How To Stream Your Online Event – Tips For the Artist

The event host will choose a streaming platform for their event such as Zoom, Twitch, Facebook, or Youtube; each of which require different settings and have varied functionality. Fortunately, you can often use free programs like OBS or Streamlabs OBS to customize your settings and have more control over your event regardless of the platform chosen by the event host. Even if you have a very basic understanding of these programs, you can set it up to include your image, audio, and add filters to your microphone (gain, gate, etc.) to make the event sound and look better! Make sure to run some private test streams on your own to get your settings right, and then give yourself plenty of time with the host organization to soundcheck before the event – we recommend doing this a day in advance to allow time to tweak settings or troubleshoot.

Visual Presentation Basics

We know these events are often taking place in your house, just try to make sure you background is clear of clutter. If you have solid curtains to sit in front of, do that. Try to eliminate outside lighting directly behind you so your camera doesn’t blur out. Make sure you have some front lighting so the audience can see you well. And of course, if you have access to stage lights, video walls, haze, etc. – use it!

Pre-recorded Vs. Live

There are pros and cons to both pre-recorded and live virtual events. Pre-recorded helps you keep the quality up and better avoid an array of potential technical problems, while live gives you a more in-person feel and can be more interactive. We like both options, and think you can do either really well. Either way, make sure you personalize your performance with campus swag, inside jokes for the campus, organization quirks, shoutouts, etc. The host organization can provide you with a list of topics to cover.

If you go the recorded route, make sure to add a live component at the end of the performance – it makes it so much more personal and has helped make these virtual events a big hit across the country. 

If you go the live route – please make sure you are following the technical tips above and have internet that can handle the live load. The better your bandwidth, the better you look and sound!

Meet & Greet

Either way you go, meet and greets are a must! You can do these privately via Zoom. They have been extremely rewarding parts of our shows so far. Participants love getting to chat with the artist for a brief moment, taking “photos,” and saying thank you for the performance! 

Have questions or other tips and tricks to host successful virtual events? Reach out to Jolene.