How to Use YouTube Live to Engage Your Audience: A Step-by-Step Guide
YouTube Live transforms online video into an interactive experience. With more than 500 hours of video uploaded every minute, they're a way to stand out.
YouTube Live transforms online video into an interactive experience. With more than 500 hours of video uploaded every minute, they're a way to stand out.
YouTube Live transforms online video into an interactive experience. With more than 500 hours of video uploaded every minute, live streams are a way to stand out from the crowd. And draw a crowd.
But, don’t just release a product reel or host a static tutorial. Make it a virtual event. Create buzz with reveals, announcements, and special guests. Get interactive with live Q&As and the added element of spontaneity.
Learn how to go live on YouTube, plus tips, tricks, and ideas for making your broadcast successful.
New to YouTube live streaming? Once you’ve set up your channel and equipment, all it takes to broadcast is the click of one button.
Here’s how to go live on YouTube.
Before you can live stream, your YouTube channel needs to be verified. If you haven’t done that yet, go to www.youtube.com/verify to add your phone number and receive a verification code. Then proceed with the following steps.
On desktop
Note: It takes 24 hours to activate your account for live streaming.
On mobile
Note: You need more than 1,000 subscribers to live stream on mobile.
There are three primary recording options for YouTube streaming:
The camera on your laptop or device is an easy, software-free way to record. But what you gain in convenience, you lose in quality. With an encoder (a.k.a streaming software), you can use better audio/video gear, multiple cameras (including desktop), and more.
Before you go live, make sure you’ve prepared a title, description, and thumbnail image.
Check out YouTube’s full digital events playbook here.
Before you start your first live stream on YouTube, read through these tips.
Every stream should start with a goal. What do you hope to get out of going live?
Decide what you’d like to achieve, and plan accordingly. Whether it’s to connect with viewers or promote a product, your goal should inform your livestream setup.
If you have a team, determine each team member’s role. Will there be one host or more? Will you need a cameraperson? If you plan to enable chat, will you have a moderator?
Even more importantly, make sure you’re clear on why you’re doing a live video as opposed to a regular video.
These answers will help you make the most out of your broadcast.
Before you click Go Live, you should also prep the following:
If you haven’t yet, connect your social media accounts to your YouTube channel. This makes it easier for viewers to share your YouTube Live video.
There’s never a perfect time to go live. But you can choose the closest thing to it.
Check your YouTube Analytics to see when your videos get the most views. This gives you an indication of when your viewers are often online.
Also, take a look at where people watch your videos from. If you have a global audience, you may want to pick a time that works in multiple time zones. Failing that, pick a time that corresponds with your audience’s top location, and plan to keep the YouTube live video posted on your channel.
Still not sure? Ask your audience. Run a teaser and ask people to choose a preferred time in the comments. Or create a Twitter or Instagram Story poll.
Planning a live series? Keep a consistent schedule. With a regular time slot, viewers can anticipate and build your live stream into their daily or weekly schedule.
Pro tip: When you’ve landed on a time, schedule your live stream in advance. This makes your live stream easier to promote and allows people to set reminders.
You can’t edit or redo something once it’s live. Before you broadcast, go through the following setup checklist.
There’s no reason to go live if you don’t have an audience. And you won’t have an audience without promotion.
Your live stream is a virtual event, so treat it as you would any other event. There are several ways to build buzz, on and off YouTube. Here are some suggestions:
On YouTube:
Read our complete guide to YouTube marketing.
Elsewhere:
Don’t forget social media best practices. Add an image or your teaser video to attract attention.
Write sharp and specific copy. Tell people why they should tune in. It’s their time you’ll be taking up, afterall.
Most importantly: Include the link. Your persistent link is youtube.com/user/[channelname]/live.
#UMW students: @PresTPain will be holding a live, virtual Q&A session for you!
🗓: Thursday, April 2
🕞: 3:30 p.m. EDT
👀: two options – Zoom webinar and YouTube LiveMore details regarding session access ⬇️ https://t.co/r2uIv1zi4U
— University of Mary Washington (@MaryWash) March 30, 2020
Virtual Wine Club with Come Wine with Me is a go – starts this Thursday, 7:30pm on YouTube Live. We're going Italian this week. I can't wait to taste and talk you through some great wines.
For all details, check out the Facebook Event – https://t.co/75gFnfyNlo#ComeWinewithMe pic.twitter.com/UNTCtU34tO
— Mandy M (@mandyjmason) March 29, 2020
Convincing people to tune in to your live stream is half a win. The other half is keeping them there. Here are some engagement-boosting tactics:
Remember that people may join the live stream part way through. When you see a jump in viewers, share quick recaps for new watchers. If you’re interviewing a guest, reintroduce them every once in a while. And include reminders about what’s coming up.
Give viewers a reason to watch to the end. Whether it’s the finished look of a makeup tutorial, a special announcement, or the chance to have a question answered, be sure to tease incentives.
Tell viewers you see them and appreciate their interest. A little love can go a long way.
Spark conversation with viewers in the live chat—and use it to inform the live stream. If you can, assign a moderator. They can interact with messages, share comments, and remove inappropriate posts.
Chat moderator tools include:
Don’t be afraid to ask for engagement, too. Encourage viewers to like and subscribe to curry favor with the YouTube algorithm.
Want more YouTube views? Here’s how to get them.
Live automatic captions are available for YouTube channels with more than 10,000 subscribers. If you have the option to use them, make sure you do.
Otherwise, speak clearly and use simple language. Have a clear structure. Give viewers time to process information that you share. If you can, describe visuals so those with visual impairments better understand what is happening.
Of course, make sure your content is age-appropriate and adheres to YouTube’s Community Guidelines. If your live stream violates YouTube policies, you may be barred from live streaming for up to three months.
YouTube Premieres blend live and pre-recorded features together. Just like movie or TV premieres, they give the creator the chance to watch a video live with an audience.
If you don’t want to compromise production quality, or if you’re simply uncomfortable with recording live, Premieres offer a middle ground.
Like live streams, YouTube Premieres can be accompanied with a live chat. Before the premiere, a public watch page is created and a countdown begins two minutes before the premiere starts.
YouTube live streams provide real-time and post-live analytics. Keep an eye on the dashboard and respond to what works as you go. Or apply insights to your next live stream strategy.
Look for peaks in concurrent viewers to get a sense of what attracted the largest audience. Retention will show you how many viewers stuck with you till the end. If this figure and average view duration is low, try to build anticipation and interactivity next time.
To see how your YouTube live stream contributes to channel growth, look for increases in subscriber growth and total watch time. Use demographics to learn who’s watching your live streams, and tailor future content accordingly.
Learn how to grow your brand on YouTube.
Get ideas for your next YouTube live stream with these examples.
This aquarium gives “live stream” new meaning with its 24/7 feed of a jellyfish tank.
The feed promotes the aquarium’s Open Sea exhibit, and at the same time encourages subscriptions and social media follows.
Virgin Galactic taps one of its experts to provide a glimpse at what it’s like to travel to space.
We're hosting a YouTube LIVE on human space flight for those who are currently off school! Join our Chief Astronaut Instructor, Beth Moses this Thursday. Beth was the 571st human to look down on Earth from space. 9.30amPT | 12.30pmET | 5.30pmBST! https://t.co/bQMbaniBTx pic.twitter.com/UtdIMlCSgX
— Virgin Galactic (@virgingalactic) March 30, 2020
Adobe Creative Cloud’s Sketch Party is a product demo, how-to, and webinar rolled into one live video.
With the help of drag superstar Shuga Cain, M.A.C artist Bradley Miller shows viewers how to create a glam drag persona, answering questions along the way.
The pop icon teamed up with Billie Eilish, Mariah Carey, Alicia Keys, the Backstreet Boys and others to raise funds for Feeding America. The concert was promoted as-it-happened with video teasers.
The moment I didn't know I needed. #iHeartRadioOnFOX
cc: @eltonofficial @lizzo https://t.co/2kxBZBgSyP— FOX (@FOXTV) March 30, 2020
Protect @billieeilish and @finneas at all costs.
Watch the entire #iHeartConcertOnFOX here: https://t.co/rmszDqytnV https://t.co/Xb9Y4YvWch
— FOX (@FOXTV) March 30, 2020
Pod Save America hosts Jon Favreau and Tommy Vietor join Crooked Media’s Priyanka Aribindi for a live Q&A. The video uses Zoom as a clever, multi-webcam workaround. Take a look at the Chat Replay for chat moderator inspo.
The California-based dancer, choreographer and director runs stretch classes live on YouTube. Classes go live at the same time every Tuesday and Thursday, and are promoted regularly on Instagram with tag-a-friend CTAs.
To promote the update of Ghost Recon Breakpoint, Ubisoft streamed a feed of players taking on the special mission.
PopSci’s popular podcast scheduled a live stream recording session. The event was scheduled in advance with a solid description in place, allowing early viewers to set reminders, subscribe, and more.
Red Bull regularly takes to YouTube to broadcast live coverage of sporting events it sponsors. The channel’s moderators give the conversation wings by providing placemarkers and building narrative.
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