I was a senior pastor, executive pastor and a church online pastor for many years. I love technology that’s why I work for a company that helps churches use it. So when it comes to streaming your church’s services, here are the five important things to keep in mind:
1. Focus on Quality Content, Not Just Production
The most important part of your stream isn’t the camera or the software; it’s the message itself. While good production is a plus, a genuine and engaging service will resonate with people more than a high-quality video of a boring one. Make sure your sermons, music, and announcements are well-prepared and delivered with care. Also make sure you understand your audience, who is viewing. Do you have a goal on who you should be targeting? You can get help on that here.
2. Prioritize Audio Above All Else
Poor audio is the number one reason viewers will leave a stream. See last week’s blog post about audio. They might tolerate a blurry image, but they won’t stick around if the sound is bad. Invest in a good microphone setup for your speakers and musicians. Ensure the audio is clear, balanced, and free from echoes or background noise.
3. Choose the Right Platform(s)
Don’t feel pressured to be everywhere at once. Pick a platform that fits your church’s needs and audience. YouTube and Facebook are popular, but some churches might find a dedicated platform like Church Online Platform or a custom solution better for community building. My company, StreamingChurch.tv offers a very good interactive platform with great analytics and auto follow up features. Consider where your congregation and potential new members are most likely to watch, and focus your efforts there.
4. Make It Easy to Find and Watch
This point is all about the viewer’s experience. Make sure your stream is easy to find, whether on your website, social media, or a dedicated platform. Don’t hide the link or make people click through multiple pages to find it.
- Promote the link: Share the direct link to the live stream on your social media channels well before the service begins.
- Clear Call-to-Action: On your website, have a clear button or banner that says “Watch Live” that is visible on the home page during service times.
- Offer Recordings: For those who can’t tune in live, make a recording of the service available on your website or YouTube channel immediately afterward.
By making it simple for people to find and watch your stream, you’ll reduce frustration and increase your potential audience.
5. Engage with Your Audience
A live stream isn’t just about broadcasting; it’s about building community. Acknowledge your viewers in the chat, respond to their comments, and thank them for joining. You can even appoint a moderator or church online pastor/host, to welcome people and answer questions. The pastor or speaker from the platform in the facility should also acknowledge those watching online. Making the experience interactive and personal will help turn online viewers into active members of your church family. StreamingChurch.tv offers an AI webhost that can also stimulate more interaction during your live streaming.
Phil Thompson is a former pastor with over 40 years of ministry experience and current employee of StreamingChurch.tv. He available to help your church with streaming video as well as other tech related assistance. Reach out to him today here.