Live Streaming Video: 10 Reasons Why You Should Get Started Today!

This week I had the opportunity to present at the Independent Podcast Conference virtual event focusing on how to build a community around your podcast.  My good friend Joe Pardo does a great job running these conferences and they run every other week this summer. (Check out the full calendar here)

During this week”s conference, I gave a presentation on How to Build Your EDU Brand through Live Video using an application called StreamYard.  StreamYard is a popular live streaming program that allows users the opportunity stream to multiple platforms such as Facebook and YouTube.

10 Reasons To Use Live Video To Build Your EDU Brand

#1: Live Streaming Is Free

One of the greatest things about live streaming through your favorite Social Media application is not only that it is easy to use (generally one or two clicks) but that it’s completely free.  This not only opens up live streaming as a way to build your brand for new podcasters but for several groups of podcasters looking to support each other through mutual sharing.

#2: You Don’t Need Expensive Equipment

Got a phone? Then you have everything that you need to start a live streaming career.  Of course, if you WANT to get some type of microphone such as a lav microphone for mobile broadcasting you can but generally with the right environment you can hold up your phone (horizontal please) and start sharing your world with others.

#3: Your Family and Friends Help You Build Your Audience

No matter if you have 10 followers or 10,000 followers, the first few people that tend to share your content is usually close friends and family.  If you are looking to get started online, feel free to send an email to your close BFF’s and ask them to click the share button.

#4: You Get To Showcase Your Personality

For most podcasters or online personalities, the record button is a stressful thing. The very thought of sitting down alone with your microphone conjures up unthinkable fears.

However for many when they pick up a phone and start streaming to friends and family their fear of failure goes away and their personalities shine through.

I love watching friends and families stream their adventures.  They are all building their brands and they are all using live video to share their stories one stream at a time.

If you are looking to build an audience, let your viewers get to know who you are.

#5: Live Content Lives Long After The Show Ends

For many content creators, live streaming video comes in two different sizes… long-form, and short-form.

The best thing about these bite-sized pieces of content is that they last on your social media channels well beyond your recording and often have many more hits than traditional youtube content of the same length.

#6: Live Content Promotes and Supports Your Podcast

If you are Building your EDU Brand through live video content then it might be because you are trying to use it to promote your website, podcast, or other media platform.  Live Streaming provides a great opportunity to come on and talk about your latest content or guest.  Short video is also a great thing to send to your mailing list to promote your channel.

#7: Your Podcast Promotes and Supports Your Live Stream

Just as your live stream can be designed to promote your podcast, your podcast can be used to promote your live stream… but … only if it’s produced on a consistent basis.

Traditionally, podcasts and other prerecorded video is done ahead of time and when published you sit back and wait for others to find it and take action on it.  However, with live video, you can interact with your audience in real-time. Pretty awesome!

#8: Livestreaming Helps You Become a Better Podcast Host

Are you thinking about starting a podcast? Or do you already have a show that you are nurturing? By adding a live component, it actually has the ability to make you a better host because you slowly learn how to be a better communicator and storyteller on camera.

#9: Livestreaming Helps You Become a Better Podcast Editor

One of the things that I always offer to new podcasters is to learn the art of editing.  If you know how to edit then you will learn how to create your podcasts to fit your editing habits and style.

By creating live video, you not only are getting an opportunity to capture yourself and your amazing personality but you have the opportunity to create something that doesn’t always need editing … which creates better podcasts … which might allow you to not have to edit as much.

#10 It’s fun!

One of the easiest things that you can do to Build Your EDU Brand is to try something different.  Each Social Media platform provides a different audience and has different social guidelines for which to be creating your live video streams.  YouTube is for how-to videos, LinkedIn is for more business conversations, and Facebook is a little less structured and can be easily be enjoyed by friends and family.

Is Live Streaming For You and Your EDU Brand?

Deciding to Build Your EDU Brand by creating live video is a decision that shouldn’t be made lightly. However, with a little bit of practice and a little bit of consistency, the creation of additional content that shows your personality allows you to become a better communicator and build your community through personal interactions.

Do you have any thoughts on live streaming?  I’d love to hear your thoughts and journey.  Please leave a comment below to share your thoughts on the topic.

For more information about how you can improve your online platform, please visit www.BuildYourEDUBrand.com today.

About the author, Jeffrey Bradbury

Jeff Bradbury, creator of TeacherCast, and father of the famous @EduTriplets Thanks for checking out TeacherCast today. Please take a moment to find me on all of my Social Media channels!