Quarantine Concerts - 11 Live Streaming Tips For Musicians
With live streaming being such an essential way to reach your audience right now, I thought I would give an updated list of tips for musicians to live stream during quarantine.
Clean Up Your Audience’s Field of View and Background
Don’t: Film yourself in front of a messy desk, unmade bed, or pile of dirty laundry.
Do: Keep your backdrop simple, so that the focus is on you. Plain walls or sofas work great.
Pro Tip: Have a few conversation pieces in the background to encourage audience engagement - the book you’re reading, a pice of art, a cool plant.
Remember That Not As Many People Tune In Live
Don’t: Get discouraged if only a handful of people are watching live.
Do: Give it your all, interact and show gratitude to those there.
Pro Tip: Share your livestream around after its over.
Launch Straight Into Content
Don’t: Sit there, live, twirling your thumbs until someone tunes in.
Do: Jump right in, making the video more enjoyable when people watch the replay.
Pro Tip: If you’re a performer, start with a song.
Chuck The Script
Don’t: Try to memorize a script line for line.
Do: Understand that the appeal of livestreams is that they’re casual and interactive.
Pro Tip: Put together an outline/set list before you start, but don’t feel bound by it.
Check Your Audio
Don’t: Keep your windows open if there’s busy traffic outside.
Do: Turn off the fan/AC, face the camera.
Pro Tip: If you record at home, use your existing microphone and interface setup on Facebook Lives.
Check Your Angles
Don’t: Film an entire video with your head cropped off, only realizing after… oops.
Do: Aim the camera at eye level of looking slightly down at you.
Pro Tip: Ask your audience if they can see you okay. Bonus point, it gets the engagement going.
Check Your Lighting
Don’t: Sit in between the camera and a light. You will be backlit.
Do: Gather a bunch of lamps around your filming area, so that you can adjust before starting.
Pro Tip: Buy a ring light.
Keep Your Cool
Don’t: Panic if tech glitches happen, everyone will be understanding.
Do: Keep calm, reschedule if need be.
Pro Tip: Mentally go over possible things that could go wrong, and how you will handle them if they do.
Make This An Event
Don’t: Expect a crowd if you don’t tell anyone you’re playing.
Do: Make an announcement, set a date and time.
Pro Tip: Make your live streams a collaboration between you and a venue, a festival or a small business. Heaven knows they need content right now.
Encourage Audience Engagement
Don’t: Ignore your audience. This isn’t a prerecorded Youtube video.
Do: Say hello to people who tune in, thank them.
Pro Tip: Ask your audience questions, or invite song requests.
Get Paid
Don’t: Verbally berate your fans for not giving you money. This is a rough economic time for everyone, and building a reputation for kindness will go further than hustling for a quick buck.
Do: Set up a virtual tip jar. I personally use PayPal.me, but there are all sorts of alternatives based on your country.
Pro Tip: Organize a paywall/ticketed live stream event with other artists. Give a portion to charity.
Stay Colourful,
- Clarence