by Joshua Botello
For most business owners live streaming seems like an impossibility because of the tech and quality needed to pull it off. However, basic live streaming is as simple as having an account on social media and clicking a few buttons. So in this video, I'll show you how to live stream on any budget and stay to the end for tips on getting the best quality for your live content.
Let's begin our journey with live streaming from your phone. It’s the easiest to do and most people have phones and apps to live stream from anywhere. The biggest caveats will be the location you're streaming from, your service provider, and your signal strength. But with that said, Let’s get streaming
Facebook (iPhone/Android)
On Facebook, log into your account and in the post section, tap "live" and the live stream settings will come up. You can set who your audience is like friends only, public or private; then add a description, and when you're ready tap “Start Live Video”. That’s all there is to it. Congratulations you are ready to go live.Twitter (iPhone/Android)
To get to Twitter’s live stream takes a little bit of doing, but here’s how we do it. Open twitter and app tap the create tweet button here. Now, this is where things get a little confusing. You need to go to this icon to get to picture/video settings, then click the camera icon. Now you are in the camera for Twitter.At the bottom of the camera screen, Tap live and now we are in live settings. Here you set up the tweet to inform your followers, switch camera angles, invite guests by direct message, and when you're ready click Go LIVE.
Instagram (iPhone/Android)
Instagram live settings are probably the easiest to reach and get started. So let's do that. Once you get to your Instagram timeline, swipe right and at the bottom tap live. You're ready. Here you can create a title for your live stream, name a non-profit to promote, and change your angles. When everything is set click this live button and we’re live.Youtube (iPhone/Android)
The last channel that makes it possible for you to live stream from your phone is Youtube. However, there’s one problem. Once you log in to your Youtube account and get to this create a video button. You're greeted with two options. If you pick Go Live, you’ll probably receive this message. Now don’t freak out.Youtube has restrictions for accounts to go live from your phone, that have at least 1000 subscribers. Meaning you need to have these 1000 subscribers or be monetized to use this feature.
Desktop Methods
So if you aren’t great with your phone and want to up the quality or workflow slightly, then live streaming from your desktop might be the way to go. So let's get started.One caveat before we get into these desktop methods is that you need to be using Chrome to pull this off. You may need to download some chrome extensions and grant permission to access the built-in camera and microphone. Ok? ok.Facebook
Back to Facebook, we will get to our newsfeed, and just below the update post box is this live button. This will bring you to the Facebook live producer studio.
Scrolling down will give you the settings for streaming from third-party software that we will get into later, I promise. Further down we can get to our camera settings, microphone settings, screen share options, and stream options when we go live.
To the left, you can schedule a future live stream, choose your audience, Your title, and a description to let people know what your stream is about. When you're ready click the Go Live Button and start interacting with your audience.
LinkedIn
At the time of making this video, Linkedin has made it possible to live stream on the platform but an application needs to be filed, approved and streaming is only possible through third-party software. Unfortunately, I won't be able to show how it works. But it is possible.
Scrolling down will give you the settings for streaming from third-party software that we will get into later, I promise. Further down we can get to our camera settings, microphone settings, screen share options, and stream options when we go live.
To the left, you can schedule a future live stream, choose your audience, Your title, and a description to let people know what your stream is about. When you're ready click the Go Live Button and start interacting with your audience.
Youtube
If you want to live-stream on Youtube the only way to do this is from a desktop. Log in to your youtube account and start on your home screen. Just like the iPhone app, head to the camera icon at the top to access the live streaming settings. And you can set your live stream then click Go live here.Live Stream Tips
So if you want to up your live stream game to get the best quality possible here are some tips I promised to get the most out of your live streams.
Tip # 1 Video
The First tip is to get the best quality video going in before it reaches your device. The best way to do this is by using your back facing camera on your phone because this has much better quality than the camera where your screen is but you won't be able to see yourself.You may need to have a second person to run the camera and the stream from the phone if you want to go that route. The other option is an external camera like a DSLR or camcorder and this device (hold up capture card) is called a capture card.
In a nutshell, the capture card takes the video signal from your camera through an HDMI and turns into a signal your computer recognizes. Once you connect it, this is what it looks like compared to the built-in facetime camera.
The easiest way to do this is by using Earpods or wireless AirPods if you are using your phone. If you want to upgrade, you can use an external mic like this one for less than $100 and a simple $10 adapter to use with your phone.
The highest quality you can do is a radio mic and audio interface. Don’t be discouraged if you can’t afford the highest quality audio at the start. Equipment like this is usually meant for a permanent setup and will depend on your budget when you start doing more streams.
If you are looking for a more professional set up with your lighting, This particular set up is about $500. Now don’t worry too much about having lighting set up like this. I acquired this set up over a few months. You can find inexpensive light kits for about a hundred dollars on Amazon to start out or if you need the upgrade.
The program Open Broadcast Studio (OBS) will allow you to connect professional equipment like DSLRs, Audio interfaces and lets you stream to many different services with full control. Remember when I talked about those stream settings for Facebook earlier in the video? Yeah, you do.
These settings are how you set up your OBS program or other software to dial your quality for the best stream possible. You can also set up the same thing on Youtube.
So if you want to upgrade your streams to something a lot more professional, using a program like OBS is free and will get the job. But be warned, OBS is not for the faint of heart. This software does have a learning curve and may take some time to get started, but you can save settings for your cameras, audio, and each platform to have an easily repeatable setup for future streams.
Live streaming may seem too difficult for the average small business to connect with your audience, but as you’ve seen, it can be as easy as shooting video with your iPhone. Remember, you don't have to have professional TV broadcast quality right out of the gate. The key is to have fundamentals down and grow your set up from there.
Tip # 2 Audio
Tip number 2 is to get the best quality audio for your streams. Since half of the video is audio, This is going to be crucial. When surveyed viewers are more willing to watch a sub-par video with good audio other than the reverse.The easiest way to do this is by using Earpods or wireless AirPods if you are using your phone. If you want to upgrade, you can use an external mic like this one for less than $100 and a simple $10 adapter to use with your phone.
The highest quality you can do is a radio mic and audio interface. Don’t be discouraged if you can’t afford the highest quality audio at the start. Equipment like this is usually meant for a permanent setup and will depend on your budget when you start doing more streams.
Tip # 3 Lighting
The third tip is to leverage lighting. Simply using lamps or lights you have in the corner of the house isn’t going to be enough. You will need to have specific lighting for your live streams. Specific lighting doesn't have to be expensive lighting. This particular lighting setup I'm using is a $10 light, $10 bulb, and $10 stand for each light. And have 2 for my setup.If you are looking for a more professional set up with your lighting, This particular set up is about $500. Now don’t worry too much about having lighting set up like this. I acquired this set up over a few months. You can find inexpensive light kits for about a hundred dollars on Amazon to start out or if you need the upgrade.
Tip #4 Tools
The fourth tip is to use some software tools if you want to upgrade your live streams and get more production value for your money, start by using more professional tools. If you upgraded your production equipment in the last 3 tips, using the software will bring it all together. Let me explain.The program Open Broadcast Studio (OBS) will allow you to connect professional equipment like DSLRs, Audio interfaces and lets you stream to many different services with full control. Remember when I talked about those stream settings for Facebook earlier in the video? Yeah, you do.
These settings are how you set up your OBS program or other software to dial your quality for the best stream possible. You can also set up the same thing on Youtube.
So if you want to upgrade your streams to something a lot more professional, using a program like OBS is free and will get the job. But be warned, OBS is not for the faint of heart. This software does have a learning curve and may take some time to get started, but you can save settings for your cameras, audio, and each platform to have an easily repeatable setup for future streams.
Live streaming may seem too difficult for the average small business to connect with your audience, but as you’ve seen, it can be as easy as shooting video with your iPhone. Remember, you don't have to have professional TV broadcast quality right out of the gate. The key is to have fundamentals down and grow your set up from there.
Are you live streaming for your business? How are you producing live streams and do you have any tips of your own? Leave me any questions or comments down below.
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