Live streaming software
The world of live streaming has become a part of many people’s lives. It is so popular that it has also been adopted by those striving to grow their YouTube channels and online following as well as those looking for opportunities as content creators. Many use the live streaming platform as a way to connect with subscribers and other like-minded people who share similar interests, while some use it simply for entertainment purposes.
What if you’re interested in trying out this exciting new aspect of social media but don’t know where to start? Even though there are many different software programs that can be used, here today we will focus on using Youtube as your live streaming platform. So whether you’re a content creator or just someone who wants to watch and learn, we have everything you need to know to get started!
What is a youtube live stream:
A webcast is a broadcast available via the internet. The term webcast usually refers to online streaming media simultaneous digital audio and video. It is often referred to simply as “webcasting”, due to the widespread establishment of this broadcasting method, which has largely replaced earlier analog technologies.
What equipment do you need to live stream?
So, if you’re looking to increase customer engagement, traffic and website visits, provide an on-demand replay of your webinar content, make your webinars more exciting and interesting for attendees, or simply want to expand your reach to new markets, streaming a live webinar
1. Computer & Software
Secondly, you will need a reliable computer and live streaming software for streaming your video live. While it might be possible to stream using just your smartphone or tablet, we don’t recommend this route because the quality won’t be nearly as good and may even result in spotty connections and dropped audio. If you already have a laptop or desktop computer, awesome! Just make sure its specs are up to snuff: If it was made within the last five years or so, then it should work fine for webinars. Otherwise, consider investing in new equipment if necessary; live streaming is quickly becoming a mainstream activity, so you don’t want to be left behind.
As for software, we recommend using either OBS Studio or CamTwist. OBS Studio is a popular open-source program that’s free to download and use, while CamTwist is a commercial app that costs $49 but offers a ton of features for live streaming. Whichever software you choose, make sure it can handle broadcasting your video in real-time without any lag or glitches.
2. Camera:
You will also need to purchase a webcam, which is usually around $20-50. If you already have one, make sure it’s compatible with your computer (you can consult the manufacturer for this info), then head on over to OBS Studio or CamTwist and start setting up your live stream!
3. Microphone
If you want to be able to talk during your webinar, you will need a microphone. Your computer’s built-in microphone will work in a pinch, but if you want better sound quality we recommend using a standalone mic. There are lots of different mics to choose from, but for webinars we recommend either a lavalier mic or a USB mic. Lavalier mics clip onto your clothes and feed sound directly into your computer, making them perfect for recording interviews or presentations, while USB mics plug directly into your computer’s USB port and usually come with their own built-in preamps and audio software.
4. Audio Interface
If you want to be able to play music or other audio clips during your webinar, you will need an audio interface. This device allows you to plug in external microphones, instruments, and other audio devices so that they can mix and process their sound before sending it to your computer.
5. Headphones
Finally, you will need a pair of headphones so that you can monitor the audio being fed into your computer while recording live. Even if you have an external microphone or USB mic, it’s always best to keep monitoring what’s being captured on the other end so that there are no surprises later on. Headphones with flat frequency response are usually preferred for this task because they ensure that sound levels are accurate across all frequencies; wearing headphones with boosted bass or treble could cause you to accidentally boost those same frequencies in your recordings, resulting in subpar quality.
Types of Youtube Live Streams:
Basically there are two types of live streaming. One is “Webcam” and the other is “Computer Video”. Here we will focus on Youtube Live Streams.
What’s the difference between webcam vs computer video?
A webcam is a video capture device that you attach to your computer, phone or tablet. It allows you to broadcast using your camera and microphone.
A computer video is a broadcast coming from software such as OBS, Wirecast and the like. This broadcast allows you to add your own videos, images and soundtracks (with or without webcam). Since this is not attached to your camera it may be more professional looking than a webcam broadcast.
Benefits of streaming a live webinars:
1. Increased Customer Engagement.
2. Increased Traffic/Visitors to Your Website
3. Provide an On-Demand Replays of the Event’s Content after they are over
4. Make your webinars more Exciting and interesting with live Streaming
5. Create Exclusive Access for Subscribers
6 Great way to Expand Your Reach
7. Engage your Audience from the get-go
8. Allows your Customers to Participate Even when they can’t Attend
9. Easier to Promote and Sell a Live Event with Streaming Video
10. Boost Social Media Reach & Search Engine Optimization
11. Removes Ignorance of Geographical Boundaries
12. Create a Culture of Sharing and Increase Virality
13. More Shares, Clicks and Conversions
14. Increased Sales Opportunities
15. Makes it easier to Share the webinar Invitation/Registration page via Social Media channels like Facebook, Twitter etc.
16. Helps in building an email list
17. You can build a Community of webinar attendees
18. You can get Feedback from the Attendees
19. Helps you to Gauge the Interest of the Audience
20. Helps you to Analyze the Performance of your Previous Events and make Changes for Future
Why choose YouTube for your live stream?
Because it’s easy to use, allows viewers to easily share your live streams with their friends and families via email or social media channels by simply copying a link, and brings about a lot of exposure for your business. The more people that watch your livestreams, the better you can market yourself by word-of-mouth, which means more sales potential in the end. Besides marketing benefits, another good reason for using YouTube is because it gives your webinars a professional look and feel, making them seem more familiar and friendly instead of cold and distant. This way you make an emotional connection with prospective customers.”
Step 1
The first thing you’ll need is a YouTube channel. If you don’t have one yet, creating one is easy – just go to youtube.com and click on the “Create Account” button in the top right-hand corner. Once you’ve set up your account, make sure you’re signed in, and then go to youtube.com/live_streaming. This is where you’ll be able to start your live stream.
Step 2
To get started, simply click on the “Go Live” button and then follow the prompts. You’ll be asked to provide some basic information about your streams, such as the title, description, and tags. You’ll also need to decide whether you want to make your stream public or private. We recommend setting it to the public so that anyone who visits your channel can watch.
Step 3
The next step is to set up your live streaming equipment. This includes a camera, microphone, and internet connection. If you’re using a computer, we recommend using a webcam and microphone. If you’re using a smartphone or tablet, we recommend using the built-in camera and microphone. Make sure that your device is fully charged before you start streaming!
Step 4
The last thing you’ll need is some good quality content. Before going live, it’s important to plan out what you’re going to talk about and how you plan on creating a connection with your viewers. This will make them more likely to watch your stream and subscribe to your channel! You can use this time to do a live practice run before going live.
TIP:
When connecting your webcam, make sure it is in the proper position by looking into the lens when speaking with someone else or sharing an object with viewers. If you need help aligning your webcam.
Wrapping it up:
Now, we get down to the good stuff! To get started with your very own webcast live on YouTube, simply click “Go Live” and you’re all set. If this is your first time streaming, it may take a few tries before everything works smoothly; after all, practice makes perfect! So feel free to explore around Youtube in the meantime.
But remember, once you start streaming on YouTube Live, people can watch it on their TVs using devices like Chromecast! And even if they don’t have a device like that, your stream will still appear in their Video Manager for them to re-watch later.
