Social media platforms like Instagram, LinkedIn, Youtube, and Facebook are very popular and they offer various features that can help marketers and organizers. Live streaming is one of the most popular features offered by social media platforms. These streaming services offered by social media platforms have their own advantages and limitations at the same time. If you are planning to use amazon live streaming services offered by social media then this blog can help in decision making.
Pros & Cons Of Social Media Live Streaming
Social media platforms offer live streaming services and have some pros and cons which we will be discussing further:
Pros Of Social Media Live Streaming
Here are some of the advantages of using social media for live streaming:
1. Free Of Cost
One of the major advantages of hosting a live stream with social media is that all social media platforms offer free live-streaming services. From Instagram live streaming to Facebook live streaming every platform offers streaming at no cost. If you are on a low budget and want to live stream to directly connect and engage with your audience you can use any social media platform that suits you or your audience.
2. Time-Saving
Live streaming on social media platforms is time-saving. If you want to quickly interact with your audience or if you want to share some crucial information that is not pre-planned you can use social media platforms to live stream and share that information. You don’t need a huge setup or a lot of planning for an event. If you are short on time using youtube live streaming or facebook live streaming etc is a great option.
3. It’s Easy
Live to stream on social media platforms is easy. You don’t have to record a video, create a script, or do a lot of editing the way you have to do with on-demand videos For live streaming on most social media platforms all you need is an authenticated account on that particular platform. For instance, if you want to live stream on Instagram you can create an account on Instagram and you can go live using your account, so it’s simple and pretty straightforward.
4. Lot Of Options
Another advantage of using social media platforms for live streaming is that there are various options available. If you want to live stream you can use Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook, Youtube, etc. Additionally, you don’t have to stick to any one platform; you can multi-stream at these platforms in real-time. If your audience is active on one platform it is easy to pick one platform for live streaming but if your audience is on a different platform you also have the option of multi-streaming.
5. Reusable
Social media content is reusable and that is another advantage of using social media channels for live streaming. If you want to record your live streaming session most of the social media platforms allow recording a sharing of the live streaming sessions, you can save your live stream and share it on your social media feed you can also download it and save it for later. You can use that live stream for on-demand videos etc.
6. Engage A Wider Audience
Social media platforms can engage a wider audience. If you want to reach your audience on the platform they are most active on you should prefer using social media platforms.
Engaging the audience is easy with social media platforms. Live streaming services of social media platforms offer features like live chat and engagement features like live polls, Q&A, stickers, reactions, etc.
Cons Of Social Media Live Streaming
Here are some limitations of using social media for live streaming:
1. Technical Errors
Social media platforms offer free streaming services but they can save you from technical errors and glitches. If you want to live stream on social media this is the major limitation that you have to keep in mind. Live streaming can experience errors because of internet connection too. It is a little difficult to avoid errors during live streams.
2. No Monetization
Monetization is not possible in live streaming on social media platforms. Usually, if organizers want to live stream they can offer signups, registrations, tickets, etc for joining the live session but that’s not the case with social media live streaming it’s free for both attendees and organizers so there is no scope of monetization in social media streaming.
3. Real-Time Mess Up
With live streaming on the social media platform, there is a scope for messing up in real-time. The audience of the live streaming session can not pause the video they have to continuously watch it just in case they lose internet connection in between they will not b able to re-watch it. Or if you provide some misinformation in the video you will not be able to rectify it.
4. No Privacy
With social media live streaming there is no option for privacy, anyone on that particular social media platform can join your streaming session. If you want to host a live stream for a certain section of the audience it is not possible on any social media platform.
5. Timings
Timing is the real issue with live streaming. Knowing when to start your live stream is crucial for all organizers. If you are a global brand and your audience is in many time zones, this may be very challenging. Even if you have a loyal audience, it’s unlikely that they will stay up all night to watch your live stream.
To solve this issue some organizers perform the same live stream multiple times throughout the day to accommodate the various time zones. And this can be quite hectic.
The Bottom Line
Social media live-streaming has its own set of advantages and imitations. Social media platforms have huge audiences so hosting a live stream using social media platforms has more advantages than disadvantages. If you want to host a more professional live streaming session at a large scale you can use a live streaming platform.
