While
uploading recorded videos can help get you noticed and gain a lot of fans,
another great way to get you famous is to broadcast your own live web shows.
You
Tube has been experimenting with live video streaming in the past year; with
things like a U2 concert and an Indian Premier League match. The site has also
streamed webcasts of US President Barack Obama's press conference as well as
San Francisco's "Outside Lands" concert, and recently a Bon Jovi
concert live from NYC. Google, who owns YouTube, previously said it didn't want
to go into the realm of live video because of the cost, but that doesn't seem
to be the case now since YouTube recently held a two-day trial of its live
video streaming platform allowing four users to feed live broadcasts to their
You Tube channels. It's now generally expected that YouTube will provide live
streaming app to everyone (or at least all Partners) within the near
future.
This
development is a breath of fresh air for YouTube partners and millions of
subscribers. Nothing beats going on air live and it keeps viewers tuned in for
more of your show. There's also something more exciting about live video as the
viewers know that you're right there, right as they're watching. They get a
sense of actually being there and experiencing something with you, as opposed
to afterwards when you're more removed from it. You get to speak to your
audience directly through chat, and vice versa. There's also more room for fun
and spontaneity in it, almost like being in a reality TV show. No editing is
required and it can be as simple as you just talking to a single camera.
From
my experience with live video (I used to a variety of things including a
cooking segment in my web show on BlogTV), I had regulars who would tune in to
watch my show every week. These regulars hardly miss my webcast, but missed a
lot of my YouTube videos. It only goes to show how live videos have great
potential to be profitable and to interest your followers and prospects.
Live
video streaming also has the ability to form a sense of community among your
viewers (again with the chat area beside the videos where the audience members
can get to know each other). I was able to appoint moderators for the chat room
from the regulars, which they were excited about, and helped to control the
user experience at the same time while keeping the power in the hands of the
viewers essentially.
Social
media tools still play an important part in getting exposure online, but it is
always wise to consider doing as many different things as possible to attract
all kinds of different people. Think about it: some people like tweeting, some
prefer Facebook interactions, some like watching polished videos, and some like
watching raw, live video. The more you can do to cater to the different types
of people that you're trying to attract with video, the more success you'll
have in reaching all of them!








