6 Ways to Make Your Live Stream Chat More Engaging
Did you know that an engaging live stream chat can get you more views and retain your viewers? Interactive chats can keep your viewers hooked to your content, create a sense of belonging, making your live stream worth it.
In this blog, we will discuss six tips on improving your chat responsiveness. But before we proceed, here’s what you should know about live streaming chat.
5 Essential Features for Live Streaming Apps
The features in your live streaming chat apps determine how interactive your chat is. Features like real time chat moderation and viewer polls improve how you engage with your audience.
But how can you know which streaming app has these features?
Well, here are 5 features that you must look out for:
1. Video and Audio Feed
As a streamer, you know that video and audio feeds are the foundation of all live streaming experiences. If your stream looks blurry or if the audio is muffled, your viewers will get frustrated and leave the stream.
But, if you have sharp visuals, your content will become more enjoyable and professional. What does this mean for you? It simply means better viewer satisfaction and an increase in watch time!
2. Live Chat
Whenever you interact with your audience in real-time, you stand the chance to make your stream memorable. Always look for apps like MirrorFly that have interactive chat features like real time chat, live stream recording, digital whiteboard and much more.
They nudge your viewers to send messages and emojis and even participate in live polls. This allows you to have a conversation with your audience.
3. Record on the Go!
Have you ever encountered a technical difficulty during a live broadcast? Well, that’s where recording comes in handy. A recording is a version of your stream which has been kept in case the original gets lost or deleted.
This means you can review the backup for quality control, rebroadcast, and repurpose your content for future use. Great right? It’s perfect for streamers who might not have the time to create new content consistently.
4. Real-Time Analytics
This feature shows you what’s happening and when it’s happening. For instance, if a certain sentence you made is getting lots of interaction, you can quickly build on that by addressing the questions your viewers might have about it.
Why is this a good thing? Because it allows you to focus on your viewers’ preferences, making it more engaging for them. Platforms like Mirrorfly provide real-time live streaming API for any app. As you stream, you can see the number of people watching your stream and engaging with it.
5. Appealing UI/UX Design
First, what does an appealing UX/UX design mean?
It means you can set up your stream and manage your chat intuitively without any stress. This also means you can focus more on creating great content and worry less struggling with learning new controls.
How do you know when a UI/UX design is appealing? You can tell by how your viewers interact with your stream. They can send messages through live streaming chat, react to your content, or take part in your polls.
reat customization features like graphics and overlays also make UI/UX appealing. These features allow you to add your logo and other visual elements to your stream.
6 Tips on How to Make a Live Stream Chat More Engaging
1. Take That Live Stream Chat Box Seriously
When streaming, your live broadcast chat box shouldn’t be an afterthought; it should be a priority. Treat it with the attention it deserves.
You can do this by:
- Acknowledging comments
- Responding to questions
- Calling out viewers by name
These simple acts of recognition can make your audience feel valued and encourage more interaction.
You could also use the chat to run polls that tell you what your viewers are interested in. For example, you could run a poll asking, “Which topic should we cover next?” Include options in the pill so viewers can vote by reacting with emojis.
2. Organize Regular Q&A Sessions
A good Q&A session is a great way for your audience to connect with you and learn more about your topic. To make the most out of your Q&A sessions, consider doing the following:
- Announce your Q&A sessions ahead of time on your social media platforms
- Encourage viewers to submit their questions using a specific hashtag in the live streaming chat room
3. Put The Spotlight on Live Commenters
Don’t make your stream about you—make it about your audience. You can do this by pinning a comment during your stream.
Alternatively, at the end of each stream, do a quick shoutout to the most active viewers, all you have to do is thank them for their engagement. This goes a long way in creating a sense of community and encouraging more people to join the conversation.
4. Switch Modes. Switch Formats. Throw Surprises In
Sticking to one format is boring, plus it makes your streams very predictable. Instead, keep your audience on their toes by switching up the modes and formats during your live stream.
Not sure how? Consider bringing in a surprise guest halfway through the show or switching to a live demo in the middle of your stream.
5. Run Giveaways During Live Streams
Who doesn’t love giveaways? Our guess is as good as yours, no one. Ask your viewers to participate in the chat to enter your giveaway. They could win by answering a question or just reacting with an emoji. Choose your winners randomly and announce them live during the stream.
6. Be Yourself. Embrace Authority. Let Your Passion Shine Through
Lastly, never be afraid to show your true self. Speaking with authority on your subject is good but let your enthusiasm and passion show.
We recommend sharing your personal stories with your audience. For instance, you can talk about how you started your journey. When your audience sees your passion and hears your story, they’re more likely to relate and engage with you.
Wrapping Up on Live Stream and Chat
Remember that an engaging live video stream chat is important if you want to build a loyal and interactive community of viewers.
Thinking of taking your streaming to the next level? Consider building your streaming app using a third-party in-app live streaming SDK. This allows you to add custom features that increase engagement, such as real-time analytics, interactive overlays, and live stream online chat options.
Mirrorfly is a ready-made CPaaS platform that helps you create great, engaging communication experiences for your audience. Get started with Mirrorfly today!