How to create a kick-ass live stream format
Live is the big thing of 2017. It seems like every social network is doing it. But how do you make a stream that people actually want to watch?
My name is Ali, I’m a Creator Strategist at YouTube, and for the last year my job has involved working with some of the smartest creators in the world, to help them launch amazing live formats.
Creating a successful and entertaining live stream requires a specific type of idea, one that is compelling enough that viewers want to watch it now. But it’s also important to remember that your audience watches you for a reason, so think about a way to give them something they’d love — live.
So when you’re thinking about a live format, try to answer the question: why does this idea have to be live?
With that in mind, here are five ways that I’ve seen people do it:
1. Keep people in suspense
Embrace the Unknown: Live works best when the creator and audience have the same level of knowledge. Hannah Trigwell bungee jumped off a bridge — and it was incredibly compelling! But you don’t have to do a crazy stunt — formats like Unboxing also work well.
Play a Game: NoahJ456 made ‘YouTuber Fights’, where two YouTubers wrestle in sumo suits. This worked especially well because it had short rounds, so viewers could easily catch up.
Hold a Competition: College Humor did a stream called ‘Find Zach’ where they gave clues about his location. Zach was found after only 55 minutes!
2. Let the audience interact
Speak to the host: UnboxTherapy did a call in show with a ‘burner’ phone. By using the speakerphone setting, no additional equipment was required to set up the stream.
Take Suggestions: Beardyman took audience suggestions (both from a live audience and from live chat) for song titles and lyrics as he created an album in an hour.
3. Keep it dynamic and avoid dead air!
Get pre-production help: Before his stream Philip DeFranco has a member of his team pick out comments and set up graphics, so he can respond authentically to them live.
Get production help: SoldierKnowsBest streamed from the RNC. He had a friend go around the floor, speak with delegates and ask them to go into the shot to maintain the pace of the stream.
Get a co-host: Hannah, Grace and Mamrie help maintain energy and flow, especially within this longer stream. One can be telling a story to camera, while the others read and select comments to read out.
4. Take your audience somewhere new and exciting
Ben Brown took his audience onto a sailing boat in Rio, and got caught in a storm. LosPolinesios freed turtles on a beach in Mexico. Kat McDowell takes her audience through an intimate behind the scenes tour of her recording studio.
5. Create a shared experience
With a performance: Hank Green performed cover songs and let his audience suggest which song he should play next.
With a video game: eSports, like the League of Legends World Championship keeps viewers on the edge of their seats as much as traditional sports.
With a video: By watching her YTO documentary and answering questions about it live, Lily added a whole new dimension to the film.
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