So, you want to organise an event with live streaming? Great choice.
It’s one of the best ways to reach a wider audience and boost engagement. But pulling off a seamless live stream isn’t as simple as pressing “Go live.”
You’re already juggling a million things: venue, speakers, audience, and now, live-streaming adds another layer of complexity. But in today’s digital-first world, live-streaming is non-negotiable. After all, the global live-streaming market is set to reach a staggering £196.5 billion ($247 billion) by 2027.
Yet, organising a successful livestream can feel challenging. Technical glitches, last-minute changes, and unexpected challenges can quickly turn things cluttered.
And if you’ve ever dealt with blurry video feeds, crackling videos, or an unengaged audience, you know exactly how frustrating it can be.
But don’t worry. Here are the 10 best ways to live-stream an event successfully and solutions to every challenge you might face. Let’s make sure your event runs smoothly and leaves a lasting impression.
1. START WITH CLEAR OBJECTIVES FOR YOUR LIVE-STREAM
It sounds obvious, but you’d be surprised how many organisers forget to define the goals for their Livestream. What do you want your audience to get from it? Is it about brand awareness, engaging remote attendees, or making a crucial announcement? Clear objectives will help you pick the right streaming platform, camera setup, and post-event engagement strategies.
| 💡 Remember: Define your objectives early and ensure every decision made aligns with those goals. |
2. CHOOSE THE RIGHT STREAMING PLATFORM
You might think that going live on social media platforms like Facebook or Instagram is enough, but for a professional event, you need more than a phone camera and Wi-Fi. Consider using reliable platforms like Zoom, YouTube Live, or Vimeo, which allow for better customisation, analytics, and smoother streaming quality.
Also, look for platforms that offer live chat, Q&A, and interactive polls to keep viewers engaged. To reach an even bigger audience, consider streaming to multiple platforms using tools like Restream or Streamyard. Here’s a quick comparison of which platform is suitable for which type of event.
| Platform | Best For | Key features |
| Youtube Live | Large-scale events / large number of audiences. | High Quality Video & Analytics. |
| Zoom/Team | Corporate Events. | Interactive Q&A & Polls. |
| Community engagement | Social Sharing Capabilities |
| 🎯 Quick Tip: Always pick a platform that supports your event size and the features you need (e.g., multi-user support, & security options). |
3. INVEST IN HIGH-QUALITY EQUIPMENT
High-quality audio and video are the essentials for successful live streaming. Subpar sound or fuzzy vision will make your audience switch off, which isn’t what you need. A high-quality stream depends on having the right gear. Here’s your must-have checklist:
- Camera: A 1080p or 4k camera for crisp and professional images.
- Microphone: Invest in a quality microphone (lavalier, shotgun, or condenser) to record clear audio.
- Lighting: Good lighting improves video quality and makes your stream look good.
- LED Screens: Show visuals, slides, or branding for an enhanced experience.
- Backup power: Always have a backup in case of failures.
Renting from a trusted AV equipment hire company like EMS Events can save you time and stress. Low-quality AV equipment hire or wrong choices lead to poor production quality, ruining the experience.
4. HAVE A PROFESSIONAL AV EQUIPMENT HIRE TEAM ON-SITE
Even if you have all the right AV equipment, technical issues can arise. A professional AV equipment hire team can monitor your live stream to make sure everything goes as planned. They are there to troubleshoot and ensure high-quality streaming, no matter what.
Hire a full-service event production company like EMS Events to handle your AV needs and ensure smooth delivery.
5. CREATE ENGAGING CONTENT FOR YOUR VIRTUAL AUDIENCE
Just because your event is online doesn’t mean you should neglect your virtual audience. Engage with them just as much as you would with in-person attendees. Polls, Q&As, and live chats are great ways to involve your viewers and make them feel like they are part of the experience.
Event organisers often focus too much on in-person attendees and forget to engage the online audience, which can lead to disengagement. Therefore, plan interactive elements to involve your virtual attendees and keep them engaged.
6. UTILISE A MULTI-CAMERA SETUP
One camera is not enough to do your event justice, particularly if several speakers or activities are happening simultaneously. A multi-camera setup brings variety to your stream and makes it visually engaging. You can switch between different angles to highlight speakers, audiences, or other important moments.
7. ENSURE A STABLE INTERNET CONNECTION
This is a non-negotiable point. A stable, high-speed internet connection is essential to avoid lagging, freezing, or blurry video. If you’re streaming from a venue, confirm that they have high-speed internet available. You can also consider hiring a mobile internet connection to avoid any hiccups. Unstable connections lead to interruptions and poor streaming quality. So, always test the connection ahead of time and have a backup Wi-Fi or mobile hotspot ready.
8. HAVE A DEDICATED SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGER
Social media is a substantial part of promoting and interacting with the audience during the event. A dedicated social media manager can live-tweet, post event updates, and engage with viewers on Facebook, Instagram, and X (Twitter). This extends the reach of your live stream and keeps people talking.
9. RECORD THE LIVE-STREAM FOR ON-DEMAND VIEWING
Not everyone will be able to watch your event in real time. Offering on-demand access after the live stream ends allows your audience to view the event whenever possible. Moreover, it’s an excellent way to repurpose the content for future marketing efforts. Viewers miss the event due to time zone differences or scheduling conflicts. So, you can offer your audience a live-stream recording to catch up later.
10. TEST EVERYTHING (TWICE) BEFORE GOING LIVE
Last but important step to keep in mind.
Before you hit the “Go Live” button, make sure everything is set up correctly. A last-minute test can prevent a whole lot of headaches. Do an entire test run at least a day before the event. Check your streaming platform, equipment, and audio. Have a backup plan if something goes wrong.
WINDING UP
Live streaming is more than just turning on a camera. It’s about creating an immersive, engaging experience for your audience. Whether it’s a conference, concert, or virtual meeting, clear objectives, high-quality AV equipment hire, and a stable connection are the foundation to set you up for success.
If you want to ensure that your event production is top-notch, EMS Events is here to help. We provide sound systems, lighting, LED screens, and more to make your event stand out.
