Live-streaming applications are available in plenty. Therefore, choosing a reliable platform is not an easy task. You will have to consider all your short-term and long-term plans, the features you expect in the platform, etc before choosing a platform. Here are some steps that will help you to select the best live-video streaming platform.

• Find your target audience

You must be sure of the audience you have to address through your live content. However, gender and age groups are not just what to consider while talking about the target audience. If you have a deeper understanding of your target audience, you can create content specifically for them. Thus, your live streams become more valuable and intimate for your audience. You have to find the major problem your target audience is trying to solve. Finding the emotions that your audience connects with their challenges can also help you in making effective live videos.

• Define goals for your audience

After identifying your target audience, you have to define your goals to cater to your audience. Finding the answers while identifying your audience will help you to define your goals for your live streams. You need a goal for each of your phases. For example, if you find that you have a lesser audience on your YouTube channel, your goal has to be to find a platform where you can find your audience. The next goal has to find ways to engage them.

• Study your competitors

Find your best 5 competitors and identify the live-streaming applications they use. Most brands use multiple platforms. However, all of them may not work for you. Finding the platforms that have the most views will help you choose apps that your audience loves. You must also find the content your competitors use in their live streams.

• Find features that fit your goals

As you have goals to achieve, the next step is to find features you will need to fulfill your goals.

Live-streaming applications will have different functionalities. Features like Video Content Management systems, Monetization options, Global Payment Processing, Live notifications, etc are some of the features you can look for.

• Find the platform suited for your audience

One of the common mistakes influencers make is that they go live on almost all the available platforms. You can have a more optimized live stream if you focus on a single platform. When your audience finds you on one platform frequently, your live-stream engagement increases. You may check the statistics of your recent streams to learn more about your audience demographics on different live-streaming platforms.

• Start your live streams

If you know your audience, their expectations, the ideal platform to reach them, and the best monetization options, you can go live. Find a relevant topic and prepare a plan on the points you must present before your audience. Research your topic and ensure that it adds value to your audience. You must try to attract as many viewers as possible. Tools like paid ads and emails may attract more viewers to your live streams.