Are you looking to expand your podcast’s reach?
It’s time to start live streaming.
Live streaming your podcast is a great way to give yourself an advantage over other shows in your niche. It’s a great way to give people a sense of community and build loyalty. It builds trust, which leads to better relationships. And if done correctly, it can be a huge source of revenue for your podcast.
But how do you live stream your show? What tools should you use, and what strategies should you implement?
We’ll dive into exactly how to live stream your podcast in this article. The gear you need, the strategies you need to implement, and discuss some of the many benefits of live streaming for podcast creators. Most importantly, we’ll explain why it should be on any podcaster’s list of things to do in 2022!
The Power of Live Podcasting
Podcasting is all about building a community.
The number of people consuming live streams is staggering. 63% of Millennials watch live content regularly. With younger generations choosing live media over other formats, the growth will be incredible over the next few years.
The popularity of live streams comes down to a demand for authenticity. Consumers want to see that they can trust creators.
And when you live stream your episodes, you’re able to invite your listeners to a unique interactive experience that build connection.
A Unique Experience
Whether you want to answer questions from viewers or give them a “behind the scenes look at your show,” live streaming offers people a feeling of being in the room. Live streaming adds energy that doesn’t exist when listening alone. This energy can create a real connection between podcasters and podcast fans.
A Library of Content from One Session
Independent podcasters know that promotion is essential to their growth. You have the content you need to fill your marketing calendar with a live stream.
Turn streams into short video clips for Instagram or TikTok. Syndicate full episodes on YouTube or other video hosting sites. You can generate weeks of snackable content for your followers from one session.
What You Need to Live Stream a Podcast
Now that you see the power of live streaming your podcast, you’re probably wondering what you need to get started. Keeping your budget low, the equipment you need is relatively inexpensive.
The Gear
Luckily, if you’re already podcasting, the gear you have for recording your episodes will work for a live stream. However, if you’re new to podcasting in general, you’ll need to invest in a few extra pieces of equipment. Let’s start with the microphone.
The Microphone
For podcasts, audio is everything.
Whether you want to live, stream, or you’re just looking to produce an audio-only show: you need a good mic. You want your audience to see your face. So, the microphone of your choosing should be able to pick up voices clearly from an average distance.
Another point to consider is connectivity. Traditional audio microphones will use XLR connections. This connector type requires an audio card or audio interface to connect to your computer. Having a digital connection on your mic makes it easy to connect directly to your computer. Choosing a microphone that connects via USB can simplify your setup and expand compatibility.
When it comes to microphones, there is a vast price range. While you don’t need to spend thousands on a mic, investing a little extra will go a long way in producing excellent sound for your audience.
Camera
The next essential piece of gear is a camera. If audio is everything for podcasts, your camera is the same for your live stream.
There are a few different types of cameras which you can choose from:
1 – Smartphone
While the price tag on smartphones far outweighs webcams, this is the cheapest solution on our list. Everyone has a smartphone. You won’t need to invest in new gear. Repurpose your existing phone for your show. The quality of smartphone cameras has reached extraordinary heights. However, connecting your phone to your computer for a live stream could prove more difficult than other options on our list.
2 – Internal Webcam
Most laptops and even some computers (like iMacs) have internal webcams. As far as quality goes, internal webcams are middle-of-the-road. If you’ve attended a video conference recently, think about what your video looked like on the screen.
Was it grainy? Did you look washed out?
Internal webcams are easy to implement, but the quality might not be enough to engage your audience.
3 – External Webcam
Purchasing an external webcam is an easy upgrade. Many brands offer 1080p HD resolutions – or even 4k. Plus, external webcams often come with software that allows you to tweak settings like exposure and contrast so that you can dial in the perfect look for your show.
4 – DSLR or Mirrorless Cameras
The best quality solution also comes with the highest price tag. However, investing in a DSLR or Mirrorless camera gives you options for the future. The crystal clear visuals that these cameras offer can give you a serious advantage over other podcasters. Plus, you’ll have a high-quality camera to create promotional materials like images for your thumbnails and video clips. You might even expand to vlogging or other video formats in the future!
Other Things to Consider
If you have multiple hosts or guests in the same room, you may want to invest in separate monitors so everyone can see the live chat. When each participant has a screen, it promotes engagement with your audience. It makes it easy for you to reference questions or comments.
Lighting is another crucial aspect of your live stream. You want your audience to be able to see you. Having a well-lit space will provide a better experience for your viewers. Look for simple LED lighting kits or even a ring light to add the necessary light for your project.
Of course, the content of your show is the most critical factor in growing your audience. But having quality gear that provides good-looking (and sounding) audio and video is a fantastic way to set your show apart from the competition.
The Platform
Next, you’ll need to choose a live streaming platform.
Speed, efficiency, and simplicity are crucial to your success when producing an independent podcast. You need a reliable live streaming platform that quickly gets your show on the air. If your platform is complicated to use, it can discourage you from staying consistent and producing quality shows.
Plus, you’ll want a platform that allows you to reach the largest possible audience. Some solutions limit the channels to which you can stream.
Let’s take a look at some of your options:
YouTube Live Streams – You can create broadcasts made on YouTube that anyone can watch in real-time. If you already have a YouTube channel, you can start right away.
However, you limit your audience if you’re using YouTube to stream your show. To simultaneously stream to multiple channels can be complicated. It requires third-party software to create a “multi-stream.” Adding more
Podcasting Platforms – Choosing a specifically designed platform for podcasters will give you the most control as a creator. When vetting a solution, make sure they offer live streaming as an option. Some will only record audio and video for posting later.
A platform like Boomcaster allows you to record and live stream audio and video from one session. Just create a session, invite your guests, and hit record.
Don’t Wait to Live Stream.
Starting a live stream can be daunting. You don’t have the luxury of edits, and the format can make you feel a bit vulnerable. But this vulnerability is precisely what your audience craves.
For independent podcasters, building genuine connections is vital. And there’s no better way to achieve this than by live streaming your show.