How to create a live broadcast on YouTube

YouTube Live is the platform's functionality that allows users to broadcast video in real time to a global audience. This option goes beyond traditional recorded content by offering an immediate and dynamic connection with viewers. During a live broadcast, users can interact via chat, ask questions and receive answers in real time, creating a fluid and authentic dialogue with your brand.

For SMEs and freelancers, YouTube live opens up a world of possibilities: product launches, live tutorials, special events or Q&A sessions. In addition, these broadcasts generate automatic notifications to subscribers, ensuring that interested audiences are aware of the event and actively participate. Here's how you can live stream!

Step by step to make a live transmission

Here we explain the basic steps to create your own live broadcast.

1. Create a YouTube account and verify it: before you can go live, you must have a YouTube account. If you already have one, make sure your channel is verified. This process is quick and is done through the channel settings, where YouTube will ask you to verify your identity through a phone number.

2. Enable the live streaming feature: once the channel is verified, you must enable the live streaming option. Go to the YouTube Studio section, access the “Live Broadcast” option and follow the instructions. Please note that this process can take up to 24 hours, so it is advisable to enable it in advance.

3. Set up the broadcast: now that your channel is ready to broadcast, it's time to set up the broadcast details. YouTube allows you to choose from several options:

• Schedule the broadcast: you can set the time and date of the live broadcast so that your followers are informed.

• Title and description: be sure to write a catchy title and a clear description that describes what the broadcast will be about. Include relevant keywords to improve SEO.

• Thumbnail: create an attractive thumbnail that attracts attention and adequately represents the content of your broadcast.

4. Choose equipment and platform: you can do live broadcasts from a computer, mobile or using specialized software such as OBS Studio (Open Broadcaster Software), which allows you to have more control over the live production, add graphics and improve the visual quality.

5. Start the broadcast: when you are ready, simply click on “Start live broadcast”. During the broadcast, you will be able to interact with viewers via live chat, answer questions or share links. It is important to maintain a constant level of interaction to maximize the viewer experience.

6. End and review performance: at the conclusion of the broadcast, YouTube will automatically generate a recording of the event. Review the statistics provided by YouTube to understand how many viewers you had, how long they stayed and other data that will help you improve your future broadcasts.

In addition, there are also other live broadcasting platforms that can be useful for SMEs and freelancers who wish to diversify their communication channels:

• Facebook Live: ideal for broadcasting to your Facebook followers. It is a platform that facilitates immediate engagement and has the advantage of being directly linked to a massive social network.

• Instagram Live: very popular with brands looking for a younger audience. Ideal for informal and quick content.

• Twitch: originally designed for gamers, Twitch has expanded its audience to include cooking, music, art and business channels. It is a platform that favors live interaction.

• LinkedIn Live: perfect for SMEs operating in B2B sectors, as LinkedIn is the world's largest professional social network. Live broadcasts here have a more serious and professional tone, oriented to webinars, conferences or product presentations.

As you will see, live broadcasts are an excellent tool to connect in real time with your audience and thus generate more trust. So, are you up for it?