You may have noticed live video has taken over every major social sharing platform. Aside from Facebook and Instagram Live, there’s Twitch, an entire social media platform built on live video. But aside from famous celebrities, internet personalities, and video game live-streamers, who can benefit from live video? And is it worth it for you or your company to think about using it? Here are some pros and cons of live streaming video for some of your regular content creation.
Pro: Convenience!
Utilizing live video is one of the easiest ways for you to immediately produce quality content. And it’s easier now than ever. Most social media platforms have integrated live streams as a normal part of their platform. So much so that in a way it’s become routine.
What’s more, most newer mobile devices have pretty great audio and video quality, some even capable of shooting video in 4k. It’s as easy as opening up an app on your phone with a live-streaming feature and away you go!
Con: Convenience!
It’s easy to get used to looking at content as something that “just needs to get done.” And with live streaming so accessible, it can become a crutch on days when the creative juices aren’t flowing. A live stream should feel like something exclusive for your audience. If quality starts to take too much of a hit or you simply oversaturate your content with live vide then it completely loses its value.
With creating a live stream being so simple, you could always spend a little more time to set up more advanced equipment and a proper set if you’re looking for a more polished feel for your finished content.
Live video is an especially great option for companies with a large following that’s hungry for more content. But just because it’s easy to use doesn’t mean every company should use it. You may have work harder to build up your other content and allow your company to grow before live streaming becomes a worthwhile investment of your time.
Pro: It’s Live! It’s Organic!
One of the great things about live streaming is its authenticity. It gives you the chance to give your audience a “behind the curtain” look at your business and the people in your organization. It doesn’t feel like a marketing effort because it gives off the impression that it’s less calculated and more casual.
Many of the social platforms that integrate live streaming also allow for live comments. It’s a huge advantage to be able to engage directly with your audience while you’re still producing content. And in an age where the average person is bombarded by advertisements at an exhausting rate, content that feels authentic and genuine can make a huge difference in how your business is perceived.
Con: It’s Live! It’s Organic!
There are two sides to every coin. Everything that makes live streaming great could also potentially be a huge downside. For one, it’s live and in the moment. While little errors and slip ups make it feel live and un-rehearsed, it could also take a few points off the level of polish and professionalism if your video is too casual.
A live stream should definitely be casual and in the moment, but a little prep work never hurt. Also who you have in front of the camera absolutely matters. The right personality can make or break the quality of your content. Is the person quick on their feet and charismatic? Or will they freeze if something goes a little off script.
Which leads us to a final risk…with live video, anything can happen.
If something goes terribly wrong or the person in front of the camera decides to snap and go on a scathing rant, there are no cuts or second takes. Putting trust in yourself and your employees during a live stream is a huge risk – one that could potentially have big repercussions for your business if you’re not careful.
Why Not Both?
Implementing live video to your regular rotation of content can be a bit of a double-edged sword. In some cases, depending on your audience and the type of company you are (what industry etc.) live streaming can be a simple, effective tool. While other times it falls further into the high-risk, high-reward category. Only you will be able to make the right choice for your company.
But what if there was a safer bet? There’s a distinct line between live, organic content and tightly scripted, polished video. However the right strategy can allow you to achieve the best of both worlds.
At GreenScreen Talent Now we provide a high quality spokesperson video service. We’ll help you produce great video content for your business website or for social use to announce a new product or event. Great, experienced actors who are used to being in front of the camera combined with a solid script give you the polish and professionalism you’re looking for. And the casual environment and video-style of speaking directly to the camera give our videos the same feel as many livestreams.
Reach out to us today and see if video spokesperson services are right for you!