Checklist for Live Streaming in 2024

1️⃣Charge Your Devices

As a live streamer, you likely have multiple devices that you need to keep charged in order to ensure a smooth broadcast. Here are a few tips to help you keep your devices charged and ready to go:

1. Invest in a good quality charger. A charger with multiple ports is ideal so that you can charge multiple devices at the same time.
2. Keep your charger in an easily accessible location. This way, you can quickly grab it and plug in your devices when they start to run low on battery
3. If possible, use USB charging cables instead of AC adapters. USB cables are typically more convenient and easier to manage than AC adapters.

2️⃣Restart Your Devices

If you’re experiencing issues with your live stream, one of the first things you should try is restarting your devices. This includes your computer, encoder, and router. Sometimes all it takes is a fresh start to clear up any lingering issues.

3️⃣Test the Internet Connection

If you’re planning on live streaming, it’s important to test your internet connection beforehand to make sure there won’t be any issues. Here are some tips:

1. Use a speed test site like Speedtest.net to test your download and upload speeds. You should have at least 10 Mbps of upload speed for live streaming.
2. If you’re using Wi-Fi, try moving closer to your router to get a stronger signal.
3. Close any other programs or tabs that are using up bandwidth. This includes things like video streaming sites, gaming apps, and so on.

4️⃣Make Sure You Have Enough Space

When live streaming, you need to make sure you have enough space in your system. This means having enough space on your computer or cloud storage, as well as enough bandwidth.

If you’re using a computer, make sure you have enough storage space in the system or in the cloud storage. This is especially important if you’re recording your stream as well as live streaming it. You’ll need enough space to store the recorded video files.

Similarly, if you’re using a mobile device, make sure you have enough storage space and bandwidth. Live streaming can use up a lot of data, so you’ll want to make sure you have an unlimited data plan or enough data to cover your usage.

5️⃣Test the Live Streaming Gear

To get your live stream up and running, you need to test all of your gear beforehand. Here are a few tips to help you do just that:

1. Test your internet connection speed and make sure it’s fast enough to support live streaming.
2. Check all of your equipment for compatibility with the live streaming platform you’re using.
3. Set up a test stream with lower quality settings to make sure everything is working properly.
4. Increase the quality of your stream incrementally until you reach your desired level.
5. Test audio levels and ensure that they’re balanced and not too loud or soft.
6. Visualize your shot and make sure everything looks good on camera.
7. Pay attention to the lighting in your space and adjust accordingly.
8. Ensure that there’s no background noise that will be picked up by the microphone.

6️⃣Prepare Talking Points

When you’re getting ready to live stream, it’s important to have a few talking points prepared in advance. This will help ensure that your broadcast goes smoothly and that you don’t end up rambling on camera. Here are a few tips for preparing your talking points:

1. Choose a topic or theme for your live stream. This will help you focus your thoughts and keep your broadcast on track.
2. Make a list of the points you want to cover during your live stream. This will serve as a helpful guide so you don’t forget anything important.
3. Write down key phrases or sentences that you want to use during your live stream. This will help you deliver your message clearly and confidently.
4. Practice saying your talking points out loud before going live. This will help you get comfortable with the material and reduce any nerves about streaming live.

7️⃣Have a Beverage Nearby

Whether you’re live streaming a video game, a cooking show, or a music performance, it’s always a good idea to have a beverage nearby. Not only will it keep you hydrated, but it can also help you stay calm and focused during your stream.

If you’re going to be live streaming for an extended period of time, it’s important to make sure that you have a glass of water within easy reach. You don’t want to get dehydrated while you’re streaming, as this can lead to headaches and other problems.

8️⃣Get in the Right Mood for Live Streaming

If you’re new to live streaming, or even if you’re a seasoned pro, it’s important to get in the right mindset before going live. Here are a few tips to help you get into the right frame of mind for a successful live stream:

1. Set realistic goals for your live stream. What do you hope to achieve with your broadcast? Whether it’s growing your audience, increasing engagement, or generating leads, having a clear goal in mind will help you stay focused and on track.

2. Plan your content ahead of time. While it’s important to be flexible and go with the flow during a live stream, it helps to have a general idea of what you want to talk about beforehand. This way, you can ensure that your broadcast stays on topic and is engaging for your audience.

3. Make sure you have all the necessary equipment set up and ready to go before going live. Nothing is worse than technical difficulties during a live stream! Test your microphone, camera, and internet connection ahead of time so that everything runs smoothly when it’s time to start broadcasting.

4. Relax and have fun! Live streaming should be enjoyable for both you and your viewers. Keep things light and don’t take yourself too seriously – after all, part of the appeal of live streaming is the “live” aspect! If you’re having fun, chances are your viewers will too.

9️⃣Set up a Test Stream

To set up a test stream, you’ll need to create a live stream on your platform of choice and configure your encoder. We recommend using OneStream Live for this. Once you have OneStream Live set up, you can begin streaming. You can test broadcasting a pre-recorded video, go live in real-time via Zoom, OBS, Webex, Ecamm, etc, or go live directly from OneStream Studio on any social platform and the web.

It’s important to test your live stream before going live to ensure that everything is working as it should. To do this, we recommend setting up a test stream on a separate account or in a private browser window. This way, you can watch your own live stream and identify any issues before your audience does.

🔟Put your Devices in Do Not Disturb Mode

When you’re live streaming, you want to make sure that you don’t have any distractions. One way to do this is to put your devices in “Do Not Disturb” mode. This will silence all notifications and incoming calls, so you can focus on your broadcast.