The Beginner’s Definitive Guide to Live Streaming on YouTube

Since its launch on Valentine's Day of 2005, YouTube has quickly grown to become one of the biggest social media platforms ever. When it started, it was only a platform for posting videos that anyone worldwide could see. Since then, the platform has incorporated many features that have made it easier for people to build a following of their own. One example of this is YouTube Live.

As the name suggests, YouTube Live is a feature that allows users to broadcast live video streams. It can be used for various things, such as streaming live concerts, conferences, or gaming sessions. YouTube Live also has a chat feature that allows viewers to interact with the streamer and other viewers in real-time, allowing for real-time communication during the stream. However, few people know how it works—much less how to do it—so we will discuss the details in this article.

The Tools You Will Need

Before beginning a live stream on YouTube, you must have the essentials. These include:

Microphone

Unless you are doing a no-talking stream, you must have a microphone. The type of microphone you will need will depend on the type of stream you are doing. For example, you will need a gaming headset with a microphone if you are doing a gaming stream. However, you must invest in a higher-quality microphone if you are doing a music or talk show stream.

Webcam

A webcam is essential for streaming on YouTube. It will allow your viewers to see you while you are streaming. You must ensure that your webcam is high-quality and has good lighting.

Encoder

You use the encoder to stream your video content to a streaming platform. The software compresses your video and audio content and sends it to the streaming platform. It also has additional features like adding overlays, titles, and graphics.

Starting Your Stream

Starting your YouTube Live stream is pretty straightforward. Go to YouTube > Click "Create" on the top-right > Click "Go Live". At this point, you must only follow the prompts for channel verification. Your phone number will be asked to receive a code you must input for verification.

However, it is worth noting that there are different ways to start your YouTube Live stream depending on your device.

Starting a YouTube Live Stream on Mobile

Open the YouTube app on your phone or tablet. On the top right, tap the Capture button. Then, tap the Go Live option. YouTube will ask you to enable your account for live streaming if you have not done so already to start streaming.

To set up a video for later, select the "More Options" button. From there, you can choose options for monetising the video or including a live chat feature. Select the "Create Channel" button and then the "Share Screen" option to share your screen during the video. After making your selections, tap "Next" to continue.

To begin broadcasting, click Go Live. If you feel like stopping, select Finish to end the stream. Your channel will automatically save a copy of the broadcast.

Starting a YouTube Live Stream via Webcam

Go to YouTube on your computer and turn on your account for live streaming. On the top right side of the page, select Create. Afterwards, click Go Live and select Webcam on the left. After that, type in a name and description for your video. Additionally, you can adjust the level of privacy and plan your video for a later date.

To start streaming a video with your webcam, click Next. This will take a thumbnail of your video. When you're ready to start streaming, click Go Live. If you are done streaming, click End Stream. Your video will be automatically saved in an archive.

To access more features, like making money from your YouTube channel and talking to viewers in real-time, click the More Options button and then select the Advanced Settings option. Open the Live tab to access past, current, and upcoming streams.

How Live Streaming Can Help Businesses

Live streaming effectively allows businesses to reach a larger audience, build customer relationships, and promote their products or services. Live streaming can help companies to reach a wider audience by allowing them to share relevant and engaging content with a larger audience.

Additionally, businesses can use live streaming to create more interactive and engaging customer experiences. This can help them to build relationships with their customers and gain more trust. Of course, a live stream can also work wonders if you are holding an event, such as a product launch, for those who cannot attend.

Conclusion

YouTube Live is an effective platform to reach an audience, whether for business or otherwise. Building a viewer base will be challenging, but all it takes is perseverance and creative content to make it successful. In no time, you can grow your channel and ensure your live streams are successful.

If you need help with how to live stream, Streaming Bots can help you! Our platform integrates with the best video streaming platforms—including YouTube and Twitch—to kickstart your live streaming aspirations. Mail us today at info@streamingbots.com to request a free demo!