Traditional video uploads are all good, but the YouTube landscape is changing thanks toinfluential social appslike Twitch and Discord; Live streaming has made its way to Google’s flagship video-sharing website. Live streaming has its own unique benefits, content creators can engage with their viewers directly via a Live chat, the footage is streamed to the platform in real time, which minimizes the editing process, and streams concoct that ever-elusive FOMO that always draws in a crowd. Live streams allow creators to keep their content output steady and consistent, and it’s easier than ever on YouTube. Here’s how to go live on YouTube in a few simple steps.
What is live-streaming?
Live-streaming refers to a video event that broadcasts to a platform in real-time, viewable to anyone who wants to join. This used to be a type of content suited to PC, butAndroid’s finest bargain phonesare quickly becoming a favorite of streamers on YouTube. Viewers can communicate with the streamer in a comment feed, reacting to the contents of the stream. Live streams have the added benefit of being isolated, one-time events. Unless the streamer records an archive, the stream event is held once and then gone forever. Live-streaming features have made their way to most social media platforms, but YouTube’s is particularly popular.
Can anyone use YouTube Live?
How to go live on YouTube
Verify your account
Getting things ready for your YouTube Live streaming experience is easy but admittedly somewhat long-winded. Any process that requires a significant amount of waiting is going to instinctively turn some users off, and YouTube Live is a good example. Fortunately, the setup procedure is easy to follow and implement even if you have only minor streaming experience; getting your account verified is very similar on both mobile and PC. Here’s what to do.
A phone number is required for the next step whichever platform you use. There is no other way to get your account verified.
Setting up YouTube Live on mobile
Given the subscription count requirement, YouTube Live mobile is a better option for established YouTubers to bulk out their content with smaller events held on their handheld devices. The portable nature ofAndroid’s best phonesmakes them ideal for travel content creators or live coverage at conventions. Setting it up isn’t too much hassle either; here’s how.
Setting up YouTube Live on PC
PC is the more traditional platform for live streaming, allowing for excessive personalization and additional hardware upgrades. YouTube Live allows its PC users to go live with zero red tape, enjoying the benefits of exterior webcams, microphones, and extended storage. This setup process is very similar to the mobile version, too; take a look.
Any tips for streaming on YouTube Live?
We have some tips for streaming in general; they’re a different game from normal YouTube videos, after all. While there is still a great deal of prep involved, content streamers must be far more spontaneous with their inputs; easier said than done over a twelve-hour stream. That being said, there are a couple of things that can help the fledgling streamer find a foothold on YouTube Live.
Keep your audience engaged
A boring stream is an empty stream; you have to keep things interesting even in the slower moments to not lose people. This is easier for gaming streams, as the game footage will engage the viewer to a certain extent, but the streamer must provide some kind of hook as well. React, comment, rant, sing,fold phones until they break, whatever it takes to get your unique personality across; a lively stream stays… well, alive.
Interact with the chat
One of streaming’s main benefits is direct, real-time access to your fans' thoughts and opinions, and embracing this advantage is a must. Reading and reacting to the comments of your viewers is a great way to connect with your following, whether it’s raking in the praise or listening to the critics. Nobody likes to feel ignored, and chats are no different. Make your fans feel seen, and they’ll feel welcome. No need to feel exposed, though; Youtubehas mechanics to block undesirable discourse.
Capitalize on FOMO
FOMO, or “fear of missing out,” is an innate ally to streamers, given the spontaneous and temporary nature of live streams, one-time events unless willed otherwise by the content creator. So the medium has done half the work for you in terms of FOMO; how do you finish the job? This is where social media comes into play; plugging your other platform accounts is the best way to maximize the reach of your social web. Keep people informed of when the next stream is going to happen, making them into one-time events.
Take late-comers into account
Have a good time!
Streaming is fun; it’s a wonderful way to connect people across oceans as if they were right beside you, a thing of science fiction not so long ago. It’s your chance to show off your unique style and personality quirks, giving your brand the boost it needs to grow and spread on multiple platforms. So give it your all and have a great time!
