If you’re familiar with the way YouTube videos work, then you know that live streams are a special kind of video that lets you interact directly with your audience. You’ll be able to answer questions, offer live demonstrations of products or services, and even give away free goods! YouTube Live gives your audience the feeling of being a part of an event, and you can use this experience to drive traffic to your brand’s channel.
YouTube has found that channels featuring a weekly live stream get up to 40% more subscribers and viewers spend up to 70% more time watching the content they’ve created. The platform has also made it easier to promote your video by adding a “Go live” button in the top-right of your account, along with options to choose a date and time for your stream. The first step is to create a new video on your channel. Select the “Go live” button in the upper-right corner, then click “Built-in webcam” to use your device’s native camera or the option to use another video source like a tripod or external camera. You’ll also be prompted to set your privacy preferences, and you can add a description and a thumbnail for your live stream.
Ensure that your stream’s audio and visual quality are up to par. A muddy or unclear sound can be frustrating for your viewers, and you don’t want to lose newcomers before they have a chance to understand what the stream is about. If possible, choose a location that’s quiet enough for people to hear you clearly.
If you want to use a backdrop or other props in your live stream, be sure they’re not too distracting. The last thing you want is for your audience to be distracted by a busy wallpaper or a distractingly bright or dim lighting. You can use a simple backdrop like a curtain or an accent wall, but it’s best to keep in mind the message you’re trying to convey and consider how your backdrop will affect the look of the final video.
You can use live streaming software to help you capture your stream’s video and audio and then upload it to YouTube. To do so, you’ll need a device that can support high-quality video (like a laptop or desktop computer) and an encoder (which can be software or hardware). Once you’ve set up your encoding software, you can start the process of recording your live stream.
When you’re ready to go live, you can either select a date and time for your stream or choose the “Right now” option. On the next page, you’ll be able to adjust your settings and decide whether you’d like to make your stream private or public. You can also enable monetization, which will let you display ads during your broadcast.
Encourage your audience to join you during your YouTube live stream by promoting it on all of your social media accounts. Posting your link to Twitter and Instagram is an obvious place to start, but don’t forget to promote your stream on Facebook as well. Remember that audiences on different platforms expect different kinds of content, so customize the promotional messaging for each platform. For example, your Twitter followers may be more interested in a lighter tone than the fans of your Facebook page. youtube live stream