Introduction

In this age of digital technology, live video production has become a significant tool for businesses to reach their desired audience and distinguish themselves in a crowded marketplace. As the popularity of social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube, live streaming continues to grow; it has become easier for businesses to connect with their customers in real-time.

Live video has continued to be the dominant choice of content posted on popular social networks, streaming has grown in importance. In 2016 for instance, Brandive reported that 44% of businesses used live streaming, with that number expected to be improved upon by as much as 20% year on year.

In more recent years, video content posting has since superseded that of image content on Facebook, with video posting accounting for as much as 135% more organic traffic than image uploads. That apparently looks to be surpassed even further with live videos as viewers tend to leave 10 times more comments on live productions than on regular videos.

With live video becoming a more popular choice of post on social media; it has also opened up new avenues for businesses to enhance their social rating and brand awareness in a genuine manner that directly engages with viewers in real-time.

According to a Livestream.com survey, 80% of online users indicated that they would rather watch live video production by a brand than read a blog, while 82% of those surveyed also indicated that they would rather spend their time watching a live video from a brand than social posts.

In this article, we'll take a look at the advantages of live video production and suggests tips on ways it can be used to dominate the competition.

 

Advantages of Live Video

 

1. Higher Engagement:

Live video production gives businesses the opportunity to interact with their audience in real-time, allowing for a sense of originality and transparency that isn't possible through pre-recorded videos. Video streaming can be utilized to enhance audience participation through:

 

- Live Surveys

Real-time feedback can be generated by going live by including live surveys in the streaming production which would enhance the level of audience engagement and consequently generate valuable insights.

 

- Live Conversations

Allowing for live conversations during the broadcast can encourage more genuine interaction among your audience, which would help to build a more engaging experience.

 

- Live Occasions

Live events can do a lot to bring your audience closer and through that way help to build a sense of community around your brand.

 

2. Cost-Effective:

Live streaming is cheaper since its production requires little equipment and can be produced from anywhere, removing the need for expensive video production studios.

 

3. Improved Customer Experience:

Video streaming affords businesses the opportunity to display their products and services in a more immersive and interactive way, giving room for a more positive customer experience.

Below are how livestreaming can enhance customer experience:

 

- Product Demonstrations

Products and services can be demonstrated in real time on live video transmission, affording customers a better understanding of how such products or services work.

 

- Q&A Sessions

Customers can be given the opportunity to ask questions and receive answers in real-time when you use live video production to host a Q&A session.

 

- Behind-the-Scenes Footage

Customers can have the opportunity to have a behind-the-scenes look at your business, thereby giving your business a more personal and genuine connection. Letting your customers see behind-the-scenes looks is another way to show your clients appreciation and encourage them to help spread the word about your brand. When executed correctly, these methods have yielded results for brands in such areas of free advertising, interactions, downloads, inbound marketing, and influencer marketing.

 

4. Increased Reach:

Live transmission can reach a wider audience than pre-recorded videos since it creates a sense of urgency and exclusivity, encouraging viewers to tune in live.

 

Suggestions on How to Use Live video content to Dominate the Competition

Business organizations can through the use of live productions distinguish themselves in the market by using live video to generate a useful customer experience, draw in their audience, and boost their products and services in an interactive manner.

Businesses can differentiate themselves through live content creation in the following ways:

 

1. Plan Your Content:

Ensure that before you begin a live broadcast, you have drawn a plan for your content to ensure that it is what your audience would want as well as appealing to your target audience. Give serious consideration to topics that your audience would find interesting, and generate an outline to help you remain focused during the livestreaming.

The following are some of the ideas that can help you plan your live broadcast:

 

- Decide on a Topic

When looking for content to plan your live streaming around; consider topics that your audience would be interested in. Look for trending topics in your industry or consider sharing your expertise on a particular subject.

 

- Develop an Outline

Create an outline to help you stay on track during the broadcast. This will help you prevent a situation in which you ramble through the production session and guarantee that you go over all the important points.

However, you have to understand that live video content is not about professionally produced videos. It is good to have a plan for your live production, but you have to remember that what people connect with quickly is the human authenticity that comes with making a live video. Something that they can relate with. Brands must therefore not be afraid of flaws in their video creation because it allows your customers to humanize your brand and buy into your product’s authenticity.

Of course, as a brand, there will always be a place for professional video productions; but that need to be ‘perfect’ must not be allowed to hinder your need to connect with your customer base through live video.

 

2. Promote Your Video Broadcast:

Promote your live production in advance to ensure that your audience knows when and where to tune in. Use social media, email, and other marketing channels to promote live streaming and build excitement.

 

3. Share Live Events with Your Followers:

One of the ways to guarantee a loyal following when involved in live content streaming is by sharing events in real-time. Doing this allows your followers to develop an intimate understanding of your industry in general and about your business, in particular. The advantage of this is that, if approached in the right manner, sharing live events with your audience can provide them with a highly engaging platform and would also aid in retaining their attention and interests by highlighting the most significant moments within the event.

But how do you ensure the success of your event's live videos? One way to guarantee that is to infuse a lot of creativity into your live-stream events which could be your company’s excursions, seminars, musical events, or any other event that is related to your business. While the audience is provided the opportunity to get a firsthand look at your business’s surroundings, asking your audience what else would interest them could prove to be beneficial when deciding on what kind of content to produce in your next production.

With a survey figure of over 45% of live video audiences agreeing that they would be willing to pay to watch a live video of a speaker or performer; it is quite evident, therefore, that sharing events not only increase brand awareness but it can also improve consumer experience and impression about your organization by providing users with enlightening and distinct information. Lastly, content of this nature also encourages the audience to share their thoughts or concerns about a particular topic.

 

4. Interact with Your Audience:

Use your live transmissions as the opportunity to engage your audience by providing answers to their questions, replying to their comments, and, especially, recognizing your audience by name. When you interact with your livestreaming audience; it tends to make them feel that you are truly interested in them rather than just trying to sell them a product or service. This goes a long way to foster a sense of belonging, thereby motivating them to continue to tune in for future live streams.

Furthermore, getting to know what people really want is an added advantage that streaming production gives you and can be used to fine tune your content marketing strategy. Brands that are paying attention to this advantage can use the questions raised during the live broadcasts to create more engaging content for further video productions.

 

5. Use High-Quality Equipment:

While live streaming can be done with minimal equipment, investing in high-quality equipment like cameras, microphones, and lighting can significantly improve the overall video production quality and viewer experience.

 

6. Collaborate with Influencers:

We have often heard that ‘No man is an island all by himself’. We all need people to help us achieve what we want. As a video producer or a video production agency; you will need to collaborate with others if you wish to reach a wider audience or increase your customer base as a commercial entity. Collaborating with influencers in your industry can help to increase your reach and attract new customers.

Post a video of yourself with someone who plays an important role in the community once in a while. It could be your community school principal, local business owners, city top politicians, or eminent community leaders. This integrates you into your community in a variety of ways and, once again, establishes you as the go-to expert people will seek out when they want the kind of information you have.

 

7. Start Something New or Offer an Update:

The introduction of a new product, project, or any other new development in your company or sector that you think your audience might find interesting is another excellent use for live streaming.

Again, streaming offers your audiences a fantastic way to be included in a special or timely event due to its intimacy and immediate nature. Since 4X as many consumers prefer to watch a video about a product than read about it, the idea of live-streaming something brand-new and never-before-seen can be very alluring.

And if you have already introduced a new project or product to the public; you can simply keep them informed about the project's progress by live-streaming educational sessions that inform clients of current events. Having access to insider information and the most recent news will help you draw in both current and potential followers.

 

8. Host Giveaways:

Organizing freebies during your live stream can go a long way to boost engagement and generate excitement about your brand.

 

9. Offer Exclusive Discounts:

Offering exclusive discounts during your live stream can encourage customers to make a purchase, increasing sales and building customer loyalty.

 

10. Practice Makes Perfect:

Practice your live stream in advance to ensure that everything runs smoothly on the day of the event. This is certain to give you the assurance you need to deliver a successful live stream and will assist you in identifying and resolving any technical issues.

 

Conclusion

In conclusion, live content creation has emerged as a crucial tool for marketing for companies looking to outperform their rivals. Businesses can enhance customer experience, boost engagement, and stand out in a crowded market by planning their live stream, using high-quality equipment, interacting with their audience, and promoting their goods and services in an interesting way.

By enabling viewers to access real-time videos with tons of information, live video broadcasts can connect brands with audiences. Compared to more static, branded content, this frequently fosters a more personal, meaningful connection, and because it is timely and pertinent, the user will remember and value it.

Incorporating live production into your marketing strategy can help you to connect with your audience in a more authentic and engaging way, ultimately leading to increased brand awareness, customer loyalty, and sales.

Additionally, there is data to support it: using live-streaming increases user engagement, raises brand awareness, boosts social validity, and can significantly contribute to your company gaining a significant and long-lasting competitive advantage.