An estimated 20 percent of the American workforce now works remotely at least part time based on recent reports. With that being the case, collaboration has become a bit of a challenge for some. Whether teams are having virtual meetings, brainstorming, or completing major projects, they need to be able to work together efficiently and effectively no matter how far apart they are. Livestreaming is the solution they’re turning to.
Of course, streaming with a guest takes more than turning on a camera and talking. To ensure collaborative efforts go smoothly and successfully, several factors must come together in just the right way. It requires having the right tools and equipment in place and using them properly. Take a look at some of the must-haves for seamless livestream collaboration that all team members should consider equipping themselves with.
Fast, Reliable Internet
One of the most important tools for livestreaming is a fast, reliable internet connection. Dropped calls, frozen screens, lag, and other issues can cause major problems for everyone involved in collaborative sessions. They can leave participants frustrated and keep them from getting the information they need to be effective team members. Wired connections are generally recommended because they’re more reliable. In instances where Wi-Fi is the only option, it needs to be a solid connection that’s not vulnerable to interference. Symmetrical upload and download speeds are also helpful.
Quality Audio Equipment
High-quality audio is also essential for remote collaboration. If people can’t hear each other clearly, communication is sure to break down. That, in turn, is bound to cause confusion and interfere with productivity. A good microphone can make a world of difference here. External microphones are often recommended because they tend to provide higher audio quality than those that are built into phones and laptops. Those with noise cancellation features are also nice alternatives.
High-Resolution Video Equipment
Video quality is equally important. Having a clean video feed makes communication easier and helps keep everyone on the same page. Though having professional camera setups isn’t necessarily essential, using high-quality webcams is advisable. Good lighting can also help. With good video feeds, collaborative livestreaming becomes much easier and more effective.
Collaborative Platforms
Furthermore, teams need more than just video and audio feeds. They need the right collaboration platforms to make their efforts successful. Those that offer screen sharing, document editing, file uploads, virtual whiteboards, and other features can help keep projects moving forward and prevent unnecessary snags. Those platforms should be secure and easy for people to use. Several platforms are now available, and each one has its own benefits and features.
Making Livestream Collaboration a Success
Remote work has become mainstream at this point, and livestream collaboration is essentially an everyday aspect of business. Many teams try to forge through videoconferences, projects, and other collaborative efforts with only basic tools. When they do, they tend to face several hurdles along the way. Those problems can certainly cause productivity to suffer.
With the right tools, though, team efforts go much more smoothly. It all starts with fast, reliable internet connections. Good audio and video equipment and functional collaborative platforms are also vital to the process. Those are some of the common tools that help make livestream collaboration successful. Though additional resources may be necessary in some cases, the basics listed here can get teams off to a great start.