As the world wakes up to the endless possibilities associated with live streaming for connecting with people and earning a living from home, the quality of streams is becoming more sophisticated and professional with each passing day. Anyone looking to start streaming to promote their online business, expand their influencer brand deal opportunities, or become a world-renowned Twitch personality has to work to keep up with rising standards.
Today, audiences expect streamers and influencers in a vast range of industries to have clean and professional-looking backgrounds and stream using high-quality audio and camera equipment. Whether a person is building a personal brand around gaming or considering joining the legions of individuals choosing to sell feet pics online to supplement their income, they’ll need to set up a dedicated studio space to stay ahead of their competition.
To ensure online success as a content creator, gamer, influencer or business owner, it pays to consider setting up a dedicated space or room at home to connect with online audiences and fans in a professional manner. For anyone not sure how to get started designing the perfect space or choosing the ideal equipment, this quick guide can provide a few essential tips.
What to Consider when Choosing a Dedicated Live Streaming Space
The most important decision to make when starting a new venture into live streaming relates to which area of the home will work best as a dedicated live-streaming studio. When choosing the ideal location in a home, there are a few factors to consider that will help a person decide whether a space will be a good fit.
If the studio’s location has ample room to accommodate equipment and set design pieces while also leaving enough empty room for a person to move around comfortably, it is likely to be a good spot for streaming. Make sure the chosen area is quiet and located a reasonable distance away from windows to busy streets or loud home appliances.
If a person shares their home with other people or pets, set up the dedicated studio space in a separate room if possible. A secluded area with a door that can be closed during streaming sessions will help minimize disruptions and distractions. The ability to maintain a decent level of privacy while filming will benefit the quality of streams considerably.
Designing an Interesting Background and Set
After a good spot for streaming has been chosen, the fun part of designing the set can begin. As the background of a stream doesn’t go unnoticed by viewers, it pays to pay some attention to aesthetics and invest in a visually interesting backdrop. If a person is unsure where to begin, it can be helpful to take notes from other highly successful streamers who share the same niche.
If a personal brand is being promoted, consider incorporating brand colors, props, and themes into the backgrounds of the set. You can also think about the variety of artworks, posters, and other decorations available to liven up an empty wall. Personal items on shelves as well as figurines and plants that reflect an individual’s personality can help audiences connect with the person they’re watching on a stream.
Picking the Right Streaming Equipment
The physical streaming equipment a person uses to live stream can make or break an entire production. A novice streamer may be forced to choose lower-end video and audio equipment initially and work their way up to professional-quality items. When getting started, individuals may be able to get away with using a high-end smartphone with a modern camera while they save up for a webcam and noise-canceling microphone.
To complete a basic setup, look for a decent webcam and a microphone that can connect to the audio input of a desktop via USB. If an individual has a decent budget to spend on equipment, consider investing in an entry-level DSLR camera for enhanced video quality and a dynamic microphone for better audio.
Ensuring Stable Connectivity for Live Streaming
A reliable and fast internet connection is absolutely essential for good quality live streaming experiences. To make sure the stream remains stable and doesn’t lag or cut out, don’t rely on a wireless internet connection. Make sure the setup is connected to the internet via a stable Ethernet cable and upgrade a home internet package to one that meets the minimum requirements for streaming.
Before a stream takes place, close all other unnecessary applications currently running on the streaming desktop or smartphone and pause any current downloads to make sure the home network is prioritized for streaming. If possible, test the stream beforehand to make sure everything is lined up, in the frame, and working correctly. It can also be worthwhile to monitor the stream closely while live to make small adjustments and catch any issues early on if necessary.