Do you have a livestream or podcast, but struggle to get traction? Or have you been dreaming about starting one, but feel overwhelmed by the technical hurdles? This conversation is for you.

On this practical episode of The Recognized Authority, Brendan McAdams sits in the coaching chair with host and content strategy coach Alastair McDermott. They discuss Brendan's new livestream show and work on planning the show and troubleshooting roadblocks.

You'll discover practical tactics to enhance your audio, video, and content quality so your expertise shines through.

Alastair's candid insights will give you confidence to hit record whether you’re looking to improve your current show or gearing up to start a new one. You'll also learn how to make your livestreams more engaging and shareworthy - from choosing the right equipment to crafting questions that uncover fascinating personal stories.

We all know high-quality audio and video are crucial for influencing how our expertise is perceived. But did you realize even simple improvements to your home studio acoustics can make you sound more authoritative? Alastair shares his hard-won advice for sound treatment on a budget.

What about the nagging feeling your content sounds dated shortly after you publish it? Alastair provides thought-provoking feedback on Brendan's working title and how it could imply fleeting relevance rather than evergreen value.

And have you struggled to transform your interviews into snackable social media clips? You'll hear Alastair's systematic process for repurposing content across platforms, saving you tons of time while extending your reach.

If you feel your livestreaming efforts aren't having the impact you hoped, this candid conversation is packed with practical tips to quickly level up your game.

👉 Interested in getting coaching help like this? Learn more about coaching with Alastair

Key Insights:

• Quality audio/video makes you seem smarter, more important and more likable.
• Start with the best gear you can afford and upgrade over time. Audio quality is most important.
• Live streaming forces you to publish content and avoids procrastination/perfectionism.
• Having a show that works even with a small audience is powerful.
• Interviews with ideal clients build relationships, even if no one listens.
• Keep format simple - avoid overproduction. Done is better than perfect.
• Evergreen content stays relevant long-term. Timely hooks imply ephemeral value.
• Personal stories and journeys make for great content. Help experts showcase accomplishments.
• Repurposing content for different formats and platforms extends reach and impact.

Episode Overview

1. Planning and Strategy (00:00 - 15:00): identifying the primary and secondary target audiences, determining the best format such as interview, solo, or hybrid, and how the title implies ephemeral "news" content rather than evergreen value.

2. Production Quality and Tools (15:00 - 35:00): how to achieve high audio, video, and lighting quality even on a budget. Key tips include prioritizing audio over video quality, using dynamic microphones, and acoustic treatment for "echoey" rooms. Tools and platforms for multi-channel live streaming, integrating pre-recorded content, and how live streaming improves consistency by avoiding perfectionism traps.

3. Content Format and Optimization (35:00 - 60:00): optimizing the content, including structuring questions to get guest stories, celebrating expert accomplishments, and repurposing clips across platforms.

4. Process and Implementation (60:00 - 90:00): specifics around identifying strong clips from long-form interviews, a systematic process for clip creation, and how to optimize clips for different social platforms.

Whether you're a seasoned pro or just starting out, join us as we explore how to create compelling livestreams that showcase your expertise.

🎓 COACHING Find out more about working with Alastair rec.nz/coaching