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How to Promote Your Live Stream

This post talks about four different ways that you can promote your live streams. It's part of our series on how to start live streaming.

Picture this. You and your team put together an awesome live streamed event. Your production looks great, but no one tuned in to watch it.

There are few things worse for a broadcaster than creating a great stream that no one will ever see. Unfortunately, viewer-less live streams are far too common. If you're struggling to build an audience, think about shifting some of your time toward making sure the video reaches your people.

Here are a few ways you can maximize the reach of your stream:

1. Tell your in-person attendees

One of the easiest and most effective ways to promote your event is to let the in-person audience know that you are streaming the event.

Your onsite audience may know people unable to attend who would benefit from watching it online.

Some of the attendees of the current event may not be able to make it to the next event in-person. If you never tell them about the streams when you have their attention, then they won't tune in when they can't make it.

You have a captive audience in front of you who cares about your events. At the very least, make sure that they know there is an option for those unable to attend in-person.

 

2. Send an email blast

If you have an email listserv for your organization, use it.

An email list provides you the names of people who have already signed up to receive updates from you. Information about a live stream is excellent content for email.

Don’t spam your email list. Keep your messages useful and brief, and limit the number you send. If you live stream every day, focus on particularly exciting or notable broadcasts.

If you include an image in the body of your email, you increase the likelihood that someone will read it.

The subject of your email is as important as your content in the body. Spend time thinking about a subject line that will cut through the clutter and resonate with your audience.

 

3. Use social media to publicize your event

Social media— Facebook, Twitter, etc.— is a powerful tool for publicizing.

On Facebook, you can create an actual event for your live stream. You can list dates, times, and locations and 'invite' people to attend to increase turnout. Be sure to include a backstory of the event to help people understand why they should tune in.

When a user RSVPs that they’ll attend your event, Facebook notifies their friends of their decision, increasing the likelihood that their friends will show up as well.

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On Twitter, you post relevant information including event times and links as well. By pinning an upcoming live stream to the top of your page, you can ensure that everyone who visits your Twitter account knows about the event. 

 

 

4. Bring your stream to your viewers

Sometimes the best way to build an audience is to bring the stream to them directly. Simulcasting your stream to multiple destinations lets you reach audiences where they are.

When you go live on Facebook, the platform notifies the people who like your page and highlights the content in their news feeds. On YouTube, your audience receives an automatic email notification. 

 

Simulcasting is a key part of the modern live streaming platform. If you aren't sending your broadcast to multiple destinations, you are missing out on viewership.


Final Thoughts + Further Reading

When it comes to creating an engaging live stream, great production isn't everything. Good marketing and promotion techniques are essential to ensuring that your organization's broadcasts become a successful and sustainable endeavor.

Learn more about how simulcasting can help you build an audience.