1. Introduction to Live Streaming
Creating a live stream service platform has never been easier. But how do you grow and maintain a live streaming Singapore community? To attract viewers to your channel, you need more than just an innovative idea or a mobile phone with a functional camera and microphone. You therefore need a roadmap with incentives. In this article, we will give you several tips on how to keep your viewers tuned in by putting your live streaming community first.
Introduction to live streaming 1. Introduction to live streaming 2. Benefits and usage 3. Difference between webcasting and live streaming 4. Suggested equipment for a general live stream
In recent years, webcasting has become increasingly popular, especially as live streaming technologies continue to become more affordable and accessible. In this article, we will discuss and expand more on the following topics:
1.1. What is Live Streaming?
Now, imagine a social media platform where the general public in Singapore is able to witness your company’s event in real-time, at the same moment it’s taking place. With that in mind, it’s fair to say that regardless of the nature or scale of the event, live streaming brings along many benefits for content providers like you. What matters next is that you fully understand the best practices and considerations regarding live streaming – which is why we’re writing this guide in the first place. Companies, for example, may use an internal live streaming service for the sharing of important information with employees. Of course, the more commonly seen live streaming use is the sharing of events, and that’s the type of live streaming most Singapore companies would need. In fact, that’s the type of live streaming this guide is about. Enjoy!
The easiest way to remember what streaming is, is to think of it as watching a movie or listening to music in real-time – as the content is being delivered, you could start viewing it. This definition is accurate, but it doesn’t necessarily fully capture just how widespread the applications of live streaming are, especially in Singapore. What’s the difference between it and a simple video call, you might ask? The latter is generally a private, or at least restricted, sharing of a live video feed between two or multiple people – whereas with live streaming, not only could there be a crowd of people engaging in the content, but essentially an unlimited number of users could have access to the live video streaming. Any content provider – be it a company or an individual in Singapore – can get in on the action and set up live streaming services since the technology is relatively easy to use, thankfully.
1.2. Importance and Benefits
With a good video streaming in Singapore, brands can add an extra dimension to marketing material. In addition to highlighting products and services, live streaming also provides an excellent platform for instructional videos. Such videos might be used to demonstrate how to use a product or even as technical support. Instructional videos build strong relationships with a differentiated brand, while also providing excellent opportunities to answer questions in real-time. Moreover, live streaming allows for weekly interviews featuring industry luminaries or product specialists. Such content may not generate as much search traffic as traditional SEO and content marketing activities but definitely generate higher traffic at the time of the live stream. The content doesn’t stop at the live event but can be cut into packets for later use on YouTube or blogs. These 1-3 minute videos can also be embedded in an email or shared on social media platforms.
Equally important are the reasons for using live streaming for businesses and brands. In the B2B context, live streaming can be used to create buzz around products and to broadcast events. In both the B2B and B2C contexts, live streaming can be used for product releases or service launches. Moreover, live streaming captures a large audience who may tend to buy products from brands that provide streamed video content. The audience is already highly engaged and ready to purchase, something quite different from providing blog content and waiting for the potential customer to build a relationship with the brand. Instead of weekly blog content, live streaming provides a continuous and real-time interaction with both the audience and the customer, potentially raising your search rankings.
2. Live Streaming Services in Singapore
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Nexx Studio, ShotBooth, vMix, Spreecast, Mediacorp, Ooyala, Bambuser, Grabyo, Xfinity Stream1, Dream multiple destinations, Boxcast, Freedocast, Switcher Studio, Switchboard Live, Kaltura, MondayCall, MediaPlatform, Finncast, LiveU, TVU Networks, Tokbox, Oracle Stream Analytics, Userplane, Stickam.
There are many live streaming services in Singapore that provide a wide array of options such as iOS and Android compatibility, video storage, live transcoder, and other personalized services. Some of these live streaming services provide exclusive discounts for startups, developers, and educational institutions. This article has consolidated the information for the latest and most current options, allowing you to make an informed purchase when you opt for live streaming. Be ready to stream live events and reach out to a wider audience by using these professional live streaming platforms in Singapore.
2.1. Popular Platforms and Providers
Popular platforms and providers
These platforms are free to use and easy to set up, with Facebook Live being commonly known and utilized among small businesses and non-profit organizations. The live streaming advertising market may also have an effect on the ease of choosing a platform. In addition, the need for viewer secrecy and security, the financial budget, audience support, and the scalability of the platform for the free streaming of the video will also play an essential role in determining which platform or providers will be the most suitable for your broadcasting needs.
All you need to get started with live streaming are three basic things: internet-connected devices such as smartphones, computers, or tablets, a reliable internet connection, and a platform to broadcast your video. Most popular live streaming platforms include Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, Twitch, and other dedicated platforms like Streamup, UStream, and DaCast.
What you need to start live streaming
2.2. Features and Pricing Comparison
- Additional features – What other features does the software offer? How easy is it to use them? What type of sharing tools are available?
- Security – Customer privacy is vital. When researching the different live streaming software solutions, and before getting hands-on any software, make sure that the software hosts live streams in a secure manner.
- Compatibility – Is the software compatible with Mac and Windows software or only one type? Does the software support both iOS and Android apps? Choose software compatible with all platforms.
- Customer support – There may also be times when you need assistance. A good live streaming software offers live chat assistance in addition to email and phone assistance.
- Image and audio quality – You will want the best image and video quality for your live show. Compare live streaming software when it comes to video and sound quality. Test a few using their free trials, and check what equipment you need at your end to achieve the best quality possible.
- Number of participants – How many people can your software accommodate? Even for most large businesses, 200 participants is more than sufficient. Be aware of the maximum number of participants for your chosen software.
- Payment methods – You also need to be aware of what payment methods you can use to pay for the software. Some software solutions also offer a money-back guarantee if you are not happy with their live streaming software.
- Cost – Is the software affordable? Estimate your budget and compare prices to find the best option for you until you are happy with the capabilities of that software.
If there’s one thing you need to understand about software solutions, it is that they are not all built the same way. So in choosing the best live streaming software for your event, you should have a set idea of what features are most important for you and then look for them in the various different software solutions. Here are some of the main features to consider when looking for the software you need:
3. Technological Aspects of Live Streaming
The compression process significantly reduces the amount of data to be transmitted. This is important because a great deal of digital data must be transmitted. Large amounts of data may encounter problems in the pipeline and within a web of linked networks, and it’s much harder to manage and much more expensive than it should be, so new techniques have been created. The digital image compressing methods have been developed based on the human sensitivity to some properties of the image, including the human visual system.
The more complex technology behind live streaming services has a huge effect on the outcome and quality of the service. The broader aspects of the digital imaging and transmission technology relate to the actual process of delivering the live image from the event to the viewer’s computer. This is not similar to filming because the broadcast is in real time. A digital movie camera captures a digital image, which is usually high-quality and full color, so there is no need for processing at the TV station at the event site, only for processing to the audience.
3.1. Hardware Requirements
Using a mixer is optional, but highly recommended, especially if you are planning to use multiple microphones at the same time throughout your live stream. If you have gone the route of using a static camera, you will need to get a tripod, lighting, cables, as well as a switcher.
If you are looking to increase the production value of your live broadcast, you should consider adding an audio interface and an external sound card to connect your microphones. Rather than using the built-in microphones that come with your current setup, investing in high-quality microphones to use with the audio interface or external sound card will improve the sound quality significantly.
Video capture cards are required for PCI express. External capture devices get the video feed into the Mac OS or Windows. You will not require as much equipment for live streaming using a static camera. However, you will need at least one high-quality camera – DSLR/Mirrorless, Camcorder, Action Cam, Mobile Device, Webcam, and/or PTZ camera.
There are several hardware-related requirements to be met when you are live streaming an event. Hardware encoders are highly recommended for mid-to-high-end live event streaming verticals. Choose a high-end encoder if you require multiple streaming profiles or simulcast adaptive bitrate format streams to distribute video to many different types of devices and connections.
3.2. Software and Apps
Pinning down the basics Flash Media Live Encoder can include multiple audio and video sources. For video sources, pick a video device, adjust the webcam location with the Preview button, and then make changes to the Video Settings before finalizing. Zone and Ride work great for background tune-ins.
Adobe Flash Media Live Encoder is a little close to hardware, but provides an easy-to-use configuration of audio and video capture on a PC. Remember to set it up with high level skills, or at least with someone who knows their stuff. Think lots of overlays that match up together.
Software and Apps Change the perspective Telestream Wirecast is a live video-production tool that allows you to easily stream live video, without much else. This double utility function is great for those who want to take their video-production game to the next level without taking up too much work space.
We had spoken briefly about what the equipment and physical production elements you need to pay attention to before streaming earlier. Now we move on to the software part of video production.
4. Best Practices for Successful Live Streaming
Weigh the pros and cons of your chosen live streaming platform and choose the best one that meets your specific live streaming goals. There are two main things to consider: the cost of paid platforms comes with added benefits, such as monetization and ad-free viewing, while free platforms often come with weaker Terms & Conditions. Another advantage of recent platforms like TikTok Live, Instagram, and Facebook is that you can easily share the live stream elsewhere. At the same time, audio and video quality tend to significantly drop when funneling a live stream from different platforms to another one. Additionally, some platforms require users to perform a specific set of actions before they can go live, such as obtaining a certain number of followers, which provides a sense of exclusivity.
4.2 Select an Effective Platform
It’s easy to become consumed with the video and sound of the live stream only to realize that the internet connection isn’t strong enough. Before the day of the live stream, ensure that your hosting location has a stable internet connection and that your upload and download speeds are robust to prevent any buffering or choppiness during the live stream. Otherwise, you could witness a significant drop-off in watch time.
4.1 Test Your Connection in Advance
Title 4: Best Practices for Successful Live Streaming
4.1. Content Planning and Preparation
As important as content planning is content preparation. It is critical to list in advance what will be presented in the broadcast. You cannot start a live more without this structure because during the broadcast you come into contact with stress and even forget what you must advertise. Editing each content in advance is also important. It is not recommended to broadcast just to display a press release board, much less fancy. Provide interactive content in a visually rich format that hooks its audience’s attention. This is a way to be inspired and not boring. In addition, it ends up in the live. Another tip is for the content creator who is recording in an external environment to ensure that the recording data is from a quiet place away from the noise of people and wind.
When live streaming, there are certain content types which are more likely to draw audiences. Entertainment and educational content are amongst these favorable types, especially if there is educational content, events, contests with prizes. All this will help create a more engaging experience, resulting in a higher audience attendance. This is beneficial because content can dispense good information on featured products or brands. One can also combat doubts from the public during sessions. Reviews will help increase product credibility and build trust and authority in a market of live broadcasts effectively. For brands, this type of content is unique in ensuring organic and free interactions with customers. They just need to establish more authentic relationships.
4.2. Engagement Strategies
Strategically, you can only face-paint half of your face, just like putting on half your makeup. The other half would be done by the decision agreed by your viewers. Encourage them to decide on something interesting to show on the other half of your face. When finally both sides are done, greet your fans who spent time with you, and show your final art. Now you showed them the side of you and you got them to decide what the other side will reflect on. This is one way to make your audience part of your streaming. Everyone loves talking about Disney, Harry Potter, or superhero-themed face painting.
Remember Mhairi, who was streaming her face-painting at the art event? Yes! This is one of the engaging strategies that you can use. Your viewers may be curious how and what you paint. Some viewers may think they need to have certain skills or talent before they can try painting. Your demonstration may change their perspective. Do explain during the process of your face painting about the colors used, the type of paint brush, and tips while painting. Not everyone knows about the face-painting techniques. Your explanation will give information to your viewers that can’t be found elsewhere. Be sure to engage in a full conversation with your audience so that they can ask about face-painting techniques. This is the best time to answer them.
5. Regulations and Guidelines for Live Streaming in Singapore
It would not serve as a good guide if a section on regulations and guidelines did not mention the main rule of live streaming in Singapore – The Broadcasting (Class License) Notification 2010. Despite being a rather lengthy name, it is most likely the most important law to follow, with the rest mainly serving to complement it. The full document can be found on the Info-Communications Media Development Authority of Singapore (IMDA) website, under the Regulations and Licensing section. According to the website, a broadcasting service is defined as a service that is capable of transmitting by way of radio communication, sounds or visual images, or both sound and visual images, to persons who receive the service – (a) whether the service is provided without a direct charge being made to each person who receives the service; and (b) whether or not the service is provided on the condition that a direct charge is made to each person who receives the service.
The second part of this ultimate guide to live streaming in Singapore is understanding the regulations and guidelines to navigate the world of online streaming in a safe manner and avoid running afoul with the law. This guide serves to give an understanding of the limits and the guidance that creators and channel operators must follow.
