remote fans Archives

CoolToys ® Live on TikTok?

April 14, 2024April 14, 2024Super Fan

CoolToys will be adding Live shows on TikTok soon.

As Fan2Stage joined Tik Tok so did CoolToysTV. Host Scott figured if TIKTOK is going live then he needed to be there. We figured we needed to test it. We’ll post tips tricks and latency issues as soon as we get it tested. For now we will have some quick videos about how to use the Fan2Stage Virtual Audience System to make your live shows better and how you as a fan can be more engaged.

As always we will be testing the latency of the TikTok live streams and how we can integrate the fan feedback to your TikTok feed. Stay tuned for more soon!

Harnessing the Power of Real-Time Engagement

In the ever-evolving world of social media, TikTok has become a powerhouse for creators and brands alike. Going live on TikTok is not just about streaming content; it’s an opportunity to connect with your audience in real-time, create genuine interactions, and build your community. The same can be said for many other live stream platforms as well.

Why Go Live?

Instant Connection: Live streaming allows you to interact with your followers instantly. With the Fan2Stage OnStage app you can give the power of applause, laughter, cheering and more to your fans. You get realtime feedback that you and your fans can hear without getting distracted from the show.

Boost Visibility: TikTok’s algorithm tends to favor live content, giving your profile a chance to be discovered by new viewers.

Show Authenticity: Going live removes the often polished veneer of pre-recorded content. It allows your audience to see a more authentic side of you or your brand.

Drive Engagement: Live sessions with Fan2Stage are interactive. Prompting users to participate can significantly increase engagement.

Before You Go Live

Check Eligibility: Most of the free and many paid live streaming services have some eligibility restrictions, such as having a certain number of followers and being over a certain age.
Plan Your Content: While spontaneity is a key element of going live, having a rough plan can help guide the broadcast. Just like radio, dead air on a live stream loses fans.
Promote Your Live: Announce your live session in advance through your favorite social media platforms to gather a larger audience.
Prepare Your Environment: Find a quiet, well-lit place to go live to ensure a high-quality stream.

During Your Live Session

Engage With Your Viewers: Use the Fan2Stage Virtual Audience System to connect with your fans.
Use Features: Live Stream services like YouTube, Facebook and TikTok has live features such as filters, Q&A boxes, and the ability to feature comments. These can make your live stream more interactive but can also be a distraction if you aren’t careful. That is why Fan2Stage is about realtime feedback and fan energy and nothing else.
Collaborate with Others: Consider going live with another TikTok creator to tap into their audience and add another dynamic to your content.

After Going Live

Analyze Your Performance: Review how your live session performed. Look at viewer count, engagement, and any revenue if you utilized TikTok’s monetization features.
Follow Up: Post highlights or a thank-you message to your TikTok and other social media accounts to maintain engagement and give a glimpse of what users missed.
Evaluate and Adapt: Reflect on what worked and what didn’t, and adjust your strategy for next time.

Going live can be a thrilling and rewarding experience. It’s a way to deepen the relationship with your audience and showcase the unfiltered reality behind your content. With preparation, authenticity, and engagement, your live streams can become a vital part of your social media presence.

Getting Ready for NAMM

January 17, 2024January 17, 2024Super Fan

At the end of January one of the biggest shows for the business side of the business is happening. Just across the street from Disneyland at the Anaheim convention center will be the NAMM show. We will be there, will you?

Gear Matters

While we built Fan2Stage to work with just about any type of live streaming or podcasting setup, we’ve learned that some like Twitch have big delays that just don’t really work if you want a truly live response from your audience. We are going to NAMM to see if there is any new gear there and connect with the companies that make the gear we use in the Fan2Stage and CoolToys TV Studios.

While building the Fan2Stage system and the F2s.Live servers we want to be able to run the entire process on mobile devices, and the good news is you can. As with all things in the entertainment business there can also be a better way. Currently we use several systems in our studios because we are always testing. The minimum system for the OnStage performer we recommend is a good Android Tablet or iPad. From there, OBS, Black Magic, Roku, Stream Deck and Canon Cameras are all over our studios.

It’s about the Show

Everything we do at Fan2Stage is focused on making the show better. Just because fans have to stay home or you want to host a live show from the beach in Bali, it doesn’t mean you can’t connect. The whole idea of Fan2Stage is to keep the fans and performers connected. Without the human connection, what is the point. Aren’t you just talking to a camera? When the fans are more engaged you are more engaged.

Fan2Stage, a simple solution so that there is A Live Audience for Any Stage.

Fan2Stage 2.0

December 30, 2023December 30, 2023Super Fan

For the past 24 months we have been working hard on the latest version of Fan2Stage, Fan2Stage 2.0

What Does This Mean To You?

Fan2Stage 2.0 is a complete revamp of the main website and the user apps. As of now we only have an app for fans, LiveFan and it will be available on the app stores shortly. For everyone, logging into Fan2Stage.com will be the same.

Our new servers are faster which reduces latency delay for your shows. Less delay keeps the show more real and most importantly more live. One of the biggest challenges we had with our former servers was that the delay was up to 4 seconds, added to the delay of video streaming services and for comics and other non musical performers it was honestly buzzkill.

CMAF Was Step 1

As we noted last year, the introduction of CMAF was a huge step in live stream video. Since everyone agreed on a single streaming video solution, the delay times of streaming services dropped from a high of 90 seconds (Facebook) to almost zero on many services.

Last year we tested the speed of video services to see which service worked best for our artists and performers. We will be revisiting those tests in the coming weeks and creating a new list so you know how to keep your show truly live.

Account Transfer and Server Move.

Over the New Years Holiday weekend we are migrating to the new servers and on January 1st 2024 only the Fan2Stage Version 2.0 servers will be available. All existing artist accounts will be migrated over the weekend. New event registration will be unavailable during that time.

While you are waiting for the new live fan mobile app, all of the features of the new versions will be available on the web app starting January 1st 2024. The back end of Fan2Field is now also complete so look for that to launch in the spring just in time for your kids little league games.

We look forward to seeing you at the show with Fan2Stage 2.0.

Try The New Fan2Stage 2.0a!

November 12, 2023November 14, 2023Scott - CoolToys TV Host

For the past year we have been working on the next version of Fan2Stage®. There are several significant improvements in overall performance and the fan experience. The Alpha release is currently in testing and you can give it a try.

The Small Screen Gets Bigger.

One of the trends over the past couple of years is that mobile device screens have gotten bigger. With the Fan2Stage 2.0a both the artist and the fan can display the video stream on the same screen as the input buttons. Now you can take the show every where you go. We could only do this with the introduction of Chunked CMAF.

For the artists side that means that you can use a single device, mobile, laptop or desktop workstation to host a show. No need to have your phone plugged in next to your computer to make it work. This also expands the places that Fan2Stage can go and where you can host or be part of a show.

Better Servers = Better Service

We have also made a major upgrade to our servers as we prepare to split out the sports version, Fan2Field. While sports events are also shows, they have different requirements so they are getting their own servers this Spring. Our new servers are based in the US and Europe to get them closer to your show and make them faster.

There are also some new features. Instead of only getting a tip at the end of the show artists can now sell tickets to the show. We are working with video streaming services to create private shows that can only be accessed by paying fans. Look for that feature soon. No more hoping for a few pennies from ads. Artists can always record the shows and post them for ad revenue later but that just isn’t the same as live and we all know it. That is why we created Fan2Stage in the first place.

If you want to sign up and take a sneak peak at Fan2Stage 2.0a and join the next episode of CoolToys®, click here to sign up as a fan and be the first to get the new Fan2Stage LiveFan® App. I look forward to hearing from you at the show.

Scott

Support live music with the Live Fan App by Fan2Stage

Support Live Music – From Home?

September 13, 2023September 13, 2023Super Fan

Live Music is something that brings us all together. After a visit to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland Ohio, I realized how much of an impact live music has on our lives. With the introduction of high speed internet and video live streaming, live music can happen anywhere any time. The problem is that live-streaming a show, isn’t the same as a live show. Now you can be a part of the show and support live music even from home.

An artist or performer can use a meeting program and see a bunch of tiny faces on the screen and get distracted by the chat boxes, hand raising or funny emoji’s or you can get Fan2Stage. Fan2Stage supports live music because the performers hear real cheering from real fans without distracting little screens. How does it work? Simple. After building a profile and posting a link to your show on your socials, your fans start the connection. All you need is an android or apple mobile device with an audio out connector. Basically a headphone jack or adapter.

The headphone jack plugs into your soundboard, speakers or however you want to hear the fans and voila, you have a live audience in the room with you.

How Do You Hear The Fans?

The fans at the other end watching your show on a smart TV, computer or even a tablet simply use the Fan2Stage® Live Fan® app to connect to the show. With the app they have six reactions, clap, cheer, boo, whistle, aww and laugh. As they press the buttons faster and harder your live audience sounds grow exactly the same way they would if the fans were in the room with you. No tiny faces on the screens and no chat boxes to try and read that distract you from the show. Just real fan feedback that you need to be your best.

If you live stream, don’t do it without Fan2Stage. Sign up for free and make your show truly alive! If you are a fan and want to support live music, download the LiveFan App and let your favorite live-streaming performers know you want them to hear you cheer!

Little League Parents and Grand Parents Love Fan2Stage

April 24, 2021January 20, 2024Super Fan

Fan2Stage helps little league parents and family members cheer on the kids even when they are watching from home on a webcam!

HUNTINGTON BEACH, CA, USA, April 23, 2021 /EINPresswire.com/ — Fan2Stage apps aren’t just for musicians and stage performers. “Shakespeare said “All the World is a Stage”, and that includes my kids little league games.” said Tom Hannigan. Mr. Hannigan recently decided to sign up his kids team as an “host” with the Fan2Stage Cloud system. With the Live On Stage app, Mr. Hannigan and other family members can be at home or anywhere they want watching the games live on a webcam. The webcam is positioned just over home plate and so the families can watch the game remotely. With Fan2Stage they can still cheer on their favorite players.

Using the Live Fan App by Fan2Stage, the family members can clap, cheer and even boo the umpires using an iOS or Android mobile device. The Patent Pending technology used by the Fan2Stage Virtual Audience System or VAS combines all of the fans inputs. Using that information, the system then generates a real live audience sound for the players. It works the same way that it does for musicians on stage. The PA system at the little league field can be used to play the audio so the players can hear it. When they hear the cheers, they know their family is watching and cheering them on. The family members can do this even if they can’t be in the stadium watching live.

Beyond Social Distancing

Even after social distancing rules are eased, the VAS systems and apps will still allow out of town family to be part of the crowd. Live audience feedback and virtual audience feedback combine to create an even bigger experience for the kids and the fans at the same time. The fans in the stands can hear the virtual fans as well adding to their experience at the game. No engineers hitting “cheer” while everyone quietly watches. This is a real and virtual fan experience at the same time.

The original idea for the Fan2Stage VAS was developed for college sports when the University of North Dakota was planning to host the National Collegiate Hockey Championships. Jed Shivers, the CFO of the school was concerned that without fans cheering the competition wouldn’t be at it’s best. Founder Scott Bourquin realized he was having the same problem with the live versions of CoolToys TV. Without an audience the energy wasn’t the same. He developed Fan2Stage to solve his problem and the athletes problem. The UND event was cancelled, and the VAS development continued opening up virtual audiences to any type of event that is live and online.

Social Distancing at Live Events

January 13, 2021January 13, 2021Super Fan

Social Distancing at live events won’t bring live back the way live is meant to be.

Fan2Stage helps fill the gaps even when we start returning to live shows. Since several states have partially opened we have been able to take part in a few live show. The first was a live music show in our car like a drive in. It was a great concept, but the same thing on pay per view at my home with the same two friends would have been better.

Live shows aren’t just about seeing the event live. It’s about the energy. Some say on stage energy drives the audience. Others say that the fan energy drives the show. I think live shows are an energy circle where they each drive the other.

Filling every third seat doesn’t cut it. Social Distancing at Live Shows needs F2S

As the host of COOLTOYS, and speaking on stage, I can tell you that keeping my energy up is easier if the audience energy is up. I also know that if I don’t get the energy started, the audience energy dies out. Rock bands might have it a little easier when there are 10,000 screaming fans when the lights come up. That day may or may not come back so we need to find a better solution.

I think we did with Fan2Stage and the cloud based version F2S. Our Virtual Audience server gives you real audience input to your live shows. Real fans can buy tickets to your virtual show, and use the Fan2Stage app to be a part of the show. Even if you aren’t up to the level of selling tickets, you can add a tip jar and make a couple of bucks for your work. Don’t give in, go live!

Waiting for a packed house might kill your career. Why do that when you can bring it to your house with Fan2Stage.

Fan2Stage – The Live Stream That is Really “Live”

July 27, 2020September 3, 2023Super Fan

One of the things we learned producing CoolToys during the Quarantine and lockdown periods is that fan feedback matters. The tough part with hosting a show even if on a Live Stream is getting instant feedback. Without someone telling you what the fans were saying in the chat box, you look silly reading the chat box. At least that is how we felt about CoolToys™.

We figured out what we were missing was a live audience. Without instant feedback the hosts weren’t sure if they were connecting. While that might be fine for radio, the best entertainment needs the connection to the audience. The energy from the audience elevates the show to another level. Don’t perform without all the energy you can possibly get. Use Fan2Stage to bring the audience in no matter where they are!

Fan2Stage is a patent pending system that brings the real feedback from the audience. No engineers piping in fake applause. Real people, real fans, real feedback, real energy. That is what seperates a good show from a great one.

Have a great show, get Fan2Stage.