Just breathe - Confidence tips to go live
Live streaming is one of the most authentic ways to connect with your passionate audiences all over the world. And it all happens with the simple click of a button.
Palms are sweaty...
Knees weak….
Arms are heavy...
Eminem lyrics? Or an accurate description of the nerves that hit right before you go live?
We say both. And you’re definitely not alone if you also feel this way.
But as the saying goes, sometimes the scariest things in life are the most worthwhile. Live streaming is the most authentic way to connect with your passionate audiences and build a customer base all over the world. And all with the simple click of a button.
And according to a recent article from Vimeo, live streaming is an exploding channel and there’s no signs of it slowing down any time soon. Internet users watched 1.1 billion hours of live video in 2019, and by the end of 2020 live streaming is expected to account for 82% of all internet traffic.
So how can you take advantage of this amazing opportunity to grow your digital business but get the confidence to push the “go live” button in the first place? Well, we have good news. Confidence to go live can be cultivated. It comes with practice and a few tips from your friends at Boon.
Read on to hear our top tips to build your confidence to go live.
1. Rehearse out loud 🗣
Do a few dress rehearsals out loud.
It may sound silly, but start with a “pretend” broadcast in front of the mirror to practice your posture, tone and body language.
Studies say we interpret 55% of the info in any given conversation via body language. That’s why it’s valuable to observe the way your body communicates.
Then you’re ready to do a tech rehearsal on-camera. Pretend as if you’re really going live. Put your phone on its tripod, check your lighting, set up your microphone, and film yourself talking through the key points you want to deliver to your audience.
After rehearsing out loud instead of simply rehearsing in your head, you’ll feel much more mentally and physically prepared to go live.
2. Get inspired by others ✨
Nature has mixed and remixed matter to arrive at our current universe. Mankind has mixed and remixed ideas to arrive at our current global society. New art, literature, and music are constantly recycled from existing works.
So don’t shy away from doing research and getting inspired by others. Watch other creators, YouTubers and live streamers and infuse their style with your own. Equally as important, observe the things you don't like or don’t believe are working and use this input for your own performance.
3. Be your authentic self 🙏
If you’re freaking out about mumbling your words a bit or pushing the wrong button, we have great news for you. Perfection should never be your goal when going live. In fact it’s better when you’re not.
As humans, we crave authenticity. It's what has been missing in business relationships for far too long. Live video is one of the most powerful formats to build authentic, human-to-human, business relationships.
So when it comes to going live, your audience wants authenticity. They want to experience the real you. Stop fighting imperfection and confidence will follow.
Remember if you’re truly passionate about your content, you’ll be great. No one will remember you mumbling your words a bit or that you pressed the wrong button. We promise.
4. Juice up your devices 🔌
Seeing the low battery notification flash across the screen before you go live is no bueno. Trust us on this one.
Avoid that stomach drop by making sure your cell phone (and whatever devices you’ll use for streaming) are totally charged before your event. If you can keep your devices plugged in to the charger during your stream, even better.
To make sure you're on top of all the technicalities and small details before you go live, download our printable livestream checklist. We suggest hanging it up in your studio, office, or nearby your live-streaming location.
5. Get honest feedback from your audience 👀
Let’s face it. Nobody gains confidence by fishing for compliments. They do it by asking for honest feedback from the people willing to give it to them.
After each live event, ask your audience for honest feedback. On Boon, creators can use our platform to ask their audience for feedback after each event to pinpoint what their audience really appreciates and how they can be even better.
Remember to embrace the good and the bad. Tracking your improvements overtime will give you more and more confidence with each event you do.
Some of our creators even share their reviews on social media, to reinforce their reputation with social proof. See how Jennie from Meet you at the Barre highlights her audience reviews via her Instagram highlight.
We hope you found these tips helpful. But most importantly, remember to let your hair down and enjoy. Every time you hit “go live” new things and experiences are coming your way. Mistakes are part of the fun, and are just another step along your journey to be a superstar live streamer.
And remember the most important step is to start. Nothing good happens if you don’t start. 🌈
Have any tips that didn’t make our list? We’d love to hear them. Drop them in the comments or reach out to me at sarah@boon.tv.
If you’re a creator and want to learn more about Boon, reach out to me via email or book a chat directly with our creator success team.