How To Live Stream an Event in Kenya

Live streaming refers to when the streaming video is sent over the Internet in real-time, without first being recorded and stored. Today, TV broadcasts, video game streams, cooperate events, and social media videos can all be live-streamed. Live streaming affords you the luxury of watching, creating, and sharing videos in real-time, just like live TV.

The live-streaming industry and business has been steadily growing recording a 99% growth rate between April 2019 and April 2020. The Covid-19 pandemic has amplified this further with Individuals and organizations opting to live stream their event whether it’s a burial, wedding, or product launch, as opposed to holding the event with physical attendance. There is no better time to learn about live streaming than now. Below are additional reasons why people need live streaming.

REASONS FOR LIVE STREAMING.

Livestreaming has several benefits but the article cannot highlight every one of them. This is because live streaming is used across industries, and the benefits derived from it can vary depending on the industry. However, these are some of the general benefits of live streaming that validate your reasons for learning about it.

  1. It Is Not Yet Overcrowded.

Just like any other digital marketing channel. Live streaming is bound to become overpopulated very soon. It is quickly gaining traction every day and more and more people are using it daily. Take for example YouTube, when it started not so many people ventured to become Youtubers (the word was not even thought of, not to talk about invented), however, with time people started flowing in and now that it is populated, it’s hard to get in as a YouTuber and make a living without the support of companies like The Marketing Heaven, at least initially. Based on those descriptive statistics, this is the best time to start live streaming, when it’s not crowded.

  • Reaching Highly Targeted Niches.

Viewing a Livestream requires more commitment from your audience, simply because they need to tune in on your time regardless of whether it’s the best time for them or not. This acts as a filter to keep unrelated audiences away; this makes it very unlikely that people who are not interested in your topic join the conversation.

  • Takes Less Time To Produce.

Research conducted by Hubspot suggests that it takes 2 hours to write a 500-word blog post and between 4-8 hours to write a 1,500-2000 words article. The 500-word blog post would not be regarded as a comprehensive piece of content and can easily be read in 3-4 minutes. When it comes to live streaming, the 2 hours you use on writing a blog post, is two hours of delivering comprehensive video content, and doesn’t need edits!! On second thought we would have just live-streamed this article in like 10 mins tops, what do you think?

  • Real-Time Engagement.

Livestreaming allows you to engage with your audience wherever they are in real-time. This is not it though, through live streaming, you can offer live support and Q&A sessions to your audience.

You can now get the point that live streaming is very powerful and destined to take over the digital and media world in general. Therefore, if you are reading this article about doing a live streaming event, you are on the right track. Before live streaming, you need to check if you have the right equipment to run a Livestream event lån uten kredittsjekk 20 år.

EQUIPMENT NEEDED TO RUN A LIVE STREAMING EVENT.

Building a streaming setup for beginners is pretty simple. You’ll need a camera, mic or microphone, lighting, and a stable internet connection. You’ll also need to get your hands on some live streaming software. The following are the equipment that you need for live streaming an event.

  1. Camera

If you’re only looking to test the live streaming waters, you’ll only need a single quality camera. However, there are plenty of options for every budget. We have great options if you’re aiming to go low-cost into live streaming before upgrading your gear. For a budget let’s say up to $2000, you can invest in the following camera:

  • Canon XA15 or XF100
  • Panasonic LUMIX GH4
  • Sony A7 II for this price range.
  • Can you use any camera to live stream?

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  • Audio

You can have the best video but if the audio quality is poor, then your audience will check out. This is because you will not be communicating (Maybe if you have installed a sign language interpreter (SLI), you might retain some audience). One of the biggest mistakes that you can do is relying on the built-in microphone on your camera, you just need to invest in a good microphone. The following are some of the Microphone options for you to explore;

  • Shure’s iPhone Microphone
  • Shure MV88 digital stereo condenser mic
  • Rode VideoMic
  • Topaz DeNoise AI audio software
  • Yeti Nano USB mic
  • Lavalier mics aka clip-on mics (yes, the ones that look pretty cool)
  • Handheld microphones such as Shure SM58s

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  • Capture card

The third piece of live streaming equipment that you may need is a capture card. A capture card refers to an intermediary device that transfers video from its source to your main live streaming setup. In simpler terms, you need a capture card so that it can show your computer what your camera is seeing. To use a capture card, your camera needs an HDMI port/output to attach the HDMI cable. This will transfer the video feed to your computer. A capture card comes in when you are using a software encoder that will be discussed later, be sure to stick around. It is worth noting that You don’t need a capture card when you’re using a hardware encoder as it usually comes with an internal capture card. You also don’t need it when you’re using a USB camera or microphone that you can directly plug into your computer. Here are some of our capture card recommendations:

  • AV.io HD
  • Elgato CamLink 4K
  • Razer Ripsaw HD

Before purchasing any of the capture cards, be sure that it is compatible with your live streaming platform.

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  • Encoder

To share your stream with the world, you’ll need an encoder. An encoder is a device that converts video files from raw format to another. In other words, it takes the raw feed from a camera and converts it into viewable content in your main live streaming station. There are two types of encoders at your disposal:

  • hardware encoders and software encoders.

Let’s go deep into each one of them;

  1. Hardware Encoders

These encoders are specially designed for live streaming. Their outstanding properties included;

  • They free up your computer for other tasks.
  • Does not require a capture card.
  • Less affordable and difficult to upgrade.

Because hardware encoders free up your computer for focusing on other tasks, these are great for more professional broadcasts and live-streaming professionals. This way, the PC has room to focus on the live streaming while the encoder works in the background. The following are hardware encoder options that you can explore;

  • AJA HD5DA HD-SDI distribution amplifier
  • Datavideo DAC70 up/down/ cross converter
  1. Software Encoders

A great option for beginner-level streamers. It is worth noting that they rely on your computer’s processing power. The following are the properties of software encoders;

  • A capture card may be needed
  • Variety of price points and upgrade options
  • They work on their own, not taking up much of your attention.

The following are some of the software encoders options;

  • Livestream Studio 6
  • OBS Studio
  • Streamlabs OBS
  • SWITCHER

Last on this list of live streaming equipment is a switcher. Like an encoder, you may or may not need it. It all comes down to your requirements. The purpose of a switcher is that it helps switch between different video and audio sources, production elements, and control graphics. If for example you’re using two or more cameras for live streaming or want to show graphics/presentations between your live stream, you’ll need a switcher to capture the additional feeds for you.

  • ACCESSORIES FOR LIVE STREAMING

Here is a quick list of the additional live streaming equipment that you may need:

  • A green screen (chroma key) for changing your background
  • A tripod stands for holding your video camera
  • A microphone arm where the audio source rests (unless you’re using a clip-on mic)

STEPS TO TAKE WHEN DOING A LIVESTREAM.

After checking that everything is in place, now it’s time to Livestream your first event. The following are the steps to take when doing a Livestream;

  1. Create a Plan.

As mentioned earlier, live streaming is applicable in several industries, therefore it is always wise to identify the goals and intentions of the Livestream from the start. Once you have identified the goals and intentions, create a plan around that. It is at this stage that you determine what tools to use and calculate the approximate budget for the Livestream. However, keep in mind that you might have to improvise because as they say in the military, no plan survives the initial contact. Keep your mind open ready to improvise should the need arise.

  • Choose an online video platform.

This simply means a platform that you are going to host your Livestream on. The streaming solution should be capable of bringing your vision to life. Professional live streaming platforms are equipped with HTML video players which can easily be embedded on your website, app, or social media platforms like Facebook and YoutTube. The most crucial factor is that you need to ensure you and your audience have access to specialized servers and sufficient bandwidth to guarantee a successful broadcast. If your live streaming solution uses a global content delivery network, your virtual event stream will be able to accommodate viewers in remote locations around the world. There are a couple of live-streaming platforms to choose from, make use of the free trials before deciding the one that is right for you.

  • Set Up Livestreaming Equipment.

Once you have identified the live streaming platform to use, it’s time to set up your live streaming equipment. A smaller event may be able to do with a lower cost of equipment, bigger events require more professional equipment. It is however up to you to determine the sort of live streaming quality that you desire and the message that you want to deliver to your audience. If you are live streaming an event using a camera, make sure you have a capture card in place. It is also essential to have an external microphone on the main camera to get quality audio 5g low latency.

  • Connect Your Encoder.

When using an external camera, you will need a video encoder to convert RAW video files to streamable digital video files. If you are new to live streaming, OBS Studio is highly recommended because it is user-friendly and fairly cheap. Choose a video encoder that is compatible with your chosen online video platform. How you configure your video encoder will affect the quality of your stream.

  • Input Your Sources.

At this stage, connect your camera, microphone, and any other sources to your encoder or switcher so that they can be incorporated into the stream. Source inputs are different for every encoder and online video platform.

  • Create a Live Channel.

Depending on the online platform of your choice, create a live channel following the steps outlined in your chosen online video platform.

  • Embed Your Stream.

Embedding a video is very easy when you are streaming via a professional service. All you need to do is copy the embed code on the live channel and paste the code into your website of choice or app.

  • Do a Test Run.

Once everything is set up, conduct a test run to make sure that runs as it should be. These test runs are important because once you go live, troubleshooting and fixing mistakes with your audience present will be difficult and most certainly unprofessional. The test run will also help you identify weak links in your streaming setup so you will know if you need a backup option just in case.

  • Prepare Your Audience.

Before streaming an event, you must promote the event first. This will ensure you have an audience for your stream. This could entail running ads on social media platforms, creating promotional teasers, etc.

  1. Go Live.

Once everything is in place and working according to your satisfaction, it is time to start streaming. Drive the online engagement by encouraging viewers to participate by asking and answering questions.

 CONCLUSION.

Livestreaming events have a host of benefits for individuals and businesses especially when it comes to engaging with a remote audience. The process may be straightforward but requires adequate preparation and quality setup. At Niusline Media Ltd, we have been tried and tested when it comes to live streaming. We have state-of-the-art equipment, experienced personnel, and above all, clients’ interests at heart. Get in touch with us today for live streaming services and purchase quality live streaming equipment.

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