How to Go Live on YouTube

Livestreaming is very popular among YouTube content creators. While this is one of the best ways to connect with fans more intimately, going Live has other advantages. First, it improves your engagement rate and gives you access to real-time feedback from your viewers.
Also, without any doubt, it is an excellent way to expand your viewership and have more people interact with your content. Therefore, we will take you through how to go live on YouTube using your mobile device or a personal computer. In addition, we’ll explore ways to promote your Livestreams.

1) How Many YouTube Subscribers Do You Need to Go Live?

Specific eligibility requirements need to be fulfilled before accessing the Live feature on YouTube. To start with, one should have at least 1000 subscribers. And after you’ve crossed this milestone, you must verify your channel. After that, ensure your content doesn’t infringe any Livestreaming restrictions for at least 90 days. But if you are just starting and haven’t reached 1000 subscribers. Yet, there’s another option. You can consider growing your YouTube channel by buying subscribers. By doing this, you will grow your YouTube audience, and your channel will meet the criteria for going Live.

2) How to Go Live on YouTube?

Live streaming is actually simple whether you are using a phone or computer. Nonetheless, this section, will break it down for you how to do it from both devices.  

2.1 Mobile

1. Open the YouTube app on your smartphone or tablet
2. “Login” to your account.
3. Click the “(+)” symbol at the bottom of the home screen.
4. Tap “Live.”
5. Give the live stream a title and set your privacy settings.
6. Click on “More Options.” Here, you can customize the stream description and monetization settings, set age restrictions, and choose whether to enable/disable the live chat.
7. Select “Show Less” to exit this menu and tap next to continue.
8. Add your live stream thumbnail. You can either take a picture with your webcam or upload a custom image.
9. Click “Share Livestream” to get a link to post on social media.
10. Once you’re ready, Tap the “Go Live” button to start broadcasting.

2.2 PC

The setup process for live streaming from your PC is very much similar to the mobile version. To get started:

1. Type “www.youtube.com” on your web browser.
2. Click the “Create” button on the top right corner of your home page.
3. On the drop-down menu that appears, select “Go Live.”
4. This will take you to the Live Control Room. If you want to start streaming now, click the “Stream” tab

(Alternatively, you can schedule your Live Stream. Click the “Manage” tab, Schedule Stream, and enter your settings.)

5. Click on the “Built-in Webcam.”
6. Customize your settings. Add a title, description, stream genre, and thumbnail, and configure any other settings.
7. If you are happy with how everything looks, click “Go Live” to start streaming.

3) 4 Best Practices for Going Live on YouTube

Having now familiarized yourself with how to go live through either your mobile or PC, let’s look at some tips that will help you make the most of your YouTube live streams.

3.1 Schedule Your Live at the Right Time

The success of a live stream also depends on what you do at the preparation stage. That said, make sure when scheduling your live stream, you consider when your viewers are mostly online and active on the platform. It’s crucial to determine the best time to post on YouTube to ensure maximum viewership and engagement during your live stream.
You can get data on peak viewing times simply by analysing your YouTube analytics engagement. Something else you need to take into consideration is the global time zones. This applies mostly to channels that have viewers from different regions.

3.2 Pre-Promote Your Livestream

With your Live Stream all planned out, the next step is to promote it ahead of time and get more people interested. So, get the link for your upcoming livestream and post it on social media to get some hype for it.
Doing so will allow people to set reminders ahead of time and make sure they create time to watch your live stream. You can also consider creating a trailer or countdown post to create excitement.

3.3 Focus on Sound Quality

You may think that the most critical aspect of the broadcast is the video, so people see clearly. But don’t forget that audio is the other 50% of the experience. That said, invest in high-quality external microphones to ensure you have clear and crisp sound.
Also, make sure you go live in a quiet location where you’ll have minimal distractions and background noises. You can even use soundproofing materials if necessary. And before you go live, test your audio setup and fix any issues you identify.

3.4 Keep it Interactive

When live streaming, don’t ignore your audience. Interact with them by asking questions and responding to their comments in the Live Chat. You can also ask your viewers for suggestions and opinions on certain things. That will keep them engaged and invested throughout your stream.

Conclusion

For content creators who would prefer to keep things personal, there is no doubt that YouTube Live is one of the best methods available. It also provides a platform for you to showcase your brand and draw in people who have similar interests. 
In this article, we have given some tips to help you set up your live stream within minutes and start broadcasting content that people actually enjoy watching.