Do you ever feel like your audience is always out of reach even when you're streaming? Well, you’re not alone. We’ve all been there, and it can be very discouraging.  

But what if we told you there’s a simple way to change that? Don’t worry it’s nothing expensive, in fact, it’s a tool you’re already familiar with: realtime chat.  

Realtime chat is a communication tool that allows you to exchange instant messages with your users. If you're a streamer, then you'd agree that it can also be called live video stream chat or a live chat video streaming tool.  

Now, you're probably wondering what does realtime chat have to do with engagement? Well, with this tool, you can reply to your viewers in real time. You can answer questions and even build a community around your content.  

We'll talk more about how to use it in this blog. But first, let's tell you about the benefits.  

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Benefits of Realtime Chat  

So how can you tell what your audience thinks about your latest stream setup? It’s simple, you can tell with realtime chat because it provides immediate feedback.  

And this is not all, you can also quickly adjust your content based on your viewers’ reactions. For instance, if you’re streaming a cooking tutorial and notice viewers asking a lot about chopping techniques, you can quickly demonstrate the technique in more detail. This makes your streams more relatable to your viewers.  

Moreover, when a viewer sends a comment, you see it immediately. This allows you to respond in the moment.  

You might be wondering why these are so important. Well, engaging with your viewers makes them feel valued. When you acknowledge their comments and questions, you create a more personal connection, which increases your engagement and leads to higher viewer retention.  

Let’s also not forget that more engagement means more money. An active live stream chat leads to more followers. And the more people view your live streams, the more likely they are to support you through donations or subscriptions.  

Now that you know the benefits, let’s look at how you can make your chat box more engaging.  

5 Steps to Make Your Realtime Chat More Engaging  

The very first thing you should do is to make sure your realtime chat online box integrates well with the platform you are using.  

Because the truth is that if your users find it difficult to use, your engagement will drop. So how can you avoid this? By prioritizing the functionality and design of your realtime chat box.  

But this isn’t all you can do; you can also:  

1. Take that Realtime Chat Box Seriously   

So, there’s something that usually happens to live streamers. Sometimes you get carried away with your topic and forget about your chat box during a live stream.   

To avoid making this mistake, here are a few things you should do:  

• Make it a habit to glance at the chat box regularly  
• Address important comments as they come in  
• Use the name of your viewers when responding to their comments  
• Get a moderator to help you manage the flow of your comments when you get busy  

2. Hosting Regular Q&A Sessions ͏  

Here’s a free tip - nothing gets your audience talking like a good Q&A session. So, make plans to schedule a Q&A session and promote them to build anticipation.   

Not sure what to do in a Q&A session? It’s quite simple:  

• Address common questions  
• Provide updates  
• Discuss topics your audience cares about  

3. Focusing on Live Commenters  

͏͏During͏ the chat, keep an eye out for interesting comments. You can do this by pinning or tagging these comments in your chat feed.   

Always acknowledge the contributions of your viewers. Never forget to include their feedback in your discussions. When you do this, it encourages other viewers to join the conversation.  

4. Setting Your Agenda  

Now here’s something you’ve probably never thought of - planning out a clear agenda. Don’t know how to go about this? No problem, we’d tell you:  

• Write down the main topics you want to cover  
• During the chat, break down the session into small segments  
• Start with a quick introduction  
• Go straight to your main topic  
• Wrap the whole thing up with a conclusion  

5. Owning Your Influence and Being Genuine  

Has anyone ever told you that authenticity is your greatest asset? It actually is.  

Be yourself and share your true thoughts. It is the only way to build a real connection with your audience.  

When you genuinely interact with your audience, you create trust and loyalty. This makes your chats more engaging.  

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͏Key Elements of Realtime Chat Solution  

͏Wouldn’t you agree that the most important element of a chat solution is the messaging feature? It should provide smooth and instant communication, making sure that messages are delivered without delays.  

Look out for chat solutions that allow text, emojis, stickers, and GIFs. Another important feature to look out for is a notification button. It helps you ensure that you don’t miss a single comment in the chat box.  

Other elements you might consider looking out for are:  

1. Storage  

When last were you able to look back at your last stream to check what your viewers were most excited about? A good chat solution offers you the opportunity to do this.  

How so? Let’s just say you can easily manage your chat history and other relevant information. It makes sure that all your messages are stored and can easily be retrieved whenever you need them.  

2. Message Editing/Deleting  

It’s very common to make a mistake during a live session. For example, you can accidentally share a wrong link or misspell something in your chat.  

A simple way to fix this is by immediately editing it to keep things professional.   

3. File Sharing  

Sharing cool clips, images, or links with your viewers can add a lot of value to your stream. Examples of files you can share are a behind-the-scenes photo or a link to a new video.  

A good chat solution should allow you to share these files directly with your viewers. Not just directly but also doing it without interrupting your stream.  

Things to Consider While Considering a Realtime Chat  

Before you think about adding real-time chat online to your platform, there are some things you should know.  

1. Scalability  

If your live video gains thousands of viewers, will your chat box handle the multiple comments? Or will it start to lag and crash?  

Think about this because you don’t want to end up with a chat box that's always lagging.  

A good real-time chat solution will adapt to your user base. It will make sure your communications are smooth without any hiccups.  

2. Reliable Operation in Realtime  

Realtime means now — not a few seconds later. This means your chat solution must deliver messages in an instant.  

You can confirm this by testing the system under various conditions. Check if it can maintain speed and reliability, especially when there’s a surge. ͏   

3. Modern ͏Security  

People trust you with their data, and it’s on you to make sure it’s safe.  

A modern live video streaming chat box must have updated security features. Examples of these include end-to-end encryption, two-factor authentication, and real-time threat detection.  

Final Thoughts͏͏  

͏We’ll let you in on a little secret. To truly engage your users, focus on creating a live video stream chat experience that’s responsive, personal, and secure.  

Make sure your chat is quick and reliable. Nothing frustrates viewers more than delays or dropped messages. When conversations flow smoothly, your viewers feel heard and valued, which is very important when building trust.