Live streaming, also referred to simply as streaming, has been rapidly growing as an industry over the past few years. It’s becoming one of the most popular types of content on the internet right now thanks to streaming platforms like Twitch and social media platforms like TikTok that have made it more mainstream. Additionally, there’s a growing demand for constant and immediate content which streaming caters to.
Whether you’re a content creator, a small business or a large company, streaming can be ideal for you for a number of reasons. For instance, it can help you reach niche audiences and, like vlogging and podcasting, streaming can be very profitable. Not to mention, you don’t require many resources to start streaming. Here are some tips to help you start streaming like a pro.
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Choose Content Wisely
If you’re thinking about streaming, the first step you should do is decide which type of content to make. Ask yourself whether the content you plan on creating is stream-worthy. There are a number of popular streaming content ideas you can consider such as gaming, commentary, interviews, story times and education. For businesses and companies, you can consider product demonstrations, Q&As, and webinars to connect with an audience.
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Establish Goals And Objectives
Whether you want to create more visibility for your brand, build a community or monetize your stream, you need to figure out what your goals and objectives are so you can tailor your content while keeping them in mind. Setting your goals is also one of the best ways to track your progress. If you’re struggling to figure out your goals, you can use the SMART method which stands for Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic, and Timely. How To Use SMART Objectives To Achieve Your Goals
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Have A Reliable Internet Connection
Streaming requires a strong internet connection since it eats up a lot of bandwidth. If your connection isn’t strong enough, your livestream will keep buffering which can be embarrassing. Make sure you test your internet connection to make sure it’s strong enough before you start streaming. Typically, the recommended internet speed for streaming on YouTube is 5 to 11 Mbps while on Twitch is 5 to 7 Mbps for 1080p quality.
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Plan Your Streams
Streaming content may be a bit more relaxed than vlogging or podcasting but you still need to plan ahead. You need to have a schedule that helps viewers know when you’re going live. You also need to prepare talking points so that your stream flows smoothly and you don’t fumble a lot. On streaming platforms like Twitch, you can configure a schedule on your Creator Dashboard to help you stay consistent.
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Be Consistent
Speaking of consistency, this is crucial to gain an audience and keep them watching. Consistency is key to any kind of online success, but it’s more important when streaming since there are fewer ways to capture people’s attention. It shows potential new fans that you are not only reliable but also that you care about the type of content you make. Make sure that your style and branding stay the same in every stream so your audience can stick around.
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Interact With Your Audience Frequently
Make sure that you enjoy the type of content you’re creating because you’ll need to make your audience enjoy it too. You can make your audience feel engaged by interacting with them. Most streaming platforms have a live chat feature where members of your audience can leave comments. You can respond to the comments in real time which will motivate your audience to keep engaging increasing the chances of getting a tip or gift.
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Collaborate With Other Streamers
Streaming can get lonely and boring after some time if you do it alone. Get to know other streamers and collaborate with them to spice things up. Through collaboration, you’ll be able to grow your audience faster. You’ll also get to exchange notes and learn something from each other. Most importantly, you’ll make some friends who share the same interests as you do.
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