Live streaming is a great way to connect with your fans, showcase your talent, and generate some income. But it can also be a frustrating and embarrassing experience if you don't plan ahead and avoid some common mistakes. Here are some of the most frequent pitfalls that can ruin your live stream and how to fix them.
Nothing turns off your viewers more than distorted, muffled, or noisy sound. Your audio quality is crucial for delivering your music and engaging your audience. To improve your audio quality, you should invest in a good microphone, use a dedicated audio interface or mixer, and adjust your levels and settings carefully. You should also test your sound before going live and monitor it during the stream.
Common mistakes in live streaming include unstable internet connections, audio issues, inadequate lighting, technical glitches, insufficient planning, copyright violations, security negligence, poor audience engagement, subpar video quality, and lackluster content. To prevent these errors, invest in thorough planning, quality equipment, pre-event testing, and a skilled team to manage technical and content challenges.
One of the biggest issues I see in beginning streamers, recording artists, producers, home technicians, is overuse of reverb. Sounds great in the bedroom and in your headphones when you are singing, but in a final track or a livestream it can often be distracting and muffled. Learn about different kinds of reverb and always, in my experience, dial it back just a fraction when you think it is right. Reverb sounds great and brings a lot of music to life but more than just enough is death to great music and makes a good song sound like a home recording. Listen to my first releases on Spotify and you will know what I mean. Lovely songs (in my opinion) but spoilt somewhat by the overdone reverb. Use it, but use it wisely.
Your internet connection is the lifeline of your live stream. If it's too slow, unstable, or unreliable, you risk buffering, lagging, or dropping out completely. To avoid these issues, you should use a wired connection instead of Wi-Fi, close any unnecessary programs or tabs, and lower your video resolution or bitrate if needed. You should also check your upload speed and bandwidth before and during the stream.
A live stream is not a casual jam session. It's a professional performance that requires planning, rehearsing, and promoting. To prepare for your live stream, you should set a clear goal, choose a suitable platform, and create a compelling title and description. You should also practice your setlist, test your equipment and software, and announce your stream in advance to your fans and followers.
Preparation before livestreaming is key. Before I stream I set up a arrangement template (in excel) with sounds, key moments, notes on the song and any additional notes as I play through it. It is great to get into the studio and "see what happens" but a livestream is not that time. Know what you want to do with the song before you press "go".
Your visual presentation is also important for creating a memorable impression and attracting more viewers. To enhance your visuals, you should use a good camera, adjust your lighting and framing, and add some props or backgrounds to create a mood. You should also dress appropriately, look at the camera, and smile. You can also use some filters, effects, or overlays to spice up your stream.
A live stream is not a one-way broadcast. It's a two-way conversation that allows you to interact with your fans, answer their questions, and get their feedback. To make your stream more interactive, you should acknowledge and greet your viewers, ask them for their opinions or requests, and thank them for their support. You should also use some tools or features to display comments, polls, or donations on your screen.
Artists can be quite introspective people. And in general, in my experience as a performer and a presentation coach (you can be an artist and a business person), the difference between a great presentation/performance and an ordinary one is the attitude to the audience. You "play" music for yourself but you "perform" for others. A live stream or a concert should be about the audience not about you. Doesn't mean compromise but it does mean engagement. And you have to ask yourself the question "what is my audience getting out of this?" Give them a show of some kind, shared stories, information about the songs, emotional performance, whatever you have. Be authentic but give a little bit more of yourself than you might in "real" life.
In my opinion, neglecting interaction in a live stream is akin to hosting party & forgetting to engage with your guests. It's a missed opportunity to transform a passive audience into an active community. The essence of live streaming lies in real-time connection with your viewers, & treating it as a one-way street diminishes its potential. Utilizing interactive tools like comments, polls, or on-screen donations isn't just a technical choice; it's a strategic move to enhance overall experience. Live streaming is a shared experience, and neglecting interaction is one of the most common pitfalls. Embracing conversational nature of live streams not only enriches viewer experience but also lays foundation for a loyal & engaged audience.
A live stream is not a one-off event. It's an opportunity to build a long-term relationship with your fans, grow your audience, and increase your exposure. To make the most of your live stream, you should follow up with your viewers, thank them for watching, and ask them for their reviews or suggestions. You should also share your stream on your social media, website, or newsletter, and repurpose it as a video or podcast.
This really relates to your goal in doing a livestream. Don’t be afraid to ask for what you want. And also don’t forget to follow up on any promises. People attending concerts or livestreams is a gift. Embrace and be grateful. And follow up with something as simple as a thank you to help cement relationships. Now more than ever fans are connections and we need to cherish them and a little bit of follow up goes a long way.
Beyond common issues, live streaming success requires attention to time management, content planning, presenter engagement, social media integration, legal considerations, emergency preparedness, and post-event feedback. A well-timed stream, organized content, charismatic presenter, effective use of social media, adherence to legalities, contingency plans, and learning from audience feedback can elevate the live streaming experience, making it more engaging, professional, and successful.