So, You Want to Start Live Streaming? Here’s What You Need to Know

In this article, you’ll learn:

• Why you should live stream your services
• How existing customers are the foundation of your live stream audience
• Ways to expand your live stream audience outside of your local area
• Creative ideas for live streaming to help your business earn money

COVID-19 closures across the globe have sparked a wave of changes in the service industry. Between social distancing and mandatory shelter in place orders, many service professionals must get creative to maintain an income during this challenging time. Live streaming select services and classes is an innovative way to maintain connections with customers and earn income. Getting started with live streaming isn’t as difficult as you may think and can help bring in some much-needed cash until you get back to business. And who knows? You may find that live streaming opens new opportunities for you to continue offering services and classes online—even after your doors re-open!

Why Should You Start Live Streaming?

How to Build Your Existing Live Stream Audience

How to Expand Your Live Stream Audience

Once you’ve dedicated some time to building your in-house live stream audience, it’s time to think about expanding. For hands-on services, you’d ordinarily focus efforts on attracting new local clients. But with live streaming services and classes, new customers can join from anywhere in the world! Here are the top ways to expand your live stream audience to include customers outside your local area.

• Update your digital listings (Vagaro listing, website, Yelp, Google, etc.) to reflect the services and classes your business makes available for live stream.

• Announce your live streaming services and classes on social media.

• Use social media to post teasers for upcoming live streams.

• If it's in your budget, invest in equipment that will make your live stream look polished and professional.

• Set a schedule and stick to it—consistency helps casual viewers keep coming back!

• Switch things up on your stream! Keeping things fresh with new material motivates viewers to tune in regularly.

Creative Live Stream Ideas During COVID-19

Because this is an uncertain time for both you and your customers, you have more space to get creative, take risks, and try new things. Who knows—after the pandemic is over, you may even want to maintain a steady calendar of live streaming classes and services!

• Create live stream sessions for one-on-one, small groups, or unlimited groups, to ensure that you’ve got a streaming session that’s right for any customer preference.

• Help your clients jump back on their work out routine and get their sweat on with a virtual fitness class! ​

• Offer live stream contests! For example, participants pay $40 for a chance to win a basket of products or a merchandise package.

• Offer a live stream session with product purchases. For example, if a client purchases a curling wand, offer a live stream product demo teaching them how to create a salon look in their own home.

• If you’re selling product “take out” kits—such as Color To-Go, Mani/Pedi in a Box, take-home spa packages, etc.—include a live stream as part of the purchase, to provide the social aspect of a hands-on service.

• Create fun, helpful live stream sessions for your customers that can reduce the chance of common at-home mistakes. For example, Before You Cut Your Bangs, Watch My Stream!, Want to Remove Your Set of Nails? Watch My Stream!, or Performing Your Own Facial? Watch My Stream First!

Header Image: Giorgio Trovato via Vagaro Icons: Mia Montemayor via Vagaro