Marlann's Top 10 Livestreaming Essentials

Aside from having enough headspace, a clean place, presentable background, a good source of light is definitely a must for livestreaming! That's why if you want to start your livestreaming journey, a ring light is one of the essentials that you must invest in.

Before going live, check the location lighting ahead of time to be sure it’s ideal, and avoid backlighting your subject. I have three ring lights whenever I do my streamsー one on my right side, one on my left, and another one in front of me. Viewers should see everything that you're doing and a good source of light will help achieve that. 

Most of your potential viewers most likely use smartphones. Since consumers today view almost half of all video content online through a mobile device, the odds are that the majority of your viewers will tune in via mobile streaming. 

Live streaming technology lets you watch, create and share videos in real-time, a bit like live TV. All you need to be able to livestream is an internet-enabled device, like a smartphone or tablet, and a platform. The great thing is that almost all of us already have a smartphone!

It will really come in handy if you have a device that's affordable yet boasts great features and performance, like this Huawei Nova 5T. Make sure you charge all of your devices and have a backup device as well. Livestreaming is sometimes unpredictable; that's why I learned to be prepared and use devices that are reliable and affordable as well.

Yes, you read it right. You need to invest in getting a laptop to have a successful stream. You have to put everything that you spend hours and hours of research of creating content to put the bullets, program flow, and script. 

Although you can do your research with your smartphones or tablets, nothing still beats the convenience that laptops bring for this kind of task! It still is the true workhorse for different jobs and tasks to be done.

A usual stream takes about an hour, and you need to be organized as to what is your program flow. I usually work for brands, and one of the things that you need to do is serve them the best way you can by knowing about their products well so that you can incorporate everything in your stream.

Having a strong and fast internet connection is a must! I learned this the hard way. If you have a poor internet connection, the tendency is that people will not understand everything that you're saying. The stream will lag, or worse, you will not be able to continue, which is a nightmare for streamers. 

That's why I recommended Globe At Home Wi-Fi because when I tried doing a speed test, it's really fast, and Globe has always been a reliable source of connection for me. It's definitely a must-have!

If you are a livestreamer, you are also considered an ambassador. What does it mean to be an ambassador? It means that you are to serve the brands. I am an instrument of service to the brands that I work for/with so that their mission, vision, core values, and products will be made known to the audience. 

It's hard to do that when your audience cannot understand what you are saying. People watching you should hear you loud and clear. Background noise should also be avoided while you're doing your stream. Make sure you pick a quiet place to set up and use a lapel microphone for your voice to be heard clearly during your stream.

Whether it be for taking photos, recording videos, or livestreaming, many content creators will agree that a tripod is imperative in any setup.

Before I got my hands on a tripod, there was a time when I experienced my phone falling during a livestream, and it was honestly quite embarrassing. It felt and gave the impression that I was unprepared to do my job. 

Your device should always be in a stable position so that your viewers will see you and watch you with ease. A tripod for your phone will also help you fix your framing and maintain that angle the whole livestream.

One of the things that a livestreamer should always do is establish and have a clean and distraction-free background. When you think of background stands, if you think about them at all, what likely comes to mind is how useful they are for doing one thing very well: supporting a roll of seamless paper or a muslin backdrop for your livestream.

You also know they’re portable and lightweight, making them easy to adjust in your place or take on location whenever a backdrop is needed. Without a good stand, it’s much more challenging to hang backdrops. This is why it’s obvious why all kinds of livestreamers consider the stands essential to their stream. 

Clutter is always a bad idea when you are doing your livestream. As I mentioned earlier, you are to represent or serve a brand. A good way to do that is to have a clean and distraction-free background. 

For your backdrop cloth, I recommend choosing a neutral color. This will be easier for brands because their products will always stand out. Having the right background can improve how your livestream shot looks and how you are perceived on camera by your audience.

A common myth about livestreaming is that it’s too difficult and technical for the average person to pull off. On the contrary, live streaming can be very simple. 

Aside from all the products and tips I mentioned above, you will also need a simple working table. This is where you can place the laptop and other materials that you will need in your streams. With this, you can create your own working space where you can focus.

One of the most prominent downfalls of streaming services is when the video player stops because your device has a low battery. I mentioned earlier that you need another device as a backup, but a good way to make sure that you are well prepared is that you charge all your devices and have powerbank with you at all times. 

The stream is an hour long and the last thing that you need is to have a device that has a low battery. Power banks always come in handy.