Published on November 27, 2019
By Scott Grizzle, M.A
Streaming video in the workplace is more accessible than it may seem. In fact, it is one of the fastest growing mediums for enterprises to deliver their messages to teams and across the web.
Many types of company messages can find a voice through online video, and corporations are increasingly using streaming video to reach the public and stakeholders. With the understanding that video streaming is achievable financially, we can focus on what’s important: creating engaging and emotionally gripping video content worth sharing with the world.
Streaming Doesn’t Need to Break the Bank
Though many believe that creating high-quality and engaging streaming video content requires investing in costly platforms and equipment, this is not the case. In fact, there are a lot of inexpensive plans highly customizable to any IT team’s needs. Even the available free and ad-supported encoding software platforms do a great job taking in baseband or digital content and making it internet-ready using a variety of protocols: RTMP, HLS, RTSP, and MPEGDash.
If open source or encoding software isn’t your area of focus, you can integrate high-quality encoding hardware with software packages to produce and stream your video. There are many excellent brands and services on the market, and each solves unique challenges. I’d recommend researching which provider will offer the best options for your team’s specific use-case and technical needs.
Once you land on the perfect streaming platform, it’s time to purchase audio and lighting equipment. The quality of your stream might be top-shelf, but clear audio and good lighting are equally important to creating an enjoyable, engaging viewing experience. Your audio-visual investments don’t need to break the bank either — vibrant lighting only takes some creativity, and a decent, affordable mic is quite easy to find.
Experiment with different camera options, and consider angles and viewer fatigue. For example, multiple camera shots can help teams across offices engage in lively discussions during company town-hall meetings, while a single camera and some added graphics can do the trick with a lower-bandwidth talking head video.
At the end of the day, remember that a limited budget shouldn’t hold you back from distributing video content online. Take a look here for some equipment recommendations that meet all your budgeting needs. Don’t be afraid of trial and error, have fun with your software, hardware, and equipment and you’ll be streaming high-quality content in no time.
What’s Your Message?
Before sharing your message on the web, hone in on what you want to broadcast and how you want to convey the topic. Today, every company needs to think like a media company — keeping your audience engaged is a top priority, no matter the content. Whether you’re streaming your monthly town hall meeting or launching a new technology product, the importance of connecting with your audience remains constant. A perfectly-produced video won’t grab your viewers’ attention if the message isn’t solid or relevant to them. Once you identify the message you want to share, think about who your viewership is and why it should care about what you have to say.
Conclusion
Successfully streaming online video for enterprises can be daunting, but don’t let the process intimidate you. Video streaming shouldn’t cost a fortune or require fancy equipment or software. With all the free or low-cost options available on the market, your most valuable tools are creativity and a strong message. No matter the production costs, your audience will only stay engaged if the content is well-crafted, thoughtfully distributed, and emotionally impactful.
As you become more comfortable with the ins and outs of streaming, and your content starts generating more revenue, then you may consider upgrading your equipment to take the production quality to the next level. Until then, don’t look at the “perfect” online stream as something out of your reach. In fact, it’s right there for the taking!
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