When it comes to live video streaming, there are few things that matter as much as viewer experience. Of course, with the number of tools in the market today, it’s easy for anyone to become a broadcaster. StreamNow, for instance, has taken the live streaming market by storm, allowing even small businesses to plug live streaming into their core platform. As you become more experienced at the video streaming game, you will gradually learn how to work a stream seamlessly. Nonetheless, whether you’re a novice or a veteran at live video streaming, this guide lets you in on ten tips that will show you how to improve streaming quality. Let’s get started.

Tip 1. Secure a Sturdy Internet Connection:

Bolstering your internet bandwidth to support consistent live streams should be your first step to live to stream. To begin with, getting a wired internet connection is a good idea because it can offer a far superior speed than a WiFi connection. In turn, the quality of your live stream will be augmented. Another reason to consider a cable over a wireless is the fact that a WiFi connection can often be hampered by environmental elements. Plus, your device may continually scan for networks in your vicinity, latching on to those it deems adequate enough. Of course, a WiFi network doesn’t necessarily make your connection any slower, but it certainly increases the odds of a downtime.

Secure a Sturdy Internet Connection

Tip 2. Plan Your Wi-Fi:

If for some reason you can’t seek a wired connection, work out an arrangement where you’re not too far from the Wi-Fi router when you stream. This won’t always be possible, especially if you prefer to live stream on the go, but remember that proximity to the Wi-Fi router can make a tremendous difference. If your router is on another floor, for instance, your stream may not flow as well only because your Wi-Fi signal is weak. This may seem like an obvious point but you’ll be surprised how many broadcasters overlook distance as a key parameter to improve video streaming.

Plan Your Wi-Fi

Tip 3. Engage With Viewers:

Engage With Viewers

The premise of a live stream is that it is as real-time as it gets, which means that it’s an excellent forum to engage with your viewers. Plus, by interacting with them, other potential users may gain a keyhole to your stream by virtue of others’ comments and likes. Viewers appreciate two-way communication with broadcasters; streams give them a channel to input their questions, observations, and comments. The best way to invite viewer participation is by opening a chat window next to your broadcast.

Tip 4. Create Alternate Avenues By Recording:

Live streams don’t get recorded unless you explicitly record them. It’s a good idea to create an archive of recorded content for your streams because you can use this media later to create an on-demand platform. If you use a service like StreamNow for your live streams, you can easily curate recorded content on its sister platform, StreamTube. This gives you options to diversify your portfolio should you choose to later on.

Tip 5. Plan Ahead:

Plan Ahead

Live streaming is a legitimate business and it’s important that you take yourself seriously if you want your viewers to as well. Whether you’re streaming a basketball match or a church service, make an effort to be at the venue well in advance to evaluate the setting, lighting, and sound. You may also find that the internet connection you’d anticipated is far from the standard bandwidth and that you need to find an alternative right away. Planning isn’t limited only to your shoot. It also extends to marketing and promotions pertaining to your stream. Use social media and newsletters to give your audience a shout out about your broadcast. Ensure that your audience is engaged even when you don’t have a live stream that day; this will ensure that you stay relevant.

Tip 6. Sample Your Stream:

Sampling your stream before you blow it out to your audience is imperative. Run a stream before your scheduled start to check that your sound, lighting, and equipment are working optimally. It’s better to weed out any problems before your viewers spot them.

Tip 7. Employ a Content Delivery Network:

A Content Delivery Network (CDN) can sit beneath your live streaming platform to power your live stream to various corners of the world. StreamNow is a service that pairs well with just about any CDN, keeping your servers from getting clogged and lending your platform a professional touch.

Tip 8. Shoot In Multiple Definitions:

You may decide to shoot exclusively in high-definition to give your stream a crystal clear finish, but by doing so, you’ll be missing out on a considerable portion of the market. Keep in mind that only a certain percentage of your viewers may have access to high-speed internet, so it’s always wise to stream your content concurrently in standard definition.

Tip 9. Shelve Open Programmes:

Open programmes and applications can slow down your computer so if you find your stream lagging or faltering, you know what to do. Close or disable any open programmes while you’re live streaming because your computer’s capabilities may be restricted to a specific number of concurrent operations.

Tip 10. Be Punctual:

You owe it to your viewers to be punctual. Start streams on time by being at the venue well in advance and setting up your equipment. By being tardy, you may lose out on viewers who had logged in at the promised time. Also, set up a consistent schedule for your live streams. Reserve specific days in advance so that your audience doesn’t have to keep checking in on you to be up to date on streams.

With these 10 tips, you’re covered for your next 10 streams and beyond. Go on, see the difference for yourself.