Hand on heart: As with any event, things can go wrong with a livestream. Mistakes happen. Despite rehearsals and maintenance, the technology can go on strike. However, to ensure that your livestream from the trade fair is a success and that you avoid pitfalls when livestreaming from your stand, we have collected the ten most common pitfalls that occur time and again with streams. A professional provider knows these challenges and has appropriate solutions at the ready. These pitfalls only affect exhibitors who want to stream live from their stand without an external provider. If you decide to use a professional livestream agency, you don’t need to worry, as you should be familiar with these points.
Poor internet connection
One of the most important components of a live stream is the Internet. Because without the internet, no livestream can start. So make sure that you have a reliable and stable internet connection to avoid interruptions or outages during the stream. Bear in mind that the mobile network may be overloaded on the day of the trade fair due to the large number of spectators and that cell phone reception may be poor. It is therefore essential that you test the connection in advance and do not rely on mobile telephony as your only connection. Many trade fairs offer a separate wired internet connection for their exhibitors. Or you can use a bonding router for the live stream transmission, which combines several internet connections (wired and mobile) into one strong connection . This allows you to avoid pitfalls with live streams from the trade fair stand.
Lack of preparation
Do not underestimate the effort and preparation required for a successful live stream from a trade fair in order to avoid pitfalls with live streams from the trade fair stand. In the hustle and bustle of general planning around the trade fair stand, the live stream can quickly get lost. However, if the stream is poorly prepared, your viewers will notice this immediately and may switch off. Therefore, plan in advance, create a concrete schedule and make sure that you have all the necessary resources available. Go through the schedule with your livestream agency and discuss who needs to be where.
Insufficient equipment
High-quality components are required for a high-quality live stream. This is the only way to ensure that viewers stay tuned in and are not annoyed by a poor picture, for example, and switch off. Invest in suitable cameras, microphones, directing programs and other technical equipment to achieve a professional result. However, high-quality technical equipment can quickly cost several thousand euros. If you hire a professional livestream provider, they will bring the right equipment with them and ensure a successful broadcast from your trade fair stand. This helps to avoid pitfalls with live streams from the trade fair stand.
Lack of backup solutions
Despite high-quality technical equipment, unexpected problems can occur. So make sure you have backup solutions for your equipment to be prepared for possible problems. If a camera fails, for example, you can fall back on another model. In addition, you should always have a plan B for the power supply and internet connection. Don’t just rely on one solution for your livestream, but use alternatives to avoid pitfalls when livestreaming from your stand.
A livestream without content
The program must be right in the live stream. Because unlike video recordings, there is no second attempt at a live broadcast. That’s why you should definitely think in advance about what content you want to present during the live show. Always keep an eye on your target audience and the key points that might interest them. Use these considerations to create a script or agenda to ensure that you convey clear messages and engage your viewers. This is because viewers will quickly switch off to a livestream without specific content. This way you can avoid pitfalls when livestreaming from your stand.
No interaction with the audience
Livestreams are a great way to avoid pitfalls when livestreaming from your stand by interacting with your audience in real time. Because a stream doesn’t have to be a one-way format. The audience at trade fairs in particular usually has specific questions about the products or services on display. Therefore, take the time to respond to comments, questions and requests from your viewers. This will also ensure a closer bond between customers and the company.
Lack of consultation with the trade fair organizers
Be sure to find out in advance about the trade fair’s guidelines and regulations regarding live streams. Make sure that you obtain all the necessary permits and work with the organizers to ensure that everything runs smoothly. Pay attention to any data protection requirements when filming the trade fair stand. This will help to avoid pitfalls when livestreaming from the stand.
Neglect of the doctorate
The script for the livestream is ready, everyone involved has been briefed and the internet is working. You start your stream, but there are hardly any viewers. Could it be that you have forgotten to promote the stream? Unfortunately, it happens again and again that no advertising is done for the actual stream in the stress of preparing for the trade fair. Plan in advance how you want to present your live stream from the trade fair in terms of marketing. Depending on your target group, use social media platforms, email marketing and other channels to inform your audience about the stream in advance and increase its reach. This will help you avoid pitfalls with live streams from your trade fair stand.
Unprofessional appearance
It goes without saying, so just for the sake of form: you present your company in the livestream. Therefore, dress appropriately, be well prepared and pay attention to your expression and body language in order to avoid the risk of pitfalls during live streams from the trade fair stand.
Lack of follow-up
After the livestream, it is important to evaluate its success and gather feedback from your audience. Analyze the tracking data, review the performance and use the findings to improve future livestreams. In addition, you should definitely use the collected material for further clips. For example, create a best-of film or short snippets for social media. Thanks to the live stream from your trade fair stand, you will have content for further marketing measures and you can avoid pitfalls with live streams from your trade fair stand.
