Reaching a diverse audience is key to success when you are in the field of content creation, which is why most popular streamers nowadays are taking advantage of the many different livestream platforms available for them.
Why is livestreaming on different platforms beneficial for streamers, you may ask, and well, simply put, livestreaming on different platforms offers several advantages for streamers, starting from reaching a broader audience as each platform has its unique user base to generating more revenue.
Moreover, it provides a safety net in case of issues with a specific platform or changes in policies come into play. If one platform experiences technical difficulties or enforces restrictive rules, streamers can continue engaging with their audience on other platforms.
Overall, diversifying streaming platforms enhances a streamer’s reach, flexibility, and adaptability in the extremely competitive landscape of online content creation. And truth be told, it is something very easy to do, so why not take advantage of it?
In case you don’t know how to do it and are willing to learn, keep reading this guide and we’ll give you a hand with it!
Table of Contents
What exactly is multistreaming?
Multistreaming, or multi-platform streaming, refers to the practice of broadcasting a live video stream simultaneously to multiple online platforms or streaming services. That means, you could be livestreaming on Facebook at the same time you would be livestreaming on YouTube, for example.
Streaming exclusively on one platform is what most streamers grew to believe was the key to success. However, nowadays with so many different options, each with their unique group of people with different characteristics, engaging with viewers on different platforms simultaneously has become a must.
Why should you multistream?
Before answering that question, first let me ask you this: Wouldn’t you want to increase your views, followers and revenue by doing the exact same amount of work you are already doing? If the answer is yes (which I’m pretty sure it is), then multistreaming is definitely for you.
Some reasons why you should try multistreaming are:
- Increased Reach: Broadcasting on multiple platforms expands the potential reach of a livestream, tapping into the user bases of various streaming services.
- Cross-Promotion: You’ll be able to cross-promote your streams on different platforms, fostering a community that transcends individual streaming services.
- Platform Preferences: Different viewers have preferences for specific platforms, so if they like your content, you won’t be forcing them to use a platform they never use.
- Improved discoverability: Being present on multiple platforms enhances your chances of your content being discovered by new viewers who may not frequent a single streaming service.
- Risk Mitigation: Technical issues can sometimes plague a particular platform. Multi-streaming acts as a safety net – if one platform experiences difficulties, your stream is still accessible elsewhere.
- Monetization Options: Multistreaming allows you to explore various monetization options offered by different platforms, helping you diversify your revenue streams.
As you can see, the reasons for you to start multistreaming are plenty, so don’t keep losing valuable time and get to it!
How can you start multistreaming?
Streaming on different platforms at the same time is extremely easy, simply follow these steps and you’ll be reaching an immense audience in no time:
1. Choose the platforms you’ll be streaming on and set up your accounts
Exaggeration aside, there’s a plethora of options when it comes to livestreaming nowadays. From famous platforms for streaming such as Twitch, YouTube and Kick to lesser known ones like Trovo and Riverside, all of them come with unique viewers and perks, so choose carefully the ones that better suit your style and internet persona so you can make the most out of multistreaming.
Are you a niche content creator? Then apart from streaming on a big platform like YouTube or Twitch, you should also take advantage of niche specific platforms, if any. For example, if you’re a musician, while streaming on big platforms like Twitch and YouTube could be beneficial, you should also stream on a niche platform like Stagelt, which is designed specifically for live, interactive performances.
2. Get a multistreaming tool
Just like there are many platforms you can stream from, there are also several platforms and tools that can facilitate multi-streaming for you. Some of the most popular ones include:
– Restream:
- Sign up for a Restream account.
- Connect your streaming platforms (Twitch, YouTube, Facebook, etc.) to your Restream account.
- Obtain a stream key for each platform.
– Streamlabs:
- If you use Streamlabs OBS, navigate to the “Settings” menu.
- Choose the “Stream” tab and select “Custom” for the service.
- Input the stream keys for the platforms you want to stream on.
– OBS Studio (Open Broadcaster Software):
- Download and install OBS Studio.
- In the “Settings” menu, go to “Stream” and choose “Custom.”
- Enter the stream keys for the platforms.
While these software solutions are often the most used ones by streamers due to their simplicity and affordability, there’s also another alternative you could use for multistreaming and that is getting a hardware encoder. These devices are generally more dependable, but they rely significantly on the available bandwidth, and often come with higher costs.
3. Start streaming!
Once you’ve chosen the best streaming platforms for you and got your hands on your preferred multistreaming tool, you just have to take care of one more thing, and that is to continue to create the high-quality content you’ve created this whole time.
Summary
Multi-streaming has become an invaluable tool for content creators seeking to expand their reach and engage with diverse audiences. For that reason we decided to create this short but relevant guide to help you understand the benefits, the technical aspects, and the best practices for you to navigate the world of multi-streaming with confidence.
As the digital landscape continues to evolve, embracing the versatility of multi-streaming opens doors to new opportunities and ensures that your content resonates with a global audience, so make sure you don’t miss out on this trend and start streaming on multiple platforms right away!