Along with creating process videos, live streaming can be a powerful tool in your social media arsenal. Fans love seeing art being created, having an inside look at your studio and inspirations, and even getting a behind-the-scenes view of photoshoots and exhibitions.

While platforms like Twitch and Periscope were designed for live streaming, Facebook, Instagram, Youtube, and Twitter also have the ability to broadcast live video. This makes it easy, as you can use the social media platform you prefer, and the one your fans are most active on.

Keep in mind, each service has different features and restrictions. Some may archive the videos for later viewing, and others may have chat windows so that your fans can ask questions while you stream.

The following tips are designed to help you make the most of this exciting, and beneficial, form of video content.

Improvisation can often make a live stream a great experience, however this takes practice and is not always as easy as it sounds. Writing a script, no matter how minimal, can help keep you on track and eliminate the awkward pauses when you’re not sure what to do next. Practice the script a few times before broadcasting, this way you have the basic layout of what you want to do. If you do get sidetracked, you can easily get back on topic.

Make sure to get everything setup before broadcasting. The last thing you want to do is have your fans watch a few minutes of setup or dealing with any audio/video difficulties. One trick for practicing your broadcasts, is to create an alternative account, say on Facebook, that you can use to make practice streams. This way you can go through the script and even watch the video afterwards to see how everything goes.

The main thing that will set your live streams apart from standard videos, is interacting with your audience. Acknowledge their presence and show your appreciation. If you’re broadcasting alone, it might not be easy to always look at the comments that are coming in. So, make sure to take quick breaks and catch up on any questions that might be worth answering.

Live streaming can play into peoples fear of missing out. The idea that something cool is going to happen, and they weren’t there to see it. Make sure to promote your live stream before it happens, and think about giving away some free sketches, discount codes, or even exclusive previews of upcoming projects. This will not only help to bring more fans to watch your broadcasts, but will also keep them coming back.

You don’t have to wear a suit and tie, but it will help if you try your best to make sure the audio, video, and presentation is as professional as you can make it. Practice various camera angles, and if you’re using an iPad or mobile phone to record, use a tripod to keep it steady.

If you have an external mic, that’s perfect. If you don’t, make sure to speak loudly and clearly. This is especially important if you are talking about the methods you use to create with.

Most importantly, don’t engage with trolls. Hopefully, you never have to deal with this, but it’s always a possibility. Trolls want you to get upset, and interacting with them only gives them steam. Ignore them, and remember that you can always block them if the platform allows for this. If not, create an environment with your fans that is not only positive, but has a real sense of community. This will help to stop those trolls before they even get started.