“Live streaming builds out that know, like, and trust factor at an super-accelerated rate.”
— Kim Garst, founder & CEO of Boom! SocialMost school marketers will be aware of live streaming, but many will not have tried it. Live streaming is a service that allows you to broadcast live feeds via social media platforms such as Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.
In the big, wide world, live streams are used to promote all sorts of things. Platforms like Twitch, allow video gamers to live stream themselves playing a game (this is a HUGELY popular feature on YouTube at the moment). Large sporting events can live stream games, adding more viewers to an event (and negating the need for a TV). The recent American election was largely broadcast to the world using live streaming.
You can even watch a stream of a fish in its tank!
There is a growing number of streaming services but the important ones for your school to take note of are:
The three above are the most notable for your school, as each can be implemented into your marketing strategy effectively. Below are a few more worth noting (but less inclined towards school marketing efforts).
For users of live streaming services, a common question is which one should I be using? This is not an easy one to answer as different services will reach a different area of your community.
The best answer then is: all of them!
For schools interesting in broadcasting multiple live #SchoolStories to the world, you will need to use tools to help you achieve this. There is a growing number of companies who can offer this service, with varying costs.
This livestreaming guide offers some great options which cover Facebook, YouTube and Twitter (Periscope).
Understanding the pros and cons of each channel is the first step to effectively reaching your audiences. Twitter and Facebook will offer different demographics, as well as different degrees of reach.
Be sure to promote upcoming broadcasts to your community. Kings Bruton have done an excellent job of this by having a dedicated page for their live streams.
The beauty of this is you can embed live streams onto your website. This means people can access your broadcasts without needing Facebook or Periscope, adding even more reach!
Live streaming is a fantastic way to reach and engage with your community. Research is proving that engagement levels are higher with live streams over conventional video content.
For schools, it is a top way to get parents more involved in their child's education. For busy parents - who perhaps can't make sports day or a drama production - offering a live stream can be just the answer!
We can see true value in live streams but as we all know, the proof is in the pudding! Give it a go and see what comes from it. We are here to help too! Contact us and let us show you how amazing social media can be for schools.
As always, please do leave comments below - lets get a discussion going on schools live streaming.