real-time engagement to turn viewers into loyal brand advocates. With live video, you can build strong relationships with customers and drive more sales.
