How to Prepare Yourself for Video Live Streaming

Before you start broadcasting your live video, you need to do some preparation. First of all, make sure that viewers will see and hear you clearly without any distractions. Then, prepare yourself for a broadcast: work out your style, think over about the place for video live streaming, interior, your appearance, and posture – these small details are important and can attract or frighten away your potential fans. Here are some tips for optimizing your streaming place and preparing yourself for a live broadcast.

Quality Equipment Is an Advantage for Streamer

Stream quality is an essential part of streaming success. Many viewers refuse to watch streams of low resolution and listen to distorting sounds from your mic. So, if you are going to make money from Twitch or Hitbox streaming, consider buying quality equipment for that. But remember, sometimes good is the enemy of great: by streaming video of high definition, you may lose a plenty of your fans that have lower screen resolution. So, try to find a compromise allowing you to broadcast a good quality video with accessibility to most of your viewers. Make sure that if you are broadcasting in HD quality, that you push a stream in a standard definition as well. Besides the quality of equipment, it is necessary to prepare yourself for broadcasting. Talking on camera for a long period of time is not as easy as it may seem. Before starting your live broadcast, drink plenty of water and warm up your voice. Prepare some hot water or tea for drinking while recording. Have a good posture, clear your mind and begin your live stream.

Preparing Your Place for Video Live Streaming

Plenty of Light May Help

Proper lighting is one of the most important parts of any video live streaming. Having good lighting can produce a great screen picture even with a cheap camera. On the contrary, bad lighting will make you look like a ghost, expose all face details or make you non-visible at all. If you have only one source of light, make sure that the light comes from in front of you or from the sides and never from behind. Too much light from behind will dim you out. If there is a window in the room, sit in front of it. However, a window’s light is not the best choice, as you won’t be able to control it at all the times. The best option is investing in a small LED light. You will need some time to get used to the bright LED light, but the results are worth it. OR you can create even more comfortable lighting conditions with a help of a professional-like soft box. Watch the video below to see how it looks like: N.B. You can also use a settings application for your webcam (for instance, LogiTech Webcam) in order to control exposure, white balance or focus.

Setting a Lower Temperature

You should feel comfortable while streaming, otherwise it will be shown in the camera. However, it is a proven fact that your voice will sound better if turn off the heater or air conditioning. So, if it is possible, reduce the habitual temperature of your room during your live stream.

Minimize Background Noise

Even if you have good audio equipment, make sure that viewers can hear you without any distractions. Switch off the sound on your phone and other devices that can interrupt your live stream; choose an isolate location for streaming.

Placing Your Webcam

Many streamers fix a webcam too low and don’t look their best from beneath their chin. It is better to place you webcam at eye level or slightly higher. If you are using a laptop on a desk, you can use a few books underneath to prop up your webcam at eye level.

Think of Your Appearance

Try to choose the right clothing for your broadcasts. Remember, that cameras “don’t see” the same picture as your eyes. The color and texture of your cloth can create distractions and artifacts. Here are some pieces of advice:

Choose contrast clothing that doesn’t blend with your interior – green cloth on a green background is not a good idea.

What is in your room background doesn’t matter as long as it is not distracting. Nobody wants seeing your laundry or your bed.

Avoid wearing cloth with logos – viewers may think that you’re sponsored by the corresponding company or affiliate.

Choosing your fit is a matter of taste and is fully up too you, but it is undeniable that your style impacts viewers’ perception. Your cloth can be too official or too risky for your audience. If you are a novice, try different styles and see your viewers’ reaction. Be cautious about your look, choose clothing that represents you best and is comfortable for you.

Striped and patterned cloth can distort the displayed picture and cause blinks when you are moving on camera.

Bright, neon colors should be avoided, as they cause visual stress. It can be irritating to look at bright colors for a long time.

During your first streams you may experience stress and produce extra skin oil on your body and face. Glossy face and wet hair don’t look attractive. Keep a handkerchief close to your computer, consider makeup (not only for ladies, but also in case of scars, acne, etc) – it helps cover up the distractions and make you look prettier in the camera.

Emphasizing Your Uniqueness

Choosing favorite games, style and manner of speaking is another thing that distinguishes a professional streamer. Whether you are an attractive female that enjoys playing games for fun or a player with many years’ experience, you have even chances to become a popular live streamer. If you decide not using a cam for your live stream, getting new followers will be much harder. Usually, streamers that don't use a webcam have a nice, radiovoice, make non-stop comments, jokes and improvisation. If you are that kind of charismatic person, go for it. If you have doubts about what to say to your audience, webcam will make you feel more comfortable. Remember, that streaming is all about interaction, and most viewers are eager to connect with the host they can see.

Do a Dry Run of Your Stream

To avoid any technical problems and embarrassing moments during your live broadcast, do a stream rehearsal. Make sure that your equipment is working properly; check the sound, lighting and encoder settings. Have a backup plan in case something goes wrong. It is good to have an extra mic and batteries, just in case. Test your Internet connection and make sure that your network can handle a live stream, especially if you are streaming at high quality. It will be confusing to find that you’ve promised 5MBs connection, but it is actually lower. Measure your upload speed with the help of speed test to ensure that you can stream at the chosen bitrate.

Take Away

So, now you are more prepared for video live streaming and it is time to use our tips in practice. To become a successful streamer, try to meet new challenges and always push yourself to become better. Making a schedule of your streams will help keep you organized: nobody wants to see a tired and slovenly streamer in the camera. Be consistent, think positively and have fun of streaming!

10/26/2016