So, you’re looking to start live streaming on YouTube? That’s a great step forward after you create a YouTube channel. It will help you get a personal connection with your audience by answering their questions. Additionally, you have more time to present the content that you would have to edit or shorten otherwise. Plus, some YouTubers are better known for streaming rather than uploading videos. Who knows, you might become one of them! To do all that, you first need to learn how to YouTube a live stream.
What do I need to start?
- A camera and/or a quality microphone. The camera can be excluded if you are only narrating while showing slides or inserting pre-recorded content. Audio quality is your first priority – people can handle pixelated video, but not terrible audio.
- A computer or a mobile device (smartphone, tablet)
- Optional. Third-party software, for example, OBS. Software like these can help you control audio levels, video quality, encoding level, add special effects, remove the green screen background, etc. We would leave this option for a later time.
Activate live streaming for your YouTube channel
To start streaming from a mobile device, you need to have at least 1000 subscribers. There are no such limitations for streaming from a laptop or a desktop computer. To enable live streaming, do this.
- Log in to your YouTube account.
- In the top right corner, click on the camera icon.
- From the drop-down list, select Go Live.
- That’s it! You now have to wait up to 24 hours for YouTube to verify you don’t have infractions forbidding you from streaming.
- You will receive an e-mail to the registered account. Furthermore, a YouTube notification will pop up once the feature is ready.
To live stream on YouTube from a computer
- Repeat the steps above.
- This time, you will be taken to a Dashboard, which is a section of YouTube Studio.
- In the menu on the left side, make sure to select Webcam.
- Under Webcam stream info, do this:
- Add the title of the live stream.
- Select the Public option.
The Unlisted option allows you to test the stream before you go live for everyone. - Optional. You can schedule the life for a later date or time by clicking on the On/Off icon.
- If you choose this option, you can click on Manage in the menu on the left side.
- Right-click on the video icon and choose Edit title and description or Get shareable link. You can post the link on social media or to your subscribers via the Community tab. Editing description allows you to add sponsorships or product links, link your website or social media profiles, and prepare things ahead of time.
- Click the circle in front of Yes, it’s made for kids or No, it’s not made for kids, depending on your content.
- By clicking on Age restriction (advanced) you can further limit the age of viewers.
- Click on More Options at the bottom.
This allows you to pick a category, change the video description, and choose the camera and microphone from the drop-down list if you have more than one connected. - When you are done, click Next.
- You are asked to set up a thumbnail. You can let YouTube take a live picture via your camera.
Tip: We recommend preparing a thumbnail ahead of time. Make sure the picture resolution is identical to the video resolution. - Before you go live, YouTube asks you to double-check the information you provided so far.
- If everything is according to your standard, click on Go Live.
- The stream will start in a moment, and your subscribers will be notified immediately.
YouTube live stream Management
Don’t expect your first live stream to be amazing. It’s not a question whether things will happen, it’s when they will happen. Here are a few quick tips to make it go smoother.
- Interact with your audience.
- Keep track of time, the number of likes, and views the live stream received.
They are displayed in the top left corner. - Keep track of the chat room on the right side.
You can chat with your viewers, post links, or clarify things up. It is inevitable that someone will spam, curse, or harass others.- Hover over the mean comment, and three vertical dots will appear.
- Choose to report, remove, forbid the person from typing for a period of time, or hide the user from appearing in the chat room altogether. You can also add a moderator or moderators to manage the stream for you.
- Move the chat room to a secondary monitor.
- Click on the three vertical dots in the top right corner.
- Click on Popout chat.
- Monitor your audio levels.
You will see 6 white dots in at the bottom of the stream. They will turn green when you are talking. Mute your microphone by clicking on the microphone icon. - Don’t let the live stream run too long.
People have a shorter attention span nowadays. Always leave them longing for the next live stream, and your viewership will rise rapidly.
And there you have it, this is how to YouTube live stream. We wish you a successful career. Don’t forget to mention us when you receive your first YouTube button.
