1. Introduction to Live Streaming
Live streaming Singapore is not just about watching the video but also about the viewers interacting with the live streamer and among themselves. At the most basic level, viewers of a live stream service can type messages to the live streamer and she can respond by talking to the camera. However, some live streaming platforms go further by enabling a more interactive two-way discussion, such as by rewarding the live streamer with gifts or by inviting the viewers of the live stream to join her as on-screen guests.
What transcends and unites the live streaming poker community are the three characteristics of a live stream. First, it needs to be in real-time. Second, the event must be transmitted so viewers can see and hear their screens. Finally, all live streaming content is also called streaming video, though not all video streams are live. This distinguishes it from video-on-demand services like Netflix, Hulu, and even YouTube where the video is stored and served via a traditional web server. These are also considered as the third characteristic of live streaming, which is audience engagement.
What is live streaming? Live streaming is about transmitting video and audio coverage of an event in real time over the Internet. Such an event can be anything. In the case of the Trinity Broadcasting Network, it is live streaming of a church service. In the case of ESPN, it is live streaming of sports matches. The event can even be the rear end of a SBS bus.
Live streaming is popular not just in Singapore but all over the world. In Singapore, there are many native live streamers who regularly do live streaming on their social media, especially on Instagram, Facebook, and even YouTube. The popularity of live streaming has caused many traditional media corporations to start their own video sharing or live streaming services. We have seen HBO launching HBO GO, ESPN offering live streaming on its ESPN Player service, and even a televangelist channel such as the Trinity Broadcasting Network operating its TBN.tv service. Whether you are Kong Hee yourself, you need to acquaint yourself with the basics of live streaming.
1.1. Definition and Importance
Given social media’s importance in this digital age, many have resorted to hiring social media marketing and advertising agencies in order to stay relevant and be seen by their target audience. In a bid to add value, and create meaningful long-term relationships with end-users, many advertising companies are now opting to do more personal touch engagements through live streaming on their social media platforms.
It comes as no surprise that social media has gained increasing importance in the lives of people as brands venture into reaching their targeted audiences through various platforms on social media such as Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and Tik Tok. People are generally online for up to two hours a day on average and a brand that has not established its presence on these platforms will be missing out from reaching these potential leads who are expressing interest. Instead, savvy brands are using social media platforms to establish a presence in an attempt to stand out from the competition enticing potential shoppers and gain more sales in the process.
Social media and its importance to the world
1.2. Evolution of Live Streaming
In Singapore, companies have used live streaming on social media to host music concerts, cooking classes, make-up tutorials, and product launch announcements. While many companies are eager to adopt live streaming, little is known about it in the context of businesses in Singapore. In Singapore, companies have used live streaming on social media to host music concerts, cooking classes, make-up tutorials, and product launch announcements. While many companies are eager to adopt live streaming, little is known about it in the context of businesses in Singapore. This feature will provide insights on the various types of live streaming that companies have adopted and describe the psychology theories that are relevant to the adoption of live streaming by companies. By providing a snapshot of the current usage of live streaming by traditional companies in Singapore, we hope that this feature will deepen our understanding of how live streaming can be widely used by companies to engage and enhance customer experience by providing relevant information to them.
The first recorded use of a live stream is attributed to the Sony NetBand. It was demonstrated by researchers at the Computer Graphics Laboratory (CGL) of the University of Geneva in November 1995. This NetBand was used to capture what was happening at a university party and then streamed the live video over the internet. This system was able to handle several hundred viewers at the same time. Since then, live streaming has become widely accessible and provides viewers with the luxury of being at a remote physical site or “attend” a live event without having to leave homes or workplaces. In recent years, services such as Periscope, Facebook Live, and Instagram Live have made live streaming accessible to a much larger number of users. Consequently, businesses, particularly companies in the entertainment and hospitality, fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG), and financial service sectors, have quickly capitalized on the popularity of social live streaming.
2. Live Streaming Platforms in Singapore
Live streaming, which allows users to broadcast and watch live videos, is becoming increasingly popular with a new wave of popular platforms like Periscope, Meerkat, and Blab. Singapore is no exception. Now, users in Singapore are able to join in the live stream. Businesses in Singapore should leverage live streaming platforms as adolescents and working adults have access to these free live streaming platforms. With engagement, business owners are able to interact with their customers in real-time. Costs for mini marketing campaigns could be minimized with these free live streaming platforms.
With the help of 4G and WiFi broadband connectivity, social media users have now expanded the use of live streaming as more live video content is being made on social media. Live streaming revolutionizes how businesses and consumers communicate with one another. In order to catch current trends, companies must remember to deliver ‘real-time’ online marketing through live streaming marketing. Live streaming triggers mainstream media broadcasters and has seen newcomers, which are social media platforms in the live streaming world.
2.1. Overview of Popular Platforms
You can go live on several popular live platforms like Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, Twitch, LinkedIn, and Twitter. Each platform has unique features for their brands and users. For instance, some platforms have reactive elements like chat and emoji functions where users can express themselves during the live video. Users typically use these functionalities to communicate with the streamer, share their thoughts, and engage with other users. Some platforms also have like buttons for the thumbs or emoticon reactions, which can be seen by the hosts.
2.1. Overview of Popular Platforms
In Singapore, many brands use livestreaming events to engage with their audience. There are plenty of tools in the market for social media, allowing you to engage with your audience almost instantly. Are you unsure of which platform to use? This guide contains an overview of the most popular livestreaming platforms, the available features, and which platform you should choose based on your requirements.
2.2. Key Features and Differences
Consumed on various platforms and created for different purposes, live streaming on social media is often unique to each platform based on the strengths of that particular medium. Instagram, known for its short-lived Stories and brand-friendly curated professional content on its profile wall, is a popular platform for spontaneous live streaming content that vanishes as soon as the broadcast is over. On the other hand, Facebook thrives on connecting like-minded individuals through similar interests and groups, promoting Clubhouse’s audio-based live stream conversations as both passive eavesdropping experiences and fully immersive participatory talkshow-style chats. Different apps, different creators, different audiences create and consume live streaming content differently.
In a nutshell, live streaming is defined by its immediacy and the direct interaction between creator and audience. Where traditional methods of content sharing provided a one-sided experience – pre-recorded content like videos or podcasts put out by creators to be consumed by their audience at their own discretion – live streaming content is shared at the same moment it is being created. Although it can be saved for reincarnation later, the initial act of creating and sharing live streaming content only happens once and is experienced universally with the audience.
3. Setting Up Your Live Stream
Produce quality content – have a clear plan for your content and deliver it professionally. It’s the only way to survive. Have a friendly host or hosts – a good-looking and charming host gets you 90% of the way there. Spend more time practicing – thinking you’ll naturally be good at it and don’t need to put in effort is a sure way to fail. Start slow – practice on a dead page or a place where not many users see what you’re about to produce. Small mistakes are acceptable. Practice makes perfect. Always start on time – no one likes to wait. This is a sure way to lose viewers. Make sure you announce it beforehand – yes, almost everyone can get notified when someone starts a live stream on their profile page, but it’s better to let your audience know via a status, tweet, etc. Always greet your viewers when they enter – this is common courtesy. People like it when they are treated like individuals and not passersby. This alone will increase watch time. Finish with a strong last 10 minutes of content.
3.1. Equipment and Software
Some budget-friendly external microphones among streamers in Singapore include Blue Yeti USB Microphone, Rode Podcaster USB Broadcast Microphone and Shure Digital MV5 Condenser Microphone. Call Soundflower, OBS, GarageBand, Audacity, Quicktime, and Livestream Procaster some of the cheaper alternatives for audio software.
3.1.2 Microphones The audio quality of a live stream is just as important as the picture quality. To make your live stream more professional, you can consider using a good quality microphone to pick up your voice clearly. Externally miking a person or the event directly can lead to better-quality audio. A lapel mic or a small shotgun designed for use with smartphones and laptops can be used with an adapter to connect to the 3.5mm audio input. A USB microphone will be your best bet for a one-person voice-over live stream.
3.1.1 Web Camera One of the best ways to dip your toes into the realm of vlogging is by utilizing your laptop’s built-in web camera or buying an external web camera so you don’t have to worry about the battery life of your smartphone. One of the basic web cameras that is favored for its ease of use and portability is Logitech BRIO Ultra HD. It can capture 4K video at 30 frames per second (fps), so it also functions as a high-quality webcam for streaming. For a lower budget alternative, Logitech C920 is also one of the cheaper options for a high-quality webcam.
3.2. Creating Engaging Content
Celebrate their wins, lift up their losses, and ask them for their thoughts, suggestions, or activities. Inspiring user involvement involves listening to your audience and using their feedback to improve your social account’s content. Remember those selfie stick-prone YouTubers? Invite your audience to embrace the digital limelight and let them contribute to your material. Encourage social media users to tweet or share pictures and posts that feature your products, services, or company to further increase their engagement. Provide live stream insight into your head behind the scenes! By live streaming interviews, business meetings, presentations, and work, hang on to your engaging hat – don’t start barking at the camera by identifying relevant subject matter that meets your target market. You never know – your followers may be interested in learning more about how you run the show!
A good way to evaluate your following count is to check out your follower count, then check out your competition’s following, and add them together. If your competitors are killing it with a following of 10,000 people and you can’t seem to accumulate more than a few dozen malnourished fans, then shake up your social strategy, buddy. You’re not doing something right. Regardless of whether you’re happier than a pig in muck with your fanbase, there’s always room for more exposure, more interaction, and more customers and clients. Start engaging with your audience to generate a greater connection.
4. Engaging Your Audience
Since your viewers are taking the time to watch and comment on your live broadcast, it should be clear that it’s important to reply to and speak with them too! Show your viewers that you value their time by asking for their opinions and questions that you can then respond to in your live videos. As you gain more viewers and repeat this over multiple streams, it will provide them with the feeling of being listened to and directly influencing the content that you produce.
4.2 Ask and You Shall Receive
Besides providing viewers with a space to post comments and react to content through emoticons, platforms such as Facebook and YouTube allow viewers to ‘like’ and ‘react’ to your videos. Live streams on Facebook and YouTube already come with this function built-in. Consider uploading your broadcasts onto these platforms permanently after you’re done, with a clear call to action asking both previous and new viewers to share your videos. This can help increase visibility by improving your organic reach.
4.1 Encourage Interaction
4.1. Interaction and Engagement Strategies
Ask specific questions that require viewers to elaborate on their comments, or include a “missing item” within the presentation where viewers believe they can win it as a prize by actively engaging with in-creator. For instance, in response to a question intended to drive quality engagements during the livestream, viewers may be called to articulate in detail how they intend on incorporating a certain product into their life.
Prepare topics and questions to discuss that’ll encourage interaction among your viewers, such as polls and flash giveaways. Introduce in your livestream session encouraging viewers to comment and engage, e.g., “It’s a raining day. I hope you are staying at home and pressing likes now. I’m open to answer your questions and revealing all my beauty secrets. Don’t be shy. Just comment and I’ll know. Let’s hang out. Fun-chat only.” Make sure to maintain a fun, relatable and entertaining tone so that your followers feel more comfortable and open to interacting.
If you’re new to live streaming, social media houdinis, plan to prioritize interaction and engagement as top strategies of live streaming execution in the content production phase. Aim for ways to get your audience involved in your live broadcasts in every way that you can. Shopee’s tips for boosting interaction and engagement are as follows:
5. Monetizing Your Live Streams
Being a Streamer is an appealing career option for many who enjoy this, and it can be a hard, lucrative one though with a high attrition rate. Professional and full-time streamers take it upon themselves to generate and distribute good content in order to maximize the revenue from that broadcasting. The relationship between seemingly disparate players such as purchase of e-coins to purchase of virtual items and gifting for content presenters leads to this group knowing each other quite well.
Successfully booked sellers are subject to various certification checks, and all rental proceeds will be donated to the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) to support their worthy projects. Sellers must be knowledgeable and interesting, and the entire user experience will ultimately determine if live shopping is a successful sales medium. This is both one’s strength and yet another huge challenge, with many success factors required to excel.
Live Shopping encompasses various forms of e-Commerce where sellers interact directly with potential buyers via live streaming. It can either be through an invitation-based private chat or public live chat. The good news is that sellers need not be experts and the use of buyer-experts, celebrities, or KOLs is a value-add to generate interest.
Success in this segment is determined largely by how engaging and interesting you can make your live content for your audience. Here is a variety of live content types for consideration, each of which can be monetized via a different method: e-Rave Music Concerts, Live Shopping, and Streamer Partnerships (Affiliate Marketing). In this guide, we use the analogy of a television show to introduce the various aspects of live streaming instead of the usual analogy of a physical event.
