How to Be a Good Streamer on YouTube

Written by Melissa Newman | Edited by Nicole Levine, MFA

Last Updated: January 23, 2023 References

Whether your niche is live gameplay, DJ sets, celebrity gossip, or political commentary, streaming live on YouTube is a great way to connect with your audience. Anyone with a verified YouTube account can go live, but only some streamers will become successful. If you want to make money, gain subscribers, and bring more attention to your awesome self, check out these helpful tips for becoming the best YouTube streamer you can be.

1

Provide value to your audience.

Think about what brings viewers to your content. What is it that you can offer viewers that they won't find on other streams? Do you have advanced knowledge of a certain video game, historical era, health issue, or music genre? What are some unique insights you have that might impress, amuse, or inspire your viewers? To be a successful streamer, you should always be thinking about how your stream will add value to your viewer's lives.
- If you're an expert in your niche, consider hosting Q&A sessions in your streams. Give your audience the chance to learn from a pro!
- Ask your audience what they like about your content, and what they want to see more of. Incorporate audience feedback into your future streams.

2

Have a game plan for each live stream.

Unlike recorded video, you can't edit out the parts of your live stream that don't go well. Before you go live, make a list of topics or tasks, such as talking points or game levels, and stick to the plan during your broadcast.
- If you're a gamer, playing a game live is a bit more forgiving, as you don't have to create a time structure. Even so, make a list of things you can talk about while you play to keep things interesting.
- If you want to stick to a particular time, such as a one-hour stream, try to structure your live on paper and devote chunks of time to particular topics or tasks. Be sure to leave room for viewer questions and comments.

3

Use a high-quality camera and microphone.

If viewers can't see or hear you, they won't come back. Even if your laptop has a decent built-in webcam, consider upgrading to an external webcam so you can stream in a higher-quality format—720p or higher. And while your gaming headset may have a built-in microphone, a fancier USB mic can make a lot of difference in vocal quality.
- If you plan to make a career out of live streaming, invest in a DSLR camera or high-quality camcorder.^{[1]
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- Some streamers prefer condenser mics, as they are great for capturing quieter sounds.^{[2]
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  Research source} If you need something that can handle louder sounds, minimize background noise, and stand up to rough handling, consider a dynamic mic instead.

4

Use an encoder for a high-quality stream.

Even if you're not streaming live gameplay, an encoder is still beneficial. Most gaming streamers use a software encoder to broadcast gameplay during their live streams. But software encoders also have other features, such as the ability to use external cameras and microphones, stream with multiple remote participants, and add overlays, graphics, and effects to your broadcast.^{[3]
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Research source} Encoders can also keep your stream compressed properly, preventing issues like dropped video, stuttering, and lag.
- Software encoders that YouTube recommends: AWS Elemental MediaLive, Melon, OBS, Stage Ten, Xsplit Broadcaster, Gamecaster, and Wirecast.^{[4]
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5

Use professional video lighting techniques.

Poor lighting can cause screen glare, awkward facial shadows, and grainy video. Three-point lighting is a great way to minimize shadows, and it's easy to set up. Ring lights are also extremely popular with YouTube streamers, and you can find affordable ones from many online retailers.
- If you wear glasses, avoid pointing a light right at your face—this will cause glare. Instead, mount the light higher than your face, angle it downward, and set it off slightly to the side.^{[5]
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  Research source} You can also avoid having a light point right at your face and instead place two lights on either side of you, illuminating you from both sides.
- You can create a DIY photo and video lighting setup using household objects you may already have.

6

Stream at the right time.

Check YouTube Analytics to find out when your viewers are online the most. If you've shared video content on YouTube in the past, your analytics can tell you when the people who watch your videos tend to come online. Streaming during those times is a great way to ensure the people who already enjoy your content can catch your live streams. You'll find your analytics in the Analytics area of YouTube Studio.^{[6]
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- When you have an exciting streaming event on the horizon, record some promo videos to build anticipation. Add a cliffhanger to the promo video to compel viewers to watch your live stream.

7

Stream on a regular schedule.

Once you find a time to stream, stick to that time. Whether you stream at 6 PM every weekday or at 6 PM one day a month, stick to a consistent broadcasting time to keep your viewers engaged. If your viewers expect to find you online at a certain time and you're not there, they'll eventually stop returning to your streams.
- You can also let people know when you'll be streaming by encouraging viewers to subscribe to your channel and turn on notifications.
- Don't forget to let your friends and social media followers know before you start streaming—they'll be the most likely to tune in.

8

Plan your streaming session like your other videos.

Give your live stream the same attention you'd give to your regular YouTube videos. After you end your live stream, the video will be available to watch for anyone who missed the broadcast. Even if you don't have a lot of viewers when you go live, you might accumulate them once the live stream video is accessible on your channel. Give these viewers the same quality content that they'd expect from your typical pre-recorded videos.^{[7]
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- If you use certain catchphrases, images, or sound effects in your pre-recorded YouTube videos, use that content in your live streams.

9

Interact with your viewers while you're live.

Engaging with your audience while live is like having a real-time conversation. Keep the chat visible so you can address comments and questions from your viewers. Even if you can't respond to everyone directly, the fact that you're paying attention and actively responding lets your viewers know you care about their experience.
- Shout out viewers by name, especially repeat viewers and people who donate to your channel, as they join the conversation. This helps build relationships with your viewers.
- Asking your viewers questions is a great way to get them talking in the chat. Encourage them to communicate with each other as well as communicating directly with you. This builds a community based on your live streams.

10

Foster a community among your streamers.

Encourage your viewers to communicate with each other, not just you. As your viewers get to know you, they can also get to know each other during the live chat—a surefire way to keep them coming back for more interactions. You can also create space for your community on another platform, such as a Discord server or even a Twitter hashtag, and then use those spaces to start conversations and hype up your upcoming live streams.
- Assign moderators to your YouTube Live chat to keep the environment safe and friendly for everyone.
- Consider exclusive subscriber-only chat sessions as your lives grow in popularity. You can specify how long someone needs to be subscribed to your channel before they'll be able to access these chats. This will encourage your viewers to subscribe to your channel, which improves your overall stats.^{[8]
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11

Post consistent videos in addition to streaming.

Keep your stream viewers satisfied between streams with pre-recorded YouTube videos. Fans of your live streams will love the fact that they can watch your other content when you're not live. Plus, having creative or funny videos can attract new viewers to your live stream.
- Keep your videos on the shorter side until you develop a following. Even if you want to do a lot of build-up to a certain topic, start by getting right to the point to reach viewers with shorter attention spans.^{[9]
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- When you're finished streaming live, you can upload your live stream to your channel as a regular video. If you don’t want to upload the whole thing, try making a highlight reel that features just the parts you want people to see, or maybe even some bloopers and outtakes!

12

Use catchphrases, intros, and outros.

Open and close your live stream by saying something memorable. A great way to build your brand is having a consistent intro and outro that you use at the beginning and end of each stream.^{[10]
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Research source} To enhance your brand, come up with cool creative catchphrases and inside jokes that you can use throughout your lives and other videos.
- Don't be too repetitive with catchphrases—just enough to make your audience associate you with that catchphrase.
- Try not to change the intro and outro too much between streams to maintain consistency.

13

Find out what's working well for other popular streamers.

If there's a popular YouTube streamer in your niche, check out their content. What are they doing that encourages so many viewers and subscribers? Is that something you can do in your own live stream? A little inspiration from the pros can go a long way,
- If your niche is gaming, check out other streamers who stream the same games you do. You can also check lists to find the top gaming streamers on YouTube, such as this list from Statista: https://www.statista.com/statistics/453461/leading-youtube-gaming-channels-subscribers
- Don't be afraid to try new things! Even if the top streamers are following a specific formula, that doesn't mean you have to. What's something you can add to your live stream that nobody else is doing? Try it out and see what people think.

14

Promote, promote, promote.

Reach new viewers by advertising your stream and channel. When you're just beginning your live stream schedule, you may not have many viewers. Don't be discouraged! That just means the right viewership hasn't found your stream yet. To reach your audience, publicize your stream on social media platforms on which you already have followers, and link to your stream in as many locations on the web as you can.^{[11]
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- You can advertise your content to YouTube viewers based on their interests and demographics using YouTube Promoted Videos. Check out https://www.youtube.com/ads/ to learn more about advertising on YouTube.