In a nutshell
Some creators seem to have an endless supply of brilliant ideas. It happens in other industries, too. There are musicians who put out new albums endlessly and designers who’ve been at the drawing board for decades. Are they blessed with more creativity than the rest of us? Do they have a secret trick for coming up with new content ideas?
With so many livestreams out there competing for attention, finding ways to stand out from the crowd is a high priority. We could give you a list of cool ideas to copy, but we’re going to do you one better and offer you some useful idea-generating techniques instead. Follow the guidelines below to develop a skill for churning out fresh ideas for a livestream. You can then create content that keeps your audience engaged and returning for more.
Go beyond the stats to understand your audience
There’s a lot you can learn about your audience by analyzing the demographics and stats from your dashboards. But there’s much more you should understand about them to give them what they really want. Plus, you’ll find ways to appeal to a wider audience without alienating the existing followers. Here are a few ways to get to know them on a deeper level:
- Get your hands dirty: Get to know your target audience better by actively engaging with them. Sure, you could send surveys and review the data. But you can also chat with them in the comments, ask for their input and join other groups or channels you know they like.
- Know where they hang out online: Are they active on social media? Do they prefer watching videos on YouTube or livestreaming on Twitch? Knowing where they spend their time will help you reach them more effectively.
- Keep an open mind: Let yourself be surprised by what you may find they’re interested in or how they prefer to consume content. Be open to trying new things and adjusting your approach as needed to better serve your audience.
Combining analytics data with your own personal knowledge can give you a deeper insight into who your audience is. Then you can start creating livestreams that cater to their preferences instead of just what you want to do with your content. It will make them feel heard and valued by you, which in turn builds loyalty.
Brainstorming for new content ideas
There’s something to be said for the old-school brainstorming sessions with thought circles branching out across a page with notes scribbled in the margins. It’s a refreshing way to get your creative juices flowing beyond the first four or five thoughts you have floating around. For an extra boost, try brainstorming with a few friends who are excited about your content. Save the pages and revisit them occasionally to see which old ideas might bring up new inspirations later.
Brainstorming doesn’t have to stop at circles and sticky notes, though. Keep a running list in a shared doc with your cohorts. Anytime a conversation comes up that generates an idea, use your phone to open the doc and add the notes. You can also brainstorm with a AI chatbot. The resulting ideas you get from AI are highly dependent on the queries and input you give it, so be specific and creative.
Leveraging niche trends and current events
When it comes to ideas for your livestream content, it’s essential to keep your finger on the pulse of what’s trending and relevant. This way, you can produce engaging content that will resonate with your online audience. Here are some ideas for leveraging niche trends and current events in your next livestream:
- Cover a breaking news story in your industry or area that your audience is interested in.
- Share your thoughts and analysis on a recent court case or ruling.
- Go live from an industry conference or trade show for an inside scoop.
- Host a panel discussion on a hot-button issue in your field.
- Profile an inspiring individual or organization making waves in an area that matters.
- Highlight or review new products or services that are shaking up a market your audience loves.
- Debate the pros and cons of certain technology trends or methods.
These kinds of ideas are great for creating livestreams that feel brand new because topics are pulled from the most current headlines. You can use the ideas as many times as you want, but you’re always giving fresh content. Just be sure to keep it on par with what your fans want.
Collaborate with other creators
When it comes to livestreaming, one of the best ways to keep your audience engaged is to collaborate with other creators. This can mean costreaming with another creator on a topic that you’re both passionate about, doing a Q&A with an industry expert, full brand collaborations for cross-promotion or a fun challenge. Collaborating with others will not only help to mix up your content and keep things fresh, but it will also help to broaden your reach and attract new viewers to your channel.
Invite guest hosts
If you’d like to shake up your livestreams a bit, consider inviting a guest host to join you. This could be anyone from an industry expert to someone else who streams on the same platform. Giving viewers the opportunity to hear from and interact with someone different will not only help keep things interesting but it can also give your livestreams an additional boost in terms of viewership.
Recycle – reuse – reinvent
Using what has worked in the past is a great way to keep your online audience engaged. Try to have fun with it and put a new, interesting spin on your old content. Get nostalgic and show your viewers some of your older work to discuss how you’ve grown as a creator since then.
Incorporate interactive elements into your content, like polls, challenges and giveaways. Take a deep dive into an old popular stream and teach your viewers something new you’ve learned since then. Find some old content your viewers loved and give them a step-by-step tutorial on how to create something.
This is a great way to cross hard analytics data — which videos were popular in the past and which have remained popular — with your personal understanding of your audience and what truly interests them.
Create your content goldmine
Whether it’s hosting Q&A sessions, vlogging new info about old topics or creating unique collabs, the possibilities are endless. Finding ways to bring in new content ideas for a livestream can be a challenge that makes you a better creator overall. And your audience will thank you.
