Videos have not only become an impeccable source of entertainment but also a great tool for marketing and promotion. The level of interaction and engagement with video content is way more than any other content format.
According to a survey by Renderforest, after embedding videos on their websites-
78% of websites got boosted traffic,
71% of websites increased session times,
69% of the businesses got more leads, and
54% of websites increased their average sales.
These numbers indicate that video marketing has a positive impact on improving an organization’s presence. Whether you sell a product or service, there is a vital need for creating and sharing amazing videos with your prospects.
The years of 2017 and 2018 were extremely into video content marketing, but what’s in the store for businesses in 2019?
Indeed, it’s live video marketing!
Prospects are drawn to live videos and live events. Live video marketing is more than a powerful trend. For all intents and purposes, it’s a must-have strategy to get ahead of the competition, create compelling content, build a loyal fan base and gain tremendous traction.
If video marketing is a giant pie, live video streaming is one of the biggest pieces from it. Here’s a brief run-down on what you should know and why you should focus more on live video streaming platforms in 2019.
New video formats are trending these days:
No doubt, the internet is overwhelmed with videos. Almost one-third of the internet traffic is from videos, but customers are no longer interested in ordinary videos. They are interested in creative ideas. This is where live video streaming platforms such as Facebook Live and Periscope come into the picture. Another trend which is hard to ignore is the emergence of ephemeral videos. Celebrities, influencers, and models are using Snapchat and Instagram to generate ephemeral videos.
Temporary visual content is expected to saturate the web in the upcoming years. As for live video marketing, 360 degree live videos are gaining momentum in 2019. This case study by Magnifyre reveals that quite a good number of viewers watched the 360-degree video to completion.
Video storytelling is giving amazing returns to businesses. The onus is on businesses to create compelling narratives. The key is to establish an emotional association with prospects.
Bands like Muse and Foals have used 360-degree music videos to add additional layers to their linear narratives. However, it might not be a replacement for the linear counterpart. 360 degree live videos could help businesses and brands to amuse their prospects and deliver better engagement than their competitors with the linear narratives.
In addition to that, 2019 is also the era of virtual (VR) and augmented reality (AR). While devices are still in transition to adopt true VR and AR capabilities, the adoption of the same in live streaming would also be an exciting event. Though the recorded VR and AR experience are already in trend, it’s not unrealistic to hope that 2019 might come with something far sophisticated to enable live VR and RV streaming for common audience.
The Recipe for Best Live Videos in 2019
The recipe for creating engaging marketing videos doesn’t change every year. It’s simple. You should understand the pain points of your customers and provide a feasible solution. You should be successful in building trust, and inspire them to share your videos.
However, the content for live video streaming is a little different. You can learn from how Space X uses live videos to create tremendous buzz on its historic milestones. When it comes to breaking industry news and live broadcasting rockets launch into space, Space X is arguably the best.
Does it impact Elon Musk’s reputation if there are small glitches in live feeds? No! People know that live broadcasting of a rocket being launched into space is extremely challenging. However, they do expect glitch-free recorded videos.
Your product need not be as awesome and exciting as Space X’s Falcon. The key is to provide in-detail product descriptions and delight your audiences. You might want to take a cue from the live product launch events by different tech brands.
Apple is a brand that does not require any introduction. Its product launch events are also as popular as its brand. Despite receiving huge traction on its official events page and YouTube Live, it adopted live streaming on Twitter for the first time in 2018. They knew social media streaming is a trend and there is a greater chance to reach a wider audience with Twitter.
That’s the key. You should know where to stream. Having a presence on as many live streaming platforms will only benefit your brand. Gain the capability to stream on multiple platforms at a time, if you want to adopt live video marketing in 2019. Use a live streaming softwarethat supports multi-platform streaming for your cause.
Live Demo Videos Make Things Clear:
In addition to the streaming of live events, the live demo streaming of your products or services would help you build an unbiased trust in your brand. If done right, live such live explainer videos can remarkably increase your brand credibility and presence among the common audience. They help your prospects understand the benefits and advantages of your products and services.
Image source: fool.com
People often ask me this question – What’s the ideal length of an effective live demo or explainer video? On-demand explainer videos are generally small and coin size. However, there is no industry standard. A live demo should be very comprehensive and should address the extent of the complexity of your products. It’s good to go with a video whose length is anywhere between 5-10 minutes. Anything less than that is of no use for a live session.
Successful live demo videos have great sales scripts. Below are a few words of wisdom.
Your sales script shouldn’t exceed 250 words. Concisely and precisely state how your product addresses industry problems. Don’t compromise on video quality. Last but not least, simplicity in live explainer videos is desirable. Do not complicate and confuse. It will be counter-productive!
Make sure to address the live queries in the real-time. The more demo you show based on the live questions, the more useful you can be with your live event. Moreover, do not forget to announce the live demo event in advance. As it would be a short session, people might not be able to join you if not informed in advance.
Use Live Stories to Enamor Audiences:
A lot of credit should be given to Snapchat for introducing the concept of stories in 2013. By all means, ‘stories’ concept became an instant hit. Soon, other popular platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, etc., introduced stories. Such copy-cat mechanisms intensified competition.
In 2019, expect more brands to do live short stories to grab as many eyeballs.
Story creation is easier said than done. Stories should be authentic. If you are looking to create a brand story, ensure that it is associated with a central theme. You should be able to eloquently articulate the purpose of your organization. As mentioned in one of the earlier paragraphs, build an emotional appeal. Emotional appeal can be used to forge long-lasting relationships. Once you build an emotional connect, pricing doesn’t matter much.
Do not make the strategic mistake of alienating customers from your brands. Sometimes, the story we tell may not resonate well with prospects. Build a narrative which inculcates a sense of belonging in your target group.
Leverage Behind – The – Scenes Footage:
It’s a good strategy for brands to showcase their human side. Audiences love behind- the – scenes footage. Don’t believe me?
In 2016, Dunkin Donuts took the initiative of hosting a live tour of its facilities. The video covers short episodes of interviews with staff experts. Undoubtedly, the donut factory is a treat to watch. Right from laying out dough to decorating donut cakes, a staff member explains every step in the process of donut creation. If you observe the video carefully, you will realize that the staff member has been working for the company for the past 41 years.
This is a personal milestone. It subtly conveys a very powerful message – Dunkin Donuts values its employees. It’s a trustworthy brand.
A behind-the-scenes show the real work behind a business. The trend started with the entertainment industry, where celebrities tried to connect with their fans showing the real scenes behind the camera. In any business, the behind-the-scenes live streaming can engage the audience with the brand. BTS viewers entice the actual work and struggle of a brand. It does not require any production or planning. Just grab a phone and start streaming what’s happening.
Curious to elevate your brand presence? Leverage live video marketing to showcase behind-the-scenes footage.
Whip Your Viewers into a Buying Frenzy:
Are you keen on drastically boosting your sales? Create a buying frenzy!
How do you create it? There are many answers. To begin with, build brand exclusivity.
Let me ask you a follow-up question – How do you build brand exclusivity? Let’s learn from the master- Chevrolet. As a part of its winning strategy, Chevrolet used Facebook live to whip audiences into a buying frenzy. Its chairperson articulated his thoughts on sustainability and urbanization. He explained the purpose of electric cars and promoted CES 2016.
The exclusive tribe of Chevrolet owners was delighted.
Still not clear? Have you ever seen the live launch events of Apple or Samsung phones?
All those live demos, behind the scene clips, hyper-extended feature explanation with sophisticated animations, the flood of social media hashtags, and crazy launch discounts, everything creates a path to the buying frenzy. As a result, you see people camping overnight outside the retail stores to buy the products the first day itself.
Over to You
Now that you are familiar with the importance of live video marketing, get yourself professional live streaming software that can help you deliver results. Purchase that software which helps you create great video experiences and drive sales.
Founds this post useful and informative? Keep watching this space for more insights on live video marketing. If you have any queries, shoot them in the comments. I shall reply to the best of my capacity. Cheers to 2019!
Live streaming is now booming with the rapidly growing number of people and platforms looking to get into in the trend. Did you know the research says that video streaming market will eventually be a $70.5 billion industry by the year 2021? Live streaming has been widely adopted by the social platform like Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, Twitter and Snapchat as video continues to dominate in these platforms.
Live Streaming will get wider acceptance not only in the social platforms and even in the television industry. In 2018, the expansion of live streaming in all sectors of business is inevitable; we will see more brands and businesses to make use of live video in the future. BUT as with all live streaming is any broadcast in real-time to an audience on the internet. Live streaming spaces the real-time engagement and experience with the audience and the brands which are likely preferred by the modern consumers. Live streams are perceived as more transparent and authentic by the consumers.
Aside from the benefits of growing engagement real-time experience, brand awareness live streaming provides a sense of excitement to your audience especially if they are allowed to interact. It makes your consumer feel inclusive and exclusive of the brands which would be more appealing to make a decision. Final takeaway for opting live streaming is more of cost-effective. Reduced cost means an increase in the revenues. In turn, the time and money saved allows you to spend even more on resources on the live streaming and grow your brand and promoting your products.
The infographic below gives a quick insight on why you should consider live video for your business or brand, which platforms to use, and what formats to explore.
RTMP denotes Real Time Messaging Protocol which initially was a protocol owned and designed by Macromedia for audio streams has also gained a lot of popularity due to its flawless video streaming. With the introduction of HTTP video streaming, RTMP video streaming nearly went obsolete at a point. But RTMP has several advantages which still make it the most used protocol to date.
What is RTMP streaming?
If one had to define RTMP, it can be easily stated that RTMP is an Adobe owned protocol who had taken the rights from Macromedia. RTMP can be used for streaming videos is FLV as well as MP4 formats. It also has the capability of streaming audio in MP3 and AAC formats. Live streaming as well as on-demand streaming is also supported by RTMP. RTMP servers include Wowza and Adobe Flash Media.
How does RTMP streaming work?
RTMP is basically based on TCP (Transmission Control Protocol).
In a specific situation, the correspondence is set up between the Adobe Flash Media Server (FMS) and the Client Flash Player.
What is RTMP protocol?
RTMP protocol is adaptable and can deliver Video and Audio (and TEXT! Keep in mind it takes into consideration a different text track to send along) in various configurations and to different Devices like Mobiles (except for iDevices which don’t “comprehend” Flash) and Web Applications. The upside of RTMP is that all Video and Audio documents are sent to a swf (small web format) file which can be played in a Flash Player, which reversely can be implanted in a Web Page or even Mobile Devices.
In a simple setup for the budding visionary, the Adobe Flash Media Server must be implanted first to encourage the transmission of Video or Audio information. At the point when a Flash Player installed towards the End User side makes a call to the FMS, it (the Flash Media Server) sends a swf file, which lives on the Server, back to the Player.
The Video and Audio files are all embedded in this swf file format and along these lines you can send Video or Audio in any possible format and still playback in a similar Flash Player.
RTMP Streaming, in any event in a homely setup, can be accomplished without the loss of sweat. The way toward installing and setting up a Flash Media Server is quite easy and the technology is brilliant since it has been around for a long time now. You can transmit Video and Audio in different formats and interpretations, and additionally apply Security Features, for example, Player Verification.
Adding to that, a standout feature amongst the most critical points of interest of RTMP, with regards to Live Broadcasts, is the low latency that is achieved while broadcasting a video. HTTP based Technologies present high latencies like 10+ seconds more and that just can’t work with outrageous live transmissions, for example, sport events, betting events, trading related Applications.
There’s a whole other world to the bundle of RTMP’s advantages over HTTP. Well it might sound bad but it is a fact that not all devices on earth today are front line Technology.
We should talk Set Top Boxes for instance without the mention of a couple of astounding exemptions, we are discussing obsolete boxes pressed with Stone Age old Hardware and Software. These do “comprehend” RTMP streaming and includes every feature that is required.
Still RTMP is used worldwide to date and has not gone obsolete. This is because of a few reasons.
Most streaming devices support RTMP so that they can deliver to CDN providers and servers which stream video content. In order to deliver a live video shot with a mobile camera, some native cellular applications use RTMP archives.
One of the most notable advantages of RTMP streaming is that it has the capability to commence an advanced search. With a real-time streaming protocol, the player can look for a lesser latency than HTTP enabled video streams. A Flash Player is required to relish this feature.
RTMP can encourage different levels of content insurance, from falsified to genuine DRM (Digital Rights Management). For PC browser playback, the program does not store RTMP streams in their cache.
One of the favored talents of RTMP is versatile streaming playback, wherein numerous bitrates and resolutions of content are given to a video player, empowering the best resolution to play in the given current system speeds. Certain HTTP streaming innovations, for example, HLS and MPEG-DASH help in a similar delivery system, yet RTMP can be more responsive when it comes to changing with one bit-rate then onto the next. Sadly, there is no standard for HTTP versatile streaming across browsers that would support HTML5 video.
While live streams don’t need to be versatile, a similar rule of bundled video section applies to any live stream playback. Almost all live streaming occasions for in-browser PC playback require a video player that backs Flash-based rendering and RTMP playback.
The browser for Apple i.e. Safari on iOS locally supports HLS, and luckily, all cutting edge streaming servers, including Wowza Streaming Engine, support RTMP and HLS packetizing. The urgent need for Flash Player with live streaming will just change when MPEG-DASH moves toward becoming as influential as Flash is today. In the event that Internet Explorer 8, 9, and 10 supports are required for your live streaming arrangement, RTMP streaming will remain at the top. Additionally, on the off chance that you require close to zero latency on a live stream, HTTP streaming will most probably not address your issues while RTMP can. HTTP tools require more bundles to collect on the server before sending them to the video player.
RTMP is basically an old and foolproof streaming technology that has been used for years now. The Flash Player which helps in viewing video streams through RTMP protocol is quite famous and used all over the planet. There are certain drawbacks of RTMP that has been found out, however, it still remains a platform favored by most.
In conclusion, it must be noted that if your focus lies entirely upon live streaming then RTMP is surely the protocol which you give your venture a successful future. HTTP streaming has become quite widespread as well, but it can never include the features that RTMP streaming have implanted in it.
In a study conducted recently by A. T. Kearney, the global sports industry was pegged at between $480 and $620 billion. There has always been enormous opportunity in sports; whether in merchandising, tickets or sports celebrity-led influencing; but the internet has catapulted sports into a titanic league of its own. Thanks to sports online streaming, cable and satellite supplied sports matches are no longer a novelty and navigating traffic-riddled lanes at supersonic speeds are no longer a necessity to catch a live game in time. With live streaming, a sports event can be accessed from anywhere. All you need are a device and an internet connection.
Amongst the various sorts of video programmes, sports occupy the top spot in terms of popularity, across both conventional and digital realms. And numbers are multiplying furiously. An estimate made by Adobe suggested that sports streams on its video service has jumped 640% between 2012 and 2013. Interestingly, this engagement isn’t restricted to professional leagues and teams. Even little league games, university matches and school-level tournaments are garnering interest on live streams.
If you’ve been considering cashing in on the sports live streaming trend, here are five tips that will get you going. Stream live sports online, the easy way.
Tip 1. Strive for Quality
Live sports streaming online is a unique brand of live entertainment. When you stream sports online, every millisecond counts. You don’t have many other segments of entertainment where things could change in an instant. Flashes of activity need to be captured seamlessly and in real-time in online sports streaming. There are several elements that will influence your quality: the weather, the lighting, the capability of your technology to carry your stream through. Here’s a closer look at some of the factors that will play a role in determining the quality of your live stream.
Technology
If you pick a sturdy technology, your quality will automatically be taken care of. Of late, the sports streaming niche has taken a shine to a technology called StreamNow, a superlative turnkey framework that delivers sports streams fluidly and flawlessly. Built on an excellent technology stack, StreamNow doesn’t disappoint when it comes to broadcasting in real-time.
Hardware
Your hardware is your biggest asset for your online sports streaming platform, aside from technology of course. Live sports streaming online requires superior equipment and sturdy gear in order to capture minute elements in excellent clarity on the go. Remember, that you may encounter adverse weather conditions during your outdoor schedules so it’s important to carry waterproof sheets to cover your equipment. When it comes to picking your camera, pick one that works optimally in dim lighting. Many sports games are evening events and capturing them can become a challenge if you’re not equipped. Consider options with a large sensor and a broad aperture.
Clarity
Resolution can impact your stream in a big way and it’s worthwhile to invest in a camera that sits above a 1920 x 1080 full high definition threshold. You’ll also find that a lot of live streamers are gravitating towards 4K-compatible technology, but there’s still time before 4K sweeps the market and becomes mainstream. If you want to invest in a technology that lasts you several years, go for a 4K camera. It’s always good to be future-fit. While we’re on clarity, let’s also talk about zoom. During a live stream, it’s likely that you’ll operate with a minimum set of cameras, especially if you’re recording an amateur game. Thus, zoom becomes incredibly important in capturing the little details. These can be big for your stream and your audience. When you decide on your zoom capability, evaluate your options in light of the sport that you will be primarily capturing. Some sports entail finer details than others and are played on more expansive grounds. Basketball, for instance, is played across an entire court whereas a ping pong match is confined to a limited space. Autofocus is another critical feature you ought to keep as a criterion.
Frame Rate
The more the frames, the clearer your stream. Think of frame rate as an animated flipbook. When you turn the pages of a flipbook quickly, you see a fluid, crystal-clear story take form. On the other hand, if you turn them slowly, your story doesn’t make any sense. The same way, when you stream sports online, a high frame rate is a must. 60 fps is a good place to start. Make sure your camera is compatible with your frame rate.
Tip 2. Focus On Your Software
We’ve already spoken about the merits of selecting a specialised technology. But there are other factors that belong in your technology ecosystem. If you do invest in multiple cameras while live sports streaming online, purchase a camera encoder that will allow you to toggle among cameras. This is known as live switching. A mixing software should also find a place in your software suite. This can help you create instant replays, slow motion recaps, titles and transitions and on-screen score cards.
Tip 3. Marketing and Promotion
Marketing your live stream is the only way to get your word out there. Plan a marketing campaign around each of your live streams and prepare well in advance. Use marketing vehicles like newsletters, blogs and social media to promote your stream. Also, release teasers of what is to come by having players talk about the impending match. This can build excitement and energy in the lead up to your game.
Tip 4. Monetisation
There is a range of monetisation tools you could pick from when it comes to live streaming sports online. Advertising, pay-per-view, content sponsorships and dynamic subscription plans are some of these. While advertising makes sense only once you have a considerable user base, you could begin with other routes immediately.
Tip 5. Offer Extra Highlights
Everybody likes a little extra. Reserve the time before and after your game to engage with your viewers. Give them inside news on what’s going on, which players have entered the fray and any other updates you may have. You could even involve members of the audience for additional engagement. Your after-match highlights could include recaps, player interviews and a game summary.
The online sports industry has ballooned into a veritable force to reckon with. And it only seems to be growing. A compelling business model can help you become a part of it. Get creating.
Despite the furious hurricane of live streaming tools that has swept the digital realm over the last few years, the live video space has seen few players claim their share of the market. Most applications have risen and sunk at much the same pace and there has only been a handful of live streaming platforms that have really stood out. The narrative for live broadcasting has largely been re-written by one prime player in the recent past; one who has capitalised on the digital youth movement in a big way. Live.me, a live video streaming platform built to envelop moments throughout the day has given rise to a brand-new communication paradigm for Gen Z. Its members use the live streaming software to broadcast life on the go, a far cry from conventional social media platforms geared towards chronicling special moments and memories. Live.me is a sharing tool that thrives on the essence of community.
What is Live.me?
Live.me is a live broadcasting platform that allows users to monetize live streams. The live streaming platform works in a gift economy where followers of a live stream can buy virtual gifts for stream owners as gestures of appreciation and acknowledgment. The philosophy behind this is that virtual gifts bought with money go above and beyond generic hearts and thumbs-ups. Live.me has also installed a new differential emolument feature that enables handpicked broadcasters to sell products in live streams. In the future, this feature will be extended to a greater set of streamers. Live.me works on a bilateral gift-giving model. While viewers can gift broadcasters virtual gifts, broadcasters can in turn hand out virtual coins to select viewers. The platform’s success has been largely attributed to the fact that it is not gated. Anyone can join the community, garner followers through live streams and earn on the go. Broadcasters with large followings are generating significant revenue from the live streaming platform. While Live.me has gained prominence in the digital entertainment arena, the advent of turnkey technologies has sparked myriad creative platforms. StreamNow, a superior framework developed by Streamhash, is one such example. The technology allows entrepreneurs to set up live streams quickly and economically.
Let’s Take an Example
Live.me is one of the most interactive forms of live streaming there is. Here are a few examples of communication sequences that broadcasters may favor on the platform:
Picking a random viewer for a live interaction when views touch 1,000
Promising a virtual coin drop if likes touch 100,000 within ten minutes
Promising a favor to whoever sends the highest virtual gift domination
Committing to perform, sing or dance if a certain number of viewers capture and share a stream on social media platforms like Instagram and Facebook
What Technology Powers Live.me?
Live.me is a sandwich of superior technologies. Its web server is supported by Tengine while it is hosted by both Amazon and CenturyLink. Its Javascript library is composed of a plethora of programmes, including zepto.js, core-js, Babel, Vue and Webpack. Interestingly, the technology stack of Live.me is perfectly matched by StreamNow, meaning that even small and mid-sized entrepreneurs can set up a similar live streaming platform for a fraction of the cost.
What Is Live.me’s Monetization Model?
Being just over a year old, live.me has seen exponential growth since its inception. While the live streaming platform spins a margin off virtual gifts within its economy, it is continually exploring new monetization models.
How Can I Build My Own Live.me?
Despite being a business rooted in China, Live.me’s largest market in North America, where twenty-somethings have taken a special shine to the application. This goes to show that a business model can be tailored to suit a specific geographic audience. In Live.me’s case, its makers have gone to great lengths to replicate trends from China in the American market. Regionalisation has worked wonders here. Live.me has also leaned heavily on influencer-led marketing, a trend worth emulating. Celebrities like Roman Atwood and Collins Key have become loyalists of the service, using it exclusively for all their live feeds. Live.me’s noteworthy collaboration with NerdHQ this year was spotlighted on various forums. The live streaming platform supported a fundraising campaign at Comic-Con San Diego where celebrities were interviewed backstage before or after their panels. Virtual gifts sent to celebrities were sent to Operation Smile, an organization supported annually by Nerd HQ. Live.me is a brilliant model to follow if you’re gravitating towards a career in live streaming. Work on a regionalized strategy for your brand and pick one or two key spokespersons who can reinforce your message to your audience. Influencer messaging is a valuable medium to leverage.
Live.me has come a long way since its birth in early 2016. It had become the highest grossing streaming app on the Apple App Store and the Google Play Store by September 2016, a considerable feat for such a new platform. Live.me is a robust, positive business model to draw inspiration from. To build a similar live streaming platform, pick a stand-out turnkey technology. StreamNow is our top pick. Next, scan trends in your region that you could stitch into your gift economy. Infusing your ecosystem with known, recognized facets can draw users in. With a skillful marketing strategy and a sturdy streaming service, you’re already halfway to the finish line.
