Live streaming is a popular activity for online content creation. It helps streamers attract high audience views and interactions, thus allowing them to grow as content creators online. However, to make this possible, one needs to choose a suitable live-streaming platform that will provide them with helpful features to increase their online presence. To find a live streaming software or platform that matches your needs, here’s a look at a few tips that will help you find and choose one effectively.
8 Tips to Successfully Choose a Live Streaming Platform for Seamless Video Streams
Determine Your Content Niche
Before choosing a live streaming platform, decide on the content type you want to stream. Do you want to live stream games? Or do you want to try out vlogs? Having your niche in place will help you filter the best live streaming platforms for the same. For example, Twitch is a popular live streaming platform for numerous content categories. However, the platform does have a heavy focus on gaming, thus making it a suitable site for gaming live streamers. Therefore, deciding on your content type will help you pick the best platform for your needs.
Research Platforms That Fit the Niche
Once your content type gets decided, look up platforms that support it. There are numerous live streaming platforms online. And while most of them host all categories, a few may lean towards a single niche. For example, Youtube is a platform that works with gaming streams, vlogs, cooking, art, and more. It works with all content categories, making it easier for live streamers to experiment with what works with their audience from time to time.
Plan Your Goals
When picking a live streaming platform, it is also necessary to plan what you would like to achieve from your live streams. These could be growing your audience, interacting more with viewers, building partnerships, etc. Based on these goals, it will become easier to find a live streaming platform that offers features that align with your requirements. Platforms like Twitch and YouTube have features that allow you to earn money through live streams. If you’re looking to make a living from live streaming, these are some platforms that you can consider.
Check Video Stream Quality
When live streaming, you want to ensure that the best video quality is available to your viewers. Check each platform to see the highest quality of video streams supported. Some may have it till 1080p at 60fps, while others may have higher limits of up to 1440p at 60fps. Based on what your requirements are, you can choose a live streaming platform that delivers the best quality. It will allow you to host high-quality live streams for your audience at all times.
Note Stream Communication Settings
Stream communication refers to in-chat interactions that viewers can have with each other and the stream host. For example, Twitch allows viewers to communicate via chat, emotes, and custom animated emotes. These can all be used to showcase different reactions, moods, etc., within a live stream chat. Check what type of interactions are available on each platform.
Check Security/Moderation Measures
You want to ensure that all interactions are safe and secure during live streams. You do not need your live streams to be run down by bots, trolls, or other interruptions. To avoid this, look up if the platform has security controls or mod features. It is a helpful way to host smooth live streams and ensure all interactions are genuine and follow stream rules.
Live Streaming Accessibility
Sometimes, you can stream from multiple devices instead of a live stream studio. For such instances, it is necessary for the streaming platform you choose to have device compatibility for phones, gaming consoles, etc. Twitch is one such platform that supports multiple device live streaming available. It is a helpful feature as it allows one to stream from anywhere and from a convenient device.
Partnership Programs
It is a helpful feature for a live streaming platform if you want to earn money and make a living through your live streams. Twitch and Youtube are some platforms that offer partnerships or other monetization features that creators can take advantage of. Depending on their channel’s and live streams’ success, people can apply for these features and earn money with them.
Endnote
Because of how popular live streaming is today, more people are shifting towards it for content creation purposes. Thus, choosing the most effective platforms to host your streams and interact with your audience becomes necessary. To ensure a successful process, you can use this list of tips to help you pick a suitable live streaming platform that will align with your needs and allow you to host live streams smoothly.