A guide to streaming video content

Over the last year or so, the value of streamed video content has skyrocketed. Whether it’s using livestreaming to connect with your audiences in real time or hosting a screening of a pre-recorded film, performance piece or conversation, this free webinar will share tips on:

  • How to host the stream on your website
    • What to do leading up to the stream
    • Technical advice
    • On the day
  • How to promote your stream
    • Using digital marketing to generate interest/sign-ups
    • Extending the potential reach of your stream
    • Being responsive on the day
    • Repurposing your material

Q&A from webinar session

If you pay PRS for music content in a live stream/upload to Youtube. Why doesn’t this link to YouTube algorithms for blocking music content?

Even if you purchase the PRS license for the music, YouTube won’t necessarily know that which is why it might take you down. You should check YouTube’s terms and conditions on this which you can find in the comparison document we have on our website.

How can you combine live and pre recorded content? E.g A screening followed by live Q&A

Take a look at Vimeo Premium livestreaming and / or using an encoder to do this with another streaming provider. This will allow you to move between content seamlessly within one stream.

Are there any guidelines for length of video streaming? 

Not really, but be mindful of the attention span of your audience. You don’t want to be presenting to nobody by the end!

It might be good to split content up into separate streams to give yourself, your audience and your team a break between sections.

Is there a preference between progressive and interlaced pictures? 

It depends on the platform that you use for streaming. In general progressive is going to serve in a smoother way but platforms will have different support for different fidelity definitions.

With YouTube/Vimeo users normally will have controls to change these settings themselves.

How would you recommend going live on two platforms at once (say YouTube and Instagram)?

This is called ‘simulcast’. This is well supported on Vimeo but is also possible on YouTube with the help of 3rd party integrations.

We used YouTube for hosting classes but apart from the number of views couldn’t capture any other information( contacts etc) is there a way to do this so we can stay connected?

We use a login system on our streaming services, this way we capture the user data through their account. Other options could be:

  • Having an optional survey (google forms/survey monkey) on the page
  • Sending a data capture form through email
  • Google tag manager and google analytics can give you a picture of where users are coming from and their general demographic data.

Other than Vimeo, are there any other options for adding a live chat to your stream? 

We have also used a free WordPress plugin (Simple Ajax Chat) which may require developer knowledge. There are other options such as Zendesk which is more customer service oriented or another plugin called Rumbletalk.

Do you have any advice for streaming live music? 

Your best bet is to go to a music production specialist. There are a lot of factors to take into account including; acoustics, equipment, positioning and others. It’s best to get information from a sound production specialist and seek their advice.

Speakers

  • Hans de Kretser
    Hans de KretserDirector, HdK
  • Jannick Moth
    Jannick MothWeb Support Developer, HdK
  • Freya Ruane
    Freya RuaneDigital Marketing Coordinator, HdK