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The Power Of Live Streaming Is Allowing Viewers To Influence The Broadcast
August 23, 2016
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It was March of 2015 when I wrote that line:
The power of [live streaming] is allowing those of us watching to influence the broadcast.
And it will always hold true. The essence of that line is - acknowledge people during live streams.
Whether it's as they enter your live broadcast, when they ask questions, when they comment - that's the whole idea behind social live streams. It's a two way street, right?
And we need to get that if we're going to stand out in this sea of streams.
It's not just us using social to live broadcast.
You may have noticed more and more brands are hacking their way into this live sphere:
In May of this year Facebook announced, "Rise and Shine." A mobile morning show expected to be live-streamed on their platform.
Last week, E! Entertainment Network announces plans for five Facebook Live shows.
John Najarian, EVP/GM of E! News, says live streaming is part of their long game.
And in sports, Detroit Lions - Pittsburgh Steelers Hold Postgame Analysis on Facebook Live
Bloggers and fans of sports teams are essentially doing what radio sports shows could be doing socially, too.
Over on Twitter - they are flawless in the live-streaming game. During the National Conventions, you could stream the event on your smart device while reading tweets:
And beyond politics, the NFL is coming to Twitter. Starting next month, Thursday Night Football will be live-streamed on Twitter.
So while radio has waded in the live-streaming pond, what are ways we can be even more memorable?
Beyond the basic repurposed, 'what we're already doing on-air,' live stream, how can we drive social live streams in a way that develops value for the audience and our advertisers?
It starts with committing to real tactical moments.
And as I often communicate with friends at Facebook and Twitter - I've noticed a pattern in our conversations with some of the most effective live stream tactics:
- Trending Topics
Watch what people are talking about and open up a live stream around that one topic.
- Q&A
This serves well when celebrities and artists visit the station - or set up to do this at the venue they are performing at that night.
- Breaking News
When news affects us - who are the experts you can put on-air and live stream to keep your community informed?
- Performance
Whether it's playing new songs, rehearsal or a sports-team practice - give the audience a peek into what you're seeing.
- Behind The Scenes
Who doesn't love watching what happens when no one is typically looking?
- Demo
Teach people how to do things. What do you love doing? Cooking, playing music, playing a certain sport, exercising...show the audience how to do something new.
Think acknowledgement, impact and growth.
It's in these live moments where we create the intangibles that every great brand has built its foundation on.
All the while - when planned out and paying attention to what we're doing - we can be executing memorable brand building opportunities for our advertising partners, too.
But it starts by making the viewers always feel that they are part of the live stream, too.
Reach out to me anytime on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn or Twitter.
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