Tag: Events

Live streaming is one of the biggest innovations that have come from the use of the internet. In fact, a larger percentage of internet traffic currently is attributed to make their events available to the public live. And it is expected that the percentage share of internet traffic will increase further in the coming years. So, why is that streaming your moments to the world online is that big? The reason is that there are numerous advantages associated with live video streaming platform and live video streaming services.

One reason is that through making your event live, one can be able to engage with attendees. These attendees are the ones who are unable to attend the live event in person but can watch it through the streaming service. So, in a way it can be argued they attended. The other reasons are of course that you can increase the attendance, and increase the user experience.

The type of event to be streamed on platforms will depend on what you prefer. You can showcase a cooking competition, a music concert, a coaching session, a festival and even a wedding, which is rapidly growing in popularity. Of course, as already aforementioned, there are a number of platforms such as Live broadcasting to Facebook, Go Live Broadcast and other social media platforms such as Twitter and YouTube and Periscope.

Social media sites such as Facebook Live are increasingly being preferred as a platform for going live because of the huge number of people who use them. Social media sites users as per the recent statistics of 2017 are indicated to be about 2.46 billion worldwide. That is a huge number of potential viewers for your event or even potential attendants.

Most of the platforms available are increasingly integrating the use of various social media platforms for instantaneous live streaming across multiple platforms. You are talking about broadcasting across Facebook live, YouTube Live, Twitter live and Periscope. That can be done by using live broadcasting platforms and live streaming devices.

Requirements for Going Live Using These Services:

Of course, apart from identifying your live streaming platform/application and signing up, you must have the following:

· A reliable internet connection

· A high-performance computer/smartphone

· A webcam or camera with a video capture device in case you are using a device

As devices can be bought, or you can use the platforms which have many plans – basic, premium or enterprise plans. There are some platforms who offer free trials, often for a period usually 1 month. The main disadvantage with free trials is that they are limited in terms of features and functions and thus you may be limited when broadcasting.

Live streaming your event

After knowing the importance, ways available for live streaming and the requirements needed, all is left is the action itself which is simple. When you have a live streaming device, the first step is to connect your device to any video source or to the camera. With one tap from the app provided, you can modify the title of your event, start, stop and pause and execute and use other functions and features. There is a feature for streaming across multiple platforms simultaneously.

Using Facebook Live Stream Service

1. With your mobile device or computer with a camera, you go to the news feed on the Facebook app to live stream. There is a “live” option that you must tap. Another option for live streaming is through your profile. There is a live video option from the menu “What is on your mind”, when tapped.

2. Facebook would then request access to your camera if is the first time. You must allow it. Any subsequent access to the camera will be automatic when one is to live stream.

3. Choose preferred privacy setting. You may choose to live broadcast to your friends or public. There is another option for “only me”, that is great when you are new to the service and want to test it. Nobody loves embarrassing himself, you can trust the live streaming for this.

4. Describe your live broadcast. Give it a catchy title.

5. Choose a location, or an activity and tag friends.

6. Before going “Go Live”, you must set up your camera in the right direction/view. After setting up the camera, and Going Live, you can then interact with your viewers.

7. When done, click “finish”. There is the option of posting the video for other people to be able to watch it even after the broadcasting has finished.

8. Save your video for future use; tweaking and re-watching.

Lyfeloop

Last month, Facebook launched a new paid events option in order to provide another way for businesses to generate income amid the COVID-19 crisis, and in replacement of IRL functions.

At the time, Facebook highlighted its opposition to Apple’s revenue approach, which meant that it would need to pay 30% of any funds raised through the option to Apple for any event on an iOS device.

“For transactions on the web, and on Android in countries where we have rolled out Facebook Pay, small businesses will keep 100% of the revenue they generate from paid online events. We asked Apple to reduce its 30% App Store tax or allow us to offer Facebook Pay so we could absorb all costs for businesses struggling during COVID-19. Unfortunately, they dismissed both our requests and SMBs will only be paid 70% of their hard-earned revenue.”

This is just one of several criticisms Facebook has shared publicly in regards to Apple’s 30% in-app charge – but in this instance, Apple has actually decided to change its stance and give Facebook more leeway to help struggling businesses.

As reported by TechCrunch:

“Today, Facebook is announcing a reversal on Apple’s part: Online event fees will be processed through Facebook Pay, without Apple collecting its 30% cut, meaning businesses will receive all of the earnings from their online events, minus taxes.”

That may be a bigger win than it initially appears. 

Various companies have joined in the recent criticism of Apple over its in-app fee structure, the most high-profile of which being Epic Games, which has decided to take its fight against Apple to court over its 30% fee being applied to in-app purchases in its popular game Fortnite.

Apple has suspended Fortnite from The App Store, and is investigating further penalties, after Epic refused to keep paying, instead opting to charge its users less for in-app purchases on other platforms. 

Epic’s argument is that Apple has no stake in such purchases once the app has been downloaded, with The App Store no longer playing a role in the transaction. With the 30% fee removed, Epic argues that it can better serve its audience with lower charges, facilitating business growth and expansion, which is being limited by Apple’s policies.

As noted, Facebook has also aired its grievances about Apple’s approach on several fronts.

Last month, Facebook also released a new version of its Facebook Gaming app, which it was forced to revise on iOS due to Apple’s classification of in-app functions. Facebook has also clashed with Apple over in-app notifications, through which it sought to alert users to Apple’s 30% fee. Apple refused any such notification, standing form on its long-held position on its process.

Given this, Apple’s decision in the case of Facebook’s paid events option is a significant step, and shows that Apple may have at least some flexibility in how its regulations may be applied. Though it’s only temporary – Apple has said that the events fee removal will only be in place till December 31st, and it won’t apply to gaming creators.

Still, maybe it’s a sign that Apple is reconsidering such, which could bode well for Epic Games in its ongoing battle with the company. But probably not. Any ground Apple gives up in any isolated case will have potential implications for other apps looking to implement similar, and Apple could lose billions in fees if it cedes too much to pressure on this front.

As such, it may be up to a court to finally decide whether Apple’s charges are anti-competitive – but still, from right now, people running paid events on Facebook can generate more income from such via iOS.

Worth noting in your planning.

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