A Guide to Choosing the Right Live Streaming Platform

Holding events promotes your brand, maximises your exposure, and connects you with your audience. The problem is conducting mass gatherings during the pandemic might seem unlikely, even as some protocols are being relaxed. Despite the vaccine rollout, many people can still be hesitant due to fear of the virus. The good news is pushing through with your events is possible with live streaming. 

Although DIY options are available, such as YouTube Live, Facebook Live, and Instagram Live, live streaming platforms have limitations that stop you from reaching your full branding potential. This is especially true if you have more complex needs than just going live to an audience. 

Investing in a reliable platform with all your preferred features and growing and scaling with your needs, and meeting your budget should be top priorities. To help you choose the right platform, use this article as your guide.

What Should I Consider When Selecting a Live Streaming Platform?

Regardless of your business, you need a platform that can meet your needs. Some factors to consider when selecting a live streaming platform are authentication, customisation, pricing, and authorisation. Determine how it provides accessibility and security for your video content, how it helps showcase your brand, how it gives value to your business, and how it lets you manage your content.

What Are Some Common Live Streaming Platforms?

Since live streaming has become a norm because of the pandemic, there are now many service providers and platforms to choose from. Here are some of your options:

• Vimeo

Vimeo is a popular platform that offers multiple solutions for businesses to help them scale and grow. Last 2019, Vimeo Enterprise was launched to provide even more exclusive and security features, including:

• Single sign-on authentication

• User-level analytics

• Live production services

• Live streaming to secure Showcase pages

• Dedicated account management and enterprise support

• Uptime guarantees 

• Qumu

Qumu offers a seamless CMS for live and on-demand streaming. It is ideal for you if you need a platform that will only be used for internal communications cases. Keep in mind that if you partner with this service provider and want to use video in your external marketing and communications to target your audience, you will require a separate subscription and system to manage them. 

• Panopto

Panopto takes pride in being a leader in video content management. While live streaming is not its primary function, it is effective in video asset management. If you are planning to use video for lead generation or build in a post-event call-to-action, you will have to find other workarounds and pay for a separate service for reliable live streaming.

• IBM Cloud Video

IBM Cloud Video offers live streaming and video solutions with advanced features. It comes with Silver, Gold, and Platinum subscriptions, which means it is likely to fit your budget. Just keep in mind that it has viewer hours. Therefore, there will likely be an additional fee if your event runs longer than expected.

Conclusion

There are many live streaming platforms, but when it comes to selecting the right one, only you and your team can choose which solution is best for your needs. To help you make a well-informed decision, take the information in this guide into account. Make sure also to work with a reliable company like ours.

Provide your audience with immersive event experiences by live streaming videos in Amsterdam with us at BFF Visuals. Our video marketing and photo and video production company helps businesses like yours engage with their audience and offer content that delivers results. Contact us for a free, no-strings-attached consultation!