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Producing a captivating live stream video takes a lot more than just hitting the start button and hoping for the best.
Although engaging content is necessary, there is one other thing you need to make sure your video succeeds: an effective structure format.
Whether you are streaming on Facebook, posting a video on YouTube, or even filming a video podcast, you need a consistent live video structure to deliver entertaining, educational, and inspirational live videos.
Owen Video recently sat down with Leap Into Live Streaming to walk us through his Run of Show (RoS) system to deliver successful live stream videos. Owen is a YouTube and live streaming expert. He has worked with hundreds of business owners and thought leaders to teach them this model.
The RoS model is a systematic approach to building a strong show with high audience engagement. It tells you when and how to engage with your audience, whether you ask for a sale, tell a story, or introduce a guest.
If you want to elevate your live videos, this is the interview for you. By following Owen's RoS model, your videos will go from unknown to unforgettable.
What is the RoS system?
RoS stands for "run of show," and it is how a show is formatted.
Every type of video is constructed and pieced together by writers, psychologists, actors, producers, and advertisers. That means every kind of video has a specific structure and purpose.
The RoS method tells you what to say and when to say it. Owen also offers a downloadable RoS template on his website.
The system has multiple steps: hook, intro, audience, guest, sponsor, bullets, tension, segment, climax, and conclusion.
Let's talk about each one.
Hook
First, you want to open up your video with a strong hook. A hook is an attention-grabbing statement that entices your viewer not just to watch but to watch for a little bit of time.
Your hook should keep your audience on your video for another minute. That follow up minute is how you make a consistent viewer.
An example of a strong hook is something like, "Today you're going to learn how to do 'X' that will give you the result of 'Y' so you can experience 'Z.'"
Next up is the bumper and branding statement. The bumper is a short audio clip that people will come to recognize your show for.
Technically, your bumper is optional. But, you need to have a branding statement for your show for it to be recognizable.
Your hook, bumper, and branding statement last only a few seconds. Then, it's time to move on to your introduction.
Introduction
Your introduction should tell your audience that you are live and that you go live at a specific time every week, as well as your name, your show's name, your guest's name (if applicable,) and the show topic.
It's crucial to include in your introduction that you go live every week to remind your audience that if they can't tune in right now, they can catch you again next week.
After your introduction, you will tease your content. To do this, you'll say, "But first."
By saying, "But first," you create tension, keeping your audience engaged and listening to find out more. "But first" is also the perfect transition to introduce your audience.
Audience
As an example, you can say, "Today I'm going to show you how to build a YouTube channel, but first, I want to welcome our live audience watching on Facebook Live."
See what Owen did there? He teased his content, created tension, and welcomed the audience. After welcoming your viewers, you can also read comments and give a couple of shoutouts to regular viewers or newcomers.
Guest
Next in the RoS system is introducing your guest, if you have one. Keep it short and sweet: "Today, our guest is Jim Jones, who did this and also this. Welcome to the show."
Instead of engaging in small talk, get right to the point.
Introduce your guest and start a conversation immediately to get the content moving. If you take too much time to give a long bio, your audience might get bored and leave the live stream.
After you introduce your guest, it's time for the setup. The setup is crucial to live video structure, and many people skip over it.
The setup is where you lay the groundwork for what's going to come up. You'll give a sneak peek at the big reveal of your show and hint at why it's needed, and the journey you'll take to get there.
“In the setup of your live stream, you’ll identify the audience and the problem that they’re facing, you’ll relate to the pain points of that problem to lend yourself credibility, and point to the results if they follow your advice.”
Sponsor
A great setup prepares the viewer and excites them for what they're going to hear in your video. After your setup, take the time to introduce and thank your sponsor.
Bullets
Finally, it's time to get to the meat of your video: the content. Owen suggests breaking your content up into three to five bullet points.
Deliver some of the content, create more tension, and then deliver the next part of your information. Always plan out your bullet points in order and put time into planning out your topics. Take pride in your show and its content.
End each bullet point with a question, some follow up questions, and then an audience Q&A. Again, you want to keep your viewers as engaged as possible throughout your live stream.
Tension
Before your third or final segment, create excitement by adding more tension. Figure out the most important point of your topic and focus your entire show leading up to that significant point.
Segment Climax
The final point is the climax. And don't be shy! Tell your audience the big reveal is coming. Keep them on the edge of their seat and wanting more.
The show's climax should be your most vital point, so find ways to make it stand out. Use images, pre-recorded video, a frame, etc. Do your best to highlight your big reveal as something extraordinary.
“Find a way to present the final point in a way that your audience wants it to be presented. This is the difference between the amateurs and the pros.”
Conclusion
Finally, it's time to start wrapping up your show with your conclusion. Tell your audience what your content means for them and answer questions in the comment section for as long as you like.
After that, give your closing statement. This should be the same every single time. Thank your audience for watching, remind them where to follow you on social media, and invite them to come back to your show next week.
And that's it!
Follow Owen's RoS process every single time you go live, and you will have a live stream show that educates your viewers, inspires them, and entertains them, which will make you the leading authority figure in your field.
How video structure is formatted in a real-life example.
Let's take a look at one of the most famous media pieces in American history: the t.v. show Friends.
The show uses a three-part format to capture attention, keep attention, and then produce a call-to-action. The structure expresses itself in media: the opening bumper, the jokes they tell, the product placement, and the cliffhangers before commercials.
The producers use these segments to create an intentional piece of media that is engaging and keeps you wanting to watch more episodes.
Let's break it down.
The show typically opens in one of the apartments or in Central Perk, where the cast tells a joke that only lasts a couple of seconds. This is their cold opening or their hook. Right after the joke, their iconic theme song plays.
Everyone knows that song. We resonate with it, which creates a sort of branding statement. Then, they go to a commercial break for their advertisers (aka, their sponsors.)
Next, the show itself begins, and it has a beginning, middle, and end. They start with a setup where they tell you what will happen: they introduce the characters, themes, and the problem.
The episode takes you on a journey to solve that problem or accomplish that thing. They create tension before the big reveal by adding a commercial break.
As they wrap up the plot lines, there is a discreet call-to-action, like a closing joke. Finally, the credits roll. This is the conclusion, and they may add jokes to the end of the credits as well.
Use the RoS format to create goals for your live streams.
Through this example, you can see how the construction of media satisfies the goals of the media.
When you record a live stream, you have goals. You want people to tune in and stay tuned in, which is called watch time or retention, and you want people to take action after watching your video.
If you know you have great content but struggle to draw an audience or keep them engaged, try setting up your video structure with Owen Video's RoS method.
When you follow an exact process with your videos every week, your audience will be more engaged. Plus, it'll be so much easier to produce your live streams because you’ll know what you need to do.
Use the RoS template as a checklist when planning your live streams each week. For the next video you have planned, give this a shot and watch your viewers’ retention time skyrocket.
Auto-Generate Your Run of Show
The ultimate power tool for live streaming and recorded videos, the Video Script Maker dynamically builds your script for you, complete with over 500,000 variations of prompts, questions, and more.
Just plug in your show details and instantly generate an amazing video script template complete with your show intro, guest bio, questions and your sign off, and do it week after week without ever repeating your template.
