Live streaming is a unique form of content that can connect you with your audience in a way that can’t be replicated with standard video, blogs or podcasts.

While experimentation is always important, there are some key things you can do to ensure your YouTube live stream is successful.
Getting started

Whether you’re an established brand or just starting out, live streaming is a great way to show off your personality and expertise. Plus, it can help you build your audience and drive traffic to your website or other content.

To get started, first make sure you have the right equipment for a quality stream. This includes a reliable internet connection, a dedicated encoder and a good quality camera. You’ll also want to have a reference monitor so you can see what your audience is seeing (but be careful not to stare at it too long!).

Once you’ve set up your equipment, decide when to go live. You can check YouTube analytics or run a poll to find out when your audience is most active. Also, remember to add a call to action so viewers can visit your website or other resources after watching the video. You can also enable monetization to earn money from your videos by running ads.
Camera and audio

Whether you use your smartphone camera, webcam or an encoder to stream on YouTube, the quality of your video will make a difference in how engaging the content is for viewers. Invest in good equipment and test your settings before your live stream. Also, make sure your camera and microphone are properly charged and that you have plenty of batteries on hand.

The most popular types of live videos include how-to streams, product demonstrations and Q&As. You can even host flash sales and interviews. YouTube has found that channels with a weekly live stream get 40% more subscribers and viewers spend 70% more time watching their content.

Another type of YouTube live stream is a video premiere, which is not technically live but allows viewers to set reminders and interact via Super Chat. It is an excellent way to repurpose existing video content and stand out from the competition. As with all marketing, experimentation is important, but it is particularly key with livestreams.
Streaming

While social content formats come and go, livestreaming has held steady as a popular way to engage with audiences. As an added bonus, live streams can lead viewers to additional content on YouTube and other platforms, such as virtual events, workshops and webinars.

Make sure your equipment works well before going live. Test your gear before you need it, and keep spare batteries handy. Aim for clear audio and a visually interesting background. Avoid noisy, cluttered spaces and distracting noises, and consider whether your video would benefit from an add-on microphone or capture card.

Plan out your stream with an attention-grabbing title, description and a stunning thumbnail image. Remember to take YouTube SEO into account – using strong keywords in your titles helps viewers find your videos. After your broadcast, use YouTube analytics to get insight into how your video performed, including playback locations and new subscriber numbers. You can also use ad breaks during your livestream to earn revenue from your viewers.
Highlights

Highlights are a great way to share the best moments from your stream. They can be a good way to bring new viewers to your channel and can also help build up audience loyalty. You can make highlights from past streams or repurpose clips from your on-demand video content. The length of a highlight can vary, but try to keep them under two minutes.

When you’re live on YouTube, use the ‘Stream Markers’ feature to mark interesting moments as you go along. This will make it easy to create a highlight later.

You can also promote your highlights on other platforms such as Twitter or Instagram to reach a wider audience. Be mindful of your audience when selecting which platforms to promote on. For example, your Facebook followers might expect more serious or professional messaging from your brand than your Twitter audience. This will ensure that you reach the right people with your marketing.