“You take this too seriously,” a viewer once wrote during a live broadcast show.
At first, I was offended. After all, her point was valid. People can jump into the live stream and have a good time. It breaks the boredom and monotony of our lives because with the push of a button we can go live and have 1 to 101 people in our kitchen while we prepare dinner.
It is truly magical. And here I am, taking it so seriously and soaking up the fun. But I am?
A friend told me that he wanted to start a program and asked me to help him. I got to thinking about what it takes to start a live streaming show. Live streaming is becoming mainstream and has started to attract so much attention that it is changing the way we do business, both in real time and on social media.
I’ve come to the conclusion that a live streaming show is very different than streaming from your kitchen while you cook. Some of these things need to be defined and explained as live streaming is becoming more important. These are the top four definitions for four types of Live Streamers you’ll be out on the ocean with if you access Periscope, Meerkat, YouNow, UStream, YouTube Livestream or any of the many live streaming apps available today.
4 MAIN TYPES OF LIVE STREAMERS ON THE OCEAN
SHARK COILS – Famous personalities who want to connect with their audience on a personal level. These are the streams that usually make it to the trending charts or stand out because they are visible to thousands of viewers and viewers. This is good for the app, the famous person, and the viewer. Everybody wins. Those viewers come from an established following and requires no work or construction. The only thing the celebrity does is give ‘go live’ and show us a perspective of his reality.
These people can be actors, singers, and even politicians, and advertisers can organize or schedule them to increase their numbers and popularity.
FRONT COILS – These are made by people just for the halibut (heck). They are looking for connection and live streaming is an answer. This was once true for me. After returning home from a deployment, live streaming was an answer for me to connect with the world again. HALIBUT STREAMERS will generally be broadcast while driving, watching TV, doing things around the house, or letting viewers look in their refrigerators. It is done with no other end in mind than eradicating loneliness and connecting with others.
DOLPHIN BATHS – Now we come to the live broadcast program. This is a serious live streamer who wants to create happiness and a new reality for the viewer by taking them into an experience. There are no hard and fast rules for these types of streamers because the show relies on your creativity. They usually provide a kind of entertainment. These can be sunset scopes for game show scopes. Money or not, these people like to connect with humanity and provide something for the world.
SUCK COILS – Suckerfish are competitive opportunists who are quick to come with their internet marketing infomercials, books and money-making programs (get ready, I’m about to be offensive), suckers watch.
We have all been fools. My God, I see Home Shopping Network myself. I just saw the other day that cable started charging a subscription to a package of HSN channels. People pay to see these things! It is our human nature to want, acquire and succeed. It makes sense that people who offer a lot of money if you follow their shows and learn Periscope, Webinar, Kindle Book, Crochet, Dog Watch, and the list goes on…it makes sense that ‘those’ people are there to put your money into their pocket.
Do not misunderstand. I am a smart business woman and I want to make money. I write books and shows and am developing a brand, products and a business. There is no shame in it.
What kind of live streamer are you?
I am in the Dolphin Streamer category. Going back to my friend who asked me about starting a show. I want to help him get closer to shore so we can all watch him leap out of the sea, his back drooped by the sun’s rays and a bright, shimmering dolphin shine.
But there are questions a Dolphin Streamer should ask themselves before starting. I developed them from my streaming experience followed by nearly 350 live streams to date and a program that has evolved to almost 6,000 followers (makes 5,000 organic followers *wink*).
What is your motive?
Why do you want to do this show? That’s the first question I ask people. It can be just to have fun and make friends while sharing your passion. It may be finding others who share the same passion. It can be a fun experiment that you just want to try and see what happens and where life takes you. Maybe it’s to make money and start a business.
There is no wrong reason to start a show anywhere. However, know that a show is a commitment. You will be more successful if you can establish your motivation early on because that will keep you going when you want to give up. And believe me, you will want to give up at some point.
Research the pros and cons of what you’re getting into.
As many rewards as live streaming can bring, having a constant live streaming schedule of any kind can also be warfare in many ways. Even if you’re just livestreaming your surroundings, you’re wasting your energy and we don’t have much to give.
I do a morning show every weekend morning and have been trained on live streaming at a military school with threats that I will be sent home if I fail. That experience was not enough to understand the strength I would need to keep my commitment to do a morning show every weekend morning. It’s like running a marathon with hills and valleys, ebbs and flows of energy, restarts and stops on the side of the road for high-carb shots of energy.
Will this show be based on something you already do or is already part of your life?
When deciding to put on a show, consider the people and things in your life. A woman makes a YouTube show with her daughter to include the family. There is a man whose family regularly appears in his Vine videos.
Live video is more demanding than prerecording. Will your show be about something you will have enough material on or will you enjoy and have time to research? Do you have time in your life for this show, as well as your family and friends? What will he suffer if he has a regular show? It is suggested that you do a live stream once every 24 hours to increase viewership. Something in your life will go to have a regular and consistent show.
I had to pick a time of day to stream constantly. I think of a time ‘frame’, EST Morning Times. But that means I have to get up earlier to exercise. My exercise has suffered when I have decided to sleep a little later. It has been a sacrifice and I have had to reform my schedule in other areas to adapt to fitness. It has been a great challenge.
These are just some of the things to consider when you are thinking of starting a constant live streaming morning show and want to be a Dolphin. The Sharks will always be fine, the Suckerfish, well, it’s their life now and they’re used to the hustle and bustle. Halibuts are fine too because it’s just a hobby that makes them happy. But the dolphins, the dolphins are different.
Do you have what it takes to be a Dolphin Live Streamer? YOU are the only one who can answer that question.