If you had asked us in 2019 how many live shows we’d miss this Summer- we never would have guessed “all of them”. That’s the painful reality of the world during a global pandemic. Music & event industry folks were hit hard by the impact of COVID-19, and they’ll likely be the last to recover. But, for everything 2020 has taken from us, it has also brought a new wave of DIY event-planning in the form of the home live stream. Putting the musician directly in touch with the viewer, via social media & video streaming platforms like Twitch, YouTube, & Facebook Live. In July, CashorTrade launched “CashorTrade Streams” in an effort to keep our community of live music lovers in touch with the thing that brought us all together in the first place- live music. We’ve spent more time in front of our screens this year than ever before watching all levels of performers- from our close friends to our favorite bands perform when we can’t be there in person. We’ve learned a lot about what makes a good live stream & what it takes to generate cash for a digital busker. Check out some of our tips below for a quick overview of making the most out of your digital music live stream.
- Broadcasting to Multiple Platforms (Restream, OBS)
- Low budget upgrades to your camera & mic
- Setting (lighting, camera angles, background)
- Promotion (planning, events, social media, e-mail, etc.)
- Engagement
- Help at home
1. Broadcast to Multiple Platforms
You’re on Twitch, YouTube, CashorTrade, and Facebook- so why limit who you can reach by just streaming to just one? Getting your stream set up & ready to go on time on one platform can be stressful enough, forget trying to do it manually across several. Luckily, there’s software available that makes it easy! OBS Studio has created a free software available for download that allows a stream to be broadcast across multiple platforms simultaneously. After you download & configure your OBS setup- head to Restream.io which will allow you to connect your social media accounts to your OBS profile, and you can begin live streaming across multiple social platforms right away- thus increasing the reach of your stream, and in turn increasing potential revenue.
Here’s a helpful tutorial to get you started using OBS & Restream:
CashorTrade Streams uses embedding to embed your YouTube, Twitch or Facebook Live link right into your streaming page. Once you’ve got your YouTube or Twitch live stream scheduled- simply add the embed link to your CashorTrade Streams page and you’ll go live simultaneously at your scheduled time.
2. Location, location, location…
Part of the beauty of live-streaming is that it’s an intimate performance without the need for perfection. However, if you’re looking to capture your audience week after week- think about what it is you’re presenting to them, and what you’d like to see as a viewer.
– Good lighting is a must. It doesn’t have to be a spotlight or a professional lighting rig- but you want your viewers to be able to see you & your instruments. You wouldn’t take a selfie in the dark- so why would you live stream? A simple lamp placement could make all the difference.
– Try and find a quiet place. Again, we’re not looking for soundproof rooms- but be mindful of the amount of noise around you if you’re about to go live. Noisy neighbors, sirens & traffic noises can really be a vibe killer when you’re halfway through a ballad.
– Find a place where you can put enough distance between you & your phone or laptop. Try and center yourself & get as much of yourself in the shot as you can. If you were on stage, we’d be able to see you top to bottom. The more of you we can see, the better, even if you’re sitting down.
–Keep your background tidy. Think of your livestream like an open invitation for guests to your house… It makes everyone feel more welcome if your space is tidy!
3. Planning & Promoting
When planning a livestream, it’s important to remember that you’re trying to reach an audience on a global stage. Consider a day of the week and time that will get the most eyes on your stream across the country. If
