If you use YouTube a lot you have probably seen the occasional live streaming of events like concerts or video game plays. YouTube has a robust streaming service for any business or personal channel that wants to show something live. It's a lot easier than you may think, and we're going to show you what you need to do it.
YouTube began offering livestreaming back in 2012 and has gone big on it ever since. The bar for being allowed to livestream used to be pretty high, but now anyone with a verified account in good standing can set up a livestream, and that unlocks a lot of doors for new marketing opportunities.
Why do this in the first place?
Livestreaming may be associated with gaming, sporting events, and concerts, but what it really does is let you create your own live television shows. Here's just a few ideas that can get your wheels spinning on how to use this tool for your brand:- Show how your product is created or tested.
- Show interviews with employees to show a personal side to your branding.
- Give a "behind the scenes" look of your office.
- At an industry event? Run your own stream through your smartphone or tablet to give others a look.
- Record training sessions or discussions about topics related to your industry.
- Have an interactive Q&A with your customers about a new product launch.
- Create an infomercial about your new products.
This is just a small sample of how you can use livestreams to promote your business.
Equipment you'll need
The first thing you'll need is a piece of software called an encoder. An encoder converts the video data into the stream that YouTube can use. YouTube allows any compatible encoder, but also has a list of YouTube ready encoders at this web page: support.google.com/youtube/answer/2907883Most encoders allow you to record video and sound directly off your computer. This is how gaming livestreamers record their videos. If you want to record something that's not on your computer, you will need a web-connected camera of some kind.
You may want to experiment with your camera and encoder with some standard YouTube videos to see how much detail they can support. YouTube will automatically adjust the framerate and encoding of your video for different viewers once they have a connection to your stream, so you won't have to worry about your viewers being unable to stream your video.
Setting up streaming
Google has some excellent videos that show what you need to do to set up streaming. The quick and dirty startup guide can be found in this one: youtube.com/watch?v=gMGNp5735_YA more detailed manual can be found on Google's help pages at: support.google.com/youtube/answer/2474026?rd=1
The basic steps are getting approval for livestreaming, configuring your encoder to record video, and then setting up the details of your stream so that others can find it. Google has really made some good explanations so consult the videos and manuals for more details.
Television is one of the most powerful mediums for advertising. Now that livestreaming is available to the masses, the power of television is open to anyone who wishes to view your channel. Livestreaming provides a realtime intimacy that prerecorded videos cannot match. We watch live sports games and concerts for that immediacy of experience that cannot be had through other means.
Try downloading an encoder and setting up a private stream. You'll find the process simpler than you might think, and you'll have a powerful new tool in your promotional toolbox.
Article provided by Adficient, a PPC management and SEO agency.
