How to Become a Web3 Live Streamer and Content Creator
Live streamers and content creators are always on the lookout for exciting new platforms. It’s almost impossible for even the best new content to rise to the top on YouTube or Twitch any more, so getting in on the ground floor of the next generation of streaming services is a very desirable prospect.
The good news with Bolt+ is that even though it’s harnessing the advanced new features of web3, blockchain and cryptocurrencies, it’s also incredibly easy to use. For the first time, you don’t need to understand anything about web3 to be able to take advantage of the opportunities it affords you.
So let’s take a look at how you can become a live streamer on Bolt+, even if you’ve never shared your screen or stood in front of a webcam before.
Create a Bolt+ account
It’s totally free to open an account on Bolt+, and you have a few sign up options to choose from.
You can log in with your existing Google or Apple accounts, or connect a cryptocurrency wallet. If you’re using a wallet, BoltX, Metamask and any others that support WalletConnect can be used.
Alternatively, you can go old school and use an email address and password. Click the “Don’t have an account? Sign Up” link at the bottom of the login box to get started.
Add your name, email address, choose a unique username and put in a password. There are a couple of other options to fill in too, such as receiving the Bolt+ email newsletter (recommended).
You’ll get a verification email, after which you can log in to your shiny new Bolt+ account.
The Bolt+ Home Feed
After logging in, the first thing you’ll see is the home feed.
It’s a good idea to start posting on here, just like you might on any other social media platform. Between live streams, this is where you can engage with your audience, and potential new followers.
You can like posts, create your own, and follow other Bolt+ users. It’s super simple, and there are lots of great new features coming to the home feed very soon, so get using it right away and start building your Bolt+ presence, and your community.
Apply to Become a Streamer
In the top right corner you’ll see an “Apply Stream” button. This is where you put in a request to become a Bolt+ live streamer, so give it a click.
It’ll take you to your profile page, where you can add a profile image, cover and bio. You can do that now, or do it as part of your streaming application.
Click the “Get Started” button in the “Want to Stream & Earn” box on the right. You must have a profile pic, cover image and bio included, since you’re a content creator and people will need to know these things when they watch your shows.
If you want, you can add your Discord, Twitter, Instagram and website to really complete your profile. Adding a Twitter account automatically imports your tweets, which is a cool feature that instantly fleshes out your profile page.
Choose a couple of topics that are relevant to the content you’re going to stream. In the “Comments” section, you can tell the Bolt+ team a little more about you, to help them process your application quickly. Finally, click the “Submit” button, and you should hear back very soon about your application.
Broadcast Your First Live Stream on Bolt+
Now you’re approved, you’ll see the button in the top right of the screen has changed to “Go Live”. Guess what that button does?
When you click it, you’re given two options.
Stream Directly
As you’d expect, it asks for access to your webcam and microphone, a title and description for this particular stream, and whether you intend to share your screen during the stream.
If you are sharing the screen, your browser will ask for permission, and also give you an option to select which specific window or screen you want to include. A grid is provided to let you choose where you want your webcam image to be positioned over the shared screen. Top left, bottom right, etc.
Once you’re happy with all that, click “Go Live”, and off you go!
Stream through a client
If you want a little more choice in terms of setup, this option lets you choose from a few different services, such as Zoom, StreamYard, OBS and Restream.
You’ll see an RTMP server URL and a stream key, which you enter into the client. These allow Bolt+ and your streaming client to connect with each other, so the video feed from the client (OBS, StreamYard, etc) appears on your Bolt+ stream. A preview window is provided, so you know when it’s connected and working.
In our example, you can see we’re streaming a test card from OBS to Bolt+. Nice!
What’s great about this option is that once I’ve connected OBS (in this example) to the RTMP server, I can start and stop streaming directly from OBS, without having to reconnect it to Bolt+ each time.
Start Building Your Bolt+ Audience
This is all you need to become a Bolt+ live streamer. You can now start building your audience by sharing your Bolt+ live stream URL on social media, WhatsApp, by email, on your website; however you want.
You can start receiving tips and gifts from your viewers, interacting with them in the live chat as well as through your live stream, and cash out your earnings at any time.
So let us know when your first live stream is taking place, by posting about it on the Bolt+ home feed, and we’ll come along and join in!
