How can you make live streaming content more engaging?

To make live streaming content more engaging I like to consider: 1. create an event on LinkedIn, this way interested people can plan their agenda and be notified when I'm live 2. I start by asking questions and encouraging people to participate 3. when it makes sense, I invite someone to this broadcast, this way we unite two different audiences and expand topics to be covered 4. I ask for contributions of ideas during the lives about ideas, tools, etc. 5. use slides or screen sharing to be even more educational 6. I try to maintain animation, teaching and organization during the transmission, in addition to delivering really relevant information I have seen very good results using this set of ideas that I shared here.

Live streaming is not just about hitting that 'Go Live' button. It's about creating a connection, a real-time bond with your audience. You have to start by asking, "Why am I doing this?" Is it to educate, entertain, inspire, or all three? Once you've got that down, consider who's tuning in. Imagine you're hosting a cozy gathering at your place. Would you serve the same snacks to your vegan yogi friends as you would to your meat-loving gym buddies? Probably not. Similarly, tailor your content to resonate with your audience's tastes, preferences, and pain points. Always remember this: live streaming is a two-way street. It's not just about broadcasting; it's about conversing, engaging, and building a community in real-time.

Livestreaming is heavily dependent on your personality than anything else. Holding a fake personality for 2 hours is significantly tougher than doing it for 30 seconds on a TikTok. So try to bring the most authentic and fun personality that people can connect with, and you will win!

Think of it like setting the stage for a grand performance. Every element, from the lighting to the audio, plays a crucial role in delivering a seamless experience to your audience. Firstly, invest in good quality equipment. You don't need a Hollywood setup, but a clear camera and crisp audio can make all the difference. Familiarize yourself with the platform you're using. Whether it's Zoom, Twitch, or Facebook Live, know the ins and outs. Run a few test streams. This isn't just to check the tech but to get comfortable with the format. Invite a few trusted colleagues or friends to join, gather feedback, and make necessary adjustments.

We have found (after two years of doing live streams) that it’s best to have a well defined niche topic for the session, an outline of topics we can expand on, more than one speaker (panel style) and, most importantly, to promote questions (Q&A) from the first second. Most insist on doing presentations and then Q&A. But then you loose the audience (unless it’s a technical topic/digital learning experience). We find that by being more flexible and allowing people to affect the flow more and interrupt fro the get go we can have much more engaging sessions.

We have found these to be counterproductive to be honest. For us it’s all about the Q&A dynamic. No need for fancy features. People just need to be able to write their comments/questions. Some times (not often) we will allow the audience members to join as a speaker to ask their question. But that also comes with risks.

I will say live streaming is a way to keep your audience glued to your content and crave for more. It’s a way of building real trust as they see you share value. Keep your live stream short and to the point. People have a short attention span, so make sure your content is engaging from start to finish. Be yourself and show your personality during the live stream. People are more likely to engage with someone who is authentic and relatable. I had this experience few months ago when I got invited to join a live stream.