YouTube live is a powerful tool that can help you create engaging content and build a community with your audience. Whether you’re an established brand looking to add more depth and personality to your videos, or a newer company with a unique voice and message, using YouTube live can help you reach a wider audience and outshine the competition.
Before you go live, make sure your video equipment is ready and set up properly. It’s also important to check your Internet connection, as it can cause choppy or disconnected streams. Additionally, it’s best to choose a location that’s free from background noise so your viewers can focus on you and the content. You can even use a sound-reduction app, such as nixle, to make sure your audio is clear and crisp.
To create a live stream, navigate to the YouTube home page and click on the “create” button in the top-right corner. Next, select “YouTube live.” Then, choose whether you want to start streaming right away or schedule your stream for later. You can choose a privacy option as well: private means only you or those you invite will be able to see the stream; unlisted means it won’t appear on your channel or be searchable, but people who have the direct URL link will be able to view the video; and public means anyone who can access your YouTube account can view the live stream.
During your live stream, you can mark interesting moments with stream markers, which will show up as highlights on your video after the fact. This is great for repurposing livestream content, as it allows you to easily highlight specific sections of your stream that you want to share with your viewers.
Additionally, it’s a good idea to respond to any feedback your audience provides during the livestream. This shows that you value their input and are truly interested in what they have to say. In turn, this will keep your viewers engaged and likely to come back for more.
Another way to promote your livestream is to mention it in social media posts, tweets and Instagram Stories. However, it’s important to remember that audiences on each platform expect different types of content from brands. For example, Facebook fans may be more receptive to serious or educational content, while Twitter followers tend to favor levity and humor. Therefore, it’s important to customize the promotional messaging you post on each platform.
You can also monetize your livestreams by running ads or enabling Super Chat, which is a feature that lets viewers purchase chat messages that are highlighted or pinned at the top of the chat feed. This is a great way to earn additional revenue from your YouTube videos. However, it’s best to have a clear plan for your livestreams and be prepared for when ad breaks are needed.
