YouTube offers a great way to broadcast live video from your channel, called YouTube Live Streaming. This article will cover some of the basics of streaming on YouTube and then go into some tips that can help you stream better quality videos.
You’ll learn how to increase your upload and streaming speeds and discover which encoder settings work best for most situations.
Equipment and Setup
Before we get started, here are the essential equipment you will need for your live streams:
- A computer with the latest version of OBS (Open Broadcasting Software) installed.
- A decent microphone or headset (also use an external microphone when having guests in your live streams).
- A webcam (not necessary but recommended).
- Speakers (not necessary).
- A quality internet connection (10Mbps upload speed or more recommended. If it is lower, I’d recommend you to download YouTube videos and watch them offline later).
To get the best possible quality of your live streams, I highly recommend you set up a second monitor at least:
Connect your second monitor to your computer using an HDMI cable that allows you to display what’s on your main monitor on your 2nd screen. For example, if you want someone to see what they are doing in Skype, connect the Skype window on the 2nd screen.
Preparation and Process
Ok, now let us start with our preparation for streaming!
First, make sure that all required programs are installed and updated.
For example, make sure that OBS is completely updated.
Open up OBS and add a new source. Add a window capture source because you want people to see what you are doing on the screen while streaming (for example, when showing software or working with clients).
If you have multiple computers, you might also want to add a video capture card source from your 2nd computer to switch between both screens in OBS.
I’d recommend using a second monitor for this process so you can easily watch it back later.
- A webcam needs to be connected for the streamer face to show up on the streaming video during live streams.
- If needed, you can also add a browser source so that the live stream video shows your web browser (for example, showing what website would be on the screen).
- Like I mentioned before, if you want people to see what you’re doing on skype, then connect it as well.
- If you want your viewers to listen to your voice or music via your computer speakers, add an audio source. The mic is only required if you’d like people to hear what you are saying.
The next step is streaming!
Startup OBS and make sure that everything looks like it should look during the live stream (make sure you can see yourself on the webcam). Now switch back to your first monitor and press Start Streaming. You should see a preview of the stream on YouTube now.
For your own confidence you can use some help from high quality live streaming software for meetings, so if you are not experienced with this type of broadcasting, you would be sure to make everything right anyways.
Now, all you have to do is talk into your mic or navigate on your webcam. Whatever you would like people to see!
When streaming on YouTube Live, usually no more than 1-5mbps upload speed is needed for best results. Usually, it doesn’t take too long until you are online with the live stream.
Directly after ending the live stream, I recommend editing together highlights from the video so that you can quickly upload them (without any further editing) and share them with your audience later.
Doing this will ensure that all of your videos will be professional and show off what you want to show without wasting time editing.
Also, if people ask questions during your live stream, then take note of them and answer them later on YouTube or via email!
Tips to Make Your Broadcast Better
Tip #01: More than good enough equipment and good enough lighting will only get you so far.
The basics of the most basic content are “so what?” There’s no reason for anyone else to care about your opinions if they’re not interesting, nor are they interesting if they’re not communicated well.
You can have all of the equipment in the world, but without decent chatter behind them, people still won’t watch your video. Similarly, very few successful channels started by having excellent production value right from day 1.
Tip #02: Keep up with your background noise!
If the background noise in your room is too loud, it might be difficult for people to hear you. Keep the volume down on anything that’s not part of your voice or significant sound effects. You can also use a fan if running one doesn’t irritate you, but most people are sensitive enough not to need white noise.
Tip #03: Be consistent with your timing!
You’re more likely to start early than late, so there’s no rush or pressure to record right on time. You’ll have plenty of time to edit mistakes and stutters later, but if you wait until the last minute, there is an increased chance of losing motivation or attention before eventually chalking up the project as a loss, which leads to a temporary lack of motivation.
You’ll also want to be consistent with how often you record videos, so people can plan and know what days they should check your channel for new content.
If the only time they can expect a video is on Sundays, but then suddenly one comes out on Tuesday, a bunch of subscribers will wonder what happened, which may eventually lead to them unsubscribing because it feels like you’re tricking them somehow.
It’s still essential that you deliver quality videos within the available time frame that works for you (ideally no less than once per week).
Tip #04: Mix up the content!
People get bored quickly if they watch “10 minutes of video game footage” only to realize that it’s the entire video. They’ll feel like they wasted their time and might consider making more effort to find something else more interesting next time. This isn’t good for you if they don’t see anything more enjoyable on your channel.
It’s also not enough to edit out mistakes or dead air because people will still be tired of the content by the end of your session, even if it is very entertaining. This means that you should try recording various content types that can hold attention spans. The most important is actual gameplay with commentary (because that’s why people watch the videos in the first place), but there are other things you can do as well!
