Live Stream Resource Roundup for Musicians and Bands

March 17, 2020

Well, it’s here.

If you thought there was a “New Music Business” before, the industry playing field just got leveled even more.

Touring acts, venues, gig workers of all kinds are feeling the affects of a career-threatening AB5 Law and a highly contagious coronavirus. As if one of those wasn’t difficult enough.

++ How Coronavirus Is Affecting Live Music

So we’ve all got two choices: panic or pivot.

HOW CAN YOU PIVOT?

If you choose to pivot, then this post will be of some help. It’s all about sharing some of the resources that are available to you and providing a potential roadmap to continuing to share share your music and even earn income along the way.

One thing that I want to point out before you browse this list. There are several different types of tools and a couple different ways they talk to each other. Having that foundation might help you decide with tool(s) to use based on your goals.

Let’s take a look at a couple of terms that you’ll inevitably run into as you start researching the new landscape.

LIVE STREAM LINGO

Some services allow you to broadcast directly through their mobile app or web app, while others will broadcast either via RTMP or using the platform’s official API. Depending on which route you take, those are the two terms to know.

RMTP: Real-Time Messaging Protocol. What does it mean? Well, by comparison, you already know something very similar for all of the websites you visit. The “protocol” that websites use is “http” or “https” and streaming video uses “rtmp” or “rtmps”.

With RTMP, you’ll need a special link (or Stream URL) and a key (the stream key). This allows your tool to connect with the platform’s server and send the information.

API: Application Programming Interface. Most live video platforms such as Facebook & YouTube Live have an API. This allows a tool to connect to the live video platform. Basically, it just means they can talk to each other.

It also means you’ve got more control over your online concerts. For example, a live video tool using the API can schedule, edit and delete the live video post and potentially retrieve live comments making it much easier for you to control the look and feel of your live videos.

With that lingo out of the way, let’s talk apps. Each one is labeled web-based, mobile, third-party app, or some combination. Web-based you’ll need a laptop/desktop to run and there may be different features (or limitations) of the mobile app.

HOST YOUR GIGS ONLINE WITH THESE LIVE VIDEO STREAMING TOOLS

Facebook Live (Web, Mobile, Third Party)

Facebook Live is a feature of the Facebook social network that uses the camera on a computer or mobile device to broadcast real-time video to Facebook. Live broadcasters can decide who on Facebook can see their video and use this content to engage their audience during the moments and events that are important to them.

You can go live on Facebook in three ways…

Go Live from your page using Publishing Tools. Publishing Tools is found on the navigation bar, at the top right of your Page.
You can integrate Live directly into your broadcast setup or device with our API.
Facebook Live makes it easy to share the moment with people on mobile devices all around the world.

YouTube Live (Web, Mobile, Third Party)

YouTube Live is an easy way to reach your audience in real time through your YouTube Channel. Whether you’re streaming a video game, hosting a live concert, or teaching a class, you can manage your stream and interact with viewers in real time.

Want a little more info? Here’s a great blog post comparing Facebook Live vs. YouTube Live (dacast).

Instagram Live

Instagram Live is a feature on Instagram Stories that allows you to stream video to followers and engage with them in real time. When you broadcast live video streams on your account, a ring highlights your profile picture in Instagram Stories to alert followers that they can view the live stream.

Twitch (Web, Mobile, Third Party)

Twitch is the world’s leading live streaming platform for gamers and a ton of other content types. Millions of people come together live every day to chat, interact, and make their own entertainment together. You will need an interface to stream Twitch, but the difference from social media platforms is that the content is typically long form (think 2-4 hour streams vs. 2-4 minute videos).

I actually had a chance to talk to Karen Allen, the author of Twitch for Musicians (2nd Edition was just released) and am really excited about this platform. I thought it was just for gamers, but it’s so much more. If you’re a musician wondering what platform to use, this helpful infographic may help you decide which route to take.

The following resources on the list are more ‘tools for streaming’ or video conferencing platforms vs. actual platforms where your engaged fans might be hanging out. So you may use one of the following apps to help enhance your livestreams to some of the platforms above.

Live Twitter Video via Periscope

You can create and Tweet live video from the Twitter app, powered by Periscope. To go live, compose a Tweet, then tap “LIVE” which brings you to pre-broadcast screen where you can frame your shot.

LinkedIn Live

The LinkedIn Live feature allows individuals and organizations to broadcast live video content to their network in real time. It’s great if your customer or fanbase is already on the platform, but the ability to go live is a little restrictive at the moment. You have to apply to become a LinkedIn Live broadcaster by completing an application. You’ll only be notified if you’re approved.

StageIt

Stageit is a web-based performance venue that allows you to host paid performances. Musical artists of all kinds perform live via webcam with the ability to choose when they want to perform, for how long, and how much they want to charge. The performances are not archived or duplicated for distribution.

StreamYard (Third party web-based app)

StreamYard is a live streaming studio in your browser. Interview guests, share your screen, and much more. Stream directly to Facebook, YouTube, LinkedIn, Twitch and other platforms. Some cool features of StreamYard include:

Interview guests to keep your audience coming back.
Get more views. Stream to multiple platforms simultaneously.
Brand your live stream.
Display viewers comments on screen

I currently use StreamYard for all of my live interviews and online trainings. It’s just the app that “I get” the most and easily understand its interface. Here’s a screenshot of our Plan Your Month Over Lunch Training we do at the beginning of every month in our Facebook Group.

++ How To Get More Fans Tuned Into Your Band

BeLive (Third party web-based app)

With BeLive you can broadcast together with your friends and teammates, and create a high quality live broadcast directly through Facebook Live™ on your wall or page.

Loom (Web-based Screen capture)

Loom is a platform that allows you to make quick videos using a lightning-fast video recorder capable of capturing your screen, webcam, and microphone. Loom allows you to quickly:

Record your camera or screen.
Send videos directly via SMS, iMessage, Slack, email (or copy and paste the link)
Watch videos within the app.
Add comments and emoji reactions.

Patreon (Crowdcast)

Crowdcast is an easy way to run beautiful, engaging, and immersive webinars without having to install any software or learn any code. If you are a Patreon user, you now have the ability to livestream to your patrons using Crowdcast.

Zoom (Video Conferencing)

Zoom is a web-based video conferencing tool with a local, desktop client and a mobile app that allows you to meet online, with or without video. Zoom users can choose to record sessions, collaborate on projects, and share or annotate on one another’s screens. Think of it like a “Meetings” service designed for collaborating with whiteboarding, screen sharing, and remote screen control features.

Ecamm Live

Ecamm Live is a macOS app designed to give you tremendous control over live streaming, with special capabilities for Facebook Live, YouTube Live, Periscope, Twitch, and more. Ecamm Live can live stream to any streaming service that uses RTMP streaming.

MAKING A PLAN

Now you’ve got plenty to research, if you’d like. But honestly, the easiest route at this time might be the best. If you’ve got a somewhat active Facebook crowd, you can do any number of things like —

Choose to go live around the same time your cancelled gig would’ve started
Set up your own recurring time slots to help fill the void of music for your fans
Partner with venues to stream from their location (if that’s even allowed where you are)

What are some other ways we can continue to serve our community and stay afloat in the process?

Regardless of what avenue you take, just know that you are not alone and there are resources — like Gigmor — working diligently to find ways to help you through this new(er) music business model.

———

Leonard Patterson is an avid fan of all things New Edition, an indie-focused booking agent, a frequent hi-fiver, and a certified digital marketer. Since stepping off stage as a band manager/front man of a 6-figure party band, he launched Indie Band Coach with a mission to help indie bands reach more fans and book more gigs. When he’s not working, he’s most likely at a live music event, analyzing Marvel movies, or soaking up vitamin D at the beach with his wife and son.

Want more fanbase and social media tips? Subscribe to the Indie Band Coach YouTube Channel .

How Coronavirus is Affecting Live Music

March 11, 2020

From Gigmor Founder, David Baird

As you know, the coronavirus has become a global pandemic and has had a severe economic impact around the world practically overnight. We at Gigmor hope and pray that the spread of the virus will slow after peaking in the coming weeks. Our hearts go out to the millions of people who have been affected or lost loved ones.

The coronavirus has hit the live music business particularly hard. You’ve seen the news about the cancellations of large events like SXSW and Coachella but hundreds of thousands of local venues are suffering. If millions of people stop going out for more than a month or two, many of these venues won’t survive. And they’re a vital part of the local music scene that is the lifeblood of the business.

Despite the palpable panic and the real economic damage that’s been done we feel that eventually we’ll look back on this as a short term blip. Live music is baked into the fabric of life and will always be. So we remain optimistic about our long term prospects.

We’ve spent considerable time in the last couple of weeks thinking about how we can be part of the solution.

In the short term, we’re responding to a surge of requests from venues asking for our help. National touring acts have canceled because of concerns about being on the road and venues suddenly need to fill open dates on their calendars. We’re ideally positioned to help them because many of our 65K independent artists play local gigs almost exclusively. And our platform is well suited to fill last minute slots.

Next, we’re looking for ways to accelerate how we can connect artists, venues and fans, including livestreaming shows and publishing artist profiles that are relevant to fans with music, videos, upcoming shows, etc. We don’t want to live in a world where everyone is isolated in their homes but we know we can play a useful role if that is what the near future looks like.

As a national marketplace and directory of talent we’re thrilled to be able to step in and help local live music communities everywhere. We’ve always believed that technology can bring innumerable benefits to booking and promoting live music and we’re only sorry that it’s taking a global crisis to help prove that.

We’d love to hear from you at info@gigmor.com with any ideas or suggestions about how we can help you keep music alive!

How to Easily Sell More Tickets on Instagram

March 9, 2020

You’ve done the hard part — the calling, the booking, the negotiating, and even the promoting. There are wheels in motion and your whole goal now is to get butts in seats.

The BEST thing you can do at this point? Make it as easy as possible for your fans to make impulse purchases.

Most marketing research says it takes people seeing a promotion 7x before they act. Well, regardless of what view it is, you want your fans to be very clear on what they should do and make it extremely easy for them to do it.

But what does that mean? A few things…

1. Make sure your show information is easily found, searchable, and clear.

2. Provide a way for fans to purchase in as few amount of clicks as possible.

3. Have a system in place to make sure their purchase is confirmed and tickets (or instructions) are delivered directly to them.

TURN IMPULSE INTO INCOME

It’s been almost two years now, but in May 2018 the Instagram + Evenbrite partnership was announced as a way to “turn browsing into ticket sales” on Instagram.

This option is an awesome way to implement an additional link besides the one clickable option in the profile. With this clear button and a streamlined purchase process, event-goers on Instagram can buy tickets to your shows in a couple easy steps.

SET UP GET TICKETS ON YOUR PROFILE

To add a “Get Tickets” button, follow these steps…

Tap “Edit Profile”
Select “Contact Options >”
Click on “Add an action button”
Choose Eventbrite as the action
Enter your Eventbrite URL.

Once you’re complete, head back to your profile to confirm and test the Get Tickets button.

NOTE: This option is only available on business accounts (currently not an option for creator or personal profiles).

KEEP IT SIMPLE

While this is a fairly simple process to activate, the benefits can really help fans (and new fans) find your shows. And yes, a simple process is always better.

A couple of benefits to integrating your tickets with social – a simplified checkout and info on your customers.

Simplified Checkout: Once your fans click the “Get Tickets” button, their name and email will already be auto-filled in the checkout from their Instagram account. This means they won’t have to re-enter their name or email and cut out yet another step!

Tracking Sales: Also through this integration, you can track your Instagram ticket sales from on your Eventbrite Dashboard. This will help make it clear how well your posts are performing that are specifically coming from Instagram. Then you can use your Instagram insights to track time of day, day of the week, etc.

Make it easy for fans to find you. Make it extremely easy for people to give you money, because “a confused mind never buys.”

(I’ve also heard that quote saying “a confused mind always says no.”)

You have a huge advantage when it comes to content if you have live shows because they are inherently visual (i.e. “Instagram-worthy”).

THREE TYPES OF TICKETS

Eventbrite allows you to create three different types of tickets — free, paid, and donation.

If your event is free and you’re not charging for tickets, there is no fee to use Eventbrite. This is an awesome way to keep track of your potential attendees and it allows them to make a micro-commitment. Even if there’s no charge, event-goers will enter their email address, and select the number of tickets.

For the paid ticket option, you’ll have the ability to absorb the service fee or pass it along to your ticket buyers. And donations provide a way for people to contribute to the event without actually attending and to provide their own amount.

💡IDEA: How could you use the Donation Ticket option for your diehard fans that aren’t within driving distance of your show?

More info on Eventbrite and ticket options here: 7 Online Sites to Promote Your Shows That Aren’t Social Media.

Also, get more info on creating and editing Eventbrite ticket types here.

You can also easily integrate your tickets with you Facebook Events.

Lastly, you can even embed a checkout for tickets on your website. Follow those instructions here.

——————————————

Want more social media, booking, and event tips for your band? Subscribe to the Indie Band Coach YouTube Channel and keep your eye out for “The Weekly Social” series starting in March.