Successful live streams don’t happen by accident. Consistent planning and preparation for each broadcast will help you gain confidence and give your viewers a dependable experience. Take the time to do each task for every live stream you do. With practice, these tasks will only take you a few minutes.

Start with the Basics

Before you go live, decide on your topic. The best live streams are focused on a specific subject. Have you picked a topic of interest to the audience? Be clear on what you will talk about.

Decide on a location where you will record your live stream. Are you filming in your office or on location? Will you be indoors or outdoors? Is the spot a public space or a private location? Do you need permission to live stream from this place?

Find your Gear

Of course, you’ll need your camera to record your live stream. The best camera for the job is the one you have with you. Whether you use a DSLR or a mobile phone camera, you can go live.

Once you’ve found your camera, check the batteries. Know that live streaming uses a lot of power so try to start with a full charge. You could also charge your camera while streaming. Plug it in at the office. Use a battery on location.

Shaky video will make your audience feel seasick. To stabilize your live stream, use a tripod. My current favorite is Switchpod — a tripod designed for live streaming. If you don’t have a tripod handy, stabilize your camera on a sturdy surface. Just be careful it won’t get knocked off and damaged!

Lighting is essential to make your live stream sparkle. Let your audience see you and the things you want to share. Natural light from the sun is flattering to everyone, and it’s free! Alternatively, you can arrange any lamps you have to shine light in the right places. Or invest in a ring light* or studio lights to create a live stream set with lots of lighting options.

Bad sound will drive your audience away faster than anything else. To capture the best possible audio, invest in a quality microphone. My favorite for in-office recordings is the Blue Yeti USB microphone and I love the results for the Rode SmartLav+ microphone on location. And, if you don’t have an external microphone, the one in your smartphone will work just fine.

Consider distractions

To improve your audio, be aware of background noise. Can you shut a window to minimize traffic sounds? Or bribe your kids with screen time for a few quiet minutes? Can you stand out of the wind so that moving air doesn’t create excess noise? As much as possible, record in a quiet space.

While you live stream, you are not available. Turn off notifications on your mobile phone. Let people nearby know you are in do-not-disturb mode. Tell your kids you’re about to be internet famous, and when you’re done, let them know you’re finished.

Look after yourself

In my opinion, the best live stream videos have a realness about them. The person on camera looks and acts like the real person they are rather than an actor playing a role. That said, you’ll probably want to check your appearance in the mirror. Have you got anything stuck in your teeth? Are you happy with your hair? Do you want to apply a fresh coat of lip gloss? Check your appearance to boost your confidence on camera.

Now, I’m going to sound like your mom for a minute. Do you need to pee? Do a quick bladder check and hit the restroom, if needed. There’s nothing more distracting than a full bladder.

While recording, you might get dry mouth or an unexpected cough. Hydration is key to keep your vocal cords fully operational. Take a minute to pour a glass of water, just in case. If you prefer, upgrade to coffee or a stiff drink, as suits your preference. If you really want to pay attention to the details, pick a mug that complements your location or topic.

Final Steps to Live Stream

Even with all this preparation, you might need to pluck up your courage. Live streaming is a vulnerable activity. You’re putting yourself out there in real time. Be brave. You’ve got this!

Never underestimate the power of a cleansing breath. Take time to breathe: Inhale then exhale and repeat. Breathing may calm your nerves and settle your mind. Use each breath to focus on what you want to say in your live stream. Use each breath to ground yourself in the here and now.

When you open your live streaming app, you’ll have the opportunity to write a brief caption describing your live stream. Use this copy to entice viewers to join you in real time and to encourage them to watch the replay. Whether you’re live streaming on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, or another platform, you should have a chance to type in a short description.

And now it’s time to go live. This is your moment: Start your live video and share your ideas with the world. You can do this! I have faith in you!

To help you gain confidence with each live stream you do, I’d like to offer you this handy checklist; a condensed, one-page version of the tips above. Use it before every live stream. Fill in the form to get the checklist delivered to your email inbox.