The Future is On Demand

            Many of the blogs that I have written have talked about live streaming video over the Internet.  This is something that is still on the leading edge of Internet video.  YouTube has finally developed platforms that allow producers to stream video live.  What should excite everyone is where this technology will lead us.

            There aren’t many live stream service providers out there.  Most web video hosting platforms like bright cove and others are way too expensive for the average person.  But the time is right for the professional video content producers of every level to stream to their hearts desire.  The few platforms out there are starting to make a connection with TV manufacturers. 

The SMART TV’s are making it possible for television owners to view these live streams on their TV sets.  This is breaking the rules of the old traditional broadcasting model used since the 1950’s where only a few companies could afford to broadcast programming to massive audiences.

Many of the LSSP’s also offer the ability to save recordings of the live projects allowing viewer to view the streams at their leisure.  This is fantastic.  The great content created by independent producers is available for the masses to view on their television sets when they have time to view it.  This technology can only get better over time.  Many producers will fall short on the audiences they reach.  A select few will capitalize on their streams and make decent money, but everyone who sticks with it will find what works and goes after it with passion. 

This blog is designed for those aspiring producers who have the passion and energy to do the work that will get their projects out there.  There are plenty of resources out there for you. 

Please check out the following link for more information on the current trends.

http://www.streamingmedia.com/

Starting a live video stream production.

The Internet is a never-ending landscape of opportunity for video producers.  In recent years there has been several websites that have given producers opportunities to make money with their visions.  The latest trend is Live Streaming video.  Only 10 years ago it would be unheard of to stream an event across the Internet live as it happens.  The ability is now available through live stream service providers (Lssp) such as livestream (formerly Mogulus) and Ustream. Everyone with a passion for video and the finances to purchase video equipment can start a live stream business. I started out as a wedding and legal videographer.

The major question that most people have is how to start a live streaming business. It is very inexpensive to start a livestream company.  The hard part is how to generate revenue.  The difference between a business and a hobby is one relaxes you and the other makes you money.  Revenue is the key.  It is not wise to go into a business without a good revenue generating business model. In the early days of the live streaming trend it was merely an idea to help soldiers communicate with their family members and friends while serving our country on the battlefield.  Ustream is the company that was developed founded by Brad Hunstible and Dr. Gyula Feher in 2007.   Since then the concept has grown to include hundreds of businesses developed to support the budding producers around the world who are interested in showcasing their streams using varying service providers. 

Today the best way to generate revenue is by using Google AdSense and other affiliate programs that are available.  It helps to understand how optimize your sites by utilizing SEO tactics.   There are great opportunities available and the time is now to get involved in the business. 

The Bailey Business Plan

There have been many interesting approaches to business planning.  On one side there is the approach to seek funding fast with a well-written business and marketing plan.  This is an approach that is supported by Andréa Cockerton an expert in the field of business plans.

There is also a thought by featured author Chuck Blakemon who believes it is important to just start working the business instead of doing too much planning ahead of time.  Blakemon believes that no one can accurately tell what will happen in the future daily life of the business. 

These are two different and highly debatable ways of thinking.  The big question is “how to incorporate the best of the two?”  I feel that both approaches have merit.  It is very difficult to predict what is going to happen once the doors of your business opens for the first time.  It is not possible to plan for the unknown as Blakemon suggests.  Therefore it is important to play devils advocate to your business plan. Try your hardest to shoot holes in it.  It may not be completely perfect, but it will make the plan stronger.  I plan to use both schools of thought in my business plan.  This will make the plan stand up.  Of course Andrea’s frame of thought is perfect for  seeking funding. Investors want to know that you have thought the business through.  It is understood that even with all of the proper planning, the business could fail, but without proper planning the odds of failing are more in favor. 

I have made changes to the financial and organization sections based on the thoughts made by these two.  This is the most important sections.  It is important to understand the business before you start the business.  Having a strong grasp on the monthly financials and how the company will make money is very essential.

Two Business plan professionals.

Andrea Cockerton

Andrea is a British advisor who has devoted her work in helping companies develops their pitch to future investors.   Her career has consisted of working with well over 350 entrepreneurs.  She has become an expert in developing ideas to help small companies get funding from venture investors.  She holds workshops and hosts networking events in the United Kingdom. 

Andrea has shared information showcasing her knowledge of creating a successful business plan with many companies. Andrea feels the importance of asking for money is very high before there is no cash left. “Going to investors at too late a stage is a risky strategy, Better is to look at the long-term objectives and aspirations of the business and plan the fundraising sensibly into this long-term strategy,” (http://www.thenextwomen.com/(2008)  The business plan should answer the question of why it is important and how will it make it amongst it’s competitors.

(bpexpertviews.blogspot.com(2013)

(www.thenextwomen.com(2008)

Chuck Blakeman

Chuck Blakeman has a special approach to business.  His approach has influenced thousands of small businesses in the way their owners carryout their planning. He is noted for starting five businesses that very in complexity, and a couple of non-profit organizations.  He has been the speaker at workshops and engagements numbering at over 100, and has been quoted by NY Times.com, CNN Money.com, and Entrepreneur Magazine.

Chuck Blakeman specializing in getting businesses started without a business plan.  This is a highly controversial argument.  Most investors want potential owners to predict how the company will do in the future.  Chuck believes that it is a waist of time trying to play fortuneteller, when you can actually be doing business.  Life always gets in the way of the best plans.  Everyone knows where they want to go in business, but no matter how well things are planed we often have to change those plans and adapt to life.

(chuckblakeman.com(2013)

Kidd Kraddick Livestreaming video media pioneer passes away.

The focuses of most of my blogs have been the innovative new opportunities that the Internet has created for broadcasters and video producers.  Live streaming video is a great way for anyone with a web cam or video camera that connects to a computer to instantly distribute the video all over the world via the Internet.   There have been many innovators but the most prevalent medium that has adopted this new technology has been radio.  It is now available to radio stations to share live video stream of their radio shows simultaneously while their show is being broadcast over the radio air waves.  The radio show has essentially become television as well.

One great pioneer of this practice has been Kidd Kraddick.  David “kidd” Kraddick has been a broadcaster for many years functioning as a morning radio show.  His show has been syndicated to over 40 markets covering a good majority of the country.  This show has embraced the ability of live  streaming video as well as audio over the Internet and becoming one of the first radio shows to do so.  Doing this has lead to greater opportunities for Kidd to showcase the program on actual television.  The live streamed program was picked up to be featured on a daily magazine program, called Dish Nation, focusing on the current gossip surrounding popular celebrities and other current affairs. Kidd has also used this broadcasting ability to raise money for a great charity he calls Kidds Kids.  This charity raises money to send terminally ill children to Disney world once a year.

It was announced on Saturday July 27, 2013 that Kidd passed away while at a fundraiser for his Kidds Kids charity. Kidd Kraddicks show has brought smiles to many people around the country.  He will be missed.