Run of Show 101: How to Make Your Live Stream Run Smoothly

Live streams, your way to real-time audience connection, can become challenging if you don't prepare well.
But wait, live streams are made to make our audience connection spontaneous, so why do we need planning and preparation? Because unlike a non-live video, you can't edit live videos.

Having a run of show or production schedule for your live stream, helps you figure out what (and who) you will need for your live broadcast to ensure everything is on track.

What Is A Run of Show?

A run of show (ROS) is your go-to document that includes all the information essential to run an event. A vital component of the pre-production phase, a run of show lists everything in detail – from the event's timing to the durations, topics, and speakers.

For somewhat complicated and lengthy events, a run of show also mentions cues for the entire set up, besides all the audio, video, and lighting changes.

In terms of a live stream, the ROS lays out minute-by-minute detail about the broadcast sequence. It lists details like what to share on the screen, what music to play in the background, and which equipment to use.

It can also include floor plans with the room layout and the placement of all the equipment, including cameras, microphones, lighting, catering, etc.

Do I Need A Run Of Show?

Short answer: If you are a live streamer, then yes.

Long answer: Every event needs a run of show, and live events or live streams are no exception.

Whether you call it a show flow, a cue-to-cue (Q2Q), or simply a cue sheet, a run of show is critical to give a direction to your event. It's your gateway to a seamless show. The more attention you give to creating the perfect live stream run of show, the higher are its odds of being accurate.

While rehearsing for your events, having the ROS ready can help you tweak the order of the cues or adjust timing or use of specific equipment if needed.

All in all, when you practice your live broadcasts with a run of show in hand, you are preparing for success. And that's something every live streamer wants, right?

Who Uses A Run of Show?

In simple words: anybody involved in the production of an event needs a run of show.

And with the growing love for live streaming, having a live stream run of show is extremely important for live streamers who don't want to mess up their broadcasts.

After all, going live with scroll-stopping content that helps you connect to your viewers requires hard work. The ROS gives you an outlet for all that hard work.

Why the Run of Show Is A Must Have For Successful Events?

From press conferences to seminars, concerts, workshops, and presentations, every event needs a run of show to help with the right planning and execution. By listing the sequence of activities that occur during an event, a run of show binds every element of the show together.

And when you share it with the key players, you ensure that everyone is on the same page (well, exactly) – which is the cornerstone for a successful event.

Why Is A Run of Show Important For Livestreaming?

Live viewers tend to get distracted easily. A small mistake, and you might lose their interest. This is why having an outline ready well beforehand is highly crucial to your live stream's success.

Plus, if you decide to save your live streams, you make them accessible long after the broadcast is over. So, when you keep it alive on different platforms, you must ensure everything is in place.

A pretty common problem with live streams is that they tend to go longer than intended.

By listing what to cover during which part of the live stream, a detailed run-of-show will help you stay on time and prevent you from deviating.

Elements of A Run of Show Template

Creating a live stream run of show means including all the essential elements at the right place to enable a flawless live broadcast. These elements define how your live stream will go from start to end.
Here's what they usually include:

• Timing: This consists of both the start and the end time per topic that you want to cover in your live stream.
• Duration: This is the time duration you want to speak on a particular topic.
• Topic: It will include the subject you want to cover during a given time.
• Cues: This section will help you with any auditory or visual cues you need to explain what's going to come next.
• Screen Content: It will include what's on the screen at a given time.
• Lighting: You can ignore this element if the lighting remains the same during the entire event. Else, add details about the lighting sources you need during different segments of the live stream.
• Audio: Here, add the details of the different background music tracks you would need during the live broadcast.
• Notes: Any additional information can be included in this section.

Run of Show Template For Your Livestream

To help ensure that your livestream runs smoothly, I've put together a run of show template to help you get started with creating a plan for your livestream. Download the template here.

And The Show Must Go On!

With virtual events taking center stage, the demand for live streams has risen substantially. And while you may be too keen to tap into the benefits of live streaming, don't forget to pull out all the preparatory stops with a live stream run of show.

Remember, your viewers may be live, but they are fully observant of any mistakes you may commit. So, why leave scope for improvement?

We hope the template shared above will help you square away your live stream run of show.

However, if you need help with other things, such as deciding on your live streams' frequency, we have enough resources to assist you with all things live streaming. Check out how often should you live stream in that case.

And don't forget to use StreamYard to take your live streams to another level and offer your live audience a professional, seamless, and immersive experience.