Businesses today are not just about selling products; they have become storytellers, entertainers, and educators.

Whether you’re a marketing manager planning a product launch, a hotelier building trust with guests, or an educator reaching students beyond the classroom, you can connect with a wider audience in real-time, right from where you are. Yes, I am talking about the power of live streaming!

Live streaming allows your brand to create unmissable moments, promote genuine engagement, and build trust with your audience—whether through events, workshops, or even daily operations.

With live streaming, your content isn’t just viewed; it’s experienced. And trust me, it’s ridiculously easy to do. Let’s start with the basics.

Understanding live streaming on digital signage: The basics

Live streaming is the broadcasting of audio, video, or both audiovisual content directly to digital displays, such as screens in stores, corporate offices, hotels, or public spaces. To be very precise, unlike regular streaming, where content is pre-recorded and stored—such as YouTube videos or OTT movies and series—live streaming delivers content in real-time.

Consider the difference between regular streaming and live streaming, similar to a recorded OTT show, and attending a live concert. This method allows businesses and organizations to engage audiences by delivering live events, announcements, sports matches, news updates, or any dynamic content in an immediate and interactive way.

Digital signage platforms like Pickcel allow live streams, which can be easily integrated and displayed across multiple screens. Content is first captured using devices like mobile phones, webcams, or professional cameras. Later, this content is broadcast to designated displays using a digital signage software that supports live streaming.

Why should you live stream?

4 out of 5 consumers prefer live videos from brands over reading blogs. This shift in consumer preference highlights the growing power of live streaming. It’s not just a trend; live streaming has become a crucial tool for businesses, content creators, educators, and individuals to engage with their audiences in real time. Let’s dig a little deeper to see why you should consider live streaming:

Real-time engagement and interaction

Real-time engagement is one of the compelling reasons why you should go for live streaming. Brands can directly connect to the audience in real-time and promote a sense of community and engagement. When we watch something or connect in real-time, we feel involved, or a part of it, which makes the viewer and the organizer feel connected.

Authenticity and transparency

Unlike pre-recorded contents, which are often edited, live streaming is unfiltered, and can provide a genuine view of your brand. This genuineness and authenticity helps build trust, allowing the audience to connect more deeply with the content as it feels honest and unscripted.

Cost-effective

Live streaming is an affordable option compared to other forms of content production. You don’t need high-end equipment; a smartphone or a basic camera set is sufficient. With tools like InstaStream from Pickcel, you can live stream effortlessly. Plus, with live streaming, you don’t have to spend on costly editing or post-production, further reducing your expenses.

Creates a sense of urgency and exclusivity

Real-time content is unique because it’s exclusive and not available anywhere else, allowing viewers to witness information simultaneously with others around the world. This creates a sense of urgency, as viewers often make an effort to tune in on time to avoid missing valuable content or experiences. The feeling of being part of a live stream is distinctly different from watching pre-recorded content.

Flexible content for various purposes

Live streaming can be a multi-purpose tool for business and various sectors. It is a perfect option for presenting webinars and tutorials to demonstrate products and as well as customer support. Beyond that, it can be used for educational purposes like classes or training. Across industries, live streaming has become a great asset for hosting events and conference purposes.

Use cases of live-streaming on digital signage

Live streaming offers the ability to broadcast everything in real-time to the desired audience who can’t be physically present. And there is no limit to how different industries can use it for their own benefit. Below are some of the most common ways live streaming is being used to great effect.

1. Marketing and product launches

Brands can announce product launches on live streaming to create a buzz. Since these events often feature potential discounts or deals, they tend to attract higher engagement. Additionally, stores can use live streaming for shopping purposes.

The digital signage display can be split into zones. In different zones, brands can display product launch videos, features, promotional offers, limited-time deals related to the new product, or a countdown timer to create urgency.

Businesses can really trigger sales or secure bulk orders in live streaming. The raw, uncut nature of live streams allows for authentic product demonstrations, making it easier for audiences to connect with the content—it feels genuine, unlike typical ads.

This livestreaming can be presented on various displays presented in malls or shopping complexes. For instance, imagine an automobile brand launching a new model of bike. They could live stream the event, broadcasting it throughout the entire complex or mall, amplifying its reach and impact.

2. Hospitality

On the digital signage board, businesses like hotels, restaurants, and cafes can create engaging and dynamic zones within their layouts.

For example, while the menu is displayed in one zone of the screen, guests can check out a highlighted dish as the “chef’s special.” Simultaneously, in another zone, a live stream from the kitchen can show the chef crafting that special dish from start to finish. Restaurants can live stream your cooking process and the cleanliness you maintain directly to your digital menu board before your customers.

Live streaming is also a great way to give your guests a virtual tour of your residence or hotel while showcasing amenities. Isn’t it interesting? There is no limit to what more you could try.

3. Education and training

There is no limit to how educational institutions can use live streaming; educators can take the students on virtual field trips and explore museums and industrial locations. For instance, imagine the director or the head of institutions has a message for everyone. Then, it can be directly live-streamed to all the displays on campus with a few clicks.

This is a useful asset that can be used to execute corporate training, interactive webinars, workshops, live learning, guest lectures, mentoring, and countless other activities associated with education.

4. Corporate

Corporate sectors can live stream events or announcements directly to digital displays throughout the office, including in conference halls, boardrooms, workstations, and cafeterias. This allows all employees to stay informed and engaged, regardless of their location.

For example, InstaStream enables the broadcasting of conferences, seminars, and meetings directly to these screens from a mobile camera or laptop, making it possible for remote participants to be part of the discussion in real-time.

Additionally, related content such as agendas, speaker bios, and key takeaways can be displayed alongside the live feed, creating a comprehensive and interactive experience that makes every employee feel like they’re in the room. This approach connects global offices and ensures that corporate announcements reach everyone simultaneously.

5. Entertainment and media

If you have noticed, concerts and live shows are so crowded that it’s actually hard for everyone to see the artists clearly. Concert hosts can live stream the same event on various big displays installed in the location and in fan parks to let everyone enjoy it. The same can be adopted by a film production company to live stream movie premieres, screenings, red carpet events, interviews, etc.

Why choose Pickcel?

Are you looking for the perfect live streaming solution to stream high-quality videos seamlessly in your digital signage network? If yes, InstaStream by Pickcel is your perfect choice. With InstaStream, you can broadcast any dynamic event, promotion, announcement, or live event right from your mobile or laptop device.

It’s simple, flexible, affordable, and user-friendly. One of the standout features is its ability to incorporate additional content, such as images, videos, or promotional banners, during a live stream. This enables you to create engaging and interactive live broadcasts that resonate with your audience.

The platform is designed for easy integration and supports multiple device compatibility, ensuring your content reaches the right audience without technical barriers. The best part is you don’t need any additional external hardware to live stream or broadcast your content worldwide. So, what more are you waiting for? Try InstaStream by Pickcel now.

Summing Up!

Whether it’s for internal business communication or live streaming for your audience, you’re not merely sharing content—you’re crafting a unique experience. Today’s audiences crave more than just information; they seek connection, authenticity, and real-time interaction.

To truly stand out, think beyond the ordinary and consider what your audience will remember. Ready to elevate your digital signage strategy with live streaming? Visit Pickcel to see how InstaStream can make your next event unforgettable.