There are such a lot of approach to talk with audiences as of late, and so many instruments at our fingertips, it could possibly really feel overwhelming to decide on the most effective ones to deal with. There’s one factor specifically although that doesn’t get talked about practically sufficient regardless of its immense energy. That’s: reside streaming.
In recent times particularly, reside streaming has turn out to be a strong software to attach with followers, reaching them wherever they’re on the earth. This has allowed performers to complement their touring, or exchange in-person occasions altogether.
Your choices for livestreaming platforms embrace:
And by utilizing a service like Restream, you’ll be able to even go reside to a number of platforms without delay.
But when artists have so many alternatives to immediately attain and have interaction viewers, and even construct a loyal fanbase, the place do you have to start? For those who’re new to livestreaming or want a refresher, try our ideas beneath.
Understanding the platforms
There are a variety of choices on the market for you, all of them completely different relying in your wants. One of the crucial vital concerns is: the place is your viewers more likely to be already? We listened a number of the dominant social and livestreaming platforms above, every with distinctive advantages and options. However you’ll additionally see some various platforms like StageIt which affords the advantage of promoting tickets to your exhibits. Or Quantity.com which supplies artists 95% of the information they acquire, together with Fan Subscriptions and Ticketed livestreams, which finally ends up being a extremely good approach to make a little bit extra cash off your exhibits, whereas additionally amassing fan knowledge and (in Quantity’s case) getting into you for added perks like the possibility to play main festivals and different alternatives.
It’s not nearly livestream concert events
Once you livestream there are SO many choices at your fingertips. It’s not nearly placing on an amazing live performance, which you’ll (and will!) do. There are such a lot of different choices like….what sort of reside efficiency? Full band? Acoustic? Piano pushed? What a few Q&A session the place followers can ask you questions? Or host a panel with different musicians and pals. Then there’s behind the scenes streams, possibly an hour per week the place you invite followers to “write” with you nearly, otherwise you take them behind the scenes of constructing a video. You possibly can even do digital meet and greets!
You possibly can truly make cash off your livestreams
Sure, it’s true! You possibly can monetize your livestreams by digital tip jars that permit followers to point out their appreciation for you, promoting tickets or unique VIP bundles, promoting merch (together with unique merch you’ll be able to solely get on the LiveStream), and ultimately sponsorship and/or adverts! Some platforms also have a in-built foreign money for tipping, comparable to bits (Twitch) and Stars (Fb).
The cool factor about livestreams is how related they’re to in-person exhibits in that manner. You possibly can nonetheless present all the advantages of these exhibits, just like the tip jar or the unique merch, however do it in a manner that lets you attain extra individuals
Check out the other ways in accordance with what feels most aligned together with your model and the stage of your profession you’re at. You possibly can at all times combine and match, commerce one for the opposite, and simply see what works.
Get out of your lounge
Talking of the variations between in particular person and digital exhibits, simply because it’s digital doesn’t imply it ought to at all times be in your lounge. Whereas it may not make sense to hire out a music venue for a totally digital present, you wish to maintain issues attention-grabbing by altering up your area. Even when it’s rotating which band member’s home you carry out in, doing an acoustic set in your yard or the park, or spending a little bit to hire a small studio for a really particular efficiency, holding your setting attention-grabbing is a key a part of holding your viewers’s consideration.
Present your followers they matter
A reside stream isn’t the identical as an in particular person occasion, and you need to make up for a little bit of that interplay that you simply’d usually get in particular person ,which implies paying additional consideration to your followers each earlier than, throughout, and after the occasion.
A easy manner to do that is to thank your followers for coming, and reply to any feedback they’re leaving each throughout and after the livestream. You can too share the replays so followers who missed it could possibly nonetheless watch (possibly even share with their pals) and tease future livestream content material as a approach to maintain them and coming again for the following one
Don’t be afraid to experiment
Reside Streaming is an ever evolving factor and what’s working for you this month would possibly change in 3 months—that’s a part of the enjoyable! We noticed monumental progress for reside streams through the pandemic and we discovered what labored then doesn’t essentially work years later when exhibits are again on. So it’s a relentless recreation of experimentation however that simply means listening to followers, taking part in round with what you provide, and discovering the candy spot.
Remaining ideas
Reside Streaming affords indie artists a singular alternative to attach and have interaction with followers in a totally new manner; it’s a possibility to thrive in a web based area. By deciding on the fitting platform for you and your followers and creating constant, thrilling content material you’ll see the ability of livestream in rising your profession and cultivating a really loyal and excited fanbase.
Angela Tyler is the founding father of MP Co. (previously Muddy Paw PR) and has secured placements on Forbes, American Songwriter, Lead Singer Syndrome, & extra. She loves dessert, her canine Sawyer, and new music—be happy to ship her yours!
