Livestreaming is one of the most powerful tools that you can leverage for your organization's digital marketing strategy and approach. Engaging with your audience in real-time and providing them unique experience comes second to none with most content experiences. In the world of content marketing, livestreaming is quickly becoming one of the most common and powerful tools for organizations.

As powerful as it is, if done incorrectly, it can yield weak results or even hurt your brand!

One of the most common shortcomings of livestream content is the quality of the actual livestream. If you're looking to engage with your audience effectively and produce content that is Evergreen in nature, the quality of the livestream is vitally important.

After talking with several leaders involved in their organization's marketing and content strategy efforts, livestreaming can seem expensive and daunting. The truth is, it doesn't have to be.

You can get a livestream that looks like a million dollars on a tight budget. 
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In this article I'll cover 3 different ways that you can take your livestream to the next level.

Mevo is a complete livestreaming solution that allows you to setup and shoot wherever you are with great quality. They have a huge community of people that are willing and able to help, a dedicated support staff and a large user-base which is always a huge plus; big userbases typically means that new features and software will be considered with each release more often. Here are some of the most notable features that places it at the top of my list:

1. Multi-camera action (without multiple cameras): You can cut and edit your stream in real-time using Mevo's incredible mobile application. Prior to going live, you can setup the shots you want and cut to them dynamically while your stream is happening!
2. 1080p streaming and 4k native: Not only can you stream in hi-def, you can also shoot in 4k which can be saved natively to an SD card that is inserted into the camera. You can record events in 4k while streaming - this is the one of the best features about this product.
3. Livetracking subjects: Move around a lot? Mevo's dynamic live-tracking will actually allow you to track the individual portraits and shots seamlessly. It's not a perfect feature, but if your subject is making minor movements, Mevo will keep it framed the entire time.
4. Connect on Wi-fi, LTE or Ethernet: Use any internet connection you have available to shoot - imagine doing a livestream inside of a Starbucks, or on location at an event!

Mevo is one of my favorite products for livestreaming and I would definitely encourage anyone to consider using it if they are looking for quality AND value. 

The Logitech C922x webcam is a great, simple and cheap solution for livestreaming with really good quality. There are a few limitations, such as needing a laptop or computer to stream from and also lacking the ability to do multiple edits/cuts, but for the price-point, it is a great alternative.

The Logitech C922x also comes with a ton of accessories such as tripods, desk clamps, and other accessories to bring your livestream to the next level. 

The Logitech C922x has a few standout features:

1. Stream at 1080p with 30fps or you can stream at 720p at 60fps. Either way you are getting great looking video.
2. Great built-in stereo microphone for audio - not the best on the market, but again, for the price-point it is pretty stand out.
3. Setup and start streaming in minutes - One of the biggest benefits of the Logitech C922x is that you can connect it and start streaming almost immediately. Setup is plug and play and it works with Apple and Windows computers.

One of the biggest appeals of livestreaming is all about capturing the ‘now.’ Church marketers (Digital Evangelists) can leverage their audience in a completely new way that is real, relevant, and in the moment. The level of exchange and interaction that Digital Evangelists can get from livestreams, gives creators unique moments in time with their audience. 

There is something awesome about that.
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With all of the benefits of livestreaming being used in church communication, there is one that often goes unnoticed and that is the value of creating livestream content that is ‘Evergreen.’

Evergreen content is content that can be shown to new audiences over and over while retaining its intrinsic value. It doesn’t become less interesting or less relevant, in fact, it has the same effect for every new person that watches it. Some great examples of Evergreen content pulled from livestreams are often conference videos, Q&A sessions, and even live group discussions.

But take everything with a grain of salt; not all livestreams can be repurposed to be Evergreen.
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Sometimes the ‘now’ of the livestream is what it is – there is nothing wrong with having a strategy that isn’t Evergreen or having content that isn’t constantly repurposed at every opportunity for your digital  campaigns. Your church/ministry is unique - don't drown it out by trying to conform your communications strategy to what is considered 'better,' if what you're doing is working well. However, it never hurts to try new things. Test and see what works for your ministry, and keep trying. 

If you're wondering if something can be turned into Evergreen content, consider some of these leading questions;

1. Does my audience still care about what is covered in this video?
2. How in-demand is the information that I am presenting?
3. If I was a part of my audience, would I spend the time watching it?
4. What is the overall replay value of the video or videos?

Reposted with permission from DigitalPew.

​Livestreaming is a powerful tool that can be used to build up your digital strategy. But that is just what it is, a part of the strategy.

Livestreaming should not be your whole digital strategy.

Even if you follow every rule and best practice, your marketing efforts will fall short if you don’t have a solid foundation to build your livestreaming, and other social media efforts, on top of.
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More times than not, the basics of digital strategy are entirely missing, so when one strategy doesn't make up for what's missing, it's abandoned.

Notice the spike in reach that can be seen in November (below) when more engaging (video) content was used to reach their audience - it looks like a mountain range with an almost immediate spike! ​

​Leveraging video content isn't just beneficial, it's a must if you're looking to take your digital strategy to the next level.

Livestream video content can be used over and over again when turned into Evergreen content - videos don't have to age out just because they were livestreamed. There are opportunities to maximize what you are using and are already doing with your livestream content. Check out our blog on creating Evergreen content to learn more. 

Simply put, don't wait! Start using livestream to maximize your digital strategy efforts today. Comment below with your experiences or use #DigitalEvangelism. 

Reposted with permission from DigitalPew.