How to Produce a Great Livestreamed Event on Any Budget: Part 2

What works and what doesn’t when going live on Twitch, YouTube, Facebook Live, or anywhere else

Finding a great host is key to having a great event. We often lean on professional broadcasters whenever possible. Photos: Alex Lindsay

As I told you in part one of this series, I’ve been on the front lines of the livestreaming revolution for more than a decade, producing events all over the world, including from the White House. In part one, I told you why to stream, why not to stream, and how to survive the experience. But, we don’t want to just survive — we want to create inspiring, or at least entertaining, events.

What works

Find a good host

While a great production team provides the foundation, a great host makes your show. I’m not talking about the bandwidth to host your show, I’m referring to the actual human who can set the pace and control the conversation, cut off guests droning on, and draw out details when the guests move too fast. Hosts bring the audience in and serve the viewers. They add energy to the event.

Remember that the host isn’t necessarily the star. They are coordinating the event on stage.

Great hosts are typically made, not found. It takes practice and guidance to do this well. The…