If you’ve ever felt like live streaming isn’t quite your thing or maybe the formats you’ve seen just don’t resonate with your style, this guide is for you. I’m going to walk you through three proven live stream formats that are not only engaging but also practical and tailored for service providers like coaches, consultants, and course creators.
These formats will help you build your brand, connect authentically with your audience, and sell your services more effectively. Plus, I’ll share some personal insights, tips, and pitfalls to avoid so your livestreams can shine and truly make an impact.
1. Expert Interview Format
Let's dive into the first format that has been a cornerstone for many service providers: the Expert Interview. If you’re a coach, consultant, or course creator, chances are you’re not selling a physical product but rather your expertise and services. This format allows you to bring in guest experts, creating a dynamic conversation that benefits both you and your audience.
Why do expert interviews work so well? Here’s the deal:
Elevate Your Credibility: When you interview someone respected in your field or a related niche, you borrow from their credibility. Your audience sees you as connected and knowledgeable.
Expand Your Network: Both you and your guest share your networks, cross-promoting the content to reach new audiences organically.
Offer Fresh Perspectives: Your viewers get to hear different viewpoints and insights, which keeps your content engaging and varied.
But it’s not just about having a guest on air—it’s about having the right guest. Here are some tips I want to emphasize:
Choose Your Guests Wisely
Don’t get starstruck by just anyone who wants to be on your show. Make sure your guest aligns with your audience’s interests and complements your brand. When I started my podcast, Snack Size Marketing, I made the mistake of saying yes to everyone. The result? Conversations that were all over the place and irrelevant to my audience’s needs. Lesson learned!
Now, I’m very clear about who I invite: people who use video marketing effectively and whose topics resonate with coaches, consultants, and course creators. Setting boundaries here is crucial.
Preparation Is Key
Create a workflow that prepares both you and your guest. Share the interview topics or questions ahead of time so your guest can shine and bring their best. Their credibility reflects on you, so when they show up prepared and engaged, your show benefits.
Promotion Strategy
Don’t just go live and hope for the best. Plan how you’ll promote the interview beforehand and afterward. At Podfest this year, I learned a brilliant idea: package your interview content into clips, reels, or other shareable assets that guests can use to promote themselves. This not only provides extra value to your guest but also extends the life of your content.
To sum it up, expert interviews are a fantastic way to build credibility, grow your audience, and provide valuable content—as long as you choose the right guests, prepare well, and promote strategically.
2. How-To Workshop Format
Next up is the How-To Workshop—my personal favorite because I love teaching and sharing actionable advice. This format is all about educating your audience with clear, step-by-step solutions to problems they’re facing.
When you host a how-to workshop, you’re not just talking at your audience; you’re engaging them with actionable information they can use immediately. You’re showing them how to do something, breaking down complex topics into digestible pieces, and demonstrating your expertise in a way that builds trust.
Think of it like making a lasagna on camera. You show the layers, the ingredients, and the process. Your audience gets to see how it all comes together, and they learn something valuable in the process.
Engagement is Everything
Don’t just lecture. Incorporate interactive elements like live Q&A sessions, polls, or even trivia games. These tools keep your audience involved and make the experience memorable.
For example, I tested out a trivia app during one of my workshops, and it was a hit! It created a fun atmosphere and boosted engagement.
Don’t Fear Giving Away Too Much
This is a big one. Many coaches worry about giving away too much free content. Here’s the truth: when you provide real value, your audience recognizes your expertise and wants more. They’ll be more inclined to invest in your paid services or courses.
During this livestream, I even gave a sneak peek about an upcoming course I’m building in the Stream Like a Boss Academy, which naturally piqued interest and invited people to engage further.
Call to Action
Throughout your how-to workshops, gently seed calls to action. Invite viewers to sign up for more resources, join your community, or enroll in your courses. The key is to make the call to action relevant and connected to the content you’re teaching.
When done right, how-to workshops are not only educational but also a powerful way to nurture leads and convert viewers into clients.
3. Behind the Scenes Format
Finally, let’s talk about the Behind the Scenes livestream—a format that’s all about humanizing your brand and building genuine connections. This one is a bit different from the how-to because it focuses less on teaching and more on showing the real you.
I did a studio tour live a few months ago, and it became one of my most watched episodes ever. I even pre-recorded some of the footage and played it during the live session, answering questions in real time and sharing QR codes for gear purchases. It was a fun, authentic way to connect with my audience and give them a peek into my creative space.
Behind the scenes content can include:
Showing your workspace or studio setup
Sharing personal stories or interests that relate to your brand
Introducing your team or family members involved in your business
Demonstrating how you prepare for your work or livestreams
These glimpses help your audience feel like insiders, fostering trust and likability. For example, I talk about my love for Wonder Woman memorabilia and share loving memories of my grandmother—these personal touches make me relatable and authentic.
Be Authentic but Protect Privacy
One important caution: be mindful of what you share. Avoid exposing personal data, client information, or proprietary content. Live streaming doesn’t have the luxury of editing, so prepare accordingly. I once accidentally showed an RTMP link on screen, which could have compromised security. It’s a real risk, so stay vigilant.
If you use tools like GoHighLevel, you can apply blur effects to hide sensitive information while still showcasing the app’s features.
Behind the scenes content is strategic because it not only builds connection but also gives you reusable content. You can clip these sessions into short reels, TikToks, or shorts to keep your social media buzzing with authentic, engaging content.
Mini Action Plan: 3 Steps to Get Started
Now that you know these three powerful live stream formats, here’s a simple action plan to get you going:
Identify Your Audience’s Needs: Poll or ask your audience what topics or guests they want to see. This ensures relevance and engagement.
Plan Your Content Strategically: Choose one format to start with—whether it’s an expert interview, a how-to workshop, or a behind the scenes session. Prepare your content and guest (if applicable) carefully.
Promote and Engage: Build a promotion plan around your livestream. Use teasers, social posts, and email reminders. During your live, engage actively with your viewers and provide clear, relevant calls to action.
Following these steps will help you create meaningful live streams that build your brand and attract clients.
Wrapping It All Up
Live streaming is a powerful marketing tool, but it doesn’t have to be intimidating or frustrating. By experimenting with these three formats—Expert Interviews, How-To Workshops, and Behind the Scenes—you can find the style that fits your personality and business goals.
Remember, the goal isn’t just to go live; it’s to connect, educate, and build trust with your audience in a way that feels authentic to you.
And don’t forget the power of preparation, relevance, and promotion to make your live streams truly shine.
If you found this guide helpful, I’d love for you to join the conversation. Subscribe to my channel for more livestream marketing tips, leave a comment sharing your favorite format or questions, and if you’re ready, start planning your next livestream today!
Recommended Resources to Elevate Your Live Streaming
To help you get started with these live stream formats, here are some valuable tools and platforms that can make your experience smoother and more professional:
Stream Like a Boss – A comprehensive platform for managing your livestreams, including scheduling, registration, and replay hosting.
GoHighLevel (affiliate) – A powerful CRM and marketing automation tool that integrates well with livestreaming setups, helping you manage leads and automate your follow-ups.
Stampede Social – A great resource for Instagram growth tactics, perfect for promoting your livestream content and expanding your audience on social media.
Incorporating these resources alongside the live stream formats discussed can significantly boost your confidence and results. Happy streaming!
About the Author
Tanya Smith is the CEO of Get Noticed with Video LLC and host of Stream Like a Boss® TV, where she helps podcasters and livestream creators turn crickets into clients—without chasing algorithms or losing their authentic voice. Through practical strategies and proven workflows, Tanya empowers creators to grow their audience, build authority, and monetize their message with confidence.
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