How to Create a 24/7 Livestream on YouTube?

Going Live on YouTube is an easy way to gain a massive following. Recent trends have shown that livestreams have greater traction than pre-produced videos on YouTube. YouTube channels like Chilled Cow (now Lofi Girl) have amassed a huge subscriber base, based entirely on live streams. Pro Gamers and Music channels are other types of YouTubers popular in the livestreaming space.

Many YouTubers have now taken to running livestreams 24/7 to maximize audience engagement. To run a 24/7 YouTube livestream, you ideally need to run a software on your computer. If you want to livestream 24/7, you will need to leave your computer on 24/7. Computers can overheat. In addition, running a regular PC for a lengthy duration is simply not economical for most people.

The alternative is by renting a virtual private server (VPS) like Ohbubble from a hosting service which will take the pressure off your PC. 24/7 livestreaming will come with a cost. However, once you achieve a certain level of popularity, it is easier to make money from a YouTube livestream than pre-produced videos. You can create a YouTube live stream through your mobile phone or your PC. The first step before enabling YouTube live is verifying your channel. To do that you will need to go to YouTube.com verify, add your phone number and receive a verification code by text or call.

YouTube Livestream through mobile

Keep in mind that you’ need at least 1000 subscribers to go live through mobile. On mobile, open the YouTube app, click on the camcorder icon and click live. You can choose to stream from your front facing or selfie camera. Enter title and adjust privacy settings. Once you are ready, tap next. A countdown timer will start and when it hits zero, it will click a picture to use as your thumbnail. Click go live and you are good to go. To end your stream, tap finish. YouTuber offers the ability to share your live stream on social media. And you can even set options for live chat, age restrictions, monetization etc.

YouTube Livestream through computer

First step in setting up your YouTube livestream is going to your channel homepage. Scroll to the creator studio tools and click on the livestreaming tab. Click on Stream now and you will have access to a basic livestream without the bells and whistles. If however, you want to do a more advanced livestream using external devices like webcams and games consoles, you’ll need to set up a livestreaming encoder. This is a software which allows you to use external devices to stream. Keep in mind that it takes 24 hours to activate your account for livestreaming. Plan your schedule accordingly.

24/7 YouTube Live streaming Steps

You will need a reliable VPS hosting server. OhBubble is the most popular hosting solution available in the market. They have different plans at different rates like Platinum, Sapphire, Gold and Diamond. They also have a pretty high Uptime which is essential to ensure a smooth 24/7 livestream. Vultr is another popular hosting solution. To ensure that your stream never goes down, you can even get two solutions running at the same time.

Once you have availed of the plan with OhBubble, you will need to download a program called AnyDesk which is free and included in the OhBubble software. This will connect you to the VPS that you bought from OhBubble. It will come pre loaded with OBS and Streamlabs which are free streaming softwares that have certain presets. Find your YouTube stream’s key and copy and paste it into Streamlabs. Set up your video, thumbnail, background and music. Use a stock video that is copyright free or make your own. If you want a continuous stream, make sure you click loop in settings.

Click start streaming and you are good to go.

Pros of Livestreaming

One of the biggest advantages of going on YouTube live is the intimate connection with your fans and subscribers. The YouTube live dashboard provides instant analytics and a chat feature to connect with your fans in real time, host Q&A’s etc. YouTube live is also a cost effective method of making money as a YouTube creator. Unlike regular videos on YouTube, you don’t need scripts or fancy props. Since these videos are live, you don’t have to spend time and money on editing or adding graphics. Or any of the other post-production activities involved in creating a regular YouTube video.

All you really need is a strong internet connection. You don’t even need a computer-you can go live right from your mobile phone. Though, depending on the quality of your phone camera, your livestream quality will be affected.

It’s also fairly economical to rent a VPS server. And most companies offer a variety of plans with different rates.

As a streamer you can pre roll ads before going on YouTube live, include ads mid roll and even display them over the video. Also, the way the platform is structured, YouTube livestreams have a higher chance of ranking at the top in searches.

By going live 24/7, your revenues also shoot up as more time means more views. Also, depending on your niche and type of channel, going live 24/7 will also increase your popularity. Music channels like Chilled Cow and popular gaming YouTubers like jackfrags stream almost daily and have a religious following. Some celebrities like Katy Perry have also jumped into the bandwagon, with her widely watched four day YouTube livestream. Basically, livestreaming is here to stay.

As more and more audiences seek and demand authenticity from creators, going live and specially 24/7 gives you a certain cachet. The bare bones, no frills, warts and all approach to livestreaming will ensure a lifelong bond with your audience and is worth exploring whether you are a seasoned creator or YouTube newbie.