What Is Live Streaming? A Beginner’s Guide

What Is Live Streaming? A Beginner’s Guide 

What if you could get paid millions of dollars per year, simply for recording yourself talking, playing games, or even just walking around?

Whether you’re hoping for Internet stardom or exposure for your business, it’s possible thanks to live streaming!

But what is live streaming and is it feasible for everyone? We’ll explore the answers to these questions and more below, so keep reading!

What is Live Streaming?

In a nutshell, live streaming is the process of broadcasting yourself to an audience.

Typically, live streamers broadcast themselves playing video games. However, the world of streaming includes talk shows, karaoke, interactive board games, and even full-blown seminars!

Why Is Streaming So Popular?

It’s hard to nail down why streaming has become such a popular form of entertainment. However, we can attribute the rise of the streamer to three key components:

Audiences begin to form relationships with their favorite streamers, seeing them not only as entertainers but as friends. The longer a person watches a streamer, the more they learn about them. The more they learn about them, the more they care.

Over time, audiences start to develop loyalty to their favorites.

Also, it helps that watching a live stream is something that costs little to no money in most circumstances. And thanks to the interactive nature of live streaming (the ability to comment or share) a passive experience becomes an active one.

Let’s use gaming as an example.

You could pay $60 for a video game, play through it, and call it a day. Or, you could save your money and watch your favorite streamer play through the game. You’ll still get to experience the story, plus you’re getting to interact with your favorite Internet personality at the same time.

How to Start Streaming

Streaming can be a fun way to bring in some revenue or just build your reputation. And it’s rather easy to do, even if you’re not tech-savvy! You might feel a bit in the dark at first, but when you research information such as download vs upload speed, which camera would be best, and the best times to stream, you will feel like a natural.

First, you’ll want to choose a platform. Certain streaming platforms work better for certain tasks.

For gaming, you’ll want to choose Twitch. For business purposes, Facebook or Instagram have fantastic live streaming options.

There are also a ton of audio and visual considerations to make like lighting and background selection. To learn more about setting up professional-level streams, including how to balance audio levels and master your lighting set-up, check out this helpful article on live stream tips.

Subscribe to Success With Live Streaming

Live streaming will only become more popular in the coming years, making right now the perfect time to discover this fun and potentially profitable endeavor. So let’s ask again, what is live streaming?

Think of it as a way to reach a global audience from the comfort of your home and office. No matter who you are or what you’re streaming, you can share your message with the world.

For more tips on live streaming, advertising, and increasing your audience on social media, make sure to check out the rest of our blog.