I think this would be a decent side hustle... would you pay for it?

[sam_gordon]

First, I have done very little research toward this. I have no idea how much of a market there is, if there are companies that already do this, and, if so, what they charge.

So, that being said... what would you pay for someone to live stream your event? Let's say a wedding, a graduation, confirmation, birthday party, etc etc.

This came up because DD got married this past weekend. There were a couple of aunts on our side across the country who couldn't attend. I had some experience with live streaming DS & younger DD's soccer games, so told the aunts I would attempt to do so. It worked out. They were able to watch the ceremony "live". I understand some of the groom's family/friends also watched.

Yes, there would have to be a LOT of stuff worked out. I'm not sure if there's enough of a market, and what people would be willing to pay. Since there's a wide range of people on the Dis, I thought I'd ask here.

My gut reaction would be charging ~$250, which gets one camera, streaming to youtube (can make the event "unlisted", so you have to have the link, can't search for it), and the live portion of the event being no longer than an hour.

You could increase costs to include a longer event, wireless microphones, extra cameras, etc.

 

[Pooh2]

When my dad died in 2021, we had a lot of family members who could not fly home for the funeral.
The church lived streamed the Mass.
Family members reached out to us later to know how much it meant to them to feel included.

I would say $250 would be a great value for those in similar situations (our church had a volunteer teen who does it for no fee).

I know absolutely nothing about video/streaming, but can the stream be saved as a video for later viewing?

 

[DisneyOma]

No.

 

[sam_gordon]

I know absolutely nothing about video/streaming, but can the stream be saved as a video for later viewing?

Youtube (sorry, only one I'm familiar with), allows you to watch any live streamed event, even years later.

There are also apps/websites that allow you to download YT videos to your computer.

 

[kymom99]

I think this was a big deal during Covid. I imagine a number of AV companies might offer the service. The price you suggested sounds fair to me.

 

[LoveDaisy]

I got married in a Mexico and the resort live streamed the wedding for people who couldn’t attend. I would not have paid extra for it and only told my parents it was available if they wanted to watch it, honestly I can’t image anyone else wanting to see it. it was a part of my photo package.

 

[Mysterian]

I guess if those involved had so a significant amount of family that couldn't make it to the event.

I agree that Covid was the prime time for something like this. A couple getting married in Europe away from their American families could be an ideal scenario for this, but I think more often than not, most family would want to be there if the event was important enough.

 

[HopperFan]

I know several weddings (south) live streamed because of elders who couldn't attend and others out of town or were not invited to in person. I watched a wedding online that was out of state. Nice way to include folks who couldn't come or your wedding had limited numbers.

ALL of those were set up and organized by the wedding photographer. I think it is an additional service they now offer along with photos and edited video.

You might want to see if there is that type of offering for weddings at least already - maybe start small where most can't pay the high price of top photographers, like you say birthdays, anniversaries, surprise parties etc.

 

[Mysterian]

This could especially work for businesses or huge local events (sponsored by local businesses). I think this would be a great avenue.

With social media being what it is, you also can count on attention whores wanting to livestream anything. From birthdays, to proposals, to even getting their teeth crowned. They'll want their coworkers and pet groomers in the audience.

 

[_19disnA]

Not sure how much demand there might be for such a service. We used Zoom meeting in the past for free when relatives didn't want to travel from out of town during covid for Thanksgiving or Christmas so we could 'visit' for a time with each other. There is also some older product that works like Zoom can't recall the name right now. They all are bascially the same. Fairly easy to use for anyone with some knowledge of computers and has reasonably good cameras.

I think most people attend a wedding in person. The number of people not able to attend who would benefit from a live stream probably limits the number of potential customers you might have. Cost to do this professionally would depend on how complicated they want it to be. At the low end, one camera in a fixed location using whatever audio you can pickup. Or do they want multiple cameras from different positions (i.e. need to hire more workers to help), wireless mics to hear the bridge/groom/singers/those speaking/etc.? Mulitple cameras means you need someone to act as show producer and the associated electronic equipment so they can switch between the various cameras. We have done something like this at work (we hired a local AV company) for a few of our largest meetings and it can get REALLY complicated/expensive much live producing a live TV show. Does the church has reliable wifi service so you can actually get online during the ceremony? Some churches are also too dark for reliable video so you might need to bring/setup your own lighting. Most people don't realize that good quality indoor video usually requires additional lighting.

I agree this would probably more likely be a service offered by their photographer as the video could be an extension of what they are already onsite doing. Having BOTH a still photographer AND someone else doing the live stream would require quite a bit of coordination so you aren't in each other's way. Regardless of the exact configuration this would require quite a bit more time then simply showing up a few mintues before the wedding with a PC and webcam so your cost would need to consider that as well.

 

[disneychrista]

Could it be a side hustle / job? Sure. Would I pay for it? No, probably. Just not a service I need.

 

[Mysterian]

The only downside is technology being what it is, someone in the family may already be capable of livestreaming the event, and the family will decline the service from an outside party. It's like videotaping weddings was a thing, but now so many people use their phones.

 

[Mysterian]

Remember, there's no shame in just giving up and buying an inflatable castle and a karaoke machine.

 

[Mysterian]

Remember, there's no shame in just giving up and buying an inflatable castle and a karaoke machine.

I say this not just to Sam Gordon making his way into innovational party services, but to anyone in their life planning.

 

[slo]

I think it’s a pretty cool idea - good luck if you decide to do this

 

[snikki]

I know around here most venues offer this as an option now. I don’t know if it’s an additional fee or if it’s part of the package if you’d like it.

I would only use this if it’s offered by the venue and no charge. I wouldn’t pay extra for it. People can see pictures the next day.

 

[sam_gordon]

Not sure how much demand there might be for such a service. We used Zoom meeting in the past for free when relatives didn't want to travel from out of town during covid for Thanksgiving or Christmas so we could 'visit' for a time with each other. There is also some older product that works like Zoom can't recall the name right now. They all are bascially the same. Fairly easy to use for anyone with some knowledge of computers and has reasonably good cameras.

Cost to do this professionally would depend on how complicated they want it to be. At the low end, one camera in a fixed location using whatever audio you can pickup. Or do they want multiple cameras from different positions (i.e. need to hire more workers to help), wireless mics to hear the bridge/groom/singers/those speaking/etc.? Mulitple cameras means you need someone to act as show producer and the associated electronic equipment so they can switch between the various cameras. We have done something like this at work for a few of our largest meetings and it can REALLY complicated/expensive much live producing a live TV show. Does the church has reliable wifi service so you can actually get online during the ceremony? Some churches are also too dark for reliable video so you might need to bring/setup your own lighting. Most people don't realize that good quality indoor video usually requires additional lighting.

I agree this would probably more likely be a service offered by their photographer as the video could be an extension of what they are already onsite doing. Having BOTH a still photographer AND someone else doing the live stream would require quite a bit of coordination so you aren't in each other's way. Regardless of the exact configuration this would require quite a bit more time then simply showing up a few mintues before the wedding with a PC and webcam so your cost would need to consider that as well.

Oh, you can make this absolutely complicated (and the associated costs would increase). We just had a "lock down" camera with natural sound at the outdoor event. According to my aunt (and when I went back to watch), you could hear what was happening, but it was low (as to be expected). If I was to pay for the service, I would have wanted at least one wireless mic (either worn by the officiant or the bride/groom).

Having a camera operator "would have been nice"... someone who can adjust the camera to actually follow what's happening (processional, recessional, zooming in to the bride/groom, etc).

If I was doing this, I'd show up at least an hour before hand to get set up/test connection. It would also require probably ~30 minutes ahead of the event to create a "slate" to have up before the ceremony. So I'd be looking at at least 2 1/2 hours of "working" time, PLUS travel time, PLUS hardware costs, PLUS data costs.

While I think this would be enjoyable for me, I often travel on Saturday and/or Sunday for my "main" employer, so don't think I could do this, but it's fun to dream.

 

[sam_gordon]

The only downside is technology being what it is, someone in the family may already be capable of livestreaming the event, and the family will decline the service from an outside party. It's like videotaping weddings was a thing, but now so many people use their phones.

Totally, but that's why you get a deposit. lol. DD had a photographer and a videographer at the wedding. As did DW & I decades ago. Actually we had two videographers and we edited the footage together (we both worked at TV stations at the time).

 

[lovesmurfs]

My daughter-in-law planned to livestream their baby's baptism on Facebook. There were all sorts of technical challenges getting it started (one of her sisters was using an iPhone for it), and she stayed in one place for the whole thing, so got people's heads, etc. in the way. It was pretty frustrating for those texting me who couldn't see it.

That said, I would think pricing should depend on length. What if someone wants to livestream a wedding AND reception? Or a 6-hour birthday party? Would that be different than a half-hour wedding or an hour graduation?

I'm also of the pessimistic/risk management bent. You'd also need to have back-up systems in place in the event the technology fails, as well as some kind of insurance (not exactly malpractice?) in place in case of failure. What if a family sues you because the livestream didn't work?

 

[sam_gordon]

My daughter-in-law planned to livestream their baby's baptism on Facebook. There were all sorts of technical challenges getting it started (one of her sisters was using an iPhone for it), and she stayed in one place for the whole thing, so got people's heads, etc. in the way. It was pretty frustrating for those texting me who couldn't see it.

That said, I would think pricing should depend on length. What if someone wants to livestream a wedding AND reception? Or a 6-hour birthday party? Would that be different than a half-hour wedding or an hour graduation?

Yes, I think the price goes up the longer the event is.

I'm also of the pessimistic/risk management bent. You'd also need to have back-up systems in place in the event the technology fails, as well as some kind of insurance (not exactly malpractice?) in place in case of failure. What if a family sues you because the livestream didn't work?

Yes, having backup equipment would be part of it, but as we know, technology can fail. My gut (all I can go on) is if it failed and there's no live stream, then there's no charge. While someone could sue, I think it would be hard to show damages, so what would they sue for? I would think that would be something put into a contract, that if for some reason the live stream doesn't happen (or is so bad as to be unwatchable), the customer would owe no money and would be entitled to their deposit back.