4 Best Practices for Increasing Viewer Retention on Livestreams

4 Best Practices for Increasing Viewer Retention on Livestreams

1. Build a Consistent Schedule Having a consistent schedule for livestreams is a must, because it allows viewers to know when to expect new content, while it also helps to build a routine for the streamer. A reliable streaming schedule makes it easy for viewers to tune in to the stream regularly, and this can increase the likelihood of them becoming regular viewers. Creating a schedule that works for both the streamer and their viewers is essential. The streamer should consider their personal schedule, including work or school commitments, and also the time zone of the majority of their viewers. It's also important to consider the peak hours for viewership on the platform being used for the livestream. For example, if the streamer's audience is mostly located in the United States, it would make sense to schedule streams for the evening hours when viewers are more likely to be available. Avoiding burnout is also crucial in ensuring that you can maintain your schedule. Consistency — building a routine for your audience — is key when it comes to viewer retention. However, it's important to note that consistency does not mean always streaming at the same time every day; it can also mean streaming in a consistent pattern — for example, you might stream three days a week, but at different a different time on each of the three days, in a schedule that repeats every week.

2. Create Engaging Content Creating engaging content — content that is interesting, informative, and interactive — is essential for keeping viewers interested and coming back for more. Your content should be tailored to your audience and provide value to them. In addition, it should be visually appealing and easy to understand. Engaging content can take many forms, such as educational, entertaining, or interactive. You can read more about creating great content here. There are several strategies for creating engaging content; the right approach might depend on the type of livestream you’re doing. For example, educational livestreams can include tutorials, Q&A sessions, and informative segments. Entertainment-based livestreams can include games, challenges, and comedic skits. Interactive livestreams can include polls, quizzes, and live Q&A sessions. And it's important to include a mix of live and pre-recorded segments to keep the content fresh and interesting. Engagement and retention are closely linked, as viewers who are engaged are more likely to stick around and come back for more. Engaging content helps to keep viewers interested and invested in the content, which can lead to increased retention rates.

3. Interact with Viewers Building a community is essential for increasing livestream viewer retention. A community of viewers who feel connected to the streamer and other viewers is more likely to stick around and return for future streams. Furthermore, a community can also help to generate buzz around the stream, which can lead to new viewers. Interacting with viewers during livestreams is an important part of building a community, and there are several ways to do this: Responding to comments and messages, asking for feedback, and hosting Q&A sessions are all great ways to interact with viewers. Also, using interactive tools such as polls and quizzes can help to increase viewer engagement and interaction. Viewer interaction is closely linked to viewer retention.By fostering a sense of community and interacting with viewers during livestreams, streamers can increase viewer retention and build a loyal audience.

4. Utilize Interactive Tools Interactive tools are an important part of any livestreamer's tool kit; they’re designed to enhance the viewer's experience and increase engagement. Some examples of interactive tools are polls, quizzes, Q&A sessions, and live chat. These tools can be used to encourage viewer participation and engagement, and they can be integrated into a stream in various ways, for example, as overlays, interactive widgets, or via chatbot commands. In addition, interactive tools can also be used to create a sense of community among viewers, for example, by having a leaderboard for quiz participants or by rewarding the most active chat participants. Tangia has offerings that cover all fronts of viewer engagement! By using interactive tools, streamers can create a more engaging and interactive viewing experience, which can lead to increased retention and a more loyal audience.

Keeping Your Viewers Engaged: Final Thoughts