Prepare for a professional and engaging virtual fundraising event.
Being a Livestream presenter can be both fun and challenging, especially when you’re raising funds for an important cause. Proper preparation makes the difference between a smooth, professional event and a chaotic one. These best practices will help you deliver a polished presentation that keeps viewers engaged and inspired to donate, while minimizing technical issues and awkward moments that can distract from your fundraising message.
How should I prepare before going live?
Successful Livestream presentations require thorough planning and technical preparation before you ever appear on camera:
- Start by creating a detailed program that outlines exactly what will happen during your event and when, ensuring all presenters know their roles and timing.
- Practice your program with all presenters at least once—multiple rehearsals will make your event run even more smoothly.
- Test your technical setup by experimenting with lighting and background settings until you find what works best. We recommend using one bright lighting source and a minimalist background so viewers see you clearly without distractions. Invest in good audio equipment, preferably a headset with an attached microphone, so your audience can hear you clearly.
- Queue up any planned presentations, videos, or activities ahead of time so they’re ready when you need them.
- Silence all phones, tablets, and computer notifications to prevent unexpected interruptions.
- Review your Livestream Presenter Checklist to verify you have everything you need before going live.
What should I do during the Livestream to keep viewers engaged?
Maintaining audience attention throughout your Livestream requires strategic use of visual elements and interactive features:
- Incorporate images, presentations, or pre-recorded content into your program to attract viewers and break up long segments of talking.
- Add interactive activities like surveys, trivia games, or use the customizable donation button to host virtual Fund-a-Need campaigns and Paddle Raise appeals—learn more about these options in Livestream Activities.
- Turn on the chat feature so you and your audience can ask questions and exchange comments in real time, creating a sense of community even in a virtual environment.
- When you’re backstage waiting to present, always mute yourself—even though the audience can’t see or hear you, any presenters currently onstage can still hear you, and the audience might hear you if onstage presenters are using external speakers instead of headsets.
What technical limitations should I know about?
RallyUp Livestream supports up to 100 presenters in the backstage area and can display up to 25 presenters onstage simultaneously. However, we strongly recommend keeping your presenter list as small as possible to avoid confusion and maintain a focused, professional presentation. Too many presenters can create logistical challenges and make it difficult to manage transitions smoothly.
Before your Livestream begins, you can use the backstage area for last-minute logistics discussions with your team. If you need to add presenters to your event, follow the instructions in How-to: Add Livestream Presenters.
Frequently Asked Questions
What equipment do I need to be a Livestream presenter?
You need a computer or device with a working camera, a stable internet connection, and quality audio equipment. While built-in laptop cameras work, external webcams often provide better video quality. For audio, a headset with an attached microphone delivers the clearest sound and prevents echo feedback. Test all equipment before your event to ensure everything works properly with RallyUp’s Livestream Studio.
How can I improve my on-camera presence?
Position your camera at eye level and look directly into it when speaking to create a connection with viewers. Speak clearly and slightly slower than normal conversation pace. Use hand gestures naturally but keep them within the camera frame. Smile and show enthusiasm for your cause—your energy directly impacts viewer engagement and donation rates. Practice in front of the camera beforehand to get comfortable with how you appear and sound.
What should I do if I experience technical difficulties during the Livestream?
Stay calm and acknowledge the issue briefly to your audience if they can see or hear you. If you lose connection, refresh your browser and rejoin the Livestream Studio immediately. Have a backup presenter ready to continue the program if you can’t reconnect quickly. Keep RallyUp support contact information readily available for urgent technical assistance. Always conduct a full technical rehearsal before your event to identify and resolve potential issues.
How long should my Livestream event be?
Most successful fundraising Livestreams run between 30 minutes and 2 hours, depending on your format and content. Shorter events work well for focused appeals or Auctions, while longer programs suit galas with multiple entertainment segments. Break longer events into distinct sections with clear transitions to maintain viewer interest. Monitor your viewer count throughout the event—if numbers drop significantly, consider wrapping up sooner than planned.
How do I handle inappropriate comments in the chat?
Monitor the chat continuously and remove inappropriate comments immediately to maintain a positive environment. Assign a dedicated team member as a chat moderator if possible, so presenters can focus on delivering content. You can disable the chat feature entirely if you prefer one-way communication. Establish clear chat guidelines at the start of your event and remind viewers to keep comments respectful and on-topic.
How-to: Delete Comments or Ban Users from Your Livestream Chat