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How To Start An Online Video Streaming Business & Succeed In 2024?

Do you know?

As you read this blog post, thousands of individuals are actively seeking to launch their own streaming business—at least, that’s what the statistics suggest.

According to an Influencer Marketing Hub study, approximately 200 million individuals identify themselves as video creators. Collectively, they contribute to a global creator economy valued at around $104.2 billion.

So, what’s the buzz about the creator economy and the video streaming business in particular? Starting a video streaming service is a smart move in 2024 for a number of reasons. 

Firstly, the surging demand for online content, a trend that got a boost during the COVID-19 pandemic. With folks globally spending more time at home, the appetite for streaming entertainment skyrocketed like never before.

Secondly, the prevalence of mobile devices and social media further opens doors for streaming services to connect with audiences.

However, the situation isn’t entirely positive.

Diving into a video streaming venture demands a substantial upfront investment—think licenses, content creation, marketing, and tech setup. Thorough market research is crucial to make sure your service stands out and thrives in this competitive landscape.

So, let’s understand the ins and outs of a video streaming business — how to start one in 2024, how it will benefit your business, factors to consider when building a streaming app, and choosing the right monetization model — in the next five minutes. 

Read Also: How Does Netflix Make Money ?

What is Video Streaming?

Is there something that might help you reach that kind of sky-high?  Well, you’ll never come to know unless you try venturing into it!

This blog will provide you an overview of how to create a video streaming app that is tailored to your business needs. First, let’s take a look at some of the many business models available. Then we’ll go over some major business video features and how to use them.

Table of Contents

How to Start a Video Streaming Business – The Definitive 8-Step Guide

Starting a video streaming business can be pretty challenging, especially for beginners.

But, with careful planning and proper execution, a video streaming business could be rewarding. 

Here are some steps to consider:

1. Identify your niche:

Determine the video content you will offer your audience. Will it be sports, movies, TV shows, music, or a combination? Identify your target audience and research their interests to make better decisions. 

2. Develop a business plan:

Create a detailed business plan that outlines your goals, target market, revenue streams, marketing strategy, and budget.

3. Choose a video streaming platform:

Decide the platform you will use to stream your content. Various options include YouTube, Vimeo, Netflix, Amazon Prime, and Hulu. Or you can also build your streaming platform with VPlayed and launch your video streaming business. 

4. Acquire content:

You must acquire the rights to the content you plan to stream. You can create your own content or purchase the rights to existing content. Ensure you have the necessary licenses to avoid any legal issues in the future.

5. Build your website:

Create a video streaming website where your audience can access your content. Keep your website optimized for mobile devices. It should have features like search, recommendations, and ratings.

6. Market your videos:

Use social media, email marketing, and other digital strategies to promote your videos. Keep your existing customers while attracting new ones to your fold. 

7. Monetize your content:

Determine how you will monetize your content. Options include subscription-based models, pay-per-view, and advertising.

8. Invest in infrastructure:

Ensure you have the infrastructure required to support your streaming business. It includes reliable servers, high-speed internet, and secure payment processing.

As said earlier, starting a video streaming business needs meticulous planning and careful execution. 

By following these steps, you can boost your chances of success.

How & Why Building A Video Streaming Platform Will Benefit Your Business?

1. tremendous market size.

Video streaming is booming, and the projections suggest a whopping increase to 1,418.6 million users by 2025. Given the expansive market, this surge presents a vast opportunity to offer services of any kind.

2. Growth Potential

As business goals evolve, your video streaming service can stay ahead by introducing new features, products, and services. Use various structured solutions and pricing tiers to cater to a diverse customer base, regardless of their location or device preferences.

3. Global Reach

A video streaming business allows you to reach your audience across the world without the constraints of physical boundaries. So you can tap into diverse markets and cater to a wide range of viewers, ultimately increasing your potential customer base.

4. Revenue Streams

Video streaming platforms offer diverse revenue models like subscription fees, advertisements, and pay-per-view options. This diversity in revenue streams provides the opportunity for multiple income sources, making the business more resilient to market fluctuations.

5. Content Monetization

As a video streaming service, you have the flexibility to monetize your content in various ways, such as licensing, merchandise sales, and partnerships. This boosts your revenue and allows for creative collaborations and brand extensions.

6. Personalized User Experience

Streaming apps like Netflix or Prime Video can leverage data analytics to better understand user preferences and behavior. It facilitates the delivery of personalized content recommendations. Consequently, it fosters a better user experience and increases customer retention.

7. Better Scalability

Video streaming businesses can easily scale their operations to accommodate growing user bases. With the right infrastructure in place, you can seamlessly handle increased demand for your content without significant additional costs. So, scalability is undeniably a key advantage.

8. Innovative Content Formats

By their very nature and flexibility, streaming platforms allow for the creation of diverse and innovative content formats, like interactive videos, virtual reality experiences, and live streaming. This ability to experiment with new content types keeps your audience engaged and attracts a broader demographic.

9. Brand Visibility and Recognition 

Hosting exclusive content or producing original series can enhance your brand’s visibility and recognition. Do you remember what happened to “Money Heist” once Netflix bought it? Such is the power of branding and recognition. A strong brand presence not only attracts more subscribers but also opens up opportunities for partnerships and collaborations within the entertainment industry.

10. Continuous Engagement

Video streaming encourages continuous engagement with your audience through features like comments, ratings, and social sharing. This interaction not only strengthens the community around your platform but also provides valuable feedback for content improvement and business growth.

Key Features To Consider While Creating High-quality Video Streaming App

Creating a high-quality streaming app requires adding a suitable set of features.

1. Platform Customizability

Customizability is crucial to meet a video streaming app’s unique branding and user experience needs. It enables platforms to tailor the interface, features, and overall aesthetics, creating a distinctive identity and enhancing user engagement. 

A customized platform ensures that it aligns seamlessly with the target audience’s preferences. It immensely contributes to brand loyalty and user satisfaction.

2. Flexible and Diverse Monetization Models

Offering multiple monetization models, such as subscription-based, pay-per-view, and advertising, provides flexibility in revenue generation. This diversification caters to different user preferences and market segments. 

The platform can attract a broader user base and optimize revenue streams by accommodating various payment structures. In other words, it makes a streaming business more adaptable to market trends and customer behavior.

3. Complete Platform Ownership

Granting source code access is essential for platform owners to have complete control over the application’s functionality and scalability. This ownership gives businesses the freedom to customize, optimize, and update the app as needed. 

With access to the source code, platform owners can swiftly address issues, implement new features, and ensure long-term viability. It gives a sense of independence and strategic control without having to depend on a third-party provider for all modifications. 

4. Multi-Device Support

Ensuring compatibility across various devices, from smartphones to smart TVs, is imperative for reaching a broader audience. With the prevalence of diverse devices, users can enjoy a seamless, unified streaming experience. 

For instance, a family may start watching a video on a tablet and later switch to a smart TV. With multi-device support, the video streaming platform can adapt to different screen resolutions, providing an unhindered user experience. 

5. Video Analytics

Video analytics are a lifesaver for businesses by providing actionable insights into user behavior, content performance, and engagement metrics. This data-driven approach allows platforms to refine content strategies, optimize user interfaces, and make informed business decisions. Analytics also help understand viewer preferences, facilitating personalized recommendations and enhancing the overall user experience.

Looking To Build Your Own Online Video Platform?

Start and Grow Your Video Streaming Service With 1000+ Features & 9+ Revenue Models.

6. Built-in Marketing Toolkit

Promotional activities are incredibly crucial, at least in the initial stages. 

A built-in marketing toolkit helps you promote and distribute content effectively. It includes social media integration, email campaigns, and push notifications. You can reach the target audience, build solid brand reputation, and increase user acquisition.

By providing tools for strategic marketing, the platform ensures that high-quality content reaches the right audience at the right time.

7. Video & Platform Security

Implementing robust security measures, like AES encryption, SSL certificates, and IP blocking, safeguards both the content and the platform. Encryption ensures secure content delivery, SSL certificates protect user data during transactions, and IP blocking prevents unauthorized access. These security features instill trust in users, protect against piracy, and safeguard the platform’s integrity. They are the foundations for a secure and reliable streaming environment.

8. Customizable HTML5 Player with HLS Streaming

A customizable HTML5 player with HTTP Live Streaming (HLS) support adds to a refined user experience. It provides a smooth playback across various devices and network conditions. HLS adapts to fluctuating internet speeds, ensuring uninterrupted streaming. 

Player customization allows platform owners to align the player with the app’s design, maintaining a cohesive and visually appealing interface.

9. Global Video CDNs

Global Content Delivery Networks (CDNs) optimize streaming performance by distributing content across geographically dispersed servers. They help reduce latency, minimize buffering, and ensure a seamless viewing experience worldwide. 

By leveraging global CDNs, video streaming platforms enhance scalability, accommodate diverse audience locations, and deliver high-quality content with low latency.

Recommended Reading

• Best 7 Solutions To Build Video Streaming Platform
• How To Create A Video Streaming Website Like Netflix?

10. One-Time Payment Model vs SaaS-Based Monthly Payments

Opting for a one-time payment model for platform ownership offers long-term benefits to platform owners. While SaaS-based monthly payments provide ongoing support and updates, a one-time payment model ensures cost-effectiveness in the long run. 

It allows platform owners to allocate resources strategically, providing financial stability and greater control over their future development.

Paying attention to your audience behavior with content will help you to make viewer experiences optimized & engaging. Users might look forward to accessing them as quickly as they can to make online purchases. Also, a vast library can help them to rack their favorite watches for later viewing.

How Do You Choose the Right Video Monetization Model for Your Streaming Business?

Choosing a suitable video monetization model is highly critical to the success of your business. It typically involves considering several crucial factors. We have listed the same below. 

• Content Type and Quality : Assess the nature and quality of your content. Premium, exclusive, or high-demand content often aligns well with subscription-based models, while ad-based models may suit a broader range of content.
• Target Audience : Understand your audience demographics. Younger audiences may be more receptive to ad-supported models, while niche or specialized content could attract subscribers willing to pay for premium access.
• Market Trends and Competitors : Stay abreast of industry trends and analyze competitors. Evaluate successful models within your niche to identify what resonates with viewers and adapts well to market demands.
• User Behavior and Preferences : Remember how your audience prefers to consume content. Some users appreciate ad-free experiences and are willing to pay for them, while others may prefer free access with occasional ads.
• Monetization Flexibility : Opt for a model that provides flexibility. Combining subscription, pay-per-view, and advertising options allows you to diversify income streams and cater to diverse user preferences.
• Use Trial Periods and Freemium Options : Implement trial periods or freemium options to attract users. Allowing users to experience your platform before committing to a payment model can increase conversion rates.
• Scale and Goals of Your Platform : Factor in the scale of your platform and your business goals. Larger platforms may find success with advertising due to a wider user base. On the other hand, smaller platforms with minimal income sources may focus on building a loyal subscriber base.
• Use Data Analytics and Feedback : Leverage data analytics and user feedback to fine-tune your monetization strategy. Monitor user behavior, track engagement metrics, and seek input to adapt your model according to audience preferences. 
• Consider Partnerships and Collaborations : Explore potential partnerships and collaborations for co-branded or sponsored content. This can serve two purposes — introducing additional revenue streams and enhancing the overall value proposition for both your platform and advertisers.
• Factor in Regulatory Compliances : Now, this is a crucial part. Be aware of regional regulations and ensure your monetization model complies with local laws. Without complying with the rules, TV merchants could face legal action, fines, and damage to their reputation. Some examples of regulatory compliance requirements include legal content restrictions, data privacy laws, and accessibility standards for users with disabilities.
• Prioritize User Experience : Prioritize a seamless and enjoyable user experience when choosing your monetization model. Intrusive ads or complex payment structures can deter users. Ensure that your chosen model aligns with a positive viewing experience.
• Adaptability and Experimentation : Be open to adapting your monetization model based on evolving trends and user feedback. Experiment with different models, pricing structures, and promotional strategies to find the optimal mix for your business.

What are the Key Requirements to Start a Video Streaming Business?

Now that we are done with platform and monetization models let’s move on to other crucial requirements to start a video streaming business. 

• Creating a Business Plan

Develop a comprehensive business plan outlining your video streaming platform’s goals, revenue streams, content strategy, and competitive analysis. This plan will be your roadmap for your venture, aiding decision-making and attracting potential investors.

• Registering Your Business

Legally establish your video streaming business by registering it with relevant authorities. For instance, in India, you may have to register your platform with the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology under the Information Technology Rules, 2021. This process ensures compliance, protects your brand, and establishes your business as a legitimate entity in the industry.

• Obtaining Necessary Licenses and Permits

Secure the required licenses and permits. It includes content distribution licenses and copyright clearances to legally stream and distribute video content. This safeguards against legal issues and demonstrates regulatory compliance.

• Choosing a Niche and Target Audience

Identify a niche and target audience to tailor your content and marketing strategies effectively. A focused, user-centric approach increases your platform’s appeal to specific user demographics, enhancing user engagement and retention.

• Creating High-Quality Video Content

Never compromise quality for quantity or volume. Always produce compelling, high-quality video content that aligns with your niche and resonates with your target audience. Quality content is imperative to attract and retain viewers. In the long run, it will establish your platform as a reliable source of entertainment or information.

• Platform to Host Your Content

Select a robust and scalable hosting platform to deliver seamless streaming experiences. Cloud-based services with Content Delivery Networks ensure high performance, low latency, and global reach, optimizing the user experience.

• Marketing and Promotion Strategies

Develop effective marketing and promotion strategies to maximize brand visibility and attract users. Use social media, influencer partnerships, and targeted advertising to create awareness and drive user acquisition.

• Financial Planning

Implement sound financial planning, accounting for content production costs, platform maintenance, marketing expenses, and potential revenue streams. A well-structured financial plan ensures sustainability and profitability in the long run.

• Choosing Monetization Models

Evaluate and choose appropriate monetization models, like subscription-based, advertising, or pay-per-view. Choose a platform like VPlayed that allows you to tailor these models to align with your target audience and content strategy. It means you can optimize your revenue generation as and when needed. 

• Integrate Payment Gateways

Adding a reliable payment gateway is crucial for monetizing your video streaming business. Accepting payments seamlessly enhances user experience and unlocks revenue potential. Partnering with major gateways like Visa, MasterCard, and PayPal ensures broad accessibility, fostering trust among users. 

Conclusion:

We have come to the end of this blog. And what are the key takeaways?

Should you start a video streaming business in 2024?

If you have a plan and the roadmap ready, you absolutely should.

While the pandemic might be receding, the video streaming industry remains poised for substantial growth in the coming decade, driven by the vast untapped potential of the internet. The demand for digital content and the convenience it offers will persist, making this an opportune time to launch any kind of streaming business. 

At least, the statistics suggest that. 

And, if you’re looking to launch your own streaming service, then there’s no better platform on the entire Internet than VPlayed.Offering unlimited platform customizations, it grants total platform ownership and access to source code, ensuring complete control over monetization. This unique ownership extends to the streaming process, providing you with complete control over video and audio quality and security.

VPlayed also has built-in data analytics, providing superior targeted content and messaging insights.

Notably, the platform guarantees uninterrupted support and maintenance, eliminating reliance on third-party providers. Seamless migration further solidifies VPlayed as the top choice, promising 24*7 technical support for a smooth transition with 100% data integrity.

If You Already Have An Idea To Start a Video Streaming Business, Schedule a Free Demo And We’ll Get You On The Road To Video Streaming Success

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ):

Video streaming is like watching videos online without downloading them. The technology gives the flexibility to watch videos instantly with the help of an active internet connection. Also, most importantly, you can enjoy any form of video content (movies, TV series, live events, and more) anytime and anywhere as long as you are connected to the network. 

To start a video streaming business in 2024, follow these steps: Identify your target audience. Create top-notch video content. Choose a video streaming platform. Market your streaming business effectively. Continuously improve your content. Stay updated with industry trends.

For your video streaming business to become profitable, try experimenting with different revenue models like subscriptions, advertisements, pay-per-view , sponsorships, merchandise sales, affiliate marketing, etc. Nevertheless, choose the revenue models that best suit your objectives and work in tandem with your target audience.

Here are some of the essential features to consider when building a video streaming platform – Smooth video playback, easy-to-use interface, flexible design for multiple devices, organized content categories, video recommendations, highly reliable CMS, etc. These features enhance user experience, engagement, and the overall functionality of the platform. 

To choose the right platform for your streaming business, consider these steps: Identify your business requirements. Research different video streaming platforms and compare their features, pricing, and user reviews. Look for a platform that offers the necessary functionality. Last but not least, test the platform with a trial or demo to ensure that it matches your needs. 

People Frequently Read:

• What Is Video Streaming? Meaning & Definition & How It Works?
• How Much Does It Cost To Build A Streaming Service?
• How To Start A Streaming Service Like Netflix & Its Cost?

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What to expect from the demo

• A live discussion with our OTT specialist
• Visualize what your final platform would look like
• How to achieve 100% lossless monetization
• How customizations work & pricing is calculated

83% of users prefer a personalized demo. Would you?

Discover why VPlayed could be the perfect fit for your video streaming business in under 30 minutes.

How to Start a Live Streaming Business

Live streaming business owners make money by broadcasting live video gaming footage on popular platforms while making use of ad revenue. Popular websites like Twitch.TV and Smashcast (formerly Azubu) create great platforms for gamers to share their content. By acquiring a large following, (500+ average for Twitch.TV) the player becomes qualified to become a partner for the live streaming site. The streaming site will pay based on the internet traffic for the individual’s channel. Live streaming channels also solicit donations from their fans.

You may also be interested in additional side hustle ideas .

Learn how to start your own Live Streaming Business and whether it is the right fit for you.

Ready to form your LLC? Check out the Top LLC Formation Services .

Start a live streaming business by following these 10 steps:

• Plan your Live Streaming Business
• Form your Live Streaming Business into a Legal Entity
• Register your Live Streaming Business for Taxes
• Open a Business Bank Account & Credit Card
• Set up Accounting for your Live Streaming Business
• Get the Necessary Permits & Licenses for your Live Streaming Business
• Get Live Streaming Business Insurance
• Define your Live Streaming Business Brand
• Create your Live Streaming Business Website
• Set up your Business Phone System

We have put together this simple guide to starting your live streaming business. These steps will ensure that your new business is well planned out, registered properly and legally compliant.

Exploring your options? Check out other small business ideas .

STEP 1: Plan your business

A clear plan is essential for success as an entrepreneur. It will help you map out the specifics of your business and discover some unknowns. A few important topics to consider are:

What will you name your business?

• What are the startup and ongoing costs?
• Who is your target market?

How much can you charge customers?

Luckily we have done a lot of this research for you.

Choosing the right name is important and challenging. If you don’t already have a name in mind, visit our How to Name a Business guide or get help brainstorming a name with our Live Streaming Business Name Generator

If you operate a sole proprietorship , you might want to operate under a business name other than your own name. Visit our DBA guide to learn more.

When registering a business name , we recommend researching your business name by checking:

• Your state's business records
• Federal and state trademark records
• Social media platforms
• Web domain availability .

It's very important to secure your domain name before someone else does.

Want some help naming your live streaming business?

Business name generator, what are the costs involved in opening a live streaming business.

A high-speed Internet connection costs about US$50 to $100 per month. You will also need a gaming computer for about $1,000, with a high-resolution monitor(s) that costs around $350 each and game players with controls (Xbox, Wii, Sony PlayStation) for each type of game you want to play, which are around $300 to $400 each.

There is a 30-day free trial for Twitch.TV and after that, there is a monthly subscription fee of $5.99 to $10.99 per month depending on the features desired.

What are the ongoing expenses for a live streaming business?

The ongoing expenses are a high-speed Internet connection, updating gaming equipment and a computer with a high-resolution monitor(s), and buying the games (although sponsored streamers can get games for free). This is about fifty to several hundred dollars per month.

Popular streamers also typically hire one or more assistants to help manage the workflow of communicating with fans, talking with sponsors, updating website information, setting up paid appearances, and organizing attendance at conventions and gaming tournaments. Assistants make about $250 per week for part-time help.

Who is the target market?

The customers are video game enthusiasts who want to learn how to become better players by watching how professionals play certain games.

How does a live streaming business make money?

The revenues come from advertisements, profit-sharing from channel subscription fees, sponsorship, in-person appearances at events, and earnings from winning game tournaments.

Streamers who have enough followers to qualify as partners are allowed to have a subscription button on their individualized web page within the streaming system. Subscribers to their streaming channel pay a monthly fee of $4.99 for that certain channel and get to have special features as well. Around 50% of the $4.99 goes to Twitch.TV, while the other 50% is paid to the streamer.

Viewers can also give donations to the streamers they like. Streamers who are top-rated, with lots of followers, can get fees from sponsorship just like professional sports players.

How much profit can a live streaming business make?

Professional streamers, who have enough subscribers (500+) to become partners, make US$3,000 to US$5,000 per month for full-time streaming. This means playing at least 40 hours each week. Additionally, they earn a portion of the advertising revenues which equates to about $250 per 100 subscribers for each month. The highest paid and most popular streamers make over $300,000 per year.

How can you make your business more profitable?

In addition to having a streaming presence, it is important to create a following by posting videos on a YouTube channel. There are two video gamers in the top ten YouTube channels and they earn millions of dollars per year. Here are the latest figures reported by Forbes of the top ten highest paid YouTubers that are also gamers (at least part-time):

Mark Fischbach who goes by the name Markiplier on YouTube brought home a cool US$5.5 million during 2016 for his video commentaries on video games, along with his other eclectic content.

The Swedish PewDiePie who shows video snippets of himself playing video games and his comedic sketches was the top earner on YouTube during 2016 with an astounding US$15 million in revenues. He had over 13 billion views on YouTube during 2016 and lots of profits from his best-selling book, entitled “ This Book Loves You .” He also promotes mobile games. His latest game is “ Tuber Simulator .” It is the number one mobile game app in the Apple app store. It was so popular it crashed the servers due to the excessive demand.

Streamers who also become YouTube celebrities can make a lot of money from advertisements, sponsorship, endorsements, public appearances, and winnings in professional gaming tournaments.

Want a more guided approach? Access TRUiC's free Small Business Startup Guide - a step-by-step course for turning your business idea into reality. Get started today!

STEP 2: Form a legal entity

The most common business structure types are the sole proprietorship , partnership , limited liability company (LLC) , and corporation .

Establishing a legal business entity such as an LLC or corporation protects you from being held personally liable if your live streaming business is sued.

Form Your LLC

Read our Guide to Form Your Own LLC

Have a Professional Service Form your LLC for You

Two such reliable services:

You can form an LLC yourself and pay only the minimal state LLC costs or hire one of the Best LLC Services for a small, additional fee.

Recommended: You will need to elect a registered agent for your LLC. LLC formation packages usually include a free year of registered agent services . You can choose to hire a registered agent or act as your own.

STEP 3: Register for taxes

You will need to register for a variety of state and federal taxes before you can open for business.

In order to register for taxes you will need to apply for an EIN. It's really easy and free!

You can acquire your EIN through the IRS website . If you would like to learn more about EINs, read our article, What is an EIN?

There are specific state taxes that might apply to your business. Learn more about state sales tax and franchise taxes in our state sales tax guides.

STEP 4: Open a business bank account & credit card

Using dedicated business banking and credit accounts is essential for personal asset protection.

When your personal and business accounts are mixed, your personal assets (your home, car, and other valuables) are at risk in the event your business is sued. In business law, this is referred to as piercing your corporate veil .

Open a business bank account

Besides being a requirement when applying for business loans, opening a business bank account:

• Separates your personal assets from your company's assets, which is necessary for personal asset protection.
• Makes accounting and tax filing easier.

Recommended: Read our Best Banks for Small Business review to find the best national bank or credit union.

Get a business credit card

Getting a business credit card helps you:

• Separate personal and business expenses by putting your business' expenses all in one place.
• Build your company's credit history , which can be useful to raise money later on.

Recommended: Apply for an easy approval business credit card from BILL and build your business credit quickly.

STEP 5: Set up business accounting

Recording your various expenses and sources of income is critical to understanding the financial performance of your business. Keeping accurate and detailed accounts also greatly simplifies your annual tax filing.

Make LLC accounting easy with our LLC Expenses Cheat Sheet.

STEP 6: Obtain necessary permits and licenses

Failure to acquire necessary permits and licenses can result in hefty fines, or even cause your business to be shut down.

State & Local Business Licensing Requirements

Certain state permits and licenses may be needed to operate a Live Streaming business

• Check with your town, city or county clerk’s office
• Review Federal and State licenses and permits on the U.S. Small Business Administrative website.

Most businesses are required to collect sales tax on the goods or services they provide. To learn more about how sales tax will affect your business, read our article, Sales Tax for Small Businesses .

Intellectual Property Agreement

This live streaming company will operate through a partnership with a larger streaming platform which initially requires a prerequisite membership account to be able to post live streams.

• By agreeing to the Terms and conditions of the Streaming Site (I.E Twitch ), you are agreeing to allowing users to view your intellectual property (Live Stream) even after the time that you post it.
• Once the Partnership is established, this agreement holds a higher priority due to money being exchanged for a advertising space on the page where the video meets a minimum average number of viewers.

STEP 7: Get business insurance

Just as with licenses and permits, your business needs insurance in order to operate safely and lawfully. Business Insurance protects your company’s financial wellbeing in the event of a covered loss.

There are several types of insurance policies created for different types of businesses with different risks. If you’re unsure of the types of risks that your business may face, begin with General Liability Insurance . This is the most common coverage that small businesses need, so it’s a great place to start for your business.

Another notable insurance policy that many businesses need is Workers’ Compensation Insurance . If your business will have employees, it’s a good chance that your state will require you to carry Workers' Compensation Coverage.

FInd out what types of insurance your Live Streaming Business needs and how much it will cost you by reading our guide Business Insurance for Live Streaming Business.

STEP 8: Define your brand

Your brand is what your company stands for, as well as how your business is perceived by the public. A strong brand will help your business stand out from competitors.

If you aren't feeling confident about designing your small business logo, then check out our Design Guides for Beginners , we'll give you helpful tips and advice for creating the best unique logo for your business.

Recommended : Get a logo using Truic's free logo Generator no email or sign up required, or use a Premium Logo Maker .

If you already have a logo, you can also add it to a QR code with our Free QR Code Generator . Choose from 13 QR code types to create a code for your business cards and publications, or to help spread awareness for your new website.

How to promote & market a live streaming business

Social media is an effective way to promote your gaming skills. Joining Internet associations of video gamers and participating in game forums are great ways to establish a network of friends that like the same games. Another good strategy is to play games online with as many people as possible, in order to to get good at them and build up a following of those who respect your gameplay.

How to keep customers coming back

Making success as a streamer is about being popular on the Internet. Be respectful of your audience and play the games when you announce in advance that you will on the times that you say you will.

STEP 9: Create your business website

After defining your brand and creating your logo the next step is to create a website for your business .

While creating a website is an essential step, some may fear that it’s out of their reach because they don’t have any website-building experience. While this may have been a reasonable fear back in 2015, web technology has seen huge advancements in the past few years that makes the lives of small business owners much simpler.

Here are the main reasons why you shouldn’t delay building your website:

• All legitimate businesses have websites - full stop. The size or industry of your business does not matter when it comes to getting your business online.
• Social media accounts like Facebook pages or LinkedIn business profiles are not a replacement for a business website that you own.
• Website builder tools like the GoDaddy Website Builder have made creating a basic website extremely simple. You don’t need to hire a web developer or designer to create a website that you can be proud of.

Recommended : Get started today using our recommended website builder or check out our review of the Best Website Builders .

Other popular website builders are: WordPress , WIX , Weebly , Squarespace , and Shopify .

STEP 10: Set up your business phone system

Getting a phone set up for your business is one of the best ways to help keep your personal life and business life separate and private. That’s not the only benefit; it also helps you make your business more automated, gives your business legitimacy, and makes it easier for potential customers to find and contact you.

There are many services available to entrepreneurs who want to set up a business phone system. We’ve reviewed the top companies and rated them based on price, features, and ease of use. Check out our review of the Best Business Phone Systems 2023 to find the best phone service for your small business.

Recommended Business Phone Service: Phone.com

Phone.com is our top choice for small business phone numbers because of all the features it offers for small businesses and it's fair pricing.

Is this Business Right For You?

One prerequisite for a successful live streaming business is to have top-level gaming skills in order to gain a following of viewers who will take time out of their day to watch and learn gaming styles from the streamer.

Want to know if you are cut out to be an entrepreneur?

Take our Entrepreneurship Quiz to find out!

Entrepreneurship Quiz

What happens during a typical day at a live streaming business?

Each day a professional streamer needs to answer the comments and emails from fans and make updates on Twitter. Then, the streamer needs to update news and perhaps make a posting of previous game play on social media. After this, the streamer plays video games live for the audience to watch according to a preannounced schedule. The streamer may play continuously for many hours (up to 18 hours in a row).

The average gaming session is at least four hours long. It is best to play continuously to keep viewers interested and take as little time out for intermissions as possible. The most popular streamers usually eat and go to the bathroom without stopping the gameplay. The typical times of day for gameplay start in the afternoon and continue until late at night or even until the next morning.

What are some skills and experiences that will help you build a successful live streaming business?

The ability to play the video games extremely well is critical, along with the ability to make interesting comments that keep viewers intrigued. Moreover, having excellent skills at becoming an influencer on social media will help bring more viewers to your streaming channel. It helps to be very friendly with popular streamers. Some of the nicer ones will help smaller streamers gain an audience by making recommendations to their subscribers to check out the newbies’ streams.

What is the growth potential for a live streaming business?

Using Twitch.TV as our example, there are about 14,000 professional streamers on the system. Each month, Twitch.TV has about 100 million unique visitors. Dividing those visitors by the number of streamers, shows there are about 7,000 visitors per streamer. This number continues to grow each year.

Not sure if a live streaming business is right for you? Try our free Business Idea Generator and find your perfect idea.

TRUiC's YouTube Channel

For fun informative videos about starting a business visit the TRUiC YouTube Channel or subscribe to view later.

Take the Next Step

Find a business mentor.

One of the greatest resources an entrepreneur can have is quality mentorship. As you start planning your business, connect with a free business resource near you to get the help you need.

Having a support network in place to turn to during tough times is a major factor of success for new business owners.

Learn from other business owners

Want to learn more about starting a business from entrepreneurs themselves? Visit Startup Savant’s startup founder series to gain entrepreneurial insights, lessons, and advice from founders themselves.

Resources to Help Women in Business

There are many resources out there specifically for women entrepreneurs. We’ve gathered necessary and useful information to help you succeed both professionally and personally:

If you’re a woman looking for some guidance in entrepreneurship, check out this great new series Women in Business created by the women of our partner Startup Savant.

What are some insider tips for jump starting a live streaming business?

Successful live streamers are highly strategic and effective gamers. This allows them to excel above the competition. Others may be less adept gamers but capitalize instead on their unique personality traits, including a humorous voice, or offering clever commentary on their games.

How and when to build a team

The time to add an assistant is when the maintenance of the fan communication is interfering with the time needed to play the games online. Most streamers get one of their friends to help them as they become more popular.

If a streamer becomes a top earner there is plenty of money to share with an assistant. Working as a professional streamer, playing your favorite videos games with your best friend helping you is a dream job for many people. You have to be very good and stay motivated to be your best because the competition from other excellent game players is severe.

Useful Links

Industry opportunities.

• Application for Twitch Partnership/ requirements to become a twitch partner (qualify for subscription/advertising payments)
• Learn about more Online Business Ideas

Real World Examples

• How Individual, large scale streamers help small-scale streamers grow in popularity.
• Profile of a Successful Denver Streamer

Further Reading

• How to set up a profitable live stream

Have a Question? Leave a Comment!

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The video experts blog

How to start a successful video streaming business in 2023.

If you’ve considered starting a video streaming business, you’re already ahead of the curve. Today, the video streaming industry is booming more than ever. With the global average for video content consumption sitting at  17 hours per week , video streaming is a great business investment.

Furthermore, according to Statistica, the market volume of the video streaming industry is projected to reach  $137 billion in 2027 . Large corporations and small business owners alike can capture leads and capitalize on the power of video streaming.

This article will provide you with a firm foundation for how to start a video streaming business tailored to your goals. We’ll begin by looking at some of the best business models for streaming video files online. Then we’ll distil some of the technicalities before discussing video marketing strategies and more. Finally, we wrap up with some expert tips such as using a  dedicated video streaming platform  and how to make your video streaming business a roaring success.

Table of Contents

How to start a video streaming business: Business Models

Let’s begin by discussing some possible business models. Not surprisingly, there are countless ways to build a business around online video.

The most obvious example is direct sales. However, you can also use video to market products, share events, and much more. Overall, 89% of marketers use video live streaming to push their products.

Let’s take a look at some of the business models out there in today’s market.

The term OTT refers to  Over-The-Top  video. These days, it generally refers to content delivery online—and especially  premium  content.

One example of an OTT video comes from  IDF1 , a French television station that broadcasts sports, entertainment, and news.

Using the Dacast platform, IDF1 has created a free app that allows users to watch content on mobile devices. This integration allows engineers and employees at the IDF1 TV studio to upload, manage, and deliver live broadcasts to mobile viewers.

All of this extra functionality works alongside existing distribution channels with minimal extra effort. Broadcasters can monetize their content via advertising, subscriptions, or pay-per-view transactions easily.

For another example of the OTT business model, check out the TV station  BVN .

Video Reselling

When deciding how to start a video streaming business, you might also consider reselling. Reselling involves businesses purchasing access to live streaming and VOD hosting services. Then, the business resells this functionality (often with value-added services) to others.

One example of this business model is  Striv.TV . Founded in 2012,  Striv.TV  works with more than 85 high schools in Nebraska to provide  live streaming solutions  for events and sports.  Striv.TV  uses the Da

Dacast video API  to integrate video streaming and storage into their existing workflow.

Striv.TV  customer schools can log into a customized dashboard to upload and manage content, as well as access analytics. From the perspective of end-users, it’s transparent that  Striv.TV  is using the reseller business model.

Educational Videos

The third major area in which video businesses are succeeding relates to education. Nowadays, educational videos are extremely popular for those seeking to increase their skills. This could be learning a new language, learning to code, practicing yoga or other physical exercises, and more.

One example of the education business model comes from  MorningCME . MorningCME is a Continuing Medical Education provider that uses Dacast content management  video API  to  stream live  and on-demand classes. Medical professionals can watch these videos and gain credits toward maintaining their professional certifications.

MorningCME hosts and delivers its video broadcasts via the Dacast  online video platform.  However, this process is fully transparent to users. Dacast branding doesn’t appear anywhere. This is the benefit of using a white-label service. White-label broadcasting allows you to use custom branding on your videos, streams, and services.

In this way, MorningCME can add custom branding to its live streams and  VOD content . Then, this content reaches all their viewers on their unique devices, wherever they are. The  Dacast API  makes this process possible, a process we’ve discussed before.

Sports and entertainment

Not surprisingly, the sports and entertainment category is always popular. More than  30 percent  of fans now stream sports to their phones or tablets. Additionally, one-time events like  sports are perfect for pay-per-view monetization . In fact, this industry represents another major business opportunity. For example, Dacast user  CDFL  has long used our services to stream and monetize football games.

Conferences, live music, and other events

Finally, let’s touch briefly on other live events. This category is a massive one. In general, events of all kinds make very popular live streams. And you don’t need to worry about video  streaming solutions  decreasing in-person attendance. In fact, research shows that the opposite is actually true.  Sixty-seven percent  of live video viewers are  more likely  to buy a ticket to a concert or event after watching a live video of that event or a similar one.

The importance of API access and SDKs

Image via  Agility CMS

Next, let’s shift gears and look at some of the key video features for business users. If you’re considering how to start a video streaming business, these features are essential in most cases.

First, let’s discuss APIs. The term API stands for Application Programming Interface. An API allows you to code customized solutions for your video needs.

According to  Streaming Media , “The video workflow and distribution environment is incredibly complex, and the way to build a best-of-breed system or even just gain finer control over tasks—especially when delivering video at scale—is by API.”

Today,  most businesses  are migrating to API-based workflows for online video. Even if you’re not sure how to use an API, or how to make use of it, you can take our word for it.  Video APIs  are essential for most video businesses today. You’ll thank us later for taking this trend into account!

You should also look for  video SDKs  when you’re starting a video business. SDKs, or Software Development Kits, make it easy to build custom apps for given platforms (like iOS, Android, or Roku).

Building mobile apps has the potential to grow your monetization base hugely. In 2022, the daily time users spent on their mobile phones went up by  39%  compared to the three previous years and is projected to increase even further in 2023.

White-label service, white-label platforms

Image via  4D Contact

The second key element of a business-grade video platform is white-label service. In the video business, “white label” refers to a service that doesn’t include any branding except your own.

For example, when you use the Dacast video player, there is no logo included and no mention of Dacast at all. The only logo present is your own—if you choose to use it!

There is also a second, advanced level to white-label service. This is the ability to  create a white-label  platform . This is the functionality that resellers use to flip Dacast solutions and offer live streaming and  VOD hosting  to their own clients.

All our broadcasters can use custom branding on the entire Dacast  video streaming platform . This way, their users won’t see the Dacast logo or name anywhere. This enables professional reselling and custom branding at every level.

Powerful CDN delivery

Last but not least, the final element when deciding how to start a video streaming business is a CDN. A CDN, or Content Delivery Network, is a global network of servers that help distribute video and other digital content around the world.

Image via  Cloudkul

CDN businesses are specialists in getting data to a given destination quickly. It doesn’t matter whether that destination is in rural Ohio, New York City, Johannesburg, or Shanghai. Specialist load-distribution software helps to ensure that content delivered via a CDN has minimal buffering, latency, and other quality issues.

New businesses do have the option of working with a  live streaming CDN  directly. However, direct CDN contracts can be confusing and expensive. Costs are to be predicted, as they’re based on usage and a wide array of other factors.

A better approach is to use an  online video platform , such as Dacast. The Dacast OVP   partners with a top-tier CDN , Akamai, for reliable and global delivery.

This approach affords you all the benefits of using a CDN, with none of the downsides of going at it alone. Pricing is simple and predictable, and the platform is easy to use and customizable.

How to Make Your Video Streaming Business Successful

Starting a video streaming business can be challenging. Here are a few boxes you’ll need to tick to make sure it stays up and running.

• Have a business plan:  Make sure your business plan outlines important items such as your goals, financial projections, target market, marketing strategy, and revenue streams.
• Have enough content:  This depends on the streaming business you want to start. You can either create your content or buy the rights to existing content you’d like to stream.
• Build a website:  This is where you’ll stream your content officially, and your customers can access everything from there. Make sure your site is mobile friendly for maximum reach.
• Choose monetization methods(s):  Choose how you want your business to make money. This includes advertising, subscription, pay-per-view etc.

1. How do I start a streaming business?

Here are important steps to consider when starting a streaming business.

• Determine the business type you’ll want to build around your online videos.
• Get API and SDK to help you build custom applications for different platforms.
• Get a white-label video hosting service that allows you to use your own brand items.
• Set up a CDN to distribute your videos globally.

2. Are any streaming services profitable?

A live streaming company can be capital intensive and may not result in profits right away. However, profitability depends on your business structure and audience.

This determines how your business will make money, and ultimately, profit. For instance, streaming platforms like YouTube and Vimeo make their income through ads, sponsorships, and subscriptions.

3. What is the most profitable video streaming service?

For B2B businesses, LinkedIn Live is one of the most popular streaming services used by marketing professionals in 2023. According to recent statistics, 93% of B2B content marketers use LinkedIn Live to host live streams.

And given that a LinkedIn audience is twice as likely to make a purchase as any other internet user, it may be among the most profitable video streaming services for B2B businesses.

4. How do video streaming services make money?

Video streaming services can make money in many ways. These include, but are not limited to:

• Sponsorships from brands
• Running advertisements on videos hosted using your platform
• User subscription or membership signup
• Charging payments per content views
• Charging people to view or join your live streams like an admission fee
• Selling recorded videos to other broadcasters

5. What is video streaming marketing?

This is a process that involves delivering live content to your target audience through various livestream hosting channels. It’s a popular tool that marketers use to create a virtual shopping experience for their online audiences.

It’s not limited to direct promotion only. It also includes other lead-scoring activities, such as webinars, product launches, and virtual events.

Now you should have a solid understanding of how to start a successful video streaming business. There are several important factors to consider, such as your business model of choice. But to bring everything together, you must choose an online video platform that will help you achieve your goals.

Dacast is a professional video streaming platform to consider. With Dacast you can host,  monetize  and broadcast with one end-to-end video and live streaming solution.

Try Dacast for free and begin reaching your target audience and building your business today.

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Max Wilbert

Max Wilbert is a passionate writer, live streaming practitioner, and has strong expertise in the video streaming industry.

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Live Streaming Business

Back to All Business Ideas

How to Start a Live Streaming Business

Written by: Carolyn Young

Carolyn Young is a business writer who focuses on entrepreneurial concepts and the business formation. She has over 25 years of experience in business roles, and has authored several entrepreneurship textbooks.

Edited by: David Lepeska

David has been writing and learning about business, finance and globalization for a quarter-century, starting with a small New York consulting firm in the 1990s.

Published on June 2, 2023 Updated on March 13, 2024

Investment range

$1,550 - $3,700

Revenue potential

$18,000 - $70,000 p.a.

Time to build

0 – 3 months

Profit potential

$16,200 - $63,000 p.a.

Industry trend

Live streaming now accounts for 17% of all internet traffic, which has made the live streaming industry worth nearly $60 billion globally. To start a live streaming business, you simply need to choose what kind of content to stream and a platform, such as Twitch, YouTube Live, Facebook Live, TikTok Live, and Amazon Live. Popular content includes live game streaming and live shopping, but any interesting content can lead to revenue from ads, subscriptions, affiliate links, or even tips.

If you consider yourself an entertainer, you could start your own live streaming business and get in on a growing market.

But first, you’ll need to understand the business. Luckily, this step-by-step guide has you covered with all the information you need to start a lucrative live streaming business.

Looking to register your business? A limited liability company (LLC) is the best legal structure for new businesses because it is fast and simple.

Form your business immediately using ZenBusiness LLC formation service or hire one of the Best LLC Services .

Step 1: Decide if the Business Is Right for You

Pros and cons.

• Growing industry
• Get creative and have some fun
• Multiple potential revenue streams
• Need a large following to make money
• Competitive industry

Live streaming industry trends

Industry size and growth.

• Industry size and past growth – The global live streaming industry was worth $59.14 billion in 2021.(( https://www.zippia.com/advice/live-streaming-statistics/#:~:text=80%25%20of%20live%20stream%20viewers,17%25%20of%20all%20internet%20traffic. ))
• Growth forecast – The global live streaming industry is projected to reach $223.8 billion by 2028.

Trends and challenges

• Live stream shopping is projected to become more popular in 2023.
• Live streaming platforms are adding more and more features, and allowing streamers to get paid subscribers.
• As the live streaming industry grows, it’s becoming increasingly competitive.
• A large amount of bandwidth is required for live streaming.

How much does it cost to start a live streaming business?

Startup costs for a live streaming business range from $1,500 to $4,000. Costs include a computer, equipment, and a marketing budget.

You’ll need a handful of items to successfully launch your live streaming business, including: 

• Smartphone, tablet, or webcam
• Tripod 
• Wi-Fi Connection

How much can you earn from a live streaming business?

How much you earn will increase as your subscribers increase. Your profit margin should be about 90%. 

In your first year or two if you get around 200 subscribers, you can probably bring in $18,000 in annual revenue. This would mean $16,200 in profit, assuming that 90% margin. 

As you gain traction, you might have 3000 subscribers. With annual revenue of around $70,000, you’d make a tidy profit of $63,000.

What barriers to entry are there?

There are a few barriers to entry for a live streaming business. Your biggest challenges will be:

• Breaking into a competitive market
• Getting enough followers to make money

Related Business Ideas

How to Start a YouTube Channel

How to Start an Ecommerce Business

How to Start a Podcast

Step 2: hone your idea.

Now that you know what’s involved in starting a live streaming business, it’s a good idea to hone your concept in preparation to enter a competitive market. 

Market research could give you the upper hand even if you’ve got the perfect product. Conducting robust market research is crucial, as it will help you better understand your customers, your competitors, and the broader business landscape.

Analyze your competitors 

Research live streaming businesses to examine their content and customer reviews.

• Make a list of live stream businesses that offer similar content. 
• Review your competitors’ content – features, pricing, and quality – and marketing strategies
• Check out their online reviews and ratings on Google, Yelp, and Facebook to get an idea of what their customers like and dislike.
• Identify your competitors’ strengths and weaknesses. 

This should identify areas where you can strengthen your business and gain a competitive edge to make better business decisions.

Why? Identify an opportunity

There are three primary live streaming app types:

• Live Broadcasting Apps: These popular apps let users stream live video and sound. They’ve given rise to many internet stars. Examples include Twitch, YouTube Live, Livestream, and Periscope.
• Audio Streaming: These apps offer real-time audio streaming over the internet. Pandora, Spotify, and Apple Music are notable examples.
• Video On Demand (VoD) Streaming: Users can schedule and watch TV shows online at their convenience. Hulu, YouTube TV, and Amazon Prime Video are common in this category.

You’re looking for a market gap to fill.  For instance, maybe the market is missing a comedy live stream, or an electronics shopping live stream.

You might consider targeting a niche, such as game streaming.

How much should you charge for live streaming services?

Your services will be your content, but then you need to look for ways to monetize it. You can get subscription fees, ad revenue, and affiliate commissions. Once you have a large number of subscribers, companies will likely reach out to you to promote their products.

Your prices will be completely dependent on what advertisers and affiliates are willing to pay.

Who? Identify your audience

Your target market will depend on the type of content you intend to offer, so you should choose your platform accordingly. If your content is designed to appeal to millennials and younger groups, you might choose Instragram Live.

Build a live streaming app

After you have definied your audience and chosen a monetization strategy, here are the steps that you need to take to create a live streaming app:

• Prioritize quality over cost; users expect high-quality streams.
• Inferior performance can result in app abandonment.
• Ensure a standout user experience in a competitive market.
• A minimalist design often trumps a cluttered interface.
• An MVP contains only essential features, allowing for easier user feedback.
• Streaming Protocol: Decide between RTMP (high-definition but with delay) and WebRTC (real-time, speed-focused).
• Streaming Platform: Platforms like Amazon Web Services (AWS) are recommended for content-streaming.
• Content Delivery Network (CDN): Selection affects stream availability and performance, with options like AWS CloudFront.
• Post-launch, monitor user behavior analytics.
• Adjust functionality based on insights and user feedback.

Step 3: Brainstorm a Live Streaming Business Name

Your business name is your business identity, so choose one that encapsulates your objectives, services, and mission in just a few words. You probably want a name that’s short and easy to remember, since much of your business, and your initial business in particular, will come from word-of-mouth referrals.

Here are some ideas for brainstorming your business name:

• Short, unique, and catchy names tend to stand out
• Names that are easy to say and spell tend to do better 
• Name should be relevant to your product or service offerings
• Ask around — family, friends, colleagues, social media — for suggestions
• Including keywords, such as “live video” or “live stream”, boosts SEO
• Name should allow for expansion, for ex: “Stream Verse” over “Chef Stream”
• Avoid location-based names that might hinder future expansion
• Use online tools like the Step by Step Business Name Generator . Just type in a few keywords and hit “generate” and you’ll have dozens of suggestions at your fingertips.

Once you’ve got a list of potential names, visit the website of the US Patent and Trademark Office to make sure they are available for registration and check the availability of related domain names using our Domain Name Search tool. Using “.com” or “.org” sharply increases credibility, so it’s best to focus on these. 

Find a Domain

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Finally, make your choice among the names that pass this screening and go ahead and reserve your business name with your state, start the trademark registration process, and complete your domain registration and social media account creation. 

Your business name is one of the key differentiators that sets your business apart. Once you pick a name, reserve it and start with the branding, it’s hard to switch to a new name. So be sure to carefully consider your choice before moving forward. 

Step 4: Create a Live Streaming Business Plan

Every business needs a plan. This will function as a guidebook to take your startup through the launch process and maintain focus on your key goals. A business plan also enables potential partners and investors to better understand your company and its vision:

• Executive Summary: Provide a brief summary of your live streaming business, highlighting its unique value proposition and target audience.
• Business Overview: Describe the nature of your live streaming business, its mission, and the types of content or events you plan to stream.
• Product and Services: Explain the specific live streaming services you will offer, such as event coverage, gaming streams, educational webinars, or entertainment content.
• Market Analysis: Analyze the live streaming industry, identifying trends, viewer demographics, and the demand for different types of content.
• Competitive Analysis: Identify competitors in the live streaming space, their strengths, weaknesses, and what sets your streaming business apart.
• Sales and Marketing: Outline your strategies for attracting viewers and content creators, including social media marketing, partnerships, and advertising.
• Management Team: Introduce the key team members responsible for running and growing the live streaming business, highlighting their relevant experience.
• Operations Plan: Describe the technical aspects of live streaming, including equipment, software, streaming platforms, and scheduling.
• Financial Plan: Present financial projections, including startup costs, revenue forecasts, expenses, and monetization strategies for your live streaming business.
• Appendix: Include any supplementary materials, such as sample streams, testimonials, or partnerships, that support your live streaming business plan.

If you’ve never created a business plan, it can be an intimidating task. You might consider hiring a business plan specialist to create a top-notch business plan for you.

Step 5: Register Your Business

Registering your business is an absolutely crucial step — it’s the prerequisite to paying taxes, raising capital, opening a bank account, and other guideposts on the road to getting a business up and running.

Plus, registration is exciting because it makes the entire process official. Once it’s complete, you’ll have your own business! 

Choose where to register your company

Your business location is important because it can affect taxes, legal requirements, and revenue. Most people will register their business in the state where they live, but if you are planning to expand, you might consider looking elsewhere, as some states could offer real advantages when it comes to live streaming businesses. 

If you’re willing to move, you could really maximize your business! Keep in mind, it’s relatively easy to transfer your business to another state. 

Choose your business structure

Business entities come in several varieties, each with its pros and cons. The legal structure you choose for your live streaming business will shape your taxes, personal liability, and business registration requirements, so choose wisely. 

Here are the main options:

• Sole Proprietorship – The most common structure for small businesses makes no legal distinction between company and owner. All income goes to the owner, who’s also liable for any debts, losses, or liabilities incurred by the business. The owner pays taxes on business income on his or her personal tax return.
• General Partnership – Similar to a sole proprietorship, but for two or more people. Again, owners keep the profits and are liable for losses. The partners pay taxes on their share of business income on their personal tax returns.
• Limited Liability Company ( LLC ) – Combines the characteristics of corporations with those of sole proprietorships or partnerships. Again, the owners are not personally liable for debts.  Here’s how to form an LLC .
• C Corp – Under this structure, the business is a distinct legal entity and the owner or owners are not personally liable for its debts. Owners take profits through shareholder dividends, rather than directly. The corporation pays taxes, and owners pay taxes on their dividends, which is sometimes referred to as double taxation.  Read how to start a corporation here .
• S Corp – An S-Corporation refers to the tax classification of the business but is not a business entity. An S-Corp can be either a corporation or an LLC , which just need to elect to be an S-Corp for tax status. In an S-Corp, income is passed through directly to shareholders, who pay taxes on their share of business income on their personal tax returns.

We recommend that new business owners choose LLC as it offers liability protection and pass-through taxation while being simpler to form than a corporation. You can form an LLC in as little as five minutes using an online LLC formation service. They will check that your business name is available before filing, submit your articles of organization , and answer any questions you might have. 

Form Your LLC

Choose Your State

We recommend ZenBusiness as the Best LLC Service for 2023

Step 6: Register for Taxes

The final step before you’re able to pay taxes is getting an Employer Identification Number , or EIN. You can file for your EIN online or by mail or fax: visit the IRS website to learn more. Keep in mind, if you’ve chosen to be a sole proprietorship you can simply use your social security number as your EIN. 

Once you have your EIN, you’ll need to choose your tax year. Financially speaking, your business will operate in a calendar year (January–December) or a fiscal year, a 12-month period that can start in any month. This will determine your tax cycle, while your business structure will determine which taxes you’ll pay.

The IRS website also offers a tax-payers checklist , and taxes can be filed online.

It is important to consult an accountant or other professional to help you with your taxes to ensure you are completing them correctly.

Step 7: Fund your Business

Securing financing is your next step and there are plenty of ways to raise capital:

• Bank loans: This is the most common method but getting approved requires a rock-solid business plan and strong credit history.
• SBA-guaranteed loans: The Small Business Administration can act as guarantor, helping gain that elusive bank approval via an SBA-guaranteed loan .
• Government grants: A handful of financial assistance programs help fund entrepreneurs. Visit Grants.gov to learn which might work for you.
• Friends and Family: Reach out to friends and family to provide a business loan or investment in your concept. It’s a good idea to have legal advice when doing so because SEC regulations apply.
• Crowdfunding: Websites like  Kickstarter  and  Indiegogo  offer an increasingly popular low-risk option, in which donors fund your vision. Entrepreneurial crowdfunding sites like  Fundable  and  WeFunder  enable multiple investors to fund your business.
• Personal: Self-fund your business via your savings or the sale of property or other assets.

Bank and SBA loans are probably the best option, other than friends and family, for funding a live streaming business. You might also try crowdfunding if you have an innovative concept.  

Step 8: Apply for Business Licenses and Permits

Starting a live streaming business requires obtaining a number of licenses and permits from local, state, and federal governments.

Federal regulations, licenses, and permits associated with starting your business include doing business as (DBA), health licenses and permits from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration ( OSHA ), trademarks, copyrights, patents, and other intellectual properties, as well as industry-specific licenses and permits. 

You may also need state-level and local county or city-based licenses and permits. The license requirements and how to obtain them vary, so check the websites of your state, city, and county governments or contact the appropriate person to learn more. 

You could also check this SBA guide for your state’s requirements, but we recommend using MyCorporation’s Business License Compliance Package . They will research the exact forms you need for your business and state and provide them to ensure you’re fully compliant.

This is not a step to be taken lightly, as failing to comply with legal requirements can result in hefty penalties.

If you feel overwhelmed by this step or don’t know how to begin, it might be a good idea to hire a professional to help you check all the legal boxes.

Step 9: Open a Business Bank Account

Before you start making money, you’ll need a place to keep it, and that requires opening a bank account .

Keeping your business finances separate from your personal account makes it easy to file taxes and track your company’s income, so it’s worth doing even if you’re running your live streaming business as a sole proprietorship. Opening a business bank account is quite simple, and similar to opening a personal one. Most major banks offer accounts tailored for businesses — just inquire at your preferred bank to learn about their rates and features.

Banks vary in terms of offerings, so it’s a good idea to examine your options and select the best plan for you. Once you choose your bank, bring in your EIN (or Social Security Number if you decide on a sole proprietorship), articles of incorporation, and other legal documents and open your new account. 

Step 10: Get Business Insurance

Business insurance is an area that often gets overlooked yet it can be vital to your success as an entrepreneur. Insurance protects you from unexpected events that can have a devastating impact on your business.

Here are some types of insurance to consider:

• General liability: The most comprehensive type of insurance, acting as a catch-all for many business elements that require coverage. If you get just one kind of insurance, this is it. It even protects against bodily injury and property damage.
• Business Property: Provides coverage for your equipment and supplies.
• Equipment Breakdown Insurance: Covers the cost of replacing or repairing equipment that has broken due to mechanical issues.
• Worker’s compensation: Provides compensation to employees injured on the job.
• Property: Covers your physical space, whether it is a cart, storefront, or office.
• Commercial auto: Protection for your company-owned vehicle.
• Professional liability: Protects against claims from a client who says they suffered a loss due to an error or omission in your work.
• Business owner’s policy (BOP): This is an insurance plan that acts as an all-in-one insurance policy, a combination of the above insurance types.

Step 11: Prepare to Launch

As opening day nears, prepare for launch by reviewing and improving some key elements of your business. 

Essential software and tools

Being an entrepreneur often means wearing many hats, from marketing to sales to accounting, which can be overwhelming. Fortunately, many websites and digital tools are available to help simplify many business tasks.  

• Popular web-based accounting programs for smaller businesses include Quickbooks , Freshbooks , and Xero . 
• If you’re unfamiliar with basic accounting, you may want to hire a professional, especially as you begin. The consequences for filing incorrect tax documents can be harsh, so accuracy is crucial.

Create a website

Website development is crucial because your site is your online presence and needs to convince prospective clients of your expertise and professionalism. You can create your own website using services like WordPress, Wix, or Squarespace . This route is very affordable, but figuring out how to build a website can be time-consuming. If you lack tech-savvy, you can hire a web designer or developer to create a custom website for your business.

Your customers are unlikely to find your website, however, unless you follow Search Engine Optimization (SEO) practices. SEO will help your website appear closer to the top in relevant search results, a crucial element for increasing sales. 

Make sure that you optimize calls to action on your website. Experiment with text, color, size, and position of calls to action such as “Watch Now”. This can sharply increase purchases. 

Here are some powerful marketing strategies for your future business:

• Leverage Social Media Trends: Utilize popular hashtags, challenges, and trends on platforms like Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok to increase visibility and reach a wider audience.
• Collaborate with Influencers: Partner with influencers or personalities in your niche to co-host live streams, tapping into their established fan base for increased exposure.
• Engage with Your Audience: Foster a sense of community by actively responding to comments, asking questions, and incorporating viewer suggestions during live broadcasts to build a loyal and interactive audience.
• Offer Exclusive Content: Create a subscription or membership model that provides exclusive access to premium content, encouraging viewers to become paying subscribers for extra perks.
• Cross-Promote on Multiple Platforms: Extend your reach by simulcasting on various platforms such as YouTube, Facebook, and Twitch, ensuring you capture diverse audiences where they are most active.
• Optimize Video Titles and Descriptions: Craft compelling and descriptive titles and video descriptions, incorporating relevant keywords to enhance discoverability through search engines and platform algorithms.
• Run Contests and Giveaways: Generate excitement and attract new viewers by organizing contests and giveaways during live streams, encouraging participation and sharing for broader exposure.
• Scheduled Programming: Establish a consistent streaming schedule to create anticipation among your audience, making your live sessions a regular and eagerly awaited event.
• Utilize Email Marketing: Build an email list of subscribers interested in your live stream content, sending regular updates, sneak peeks, and highlights to keep them engaged and informed.
• Invest in High-Quality Production: Enhance the production value of your live streams with professional equipment, clear audio, and engaging visuals to create a more immersive and enjoyable viewer experience.

Focus on USPs

Unique selling propositions, or USPs, are the characteristics of a product or service that sets it apart from the competition. Customers today are inundated with buying options, so you’ll have a real advantage if they are able to quickly grasp how your live streaming business meets their needs or wishes. It’s wise to do all you can to ensure your USPs stand out on your website and in your marketing and promotional materials, stimulating buyer desire. 

Global pizza chain Domino’s is renowned for its USP: “Hot pizza in 30 minutes or less, guaranteed.” Signature USPs for your live streaming business could be:

• Delivering captivating and interactive live streams that keep viewers entertained and coming back for more.
• Offering exclusive access to behind-the-scenes content, special events, or private live streams for dedicated subscribers or members.
• Collaborating with other live streamers, influencers, or experts to bring diverse perspectives, cross-promote audiences, and enhance the live stream experience.

You may not like to network or use personal connections for business gain. But your personal and professional networks likely offer considerable untapped business potential. Maybe that Facebook friend you met in college is now running a live streaming business, or a LinkedIn contact of yours is connected to dozens of potential clients. Maybe your cousin or neighbor has been working in live streaming for years and can offer invaluable insight and industry connections. 

The possibilities are endless, so it’s a good idea to review your personal and professional networks and reach out to those with possible links to or interest in live streaming. You’ll probably generate new customers or find companies with which you could establish a partnership. Online businesses might also consider affiliate marketing as a way to build relationships with potential partners and boost business.

Step 12: Build Your Team

If you’re starting out small from a home office, you may not need any employees. But as your business grows, you will likely need workers to fill various roles. Potential positions for a live streaming business include:

• Camera Person – film live videos
• Marketing Lead – create and implement marketing strategies

At some point, you may need to hire all of these positions or simply a few, depending on the size and needs of your business. You might also hire multiple workers for a single role or a single worker for multiple roles, again depending on need. 

Free-of-charge methods to recruit employees include posting ads on popular platforms such as LinkedIn, Facebook, or Jobs.com. You might also consider a premium recruitment option, such as advertising on Indeed , Glassdoor , or ZipRecruiter . Further, if you have the resources, you could consider hiring a recruitment agency to help you find talent. 

Step 13: Run a Live Streaming Business – Start Making Money!

Are you ready to start entertaining? The popularity of live streaming is growing by the day, so it could be a great time to start your own live streaming business. If you’re successful, there’s really no limit to how many followers you could get and how much money you could make.

Now that you understand the business, you’re ready to hit the record button and get your live streaming business on the air!

• Live Streaming Business FAQs

Yes, a live streaming business can be profitable. By monetizing their live stream videos, content creators can generate revenue through various means, including sponsorships, brand collaborations, advertising, donations, subscriptions, merchandise sales, and premium content offerings. The profitability of a live streaming business depends on factors such as audience size, engagement, content quality, market demand, and effective monetization strategies.

During a typical day at a live streaming business, content creators focus on creating and delivering engaging live stream videos to their audience. This may involve planning and preparing content ideas, setting up equipment and lighting, interacting with viewers through live chat, conducting live broadcasts, and engaging in real-time conversations with the audience. Additionally, content creators may spend time editing and repurposing recorded live stream videos, promoting upcoming streams on social media platforms, and managing collaborations or sponsorships.

The growth potential of a live streaming business can be significant. The popularity of live streaming continues to rise, with a growing audience and increasing demand for live content. As a content creator gains a larger and more engaged following, opportunities for monetization and collaborations with brands or sponsors can expand. The growth potential depends on factors such as content quality, niche specialization, consistent engagement with the audience, effective marketing, and adaptability to evolving trends and platforms.

A live streaming business operated by a content creator who monetizes their own live stream videos falls under the category of an individual or personal brand business. The content creator builds and monetizes their personal brand by providing live stream content to an audience, leveraging their unique personality, expertise, or entertainment value to attract and engage viewers.

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• Decide if the Business Is Right for You
• Hone Your Idea
• Brainstorm a Live Streaming Business Name
• Create a Live Streaming Business Plan
• Register Your Business
• Register for Taxes
• Fund your Business
• Apply for Business Licenses and Permits
• Open a Business Bank Account
• Get Business Insurance
• Prepare to Launch
• Build Your Team
• Run a Live Streaming Business - Start Making Money!

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8 Simple Steps To Start An Online Video Streaming Business

With the growing demand for online video content, starting a video streaming business can be a lucrative endeavor in 2023. However, building a successful video streaming platform requires careful planning, execution, and a deep understanding of the industry. In this article, we will provide you with a step-by-step guide on how to start an online video streaming business and succeed in 2023.

Table of Contents

Introduction

In recent years, the popularity of video streaming services has exploded, and the industry is expected to continue to grow in the coming years. According to Statista, the global video streaming market size was valued at $50.11 billion in 2020 and is projected to reach $184.3 billion by 2027 .

This growth presents an opportunity for entrepreneurs and businesses to start their own video streaming platforms. However, building a successful video streaming business is not as simple as creating a website and uploading videos. There are various aspects to consider, including content, licensing, user experience, and monetization models.

To help you navigate this complex landscape, we have created a step-by-step guide on how to start an online video streaming business and succeed in 2023.

How To Start An Online Video Streaming Business?

With the increasing demand for video content, it’s no surprise that video streaming has become a popular industry. However, starting a video streaming business can be challenging, especially if you’re new to the industry. Here are some steps to consider

Creating a Business Plan

Before starting VOD business, it’s essential to have a solid plan. This section will cover what you need to consider when creating a business plan for your video streaming business.

When creating a business plan, you should consider the following:

• Identify your target audience
• Research your competition
• Determine your business structure
• Decide on your funding sources
• Define your unique value proposition
• Set your business goals

Choosing Your Video Streaming Platform

Selecting the right video streaming platform is crucial for your business’s success. This section will explore the different video streaming platforms available and the factors to consider when choosing the right one for your business.

When choosing a video streaming platform, you should consider the following:

• The platform’s pricing model
• Customization options
• Video quality and resolution
• Availability of analytics and reporting
• Compatibility with devices and browsers

Content Creation and Licensing

Creating engaging and unique content is vital to your video streaming business’s success. This section will cover the types of content you can create, how to license content, and the tools you need to create professional-looking videos.

When creating content for your video streaming business, you should consider the following:

• The types of videos that appeal to your audience
• How to create compelling video content
• Ways to obtain licensing for copyrighted material
• Editing tools for creating professional-looking videos

Monetizing Your Video Streaming Business

To make a profit from your video streaming business, you’ll need to monetize your services. This section will explore different ways to monetize your video streaming business and the factors to consider when selecting the right monetization method for your business.

When monetizing your video streaming business, you should consider the following:

• Different monetization models available
• The importance of subscription-based services
• The role of advertising in generating revenue
• Best practices for setting pricing tiers

Developing a Marketing Strategy

Developing a solid marketing strategy is crucial for promoting your video streaming business. This section will cover how to develop a marketing strategy that will help your business stand out from the competition.

When developing your marketing strategy, you should consider the following:

• Identifying your target audience
• Creating a brand identity
• Identifying your unique value proposition
• Selecting the right channels to promote your business
• Creating a content marketing plan

Building Your Video Streaming Infrastructure

When building your video streaming infrastructure, you should consider the following:

• The importance of a content delivery network (CDN)
• Choosing the right server and hosting provider
• Securing your video content and infrastructure
• Ensuring scalability and high availability
• Selecting the right video player and encoding formats

Integrating Social Media

Integrating social media into your video streaming business can help you expand your reach and engage with your audience. This section will cover how to integrate social media into your video streaming business and the benefits it can provide.

When integrating social media into your video streaming business, you should consider the following:

• Choosing the right social media platforms
• Developing a social media content plan
• Promoting your video content on social media
• Leveraging user-generated content
• Engaging with your audience on social media

Search engine optimization (SEO) can help your video content rank higher in search engine results pages (SERPs) and attract more viewers. This section will cover how to optimize your video content for SEO and the factors that influence video ranking.

When optimizing your video content for SEO, you should consider the following:

• Conducting keyword research
• Optimizing video titles, descriptions, and tags
• Creating video transcripts and captions
• Building backlinks to your video content
• Providing a good user experience on your video landing pages

Key Features To Consider While Creating High Quality Video Streaming App

Creating a high-quality video streaming app requires a lot of planning and execution. You need to have a solid understanding of your target audience, the type of content you want to provide, and the features that will make your app stand out. In this article, we will discuss the key features to consider while creating a high-quality video streaming app.

1. High-Quality Video Playback

One of the most important features of a video streaming app is high-quality video playback. Your app should be able to play videos smoothly without buffering or lagging. You should also ensure that your app supports a variety of video resolutions and formats.

2. User-Friendly Interface

Your app’s interface should be easy to use and navigate. Users should be able to find the content they want quickly and easily. You should also consider adding features like search and filters to make it easier for users to find specific videos.

3. Customizable Content

Allowing users to customize the content they see can help increase user engagement and retention. You can use data such as user preferences, viewing history, and demographics to recommend personalized content.

4. Offline Viewing

Offline viewing allows users to download videos and watch them later without an internet connection. This feature can be particularly useful for users who travel frequently or have limited internet access.

5. Social Sharing

Social sharing is an important feature for a video streaming app. It allows users to share videos they like on social media platforms, which can help increase brand awareness and attract new users.

6. Monetization Options

Monetization options are crucial for a video streaming app. You can generate revenue through advertising, subscriptions, pay-per-view, or a combination of these models.

7. Analytics and Reporting

Analytics and reporting can help you understand how users are interacting with your app and content. You can use this data to improve the user experience, optimize content, and make informed business decisions.

8. Security and Privacy

Security and privacy are important considerations for any app that collects user data. You should implement measures to protect user data, such as encryption and secure logins. You should also be transparent about how user data is collected, used, and shared.

9. Push Notifications

Push notifications can be used to notify users of new content, promotions, and other important information. However, you should use push notifications sparingly and ensure that they provide value to the user.

10. Customer Support

Providing excellent customer support can help increase user satisfaction and retention. You should have a system in place for users to report issues and receive prompt responses from your support team.

How To Choose The Right Video Monetization Model To Generate Revenue?

Choosing the right monetization model for your video streaming app is critical for generating revenue . With the right model, you can increase user engagement, attract new users, and maximize your earnings. In this article, we will discuss the different video monetization models and how to choose the right one for your app.

1. Advertising

Advertising is one of the most common monetization models for video streaming apps. You can generate revenue by displaying ads before, during, or after videos. You can also use targeted advertising to show ads that are relevant to the user’s interests.

• Advertising is easy to implement and requires minimal effort from the user.
• You can generate revenue even if the user doesn’t pay for the app.
• Users may find ads intrusive and may be more likely to switch to an ad-free app.
• Ad blockers can prevent ads from being displayed, reducing your revenue.

2. Subscription

Subscription models require users to pay a monthly or yearly fee to access content. This model is common for premium content, such as movies or live sports.

• Subscription models can provide a steady stream of revenue.
• Users who pay for the app are more likely to be engaged and committed to using it.
• Subscription models can be challenging to implement, as you need to create and manage a payment system.
• Users may be hesitant to pay for an app they haven’t used before.

3. Pay-Per-View

Pay-per-view models require users to pay a fee to access specific content. This model is common for live events, such as concerts or sports matches.

• Pay-per-view models can provide a significant revenue boost for one-time events.
• Users who pay for specific content are more likely to be engaged and committed to using it.
• Pay-per-view models are limited to one-time events and may not provide a steady stream of revenue.
• Users may be hesitant to pay for individual pieces of content.

4. Freemium

Freemium models offer a basic version of the app for free, with additional features available for a fee. This model is common for gaming apps.

• Freemium models can attract a large user base by offering a free version of the app.
• Users who pay for additional features are more likely to be engaged and committed to using the app.
• Freemium models can be challenging to implement, as you need to create and manage a payment system.
• Users may be hesitant to pay for additional features.

5. Sponsorship

Sponsorship models involve partnering with brands or companies to sponsor content. This model is common for influencer marketing and branded content.

• Sponsorship models can provide a significant revenue boost for sponsored content.
• Users may find branded content more engaging and relevant to their interests.
• Sponsorship models are dependent on finding suitable sponsors.
• Users may view sponsored content as biased or inauthentic.

Choosing The Right Monetization Model

When choosing a monetization model, you should consider factors such as your target audience, the type of content you provide, and your revenue goals. You should also consider the pros and cons of each model and how they align with your app’s values.

To maximize your revenue, you may also consider combining multiple monetization models. For example, you could offer a free version of the app

Identify Key Requirements Needed For Video Streaming Business

Starting a video streaming business requires careful planning and consideration of key requirements. In this article, we will discuss the essential elements you need to start a successful video streaming business.

1. Content Library

The content library is the backbone of your video streaming business. You need to have a robust and diverse library of content to attract and retain users. Your content library should include a mix of original content and licensed content from third-party providers.

2. Video Streaming Platform

A reliable video streaming platform is essential for delivering high-quality content to your users. You should choose a platform that is easy to use, secure, and scalable to accommodate your growing user base.

3. Content Delivery Network

A content delivery network (CDN) is a network of servers that deliver content to users based on their geographic location. CDNs can help improve video streaming performance by reducing latency and buffering issues.

4. Monetization Strategy

A monetization strategy is crucial for generating revenue from your video streaming business. You need to choose a monetization model that aligns with your business goals and target audience. Some common monetization models include advertising, subscription, pay-per-view, and sponsorship.

5. Marketing Strategy

A marketing strategy is essential for promoting your video streaming business and attracting new users. You should develop a marketing plan that includes social media advertising, email marketing, and influencer marketing.

6. Licensing and Legal Requirements

You need to ensure that your video streaming business complies with licensing and legal requirements. You should obtain licenses for any copyrighted content you use and comply with local and national regulations related to online video streaming.

7. Customer Support

Customer support is critical for addressing user issues and ensuring user satisfaction. You should have a dedicated customer support team that can address user queries and complaints promptly.

By now, you should have a better understanding of how successful and profitable major players like Netflix and Amazon have become in the streaming industry. It’s important to note that the industry isn’t limited to content creation companies but covers a wide range of businesses. 

If you’re considering starting a video streaming business, here are some simple steps you can follow:

Identify your genre: Focus on a specific area within your industry that you want to target.

Develop a content strategy: Determine what type of content you want to create and what your audience can expect from it.

Obtain licensed content: Obtain the necessary permissions or copyright licenses from the content’s creator or owner to ensure hassle-free publication.

Ensure streaming viability across all platforms: Allow your users to access your content on any device, whether it be mobile, smart TV, or PC.

Stay connected with your audience: Use social media and leverage YouTube, create an email list for personalized communication, and implement marketing strategies to engage your audience.

By following these steps, you can quickly establish and run a successful video streaming business.

Nandini Ramachandran

Nandini Ramachandran – Specialist in Video on Demand(VOD) and Over-The-Top (OTT) platforms at WEBNEXS. Interested in exploring video streaming media industry and sharing ideas on the most up-to-date technological tips and tricks in the realm of VOD services .

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Live Streaming for Business: How to Get Started [2022]

Live streaming is one of the most talked-about video trends in the last few years. By providing remote participants and globally-dispersed employees with access to company events and other venues, businesses can maintain a transparent and supportive corporate culture.

In the following article, we cover everything there is to know about live streaming for business, including benefits, business use cases, how to begin, tools and hardware, and best practices. Read it and become a live streaming master!

What Is live Streaming and How Does It Work?

Before we delve deeper, let us start from the very beginning: so what exactly is live streaming ? Live streaming refers to the broadcasting of a live video over the internet or intranet to a remote audience.

It’s essential to distinguish between “standard” video streaming and live streaming. Unlike standard video streaming, live streaming doesn’t make use of pre-recorded files that are delivered to viewers on-demand. Instead, it employs different technologies that allow a live video session to be compressed, encoded, and decoded, among other things, allowing viewers to watch it in the right format and with minimum interruptions.

Although live streaming is widely used in sports and social media, it is rapidly gaining traction in business environments, where it serves a professional purpose and is considered to be a powerful tool. For example, 73% of B2B businesses using live video reporting positive results to their return-on-investment[1].

Live Streaming Benefits and Opportunities for Your Business

What makes a business live stream so effective? By choosing to live stream your company event, you also:

Create Trust and Transparency

Live streaming is the ideal medium to foster transparency. In many large organizations, size is a double-edged sword: It intensifies organizational benefits but also organizational challenges, thus affecting communication, performance, and competitive advantage.

The larger the organization, the more difficult it is to keep employees up to date on company information. Live streaming and webcasting provide the opportunity to share company news, raise and answer questions, and discuss important events.

In challenging times, live streaming can also support employees, reassure them, and serve as a direct channel to leadership and decision-makers. Given its emotional qualities, it’s no wonder live streaming is projected to double in growth to a $70 Billion industry by 2021.

Live streaming can also be more economical than in-person events, in more than one way. Firstly, and as the old saying goes, time is money. When an event is held on-site, everyone who attends it is missing a day or so worth of work. Depending on their job function, this lost time may be worth a lot of money.

Other typical event-related expenditure includes site-related expenses such as refreshments, venue rentals, advertising, and marketing materials.  In comparison, live streaming requires fewer resources. Attendees can take part in the event from wherever they may be, thus saving themselves valuable time, which can be invested in other projects.

As for event organizers, they save time and considerable expanses otherwise spent on setting the scene for the event.

Reach Your Audience Wherever It May Be

Unlike an in-person event, a live stream doesn’t require physical attendance. Using a link and a stable internet/intranet connection, remote participants can watch the event and even take part in it from the comfort of their home.

This practice allows companies to become more accessible and accommodating and, thus, reach wider, global audiences, be it employees or stakeholders.

Moreover, the capacity of a live stream is far more flexible than that of an in-person event. Using the right solution, thousands and even tens of thousands of concurrent users can access the stream, wherever they may be.

Make Your Event More Accessible

Live streams can be easily shared with other viewers, regardless of whether the event is internal or public. Usually, a public event would include a dedicated “share” button as well as a link that’s available to all viewers.

In the case of an internal live streaming event, the administrator can simply send employees and stakeholders a link to the stream.

They can also enable a host of security options to restrict access from unauthorized viewers. For example, require prospected viewers to enter their password upon redirection to the stream.

Boost Employee Engagement

A large part of a live stream’s appeal lies in the combination between the qualities of a live, on-site event, such as live interactions with the speaker/s along with those of a virtual session, mainly convenience and ease-of-use.

This combination can be harnessed to increase engagement rates and improve live and on-demand session viewing. Companies can even monitor their engagement rate in real-time via live streaming analytics, allowing them to determine their key strengths and pain points.

A testimony to the effectiveness of live streaming is LinkedIn’s new live streaming feature, which was launched in early 2020. According to the company, the new feature has expanded the brands’ reach, resulting in 7X more reactions and 24X more comments vs. standard video posts[3].

Best Ways to Use Live Streaming for Your Business

While the advantages of a live broadcast are countless, many companies are still contemplating how to effectively incorporate streaming into their everyday business activities. To answer this question, we’ve outlined the most popular use cases below.

You can also download the following free case study , where we explain how Volkswagen uses movingimage’s next-level enterprise video platform and live streaming technology to accelerate its internal video communication processes.

Live Streaming Updates and Announcements

As previously mentioned, live streaming is the ultimate transparency enhancer: it allows organizations to share important updates and raise awareness of selected topics.

Frequently, messages delivered via other means are lacking in terms of interactivity and immediate feedback. Not to mention, such messages are often overlooked by recipients due to the volume of messages they are exposed to daily, a phenomenon that resembles the infamous “banner blindness” that is prevalent in social media and web portals.

In contrast, live streaming encourages active listening, allowing attendees to take in more information and process messages more effectively.

Live Streaming Events

Live streaming allows companies to virtualize their otherwise on-site events. Thanks to advanced video technologies such as those used by movingimage for its webcasting product , hundreds and even thousands of viewers can participate in live-streamed events and enjoy a buffer-free, high-quality video experience without sacrificing their convenience and safety.

For example, in 2020 and due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, Apple hosted its first-ever virtual event. Unlike an on-site event, a virtual, live-streamed event can deliver the output to any number of concurrent viewers.

Therefore, organizers must not limit on the number of participants. Rather, they can scale up or down depending on the number of attendees at any given moment.

Live Streaming Shareholder Meetings

Live streaming is an excellent tool to support shareholder communication, including quarterly meetings, annual general meetings, and product reviews .

Today’s corporations make every attempt to provide their stakeholders with a transparent, consistent, and up-to-date review of business activities and value. A good example is Berkshire Hathaway’s AGM, where Warren Buffett’s viral speeches draw tens of thousands of economics enthusiasts every year.

Live video sessions enable companies to sustain a high standard of two-way interaction while cultivating collective success. In the long run, such efforts pay off: according to a Thomson Reuters Extel survey, the top 10 European companies with the best shareholder communications outperformed the market by 28.8%.

Live Streaming Q&As

Live streaming Q&A is a terrific two-way interaction channel, through which employees and stakeholders can refer questions and queries to the speaker via a dedicated chatbox. It enables attendees to actively participate, share feedback, and be heard.

While live streaming Q&A isn’t necessarily suitable for all corporate video use cases, it’s a fundamental part of others, including crisis communication and change management.

As many enterprises can attest, inclusiveness is an effective way to cope with trying times. For example, in March 2020, following the outbreak of COVID-19, most businesses experienced unprecedented workforce disruption.

Turning to virtual communication channels, such as live streaming Q&A, proved itself efficient for business continuity. It enabled organizations to reassure employees, instruct them, and answer their questions.

Live Streaming for Internal Communication

Internal corporate communication is critical to disseminating business information, building relationships, and maintaining corporate culture.

As previously mentioned, live streaming is highly-engaging and resonates better with employees than most media as it enables executives and team members to engage with one-another in an authentic, personal manner.

Therefore, and as more modern companies employ a remote workforce, live streaming is increasingly becoming an integral part of internal communication.

Live Streaming a Product Launch

Launching a new product via live streaming is an incredible way to build anticipation. Don’t believe us? Just ask Apple, a company known for its spectacular keynote events.

Apple is only one example as more companies—from tech giants to car manufacturers—are starting to tap into the potential of live-streamed product launches. After all, a product launch is a critical event in every product’s lifecycle, and live streaming is not only trending but is also a great educational tool.

A whopping 80% of consumers would rather learn about a new product via videos, and 63% watch live streaming content regularly[4].

Live Streaming a Webinar

Webinars, whether video presentations, lectures, or even workshops, are interactive, business-themed events that have become a predominant marketing practice over the past few years. Their key strength lies in their versatile function.

For instance, they allow companies to generate new leads and nurture relationships with existing customers at the same time.

Though a webinar can take place in many forms, live streaming renders it more personal, thus helping build closer relationships with attendees. Speakers can incorporate Q&As and presentations into the webinar to further enhance its value.

What Do You Need to Begin Live Streaming?

The answer to this question consists of four simple steps:

• Planning your live video strategy
• Choosing the right live streaming platform for your business
• Picking the right live streaming hardware
• Sticking to live streaming best practices.

Plan Your Live Video Strategy

Your broadcast holds tremendous potential. Did you know that video enjoyment increases sales intent by 97% and brand association by 139%[5]? Yet, to be able to realize that potential, you must create a live streaming business plan.

Whether you want to use live streaming for internal or external communication—there is no way around a live video marketing strategy. Make sure your concept is cohesive and aligns with your content marketing plan and be sure to define metrics to determine your success, be it leads or employee engagement.

To improve your focus, ask yourself the following questions: what is the goal of my live stream (see examples above)? What is my target group? How can I best promote my streams? Will I be using any interactive features? How should I start the broadcast?

Remember, it’s crucial to capture viewers’ attention within the first thirty seconds of a video. It takes 73% of consumers less than 30 seconds to decide if they will watch a video till the end[6].

Live Streaming Solutions and Tools

By far the most important part of your preparation is choosing the right live streaming solution. Companies of all sizes must choose a streaming provider that can accommodate their needs as well as guarantee a high-quality video output.

Though many associate live streaming with YouTube, when it comes to a live streaming platform for businesses, YouTube is far from ideal: it can’t scale as well as a professional online video streaming CMS , isn’t as secure, and is lacking some business-crucial features.

The business-appropriate alternative to YouTube is a live video streaming software such as an EVP ( enterprise video platform ) as it can cover a variety of enterprise use cases, including live streaming. For example, one of movingimage’s products, movingimage LiveStream Pro , is a business-level live video streaming solution that offers, among other things, metadata, eCDN and CDN delivery, Q&A, and post-live features.

Post-Live Features

movingimage LiveStream Pro’s post-live features allow you to modify your Livestream following its live broadcast. These include slide synchronization, presentation updates, video chapters, 3rd party CMS embedding, on-demand mode, and more.

Q&A Feature

movingimage LiveStream Pro’s interactive Q&A feature allows you to connect with remote viewers and establish a two-way communication channel through which remote viewers can refer questions to the speakers in real-time via a dedicated chatbox.

movingimage LiveStream Pro’s metadata fields include, among other things, a video’s title, its description, and keywords. These parameters can be used within the platform to search for corresponding as well as related video content.

eCDN and CDN Delivery

movingimage LiveStream Pro’s supports video delivery via both Content Delivery Network (CDN) and Enterprise Content Delivery Network (eCDN), allowing you to distribute live and on-demand video content regardless of network conditions.

Live Streaming Hardware

In its simplest form, live streaming requires only three things: a video camera, a microphone, and a stable internet connection. That is, as little as a smartphone and Wi-Fi.

Holding a professional live stream in your company, however, requires a little extra.

Here’s an overview of the most important elements of a live streaming setup:

Video camera

Choosing the right video camera/s for streaming is essential because the differences between a standard and high-quality outputs are instantly noticeable. Generally speaking, high-quality gear comes with a price.

Pay attention to the resolution, the setting options and connections (HDMI, XLR, SDI), as well as the lighting conditions on-site.

Much like a video camera, usually the higher the price tag is, the better quality the product offers.

For example, built-in microphones that are available in smartphones are not suitable for a high-quality stream.

Most USB or 3.5mm microphones already offer a noticeable improvement in sound quality, only surpassed by more professional XLR microphones.

If you want to use several video or sound sources in your live stream, there is no way around a professional mixer. A mixer offers you the possibility to switch between different angles or microphones at the push of a button.

Video encoding describes the process of compressing video files to reduce their size, change their resolution, or to ensure compatibility with different playback devices.

Encoders are available as either hardware or software and can differ significantly in their functionality and performance.

Live Streaming Best Practices

Follow the below live streaming best practices to get the most out of your live stream.

Test your equipment

Nothing is more frustrating than a technical hiccup in your live stream. A test-run is, therefore, an absolute must before every live broadcast.

Test all audio and video signals, hardware and software. Also, make sure you have a backup plan ready, just in case.

Choose the right location

There are no second chances in a live video. From the light to the background noise to people in the background. Leave as little room for interruptions as possible.

Have a clear goal and call-to-action

No matter which goal you wish to achieve through your live stream, make sure to focus on it. From conception to implementation, you shouldn’t lose sight of your goal. At the right timing, a clear call-to-action is a powerful tool.

Advertise your live stream in advance

Inform your customers, employees, or stakeholders about your upcoming live stream through the appropriate channels. Use the communication before your event to learn more about your audience and to increase interest in your event.

Let a professional help you

Take your stream as seriously as you want your audience to! There is an immense difference between different live streams. Non-professional streams are easily recognizable and may result in lower success rates.

Ask a video expert to help you before and during your live stream, regardless of its purpose! Contact us to take your live stream up a notch !

Live Streaming FAQ

What is a live streaming platform.

A live streaming platform enables real-time transmission of video content and offers additional functions for processing, scaling, and monitoring a broadcast.

Can I record my live streams?

You can record your live stream using the appropriate solution. For example, movingimage Enterprise Video Platform automatically records your live streams, allowing you to access them, edit the broadcast, enhance it with subtitles, and upload it for VOD purposes.

Is live streaming safe for business?

Modern enterprise video streaming platforms like movingimage offer a variety of security measures, including SSL encryption, geo-blocking, and token authentication to ensure that your videos and live streams are accessed by the right people, at the right time.

[1] https://99firms.com/blog/live-streaming-statistics#gref [2] https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/linkedin-adds-live-streaming-for-company-pages-and-new-invite-to-follow-o/570458/ [3] https://techjury.net/blog/live-streaming-statistics/#gref [4] https://marketinginsidergroup.com/content-marketing/10-stats-video-marketers-need/#:~:text=Video%20boosts%20sales%2C%20as%20well,association%20by%20a%20whopping%20139%25. [5] https://sociallysorted.com.au/social-video-statistics/

Related Content

How to Start a Streaming Service

Starting a streaming service can be very profitable. With proper planning, execution and hard work, you can enjoy great success. Below you will learn the keys to launching a successful streaming service.

Importantly, a critical step in starting a streaming service is to complete your business plan. To help you out, you should download Growthink’s Ultimate Business Plan Template here .

Download our Ultimate Business Plan Template here

14 Steps To Start a Streaming Service :

• Choose the Name for Your Streaming Service
• Develop Your Streaming Service Business Plan
• Choose the Legal Structure for Your Streaming Service
• Secure Startup Funding for Your Streaming Service (If Needed)
• Secure a Location for Your Business
• Register Your Streaming Service with the IRS
• Open a Business Bank Account
• Get a Business Credit Card
• Get the Required Business Licenses and Permits
• Get Business Insurance for Your Streaming Service
• Buy or Lease the Right Streaming Service Equipment
• Develop Your Streaming Service Marketing Materials
• Purchase and Setup the Software Needed to Run Your Streaming Service
• Open for Business

1. Choose the Name for Your Streaming Service

The first step to starting a streaming service is to choose your business’ name.  

This is a very important choice since your company name is your brand and will last for the lifetime of your business. Ideally you choose a name that is meaningful and memorable. Here are some tips for choosing a name for your video streaming service:

• Make sure the name is available . Check your desired name against trademark databases and your state’s list of registered business names to see if it’s available. Also check to see if a suitable domain name is available.
• Keep it simple . The best names are usually ones that are easy to remember, pronounce and spell.
• Think about marketing . Come up with a name that reflects the desired brand and/or focus of your streaming service.

2. Develop Your Streaming Service Business Plan

One of the most important steps in starting a video streaming service is to develop your business plan . The process of creating your plan ensures that you fully understand your video streaming market and your business strategy. The plan also provides you with a roadmap to follow and if needed, to present to funding sources to raise capital for your business.

Your business plan should include the following sections:

• Executive Summary – this section should summarize your entire business plan so readers can quickly understand the key details of your streaming service.
• Company Overview – this section tells the reader about the history of your streaming service and what type of streaming service you operate. For example, are you a music streaming, video streaming, or a live streaming service? 
• Industry Analysis – here you will document key information about the video streaming industry. Conduct market research and document how big the industry is and what trends are affecting it.
• Customer Analysis – in this section, you will document who your ideal or target customers are and their demographics. For example, how old are they? Where do they live? What do they find important when purchasing services like the ones you will offer?
• Competitive Analysis – here you will document the key direct and indirect competitors you will face and how you will build competitive advantage.
• Marketing Plan – your marketing plan should address the 4Ps: Product, Price, Promotions and Place.
• Product : Determine and document what products/services you will offer 
• Prices : Document the prices of your products/services
• Place : Where will your business be located and how will that location help you increase sales?
• Promotions : What promotional methods will you use to attract customers to your streaming service? For example, you might decide to use pay-per-click advertising, public relations, search engine optimization and/or social media marketing.
• Operations Plan – here you will determine the key processes you will need to run your day-to-day operations. You will also determine your staffing needs. Finally, in this section of your plan, you will create a projected growth timeline showing the milestones you hope to achieve in the coming years.
• Management Team – this section details the background of your company’s management team.
• Financial Plan – finally, the financial plan answers questions including the following:
• What startup costs will you incur?
• How will your own video streaming service make money?
• What are your projected sales and expenses for the next five years?
• Do you need to raise funding to launch your business?

Finish Your Business Plan Today!

3. choose the legal structure for your streaming service.

Next you need to choose a legal structure for your video streaming app and register it and your business name with the Secretary of State in each state where you operate your business.

Below are the five most common legal structures:

1) Sole proprietorship

A sole proprietorship is a business entity in which the owner of the streaming service and the business are the same legal person. The owner of a sole proprietorship is responsible for all debts and obligations of the business. There are no formalities required to establish a sole proprietorship, and it is easy to set up and operate. The main advantage of a sole proprietorship is that it is simple and inexpensive to establish. The main disadvantage is that the owner is liable for all debts and obligations of the business.

2) Partnerships

A partnership is a legal structure that is popular among small businesses. It is an agreement between two or more people who want to start a streaming service together. The partners share in the profits and losses of the business. 

The advantages of a partnership are that it is easy to set up, and the partners share in the profits and losses of the business. The disadvantages of a partnership are that the partners are jointly liable for the debts of the business, and disagreements between partners can be difficult to resolve.

3) Limited Liability Company (LLC)

A limited liability company, or LLC, is a type of business entity that provides limited liability to its owners. This means that the owners of an LLC are not personally responsible for the debts and liabilities of the business. The advantages of an LLC for a video streaming service include flexibility in management, pass-through taxation (avoids double taxation as explained below), and limited personal liability. The disadvantages of an LLC include lack of availability in some states and self-employment taxes.

4) C Corporation

A C Corporation is a business entity that is separate from its owners. It has its own tax ID and can have shareholders. The main advantage of a C Corporation for a streaming service is that it offers limited liability to its owners. This means that the owners are not personally responsible for the debts and liabilities of the business. The disadvantage is that C Corporations are subject to double taxation. This means that the corporation pays taxes on its profits, and the shareholders also pay taxes on their dividends.

5) S Corporation

An S Corporation is a type of corporation that provides its owners with limited liability protection and allows them to pass their business income through to their personal income tax returns, thus avoiding double taxation. There are several limitations on S Corporations including the number of shareholders they can have among others.

Once you register your video streaming service, your state will send you your official “Articles of Incorporation.” You will need this among other documentation when establishing your banking account (see below). We recommend that you consult an attorney in determining which legal structure is best suited for your company.

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4. Secure Startup Funding for Your Streaming Service (If Needed)

In developing your streaming service business plan, you might have determined that you need to raise funding to launch your business. 

If so, the main sources of funding for a streaming service to consider are personal savings, family and friends, credit card financing, bank loans, crowdfunding and angel investors. Angel investors are individuals who provide capital to early-stage businesses. Angel investors typically will invest in a streaming service that they believe has high potential for growth.

5. Secure a Location for Your Business

There are a few things you’ll want to take into account when choosing a location for your streaming service. You’ll need to consider the bandwidth required to support all of your users. Additionally, you’ll need to make sure that your chosen location has good internet connectivity. Finally, you’ll need to think about the cost of setting up and running your streaming service in that location.

6. Register Your Streaming Service with the IRS

Next, you need to register your business with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) which will result in the IRS issuing you an Employer Identification Number (EIN).

Most banks will require you to have an EIN in order to open up an account. In addition, in order to hire employees, you will need an EIN since that is how the IRS tracks your payroll tax payments.

Note that if you are a sole proprietor without employees, you generally do not need to get an EIN. Rather, you would use your social security number (instead of your EIN) as your taxpayer identification number.

7. Open a Business Bank Account

It is important to establish a bank account in your streaming service’s name. This process is fairly simple and involves the following steps:

• Identify and contact the bank you want to use
• Gather and present the required documents (generally include your company’s Articles of Incorporation, driver’s license or passport, and proof of address)
• Complete the bank’s application form and provide all relevant information
• Meet with a banker to discuss your business needs and establish a relationship with them

8. Get a Business Credit Card

You should get a business credit card for your streaming service to help you separate personal and business expenses.

You can either apply for a business credit card through your bank or apply for one through a credit card company.

When you’re applying for a business credit card, you’ll need to provide some information about your business. This includes the name of your business, the address of your business, and the type of business you’re running. You’ll also need to provide some information about yourself, including your name, Social Security number, and date of birth.

Once you’ve been approved for a business credit card, you’ll be able to use it to make purchases for your business. You can also use it to build your credit history which could be very important in securing loans and getting credit lines for your business in the future.

9. Get the Required Business Licenses and Permits

The licenses and permits that are required to start a streaming service vary from state to state. In general, you will need a business license, a sales tax permit, and a tax identification number. You may also need other licenses and permits depending on the type of streaming service that you plan to offer.

10. Get Business Insurance for Your Streaming Service

The type of insurance you need to operate a streaming service depends on the scope of your operation. 

Some business insurance policies you should consider for your streaming service include:

• General liability insurance : This covers accidents and injuries that occur on your property. It also covers damages caused by your employees or products.
• Workers’ compensation insurance : If you have employees, this type of policy works with your general liability policy to protect against workplace injuries and accidents. It also covers medical expenses and lost wages.
• Commercial property insurance : This covers damage to your property caused by fire, theft, or vandalism.
• Business interruption insurance : This covers lost income and expenses if your business is forced to close due to a covered event.
• Professional liability insurance : This protects your business against claims of professional negligence.

Find an insurance agent, tell them about your business and its needs, and they will recommend policies that fit those needs. 

11. Buy or Lease the Right Streaming Service Equipment

To start a video streaming business, you’ll need some basic equipment. You’ll need a computer to run the streaming software, as well as a microphone and webcam if you plan on doing any live streaming.

12. Develop Your Streaming Service Marketing Materials

Marketing materials will be required to attract and retain customers to your streaming service.

The key marketing materials you will need are as follows:

• Logo : Spend some time developing a good logo for your video streaming service. Your logo will be printed on company stationery, business cards, marketing materials and so forth. The right logo can increase customer trust and awareness of your brand.
• Website : Likewise, a professional video streaming website provides potential customers with information about the services you offer, your company’s history, and contact information. Importantly, remember that the look and feel of your video streaming website will affect how customers perceive you.
• Social Media Accounts : establish social media accounts in your company’s name. Accounts on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and/or other social media networks will help customers and others find and interact with your own streaming service.

13. Purchase and Setup the Software Needed to Run Your Streaming Service

To run a streaming service business, you need software that can manage and monitor your streaming servers. You’ll also need software to encode and transcode your video content, and to create and manage your playlists. Additionally, you’ll need tools to help you analyze your streaming data and optimize your service. There are a number of software packages that can meet these needs, so it’s important to choose the one that best suits your business.

14. Open for Business

You are now ready to open your streaming service. If you followed the steps above, you should be in a great position to build a successful business and know everything you need to about how to start your own streaming service. Below are answers to frequently asked questions that might further help you with how to create a streaming service.

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With Growthink’s Ultimate Business Plan Template you can finish your plan in just 8 hours or less!

How to Start a Streaming Service FAQs

Is it hard to start a streaming service.

No, it is not too hard to start a streaming service because there are many solutions available online that allow you to create your own streaming service like Netflix . White label services make it easy to set up and manage your streaming service, and they provide all the features you need to get started. Plus, they offer a variety of templates and themes that you can use to create a custom streaming service that fits your brand and style.

How can I start a streaming service with no experience?

If you're looking to start a streaming service but don't have any experience, there are a few things you can do. First, you can research the industry and learn as much as you can about it. You can also look for online courses or tutorials that can teach you the basics of streaming services. Finally, you can reach out to professionals from other streaming service providers for advice and guidance.

What type of streaming service is most profitable?

The most profitable video streaming platform is likely one that offers a wide variety of content, including recently released films, older films, and television shows. This type of business attracts both casual viewers and more dedicated fans, who are willing to pay for access to a large selection of programming.

How much does it cost to start a streaming service?

It can cost up to $1,000 to start a streaming service, depending on the features and quality you want. You'll also need to factor in the costs of marketing and advertising your new service.

What are the ongoing expenses for a streaming service?

The ongoing expenses for a streaming service can include costs for licensing, bandwidth, and customer service. For larger video streaming services, the costs for marketing and content acquisition can also be significant.

How does a streaming service make money?

Video streaming services make money by charging a subscription fee on their video streaming apps or movie streaming website . This allows them to maintain a library of content. In addition, companies may also sell advertising space on their platforms. Another way a streaming service can make money is by offering content on a pay-per-view basis. This allows users to purchase or rent individual titles rather than paying for a subscription. Finally, some streaming services generate revenue through partnerships with other companies, such as cable providers. By teaming up with these companies, the streaming platform can offer its content to a wider audience.

Is owning a streaming service profitable?

Owning a streaming service can be profitable because it may be accessed by a large number of people at any given time. This allows more people to be exposed to the service, which in turn can lead to more subscribers and revenue. Additionally, owning a streaming service with in demand content can help build brand awareness and loyalty, which can further increase profits.

Why do streaming services fail?

There are many reasons why streaming services can fail. One reason is that the companies that own the streaming services may not be able to keep up with the increasing demand for their service. Some streaming companies may also not have enough money to pay for the licenses to stream certain TV shows and movies. Lastly, sometimes there are problems with the technology that supports the streaming service, resulting in a poor experience for end users.

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Starting An Online Video Streaming Business Is Easier Than Ever

If you want to start your own Online video streaming business, this blog will is for you. It will guide you how to start this business and monetize.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Everyone dreams of being their own boss, having the freedom to work for themselves. If you're one of those and considering starting a business in the video industry, you're at the right place. 

The pandemic has paved a new path for the video streaming industry. When people were forced to stay home in 2020,   232 million people in the United States   watched streaming videos or downloaded them. This number is only expected to rise as more and more content is being created for OTT and other video streaming platforms in different languages.

Video Streaming Business Models

Before we tell you how you can start your own business in this domain, let's explore a few business models that you can adopt.

Transactional Video on Demand (TVOD)

In TVOD, users pay only for the content that they watch. It's also known as a pay-per-view model, where users don't have to pay for the content they don't actually consume. Some examples include Apple iTunes, Amazon Rent, and Sky Box Office.

Subscription Video on Demand (SVOD)

In SVOD, users subscribe to a streaming platform and pay a fixed amount according to the duration of their membership, regardless of what and how much content they watch. Some of the biggest examples of this model are Netflix, Hulu, and Disney+.

Advertising Video on Demand (AVOD)

The AVOD model provides free content to users and makes money through advertisements. The biggest example of this model is Youtube, where users can access free content but must sit through ads before, during, or at the end of the video.

How to Start Your Online Video Streaming Business

Once you decide what business model you want to go with, it's time to get to the   actual implementation . There are certain technical aspects to consider while starting your own online video streaming business.

Application Programming Interface (API)

An API allows communication between two platforms. With minimum coding required for integration, you can use an API to provide the functionality you need without coding everything from scratch.

Software Development Kit (SDK)

SDKs allow you to build your code for different platforms like Roku, iOS, Windows, and Android. If you're present on all mobile platforms, you have a higher chance of success as the use of mobile phones has gone up by an annual   average of 69% .

While Label Clones

With the increased demand for OTT streaming platforms and advances in technology, there are various white-label clones of popular platforms like Netflix available on the market today. All you have to do is get a licensed version of the clone and create your own website without the need of expert coding   knowledge . And don't think of it as a copy—you can customize your platform as per your needs and provide a unique experience to your user.

What Kind of Content to Create

If you're confused about what content you can create for your streaming platform, here are some of the most popular areas where people are always looking for new content.

• Entertainment

Get Your Streaming Business Online

Starting a business comes with a lot of hassles as it is. If one of your main burdens can be reduced, and your video streaming platform can be created with minimum time and effort requirements, it leaves you room to focus on the other aspects of the business.

This is where we come in. With MAZ, you absolutely do not need to worry about creating your platform. You can set up the rest of your business, and we take care of your core product.   Contact us   today.

Take the next step

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How to Start a Profitable Video Streaming Business in 2024?

It’s 2023, and the demand for video streaming has skyrocketed like never before. Are you ready to embark on an exhilarating journey into the world of online entertainment? 

Whether you’re a passionate filmmaker, a budding entrepreneur, or simply a visionary with a dream, starting an online video streaming business in today’s digital landscape holds immense potential. 

With an astonishing 86% increase in global streaming subscribers over the past year and over 100 million hours of video content consumed daily, there has never been a better time to seize this golden opportunity. 

In this beginner’s guide, we’ll uncover the secrets to success and unveil the steps to start your own video streaming service. Get ready to captivate audiences worldwide because the stage is set for your streaming triumph!

Table of Contents

Definition and Concept of Video Streaming

Video streaming pertains to the real-time conveyance of digital video content over the internet. It facilitates instantaneous video viewing without necessitating prior downloading by users. The concept involves the compression, transmission, and playback of video data in a continuous stream. 

Audiences can access various video content, including movies, TV shows, live events, and user-generated videos, spanning a wide spectrum of devices such as smartphones, tablets, and smart TVs. Video streaming business models employ adaptive streaming technologies to flexibly modulate the video’s resolution in sync with the viewer’s internet connectivity, thereby ensuring uninterrupted playback and an uninterrupted visual encounter.

Facts About the Video Streaming Industry

A. market size and growth projections.

The domain of video streaming business models has experienced an exponential expansion in recent times, propelled by technological advancements and dynamic shifts in consumer preferences. As indicated by comprehensive market research reports, the global video streaming market garnered an approximate valuation of $89.03 billion in 2022 and is projected to experience a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of around 21.5% from 2023 through 2030.

The exponential surge can be attributed to the increasing adoption of high-speed internet services, the proliferation of smartphones and smart devices, and the rising eminence of over-the-top (OTT) platforms. The video streaming industry experienced a significant boost in growth during the COVID-19 pandemic as individuals sought digital entertainment while confined to their homes during lockdowns.

B. Consumer Behavior Trends in Video Streaming

Consumer behavior in the video streaming business has undergone significant changes, reflecting evolving preferences and expectations. The following trends have shaped consumer behavior in this space:

Shift from traditional TV: Consumers are increasingly shifting from traditional television and cable subscriptions to on-demand video streaming services. The convenience of streaming platforms, along with personalized content recommendations and the flexibility to watch anytime, anywhere, has attracted a massive audience.

Original content and exclusivity: The demand for original content has surged, with streaming platforms investing heavily in creating exclusive shows and movies. Customers are inherently attracted to distinctive and heterogeneous content that remains elusive within the realms of conventional television broadcasting.

Subscription models: The usual practice for OTT streaming services nowadays involves charging customers a monthly subscription fee in exchange for granting them access to a vast array of content. This model provides convenience and flexibility, allowing subscribers to choose and customize their viewing preferences.

Mobile streaming: With the widespread availability of high-speed internet and smartphones, mobile streaming has gained immense popularity. Consumers prefer watching content on the go, leading to the rise of mobile-optimized streaming platforms and apps.

Multi-platform viewing: Consumers increasingly utilize multiple devices for video streaming, such as smartphones, tablets, smart TVs, and gaming consoles. Streaming services have adapted by ensuring cross-platform compatibility and synchronized viewing experiences.

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C. Competition and Challenges in the Industry

The market for video streaming is characterized by intense competition, with a multitude of participants competing to gain a slice of the market. The key challenges faced by companies in this industry include:

Intense competition: The market is heavily controlled by major players such as Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Disney+, and Hulu, posing significant obstacles for new entrants trying to establish themselves. These companies allocate substantial resources to content creation, marketing, and technological advancements in order to appeal to and maintain a loyal subscriber base.

Content acquisition costs: As demand for original and exclusive content increases, the cost of acquiring rights to movies, TV shows, and sports events has witnessed an exponential surge. Streaming platforms face the challenge of striking a balance between offering compelling content and maintaining profitability.

Piracy and illegal streaming: The video streaming industry faces the persistent challenge of piracy, with unauthorized streaming platforms and websites illegally distributing copyrighted content. This not only impacts revenue but also undermines the value proposition of legitimate streaming services.

Data privacy and security: Streaming platforms collect vast amounts of user data, including viewing habits and personal information. Protecting this data from breaches and ensuring user privacy is a significant concern for both companies and consumers.

Infrastructure and bandwidth limitations: Video streaming requires robust internet infrastructure and high bandwidth. In regions with limited internet access or inadequate infrastructure, streaming quality and user experience may suffer.

Things to Consider Before Starting a Video Streaming Service

Embarking on the journey of establishing an online video streaming business can be both exhilarating and hold great potential for financial success. Owing to the burgeoning popularity of OTT streaming platforms , there is a growing demand for high-quality video content. 

Nonetheless, before embarking upon this cutthroat sector, it is imperative to consider various salient factors to guarantee a successful launch and sustainable growth. 

→ Identify Your Niche 

The initial stride necessitates the identification of your target audience and niche. Analyze the market to understand what types of content are in demand and underserved. Focus on a specific genre or audience segment to differentiate yourself from existing competitors.

→ Develop a Business Plan

A comprehensive business roadmap is imperative to outline your goals, strategies, and monetary forecasts. Define your business model, revenue streams, and marketing strategies. 

Identify the audience who are most likely interested in your product or service, analyze your competitors’ actions, and devise competitive pricing strategies. A well-thought-out corporate strategy will guide your decision-making process and entice prospective investors or collaborators.

→ Acquire Content

Content is the heart of any video streaming platform. Safeguard the rights to high-quality content that aligns with your specialized domain and target audience. This can involve licensing agreements with production companies, partnerships with content creators, or developing original content. Ensure you have a diverse and engaging content library to attract and retain viewers.

→ Choose a Video Streaming Solution

Selection of the right OTT streaming solution is crucial for delivering a seamless viewing experience. Consider factors such as scalability, customization options, security features, and user interface. Assess various platforms and technologies to identify the optimal solution for your business requirements while ensuring a dependable streaming infrastructure.

→ Launch Your Website

Design an aesthetically pleasing and user-friendly website that serves as a captivating platform to showcase your brand and its content, leaving a lasting impression on visitors. 

Invest in responsive design to ensure a seamless experience across different devices. Incorporate features such as search functionality, personalized recommendations, and social sharing options to enhance user engagement.

→ Market Your Videos

Effective marketing is essential to reach your target audience and attract viewers to your platform. Construct an intricate and extensive marketing framework that includes social media campaigns, influencer collaborations, search engine optimization, and content marketing initiatives. Make use of analytics tools to monitor user engagement and utilize data-driven analysis to optimize your marketing initiatives.

→ Monetize Your Content

Consider different monetization strategies to generate revenue from your video streaming platform. These strategies can entail subscription-based models, pay-per-view options, ad-supported content, or an amalgamation of these approaches. Evaluate the preferences of your target audience and implement monetization methods that align with their expectations while maximizing your profitability.

→ Invest in infrastructure

As your user base grows, it is essential to invest in robust infrastructure to ensure a seamless streaming experience. Allocate resources for sufficient bandwidth, content delivery networks (CDNs), and server capacity to handle increasing traffic. Regularly monitor and optimize your infrastructure to maintain high-quality streaming and minimize downtime.

Final Thoughts

As the world craves incessant access to captivating content, venturing into the realm of how to start a video streaming business in 2024 emerges as a promising avenue. From harnessing niche markets to leveraging social media, the possibilities are endless. So, roll up your sleeves, grab that camera, and let your streaming dreams soar high in the digital realm! The stage is set with lights, a camera, and action!

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• Top 10 Best Video Monetization Platforms of 2024

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How to Start a Streaming Service in 7 Steps – Create Your Own Netflix

Did you know that the video streaming market is currently valued at over $526 million and is expected to grow to a whopping $1.72 billion by 2030 ? This substantial growth is bound to create an abundance of opportunities for businesses across many industries, especially those in entertainment.

With that, many businesses are setting out to start streaming services like Netflix or Hulu. Luckily, with the support of the right technology, creating a TV or movie streaming service is possible for businesses of any size.

In this article, we will discuss how to start a streaming service like Netflix in seven steps. We will cover what a streaming service is, different types of streaming services, and how to create your own. 

Table of Contents

What is a streaming service, live streaming vs. vod: what’s the difference, how to create a streaming service, start streaming on maestro.

A streaming service is an app or site that people use to watch series, movies, shorts, and so forth. Typically, streaming services use OTT delivery, which means that the content is distributed over the internet rather than cable or satellite. 

There are different ways that viewers buy access to content on streaming services. Some monetization methods that are used for streaming services include subscriptions , ads , and pay-per-view .

A few examples of popular streaming services include Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, Prime Video, ESPN+, and HBO Max.

While we’re on the topic of creating a streaming service, it is important to distinguish the difference between live streaming and on-demand video streaming .

Live streaming involves broadcasting content in real-time, so your viewers have access to the happenings within minutes or seconds from the time they are 

Understanding the difference between the two will help you understand which direction to take with your video business and what sort of support you’ll need to create your streaming service.

As we mentioned, creating a streaming service is fairly simple with the support of the right tools. With that said, here’s how you can create a streaming service like Netflix in just a few steps.

1. Make a Plan

Like any business endeavor, it is important to start with a plan. This could look like a casual brainstorming session or creating an in-depth business plan . Either way, you’ll need to start mapping out your vision for your streaming service.

You should start by identifying your broader goals, such as what niche your streaming services will be geared towards, who your target audience is, whether you’ll host live or on-demand content, and what scale you’d like to reach with your service.

2. Choose a Business Model

Next, you’ll need to choose a business model. You’ve likely mapped out some goals and action items, but now it’s time to narrow in on the exact business models.

There are a few monetization models you could use. These include:

• Subscriptions : Viewers pay a monthly, quarterly, or annual fee for on-demand access to your library of content
• Pay-per-view/ticketing : Viewers pay for access to specific titles (for lifetime access or for rental)
• Freemium/ads : Viewers “pay” for content by watching ads; the only monetary transaction is between your business and your advertisers or sponsors

You can use any of these monetization models as a standalone, or you could combine multiple to meet your 

3. Source Your Content

When you create a streaming service, you have the option to buy rights to existing titles, create original content, or both.

Creating original content is great for those who want to showcase and distribute their own work. However, sourcing existing content and offering exclusive access to said content can encourage viewers to come to your platform.

For example, Netflix originally sold access to titles that they had purchased rights to. They didn’t begin creating original titles until several years down the line. Now that they’ve built an influential reputation in the market, they create tons of original content.

4. Choose an OVP

One essential component to creating a streaming service is choosing a capable online video platform (OVP) , like Maestro. If you’re not familiar, an OVP is a solution that hosts and manages video content. 

If your goal is to build a high-quality streaming service, like Hulu or Prime Video, you’re going to need a highly capable OVP. This will most likely be a paid solution.

Some features to look for in your video hosting solution include:

• Video monetization
• Secure streaming
• Brand customization
• Video website building tools
• Video analytics
• Community data

We recommend taking advantage of free trials of different platforms to find the one that best fits your needs.

→  Try Maestro for Free

5. Build Your Site and/or Apps

Now, it’s time to build the site or app where your streaming service will live. Most successful streaming services offer responsive viewing experiences across all sorts of devices. That means creating both a site and an app is important. 

Some OVPs, including Maestro, have built-in tools that make it easy to build your streaming site by yourself. However, if you’re using a different streaming platform , you may need to hire developers to build out your service.

6. Publish Content

After your site is set up, you can start publishing content. The process of uploading content is typically very straightforward, but ensuring that everything is uploaded in time for your launch should be your priority.

When it comes to series, some streaming services publish an episode weekly, and others publish entire seasons at a time. If you’re just getting started, it may be wise to publish entire seasons at a time since it will give your viewers more content to view. However, you can adjust this strategy over time.

7. Start Promoting

Once your streaming service is up and running, it is time to start promoting to viewers. It’s worth testing some of the most popular digital marketing techniques to see what the audience responds best to.

A few techniques you can try include:

• Social media marketing
• Paid advertisements 
• Influencer marketing
• Email marketing
• Content marketing (SEO, video, etc.)

If your brand is completely new, you’ll need to sweeten the deal to get people to sign up. As part of your promotion, consider offering reduced rates for the first group of people who sign up.

Looking for an online video platform that makes it easy to start a streaming service of your own? Look no further. Maestro’s got you covered.

Our streaming platform makes it easy to manage, monetize, and deliver your online video content. We offer a wide variety of tools for monetization , community management, and even data and analytics!

Sign up for Maestro to see how our platform can support your Netflix-like video streaming business. 

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Live Streaming for Business Ultimate Guide

Live streaming has become essential for businesses of all sizes and across industries. It is a way to connect with customers in real time through engaging content and allows businesses to reach new audiences globally.

I have been working in video marketing for over five years, and during that time, I have seen the industry evolve dramatically. The landscape has changed dramatically since the early days of creating short, low-resolution videos with limited creative control to today’s high-definition streaming services and sophisticated editing software.

With this technology’s increasing popularity comes the need to understand best practices and strategies for making the most of every stream. This guide will provide all the information you need to start live streaming for your business , from setting up the right equipment to using data-driven insights to increase engagement and reach more viewers.

What is Live Streaming?

Live streaming is a digital technology that allows real-time audio and video broadcasting over the internet. It has become an increasingly popular way to communicate with others, whether for entertainment or educational purposes.

As a result, this technology has become an innovative way for businesses to reach a wider audience with their message. It enables companies to broadcast live video content over the internet, allowing viewers to engage with brands in an interactive way.

It also allows businesses to collect valuable analytics data and gain insights into customer behavior. This data provides organizations with valuable information that can help them further their communication strategies to meet customer needs better.

Platforms Where You Can Live Stream

Live streaming has quickly become one of the most popular ways to watch content and share experiences. According to a study conducted in 2022, 23.7% of users regularly watch live content on social media.

From sports events to music concerts, live streaming platforms are being used to broadcast events and experiences in real-time.

Here are some of the most popular live streaming  social media platforms businesses can utilize :

TikTok is a global platform for creating, sharing, and discovering short videos. It is particularly popular among teenagers and young adults looking for a fun way to stay connected with their friends and express themselves through creative content.

TikTok offers impressive features that stand out from other live streaming platforms. With its innovative lip-syncing, dance challenges, and interactive video editing tools, TikTok allows users to create entertaining and highly personalized content.

Twitter is the most popular and widely used platform for live streaming. It is a social media platform that enables users to Tweet out messages, images, links, GIFs, and videos to their followers.

This platform allows anyone to easily broadcast live streams and enables remote viewers to interact through comments and tweets while watching the stream.

As one of the most popular streaming platforms in the world, YouTube is a major media outlet for both professional and amateur content creators. The site enables anyone to upload videos, create a personalized channel, and build an audience through subscriptions, likes, shares, and comments.

YouTube offers a variety of services for both live streaming and on-demand viewing. It also provides tools that allow content creators to monetize their work by receiving advertising revenue from the site.

Additionally, it has become increasingly popular as a platform for influencers to market products or services through sponsored video ads or endorsements. 

Facebook is another one of the most popular platforms for live streaming. Using Facebook Live allows users to broadcast events and activities to viewers across the globe.

Additionally, Facebook supports features like interactive questionnaires and surveys to increase viewer engagement throughout the stream.

Individuals, businesses, and organizations can use it for various purposes, including marketing, communications, customer service, and event coverage. Many entertainers, musicians, and organizations have used Facebook Live to reach millions of people with their content.

Instagram is one of the most widely used photography-based social media platforms. It allows users to share photos, videos, and stories with friends and followers.

In addition to its photo and video-sharing capabilities, Instagram offers an innovative live streaming option. Its Live feature lets people instantly broadcast their content, making it the perfect platform for engaging with their audience.

Live Streaming Benefits

Live streaming technology has revolutionized the way people interact and receive content. It offers a vast range of benefits that make it more accessible and cost-efficient than ever before.

With live streaming, businesses can use different platforms to   reach their target audience  effectively  and  efficiently . It offers unique benefits unavailable with traditional broadcasting by allowing users to access real-time entertainment, news, sports, and other events without delay or interruption.

Some of these benefits include the following:

• Increased conversions
• Increased engagement
• Live streams are memorable
• Enhanced reach and visibility
• Improved customer relationships

Increased Conversions

Live streaming can help increase conversions by providing customers with an interactive experience to learn more about your products and services. It gives customers a unique platform for direct communication with their favorite brands.

Interacting directly with viewers through live streams can result in a higher sales conversion rate as viewers are more likely to take action when presented with a product or service during the stream.

Additionally, by targeting specific audiences through targeted advertisements or promotions within the stream, businesses can better target potential customers more likely to convert at higher rates.

Increased Engagement

Live streaming has become a popular way to  increase customer engagement  with customers, partners, and prospects. It provides an interactive platform where viewers can watch their preferred content and participate in conversations online, making them feel more connected to the brand they support.

By providing real-time interactive experiences, companies can draw in viewers and create a platform for meaningful conversations between customers and the business .

Consumers are more likely to be engaged with a brand if they feel like their voices are being heard, which can be facilitated through interactive streaming. This ensures that the customer is at the center of the conversation, leading to greater brand loyalty and revenue growth.

Live Streams Are Memorable

Live streaming offers an incredibly memorable experience for everyone watching. It provides users with an immersive experience and allows content creators to reach a larger audience.

The platform’s immediacy makes every live stream unique, giving it a sense of urgency and relevance. With the right technology, live streams can become highly engaging events that leave participants feeling connected and inspired .

Live streams offer a personalized way of connecting with the event and its hosts by allowing viewers to watch, interact, and engage with the content in real-time.

Enhanced Reach and Visibility

Live streaming is an innovative way for businesses to increase their reach and visibility. It gives companies more control over the viewing experience and allows them to tailor content to specific viewers.

This enhanced reach allows companies to target new demographics and interact with current customers directly . As a result, users are exposed to more information than ever and can quickly gain insights that were once only available through more laborious methods.

Additionally, with the help of analytics tools, companies can refine their content by getting more profound insights into viewer behaviors and preferences.

Improved Customer Relationships

Live streaming technology has become a powerful tool in helping businesses improve customer relationships. It provides new opportunities for two-way communication, allowing for direct interaction between consumers and businesses.

This process makes it easier for customers to get their questions answered quickly and allows them to provide immediate feedback on products or services .

Additionally, live streams open up the possibility of holding interactive events, which can provide valuable insight into customer needs and preferences. By incorporating live streaming into customer relationships, businesses can create a more meaningful connection and improve customer engagement.

Live Streaming Drawbacks

Although live streaming provides businesses with many advantages, it has its fair share of drawbacks. These drawbacks can make it challenging for companies to ensure that their message is heard clearly.

Additionally, live streaming requires an upfront investment in technology, making it cost-prohibitive for some businesses.

Here are some of the main disadvantages of live streaming:

• Privacy issues
• Technical errors
• No video scripts
• Keep your audience entertained for longer

Privacy Issues

When businesses broadcast live, they give viewers real-time access to their content. This can present privacy issues for companies as viewers can see and hear everything shared.

This lack of personal boundaries regarding streaming can be concerning for many, as personal information may be at risk of being exposed without consent. Privacy settings may also be bypassed or hacked, further exposing sensitive information.

Additionally, since these streams are public, anyone can join them, leaving participants vulnerable to trolls, cyberbullying, and other unsavory behaviors.

Technical Errors

Live streaming requires a reliable connection, which can be difficult to obtain depending on the environment. This can result in technical errors or even complete drops in transmission.

These issues are often much more pronounced in live streams than pre-recorded video because the content is sent in real-time, sometimes over unreliable networks. Certain viewers may also find watching difficult due to their slower internet speeds or lack of appropriate technology.

Additionally, the quality of the stream can suffer if bandwidth or other technical limitations are present. All these factors can lead to an unsatisfactory experience for viewers who expect high-quality streaming.

No Video Scripts

One of the most significant drawbacks of live streaming is that it doesn’t always provide an environment suitable for scripting. This can be problematic since scripting is often necessary to ensure the message is expressed clearly and effectively and provide a more polished presentation.

Without good scripting, there can be pauses in the broadcast that detract from its overall quality or even miscommunications that could confuse viewers or cause them to disengage. It also helps with consistency so that each stream has a similar structure and flow, allowing the presenter and viewers to become familiar with how it works.

Additionally, scripted streams allow for better preparation on the presenter’s part, giving them time to practice delivery, think through any potential issues that may come up during transmission, and plan out their visual cues or graphics in advance.

Keep Your Audience Entertained for Longer

Live streaming has the potential to keep viewers engaged for more extended periods, but it is up to the presenter to make this happen. The key is to ensure that each stream offers something unique and captivating that will entice viewers to stay around until the end.

This could mean adding fun elements like polls or interactive games, creating compelling content, or simply engaging viewers by talking directly to them and ensuring their questions are answered by the end of the stream.

Additionally, the presenter should be conscious of their pacing and ensure they don’t move too quickly or slowly through the material. These efforts can help create an enjoyable experience to watch so that viewers are encouraged to return for subsequent streams.

How to Create a Live Stream Video

Creating a live stream video requires careful planning, preparation, and factoring in the technology needed to complete the task. Video streaming app development services provide all the necessary features and allow companies to build their own custom software products that reflect their brand .

These are the steps necessary to create a successful live stream video:

• Create a script outline
• Post a teaser
• Ensure video quality
• Stream the video
• Engage with your community

Step 1: Create a Script Outline

Creating a script outline for a live stream video is an essential step in the production process that should be taken seriously. It helps you plan what will be said and done live and provides structure and flow to the entire event.

Begin by developing a theme or idea you want to communicate through the stream. Think about what topic or topics you want to cover, how long each part of your video should be, and any other vital points you want to include.

From there, determine what content should be included, such as interviews, segments, or on-screen graphics. Additionally, organize the content logically, so it flows cohesively from one segment to another .

Step 2: Post a Teaser

Posting a teaser before your live stream video can build excitement and anticipation around the content.

Teasers typically include short snippets of the footage expected to be included in the upcoming live stream, along with details about what viewers can expect from the experience. This gives them something tangible to look forward to and encourages word-of-mouth promotion.

The key to crafting an effective teaser is providing enough information to create intrigue but not so much as to give away all the surprises. An effective teaser will hook your audience and prepare them for your live stream video.

Step 3: Ensure Video Quality

To ensure a high-quality video stream, it is essential to consider the quality of both your hardware and internet connection. When setting up your live stream, use higher bitrate settings and a higher resolution camera.

Additionally, ensuring you have enough bandwidth to support the stream is vital. However, you should also select a reliable streaming service with built-in tools for adjusting quality and frame rate.

Also, ensure the audio and video equipment is correctly set up for optimal results. Lastly, test the stream before going live using various devices, browsers, and network connections to identify potential issues.

Step 4: Stream the Video

Once you’ve set up the equipment and tested the live stream, it’s time to go live. Use a streaming platform that offers reliable service and technical support for unforeseen issues or problems.

When hosting your video, choose a platform with analytics capabilities to measure your campaign’s success. Also, have a backup plan if the primary platform experiences technical difficulties.

This can include switching to a different hosting service or using pre-recorded video as a fallback option. With proper preparation, creating a successful live stream video is easy.

Step 5: Engage With Your Community

Live streaming gives you a unique opportunity to connect with and engage your community in real-time, which is essential for creating a successful live stream video.

Make sure to give viewers a chance to interact with you by providing comment boxes or allowing them to ask questions during the stream. Include call-to-action buttons at the stream’s end that link to your website or social profiles to further engage viewers.

You can also use polls and surveys to get feedback from viewers and gain valuable insights into who watched once the stream is over. Engaging with your audience can create an interactive experience that captivates viewers and keeps them returning for more.

Live streaming for businesses is quickly becoming necessary in today’s digitally-connected world. Not only does it provide an avenue for businesses to broadcast their events and messages to the masses, but it also helps to create more meaningful interactions with customers by providing them with up-to-date information from a reliable source.

Live streaming can help businesses build better customer relationships, increase customer engagement and loyalty, and boost their bottom line. With the right tools, businesses can easily integrate live streaming into their existing digital marketing strategies, allowing them to reap its many benefits.

Are you a small business owner? Do you have any questions about live streaming for businesses? Let us know in the comments below!

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Live streaming for business: faqs and the answers.

Table of contents

How is live streaming good for business, 1- fostering viewer engagement -, what do you need to start with business live streaming, plan your video streaming strategy -, choosing the right live streaming platform to suit your business needs -, obs studio -, xsplit broadcaster -, follow live streaming best practices -, decide live streaming channel-, decide on the live streaming format -, promoting on social media -, do testing -.

Do you know? If you search for “live streaming for business” on Google, the most frequently questions asked are:

Considering the spectrum of benefits gained from a business live stream, live streaming videos are undoubtedly the next big thing for businesses. Whether it is a fitness industry, educational, e-commerce, or banking sector, streaming videos in real-time have amplified business reach, lead conversions, and targeted revenue generation.

Business live streaming is immensely popular for promoting direct client engagement. In this blog, we will discuss some of the frequently asked questions on business live streaming, like why is live streaming good for business, how to start with business live  streaming, and which live streaming platform is best?

  How is live streaming good for business?

Just imagine what would you do if you get a chance to meet your target audience and interact with them in person. Wouldn’t it be easier for you to create real-time connections and solidify brand image?

Live streaming is bringing this to life by becoming the digital bridge between businesses and their customers and has become an integral part of business marketing activities.

  Three good reasons why businesses should  start a live stream

Here are some benefits of business live streaming that are powerful enough to pitch in.

1- Fostering viewer engagement –

Recently, New York Magazine surveyed a group of people. The result shows around 80 percent of respondents were interested in business live videos rather than going through business blogs.

  In the digital world, people have a hunger for live videos.  By hosting a live event, businesses can gain direct access to their target audience.

  A good live stream session includes several interactive elements like live polls, quizzes, chat, and Q&A. All these sections result in an interactive and result-worthy business live stream.

  2- Improve brand value –

One of the biggest advantages of live streaming for business is that your blog subscribers, social media followers, and clients, will have the opportunity to interact directly with corporate representatives. Live stream allows access to audience’s queries right away. It builds a strong business image among the audience, making them believe the company is trustworthy, which leads to conversions and a strong B2C relationship.

  3- Great way for product or service launch events –

The pandemic has forced businesses to stop having offline product launches or feature release events and now businesses have adapted the live stream event option. In this way, they didn’t lose their audience traction, got the client’s attention and targeted attendees while  saving a huge amount of money, which tends to be spent on the event menu, accommodations, arrangements, manpower, and other factors. 

Business live streaming has helped businesses find the most successful method of product or service launch. As an  additional feature, it also generates targeted revenue and grows the community around businesses.

  What do you need to start with business live streaming?

If you are completely new to the live streaming world, then it is natural to be nervous about things such as –  how to get started, how to excel in business live streaming, what to do in live streaming, etc. Live streaming holds immense power to turn back the clock on business success. To start  live streaming for your business, follow the  simple steps below –

Plan your video streaming strategy –

Live video streaming has tremendous power to drive instant sales. With the best streaming strategy, you can run a successful live stream without any hassle.

Livestream removes the restrictions on the number of attendees’ participation by allowing an unlimited number of viewers to join your live stream.

So what is the role of a video streaming strategy in a successful live stream? We can say without a proper strategy, it’s not going to give the 100% result, you expected or sometimes can be a complete fail.

A good video streaming strategy includes

• Plan live streaming content specifically developed for target audiences. Take some time to get to know your audience, their content choices, their interest areas, and their pain points, and then plan the content that can add value to their lives.
• To make the content interactive, during the live stream you can share your real-time experience and expertise, with which the audience can connect.
• You can also include quizzes and polls to improve audience engagement.
• Strive to respond to as many questions and comments as possible, whether or not they are related to your business. It makes the audience feel valued.
• In live streams, there is always a space for repurposing content. You can convert your live stream content into infographics, blogs, social media posts, or pdfs and share them with your audience.

Choosing the right live streaming platform to suit your business needs –

The golden rule to succeeding in live streaming is getting the support of a professional live streaming platform. It makes you feel at ease and professionally handles the business live stream.

The best benefit businesses can get from live streaming software is the ability to expand their business reach without any extra monetary or manual labor. But does professional streaming software cost a lot? Thankfully, no. The good streaming software is not necessarily expensive, and the best thing about some of the excel streaming software is that it is absolutely free.

The streaming market is growing, and the demand for high-quality streaming software has skyrocketed. Streaming software developers are working day and night to showcase their product by challenging themselves to have better UI support, quick setup, and high-class performance.

Now let’s have a look at some of the best live streaming software available-

OBS Studio –

OBS Studio is an open-source streaming software. It supports Windows, Linux, and macOS.

Some of the top features supported by OBS studio:

• Real-time audio/video capturing and mixing
• An intuitive audio mixer
• Support hotkeys
• Configuration options
• User-friendly UI

XSplit Broadcaster –

XSplit is considered one of the best free streaming software packages that offer unlimited customization.

The best features supported by XSplit software include:

• Multi-stream
• Scene presets
• Noise suppression
• Media slideshow
• Chroma key threshold

Wirecast –

The Wirecast live streaming software is best for Facebook Live. This streaming solution handles end-to-end streaming.

The best-in-class features supported by Wirecast include

• Wider device support
• Live scoreboards
• 8-track audio output

Follow live streaming best practices –

Choose the social media platforms where you want to live stream. You can choose live streaming on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Twitch, etc.

Decide on the live streaming format –

Are you going to live stream an event? Or a simple Q & A, a product launch/declaration meeting, or a panel discussion. Businesses need to decide the format of the live stream beforehand.

Promoting on social media –

Without proper promotions, it will be difficult to gain audience attention. If a business wants maximum engagement along with lead conversions, it needs to do a good job of promoting and advertising their upcoming live streaming event.

  Do testing –

Before going live with your audience, it is always best to start a demo live stream. This way, you will get to know the functionalities, operations and also get the video quality checked.

  Conclusion

In the age of live streaming, if a business is not actively hosting live streams on social media, chances are there, it may lose its future leads. Live streaming for business holds immense power of solidifying a business’s revenue by exploiting the business lead generation.

So, if you are looking for a professional live streaming platform, Muvi Live could be your go-to partner.  The enterprise-grade live streaming services provided by Muvi sets it apart from the others. Some of the advanced and most buzzed live streaming features supported by Muvi Live are- DRM protection, Ultra low latency video streaming, Live DVR control, Live analytics, Multi CDN, Multi bitrate HD encoding, Live webcast, and many more.

Success comes to those who try! Try out Muvi Live’s 14-day free trial, where you get complete access to its CRM and explore Muvi Live’s supremacy over others.

  Start your free trial now!

Written by: Amita Kumari

Amita is a content writer with Muvi marketing team. She has over 5+ years of experience in content creation and development. Passionate by heart, she likes to cook, write, sing and do yoga to pass time.

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Choosing the Best Plan for your Streaming Business

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How to choose the best plan for your streaming business

One of the most frequent questions we receive from business owners is “which subscription plan is most appropriate for the type of event that I want to stream?”

While there is no straight forward answer to this, we have compiled a guide to help you understand how we calculate an approximate plan for your needs. Included in this guide are some definitions and short descriptions of all the features you see in each subscription plan. The goal of this article is to help you understand our plans and offer more transparency with the services we provide.

Included in all streaming business plans

Unlimited channels.

You can have as many channels streaming as you would like.

Unlimited Videos

You can have as many videos as you want, depending on the storage space you have.

Unlimited Viewers

You can have as many viewers streaming your live events and videos as you would like. Viewer hours is a different concept explained later in the article.

Enhanced Content Protection

At WpStream, we always encrypt your content. Built from the ground up with the premium concept in mind, all live and VOD content is encrypted with AES-128. Click here for more information regarding Content Protection.

Streaming data

In this context, streaming data is the total amount of network traffic generated by streaming activities including live video broadcasts, live and recorded video playback, video uploads, and downloads. Streaming data is usually measured in gigabytes (GB) or terrabytes (TB).

Viewer hours

Viewer hours means the total time that your viewers are watching your content (live-stream or Video-on-Demand).

Number of Viewers= Total number of people watching your live-stream/video-on-demand.

Viewer Hours= Total number of people watching x Total streaming hours

For example:

10 viewers are watching a one hour live-stream= 10 Viewer hours

10 viewers are watching a two hour live-stream= 20 Viewer hours

50 viewers are watching a 30 minute live-stream= 25 Viewer hours

If you have not recorded your live-stream and are just streaming it to your viewers, only your streaming data is getting consumed. If you plan to record your live-stream and make it a VOD, expect your viewer hours to increase and your streaming bandwidth and storage to get consumed. Therefore, viewer hours increase when:

• People are watching live broadcasts
• People are watching recorded content (VOD)
• Content is uploaded
• Content is downloaded to the library

In order to save your data, you may want to reduce your bitrate and other settings. This article is a guide on how to change your streaming settings to conserve data quota. You can also:

• Restrict your audience via making them register before watching
• Set up Pay-Per-View or a PayWall
• Delete your recordings

Viewer hours also depends on the quality of the content you are live-streaming or recording. This quality is measured using Video Bitrate & Audio Bitrate .

Video Bitrate – bit per second metric of streaming video content

Audio Bitrate – bit per second metric of streaming audio content

We measure Bitrate in kbps (kilobit per second) or mbps (megabit per second). Each subscription plan shows the total viewer hours if one were to stream content in SD or in HD.

SD or Standard Definition- 600 kbps video bitrate and 64 kbps audio bitrate

HD or High Definition – 1200kbps video bitrate and 128kbps audio bitrate

SD is the recommended option, offering a high quality streaming experience for your viewers as well as more economical. However, some content may need to be streamed in HD , such as Sports or Gaming events.

Higher Quality Broadcast= More Streaming data used

When you record an event or upload a video, that is when you use up data. The storage space depends on what content you store. For example, you have purchased the Family Plan and have 2 GB of storage. If you have 1 GB worth of videos saved, you will have 1 GB of storage remaining throughout the months you are subscribed to the plan, until you delete the 1 GB worth of videos. 

Ideal plan for your streaming business

Family plan.

“I am a Pastor at a Church and I plan to live-stream Sunday Mass 4 times a month to 50 people. Each Sunday, there will be a one hour service”

50 Viewers x 1 hour x 4 weeks = 200 Viewer Hours

*Calculated in HQ- will be consuming 54 GB of Streaming data

“Which plan do I need? I am a Zumba instructor and have recently set up a website where I want to broadcast my sessions in HD using WpStream. With two classes a month at an hour each and 20 clients,  I wish to record my sessions and offer them to my viewers after the live-stream.”

20 Viewers x 1 hour x 2 weeks = 40 Viewer hours

Recorded Sessions in HD- 2 GB

*Calculated in HD- Consuming 24 GB of Streaming data

Team Plan 

“Hi, I am the CEO of a company and I wish to organize a product launch live-stream for all the employees in my company in a couple of weeks. The premier will be 2 hours long and I have 200 employees in my company. Which plan is the ideal one for me?”

200 Viewers x 2 hours x 1 (one time)= 400 Viewer Hours

*Calculated in HQ- Consuming 126 GB of Streaming data.

“Hi, I own a club and due to Covid, I had to stop welcoming party-goers. However, I had an idea of working with DJs and artists to live-stream their performances. Every Friday night, our theme is “Can’t Stop the Party” and I am expecting about 100 people to join an hour of fun. What plan is suitable for this?”

100 Viewers x 1 hour x 4 weeks = 400 Viewer Hours

*Calculated in HQ- Consuming 126 GB of Streaming data

Friends Plan

“I run a yearly movie festival and I wish to live-stream the event via your platform. The festival is quite popular and we expect to sell around 500 tickets. The festival live stream is for one day for 3 hours and it will become a Video-on-Demand, available for a year. Which plan is the most appropriate?”

500 Viewers x 3 hours x 1 time = 1500 Viewer Hours

18 GB of Storage data for storing it for a year *Calculated in HQ- 740 GB of Streaming data

“I would like to ask what plan would be best for a gaming competition? The live-stream will include 5 gamers and run for two hours. I want the best possible quality for this stream since 200 people will be watching. Please help.”

200 viewers x 2 hours x 1 time = 400 Viewer Hours

*Calculated in HD- 834 GB of Streaming data

 Fans Plan      

“I work for a sports network and there is a football match coming up that will be broadcast nationally and hopefully internationally using your live-stream platform. We are expecting around 1000 viewers and the match will take about 2 hours.”

1000 Viewers x 2 hours x 1 time = 4000 Viewer hours

*Calculated in HD- 3 TB of Streaming data

“There is a concert that I would like to broadcast for around 2000 people and it will last approximately 2 hours. Which plan is the most appropriate to purchase?”

2000 Viewers x 2 hours x 1 time

*Calculated in HQ- 2 TB of Streaming data

Beatrice Tabultoc

Beatrice is the digital marketing go-to at WpStream. She manages all things social media, content creation, and copywriting.

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Live-Streaming for Business: How, When, and Why You Should Use It

Live-streaming is one of the best ways to reach your target audience, as well as engage with additional people who only recently discovered your company.

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Technology has taken over the art of communication. The first television was invented in 1927 ; today, it’s possible to watch a live event on a palm-sized device using the internet. In a study done by Livestream, 81 percent of audiences watched more live videos in 2016 than in 2015. Additionally, more than 80 percent of respondents now prefer live videos over blog content and social media posts.

You no longer need a fancy satellite and heavy television set in order to watch a live event on the other side of the world. With live-streaming being so accessible, anyone with access to a mobile device and the internet can go to YouTube, Facebook, or a number of other sites and enjoy a live video. This technological advancement enables companies to reach a huge audience base around the world, improve exposure, and boost sales. In this article we’ll cover why you should use live-streaming, and when and how you should use it.

Why Use Live-Streaming for Marketing?

It Encourages Trust and Transparency

People prefer to buy from brands they trust. Customers generally associate trustworthiness with quality and excellent service. One way to build trust with your audience is by creating a live video to showcase company transparency.

A stellar example of using video to portray transparency is Patagonia and its “ Footprint Chronicles ” project. In this video series, they showcase each step of the supply chain process. If any part of the manufacturing process needs to or could improve, Patagonia openly admits to it directly and invites feedback and ideas from customers.

Your company can follow Patagonia’s example. Use live-streaming to show candid moments and processes, or other ways you can magnify your company’s transparency to audiences outside of your consumer base. When you share your stream on social media, your posts could earn positive comments or a lot of likes, both of which further the impression of a trustworthy brand.

It is Cost Effective

One of the best aspects about live-streaming is that it’s cost effective. Before it was invented, most businesses relied on television and broadcasting to showcase live reports or videos. This was, of course, costly: Estimates for a one-minute commercial aired on television in Los Angeles, for example, is roughly $17,000 .

Today, any business with a strong internet, a high-definition camera, and a social media account can broadcast live. Many popular sites, like YouTube and Facebook, allow users to broadcast live for free, though there will likely be advertisements. For companies wanting a more professional investment in live-streaming, services run a few hundred dollars per month depending on the level of service.

It Encourages Engagement

Because of social media, it’s easy for companies to get feedback from customers and fans through likes, favorites, and comments, especially on your live-streaming video. Facebook reported that “people comment more than 10 times more on Facebook Live videos than on regular videos.” Dunkin Donuts saw massive success with its first live video on Facebook: “It generated nearly 40,000 views and more than 5,000 interactions on social media.”

It Can be Shared Easily

Recent data gives estimates of 1.65 billion active social media users worldwide. About 95 percent of active social media users ages 18 to 34 follow a brand with a social media account. With live-streaming, you can reach out to and engage your customers. Take Buzzfeed for example: This website actively makes use of Facebook Live to promote its news.

Social media makes up a majority of digital marketing campaigns, especially because it allows for easy sharing. It’s all about quick, repeated exposure to both your audience and people who are similar to the members of your primary audience. Facebook helps live videos see more exposure by showing when a user’s friend reacts to or makes a comment on a stream, as well as by suggesting live-streams. Furthermore, once the live-stream has concluded, the broadcaster can save the video and post it to their Facebook page.

One company hosted a small live-streamed event: Twenty people watched. Then they posted the video to their page and asked viewers to share the video, and 16 did. Thanks to the shares, “the live stream had a total reach of over 3,000 people and over 800 views.” Use the sharing options on social media, ask your followers to share, and you can use your live-stream to help expand your audience.

It is Entertaining for Viewers

There’s something about a live-stream that people enjoy. It makes them feel like they are in the middle of the action and part of an active, engaged audience. From exotic animals giving birth to sports events, concerts, interviews, and special events, live-streaming allows your viewers to feel like they’re in on the action. Viewers can feel a sense of camaraderie , especially in the comments section, and get in on the action with contests, polls, and when their comments and questions are acknowledged by the presenters.

The Best Situations for Live-Stream Videos

Customer Service

One of the best ways to use live-streaming is to help solve customer concerns . SocialMediaToday recommends making appointments with customers and walking them through a process or demonstrating a product or service. You can also beta test new offerings live to a pre-selected group of customers, who can give your reps immediate feedback. Using live video for customer service makes your customers’ lives easier and can also give them a good impression of your brand. The more personal the interactions your customer service representatives have with the people they serve, the better.

Updates, Announcements, or Demonstrations

If you want to introduce a new product or announce breaking news about your company’s future, there is no better way than doing it via live-stream. This encourages real time engagement with customers and future prospects. Give regular customers or subscribers exclusive access to live-streamed videos of your event before the general public in order to solidify the connection and demonstrate appreciation, as well as adding incentive for viewers to tune in. Furthermore, live-streaming is great when you can give demonstrations of your products and services. For example, demoing a product allows the audience a quick and visual understanding of how to properly use it, having viewers respond gets their questions answered instantly.

Live Events

The most common type of live streaming is during events. Show your viewers what is happening and give them a preview of the topics that are being covered. A common practice for conferences is to record speakers, presentations, or anything of relevance to the audience. Combine this with live-streaming and connect the video to social media so viewers feel like they are there in person.

Concerts are another event that practices live-streaming. Coachella, for example, allows you to feel like you are in the middle of the action. Live-streaming helps your brand get exposure without sounding like an advertisement, which is more likely to earn engagement and shares from your viewers.

Behind the Scenes

What’s it like to work for your company? How is your product made? What’s your process for designing packaging for a new product? Live-streaming works as a great introduction to the behind-the-scenes action at your company. This type of video enhances your brand’s trust and transparency with customers.

The Grammy Awards hosted a behind-the-scenes stream to massive success: It lasted nine hours and reached 7 million view sessions. For an event this large, it took 100 people to make the live-stream happen. However, it’s important to ensure your live video doesn’t introduce your viewers to any company secrets or compromise your relationship with vendors. A professional football player used Facebook Live to share his team’s excitement after a victory, only to incur a fine after finding out he’d violated the NFL’s social media policy.

How To Use Live-Streaming in Your Marketing

Always Have a Plan—And Back-Up Plans

As a part of your marketing plan , create a strategy for your live-streaming campaign. It should feel impromptu: The less staged a video, the more appealing for the viewers. When you film, keep everything natural. It also pays to be flexible with your plans. Spontaneity is a big factor when live-streaming, so if an unexpected event occurs, welcome it! Doing so humanizes your brand and makes you more relatable.

Connect with Influencers

Live-streaming better connects viewers to the influencers or personalities who represent the brand. Tough Mudder , a company that promotes sports and extreme races, live-streamed a training event with fitness expert Coach T. Mud. Those who knew about Coach T. Mud were able to connect with him and feel like an active participant. Additionally, introducing a larger audience to Coach T. Mud was a great way to get people to participate in a race because it featured an actual personality to embody the brand.

Live-streaming is one of the best ways to reach your target audience, as well as engage with additional people who only recently discovered your company. Through these interactive videos, it’s possible for you to break the barrier between your brand and its customers by allowing them to have an avenue where they can see a more human side to your business. When you create your marketing plan, be sure to consider using live-streaming as one of your strategies.

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How to Watch 'Fallout' Online: The Video Game-Inspired Series Starring Walton Goggins Premieres Tonight

Pop open the Nuka-Cola, sit back and relax, because you can watch the new 'Fallout' series early.

Gamers, rejoice! The  Fallout  series based on the beloved Bethesda video game is finally premiering this week.

Originally slated to premiere on April 12, Prime Video has moved up the Fallout premiere date to today, April 10 at 6 p.m. PT. It has all the characters you know and love from the video game including everyone's favorite pup, Dogmeat. You'll find vault dwellers, ghouls and the Brotherhood of Steel surviving in a post-apocalyptic wasteland in Prime Video's newest series.

Watch 'Fallout' on Prime Video

Forced out of their fallout shelters, vault dwellers will now see if they have what it takes to make it in Fallout 's post-nuclear hellscape. All 8 episodes of the series drop to Prime Video tonight.

Plans starting at $8/month

Fallout stars  Walton Goggins  — known for his roles in The Unicorn , The Righteous Gemstones and Justified. Goggins is joined by Disjointed 's Aaron Moten and Yellowjackets'   Ella Purnell . Goggins plays The Ghoul, a human transformed by radiation, who has flashbacks to his former life. Moten takes on the role of Maximus, a Brotherhood of Steel member protecting the Commonwealth. Purnell plays Lucy MacLean, a vault dweller forced out of her underground shelter to the stark, destroyed world above.

Goggins  spoke with ET about making his character The Ghoul sexy, "We wanted him to be kinda sexy, you know? With a deep dark tan." The talented actor brings the troubled man to life, giving us one of our favorite nose-less characters since Ralph Fiennes ' Voldemort.

While announcing the series on April 8, Goggins also gave fans the exciting news on X (formerly known as Twitter) that they can watch all episodes of Fallout a day earlier than originally scheduled.

The tweet was captioned, "The end of the world is coming, just a little sooner than expected. FALLOUT, now arriving April 10 @ 6 p.m. PT."

Below, find everything you need to know about how to watch the new Fallout series online.

When does Fallout premiere?

Fallout was originally scheduled to premiere on April 12, but then was advertised to release on April 11. Now streaming even sooner, Fallout premieres tonight, Wednesday, April 10 at 9:00 p.m. ET/6:00 p.m. PT.

Where to watch Fallout on streaming:

Fallout is a Prime Video original series, so it will stream exclusively on Amazon's streaming service, Prime Video. All eight episodes of the first season will drop tonight, Wednesday, April 10 at 9:00 p.m. ET or 6:00 p.m. PT.

Watch on Prime Video

Amazon customers with a Prime membership will automatically have access to the Fallout series, however, Amazon also has a stand-alone membership option that allows subscribers to access Prime Video for just $9 per month compared to the $15 per month for a Prime membership.

Sign Up for Prime Video

What is Fallout based on?

The new Fallout television show is based on Bethesda's popular Fallout video game series. In Goggin's ET interview, he discussed how the show creators used the games' plotline as a guidepost but still used creative freedom when adding to the Fallout canon.

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Solar eclipse 2024: Follow the path of totality

Solar eclipse, what you need to know to watch monday's total solar eclipse.

The NPR Network

A stunning celestial event is visible across the country Monday, when the moon crosses directly in front of the sun: a total solar eclipse. For those in the path of totality, there will be a few brief moments when the moon completely covers the sun and the world becomes dark.

Traveling for totality? Skip ahead.

This will be the last chance to catch a total solar eclipse in the continental U.S. for about 20 years, so here's what you need to know to safely enjoy!

When is the eclipse?

April 8, 2024 there will be a total solar eclipse that crosses from the Pacific coast of Mexico through the United States.

What is totality and why it matters

According to NASA , totality will start around 11:07 a.m. PDT/1:07 EDT in Mexico and leave Maine at around 1:30 pm PDT/3:30 pm EDT.

Here's what time the eclipse will be visible in your region

Check out this table for when the partial eclipse and totality are visible in each region or check by zip code here.

A partial solar eclipse will be visible across the contiguous United States, so even if you're not directly in the path, you should be able to see something special, weather permitting.

Unable to get to totality? We'll be sharing highlights here from across the NPR Network throughout the day Monday if you can't see it in real time.

Where to see totality?

More than 30 million people live in the path of totality for Monday's eclipse, and many more in nearby areas.

Here's what we know about Monday's weather forecast.

Why totality matters

As NPR's Neil Greenfieldboyce explains , "During a total eclipse, the sky darkens suddenly and dramatically . The temperature drops. Stars come out. Beautiful colors appear around the horizon. And the once-familiar sun becomes a black void in the sky surrounded by the glowing corona — that's the ghostly white ring that is the sun's atmosphere."

Eclipse Science

For april's eclipse, going from 'meh' to 'omg' might mean just driving across town.

A partial eclipse, while still a fun experience, is hardly as dramatic. Those with a view of the partial eclipse will see crescent-shaped shadows like those seen here in 2017.

How to watch safely

If you plan to look directly at the eclipse (partial or totality), you're going to need eclipse glasses handy because looking directly at the sun without proper protection ( traditional sunglasses don't count! ) can be harmful to your eyes.

The perfect celestial soundtrack to the total solar eclipse

As NPR's Joe Hernandez explains, "Proper eye protection must be worn throughout a total solar eclipse — except for the roughly 3 1/2 to 4 minutes when the moon fully obscures the sun, a brief period known as 'totality.' (You will need to take your glasses off during totality to actually see it.)"

If you don't have access to eclipse glasses, you can get crafty with things you have around the house ( like some of us did back in 2017!) More on that here.

Traveling for totality?

The celestial event is driving a ton of domestic travel to the path of totality. If you're headed out of town to view the eclipse, here are some NPR Network resources for areas in the path of totality:

Texas The path of totality crosses through the Lone Star State, with some areas expecting a possible influx of visitors in the hundreds of thousands to catch prime viewing. Our member stations across the state have gathered local resources to help you navigate the region and the eclipse!

• San Antonio: Check out the latest from Texas Public Radio
• Dallas: Explore KERA's coverage for the latest
• Austin: Head to KUT for the best local resources

Arkansas The eclipse will be cutting through the state, putting Little Rock in the path of totality. Check out Little Rock Public Radio for local resources.

The southwestern edge of the state will be well-positioned to witness the total solar eclipse this year. Kentucky Public Radio is covering the eclipse throughout the region, from Kentuckiana eclipse mania to the University of Louisville's free class about the celestial event. Keep an eye on WKMS for the latest local updates.

Missouri The southeastern corner of the state will be in the path of totality, crossing across towns like Whitewater and Ste. Genevieve. Head to St. Louis Public Radio for local coverage and resources. Illinois Carbondale seems to have won the eclipse lottery, being in the path of totality both in 2017 and for this year's eclipse . For resources from across the state, check out Illinois Public Media .

Indiana A huge portion of the state will be within the path of totality, giving cities across Indiana, including Bloomington and Indianapolis, prime viewing of the eclipse.

• Bloomington: Check out Indiana Public Media
• Indianapolis: Head to WFYI for the latest
• Fort Wayne: Just north of the path of totality, WBOI has resources for the Allen County area

Ohio The Buckeye State is getting bisected by this year's path of totality, plunging a number of the state's most populous areas into darkness for a few minutes on Monday.

• Cleveland: Head to Ideastream Public Media for the latest.
• Columbus: With the capital city just south of totality, head to WOSU for regional resources.
• Cincinnati: Totality will just miss the border town. Here are some tips from WVXU on how to navigate the eclipse in the region.

Pennsylvania Only the northwestern-most corner of the state will catch totality, with views from the lakeside in Erie being particularly well-positioned for a stunning viewing experience. WESA has more from across the region.

Plan to watch the eclipse from a wild mountain summit? Be ready for harsh conditions

New York Buffalo, Rochester, Syracuse and Plattsburgh will fall under the path of totality on Monday. If you're planning to travel to the region for the best views, here are some local resources to stay safe and informed:

• Buffalo: Head to WBFO for the latest
• Syracuse: WAER has more on plans in the Salt City
• North Country: NCPR has the latest from across the region, as well as information on local viewing events to check out

Vermont The Green Mountain State will see totality across its most populous region, including Burlington and Montpelier, as well as the Northeast Kingdom on the Canadian border. Vermont Public has everything you need to know to navigate your time in the region to enjoy the eclipse safely. New Hampshire The northernmost region of the Granite State will be in the path of totality, providing prime viewing to those in Coos County. NHPR has info on local events, travel updates as well as special coverage with New Hampshire Public Television. Maine The last state in the path of totality in the U.S., much of Northern Maine will be positioned for prime viewing. The rural region is preparing for an influx of visitors, and safety officials are encouraging visitors and locals alike to be prepared. Maine Public will be covering the eclipse and has everything you need to know to navigate the region safely.

How to document the eclipse safely

With the ease of cell photography , it can be tempting to reach for your phone to document the eclipse and the moments of totality, but make sure to do so safely.

As NPR's Scott Neuman explains , "For starters, you'll need to wear eclipse glasses or similar protective eye gear while aiming your camera or even just observing the eclipse."

Feeling ambitious? Here are a few more tips.

Or if you're not inclined to capture the moment visually, you lean into some other forms of creative expression. Indiana, for example, has named Linda Neal Reising the official poet in the state for this year's eclipse.

As former NPR reporter and eclipse superfan David Baron shared with Life Kit , viewing totality "[is] like you've left the solar system and are looking back from some other world."

So consider focusing on being present in the moment to enjoy the celestial spectacle.

More resources to enjoy the eclipse

• Sharing the eclipse with tiny humans? Check out these kid-friendly total solar eclipse learning guides from Vermont Public's But Why, and this great explainer from KERA Kids on the difference between a solar and a lunar eclipse.
• Want to see how a solar eclipse alters colors? Wear red and green on Monday
• Plan to wander into the wild for the best view? Here are some tips from outdoor experts.
• Tips from Bill Nye on the best ways to enjoy the eclipse.

NPR will be sharing highlights here from across the NPR Network throughout the day Monday if you're unable to get out and see it in real time. NPR's Emily Alfin Johnson compiled these resources.

• 2024 eclipse

Frustrated Dollar Tree shoppers threaten to ditch the store after it announces $7 items

• Dollar Tree customers say they'll shop at Walmart  and elsewhere as the store adds more expensive items.
• The retailer said in March that some items would cost up to $7. 
• Despite some higher-income shoppers, many dollar-store customers are still on a tight budget.

Dollar Tree is adding items with prices as high as $7, causing customers to question whether shopping at the dollar store is even worth it anymore.

Everything at Dollar Tree was a single price for years: $1, then $1.25. That helped it stand out from Dollar General , which has sold merchandise at various price points for years.

Now, as Dollar Tree strays from its traditional pricing strategy, customers are considering shopping elsewhere.

Scott Kolack, a shopper at a Dollar Tree store in West Palm Beach, Florida, told the local TV station WPTV that if items were to go up to $7, "that'd be too much," adding: "I'd rather just get everything at Walmart."

In the weeks since the $7 price announcement, some Dollar Tree customers have commented on the company's Instagram posts expressing their displeasure.

"$7 dollar store!! Not shopping with y'all no more," one comment on a March 25 post reads.

"$1.25 was acceptable, but $7?" another commenter wrote a few days later. "We might as well go to Five Below , Family Dollar, Dollar General. Don't be surprised when business depreciates."

Related stories

Dollar Tree didn't immediately respond to a request for comment from Business Insider.

The higher prices aren't coming to all Dollar Tree stores right away. CEO Rick Dreiling said earlier this year that a selection of about 300 items, which are priced from $1.50 to $7, was being rolled out to 3,000 Dollar Tree locations. The company operates about 8,000 stores under the Dollar Tree brand, as well as a similar number that uses the Family Dollar name.

Last year, Dollar Tree started experimenting with prices as high as $5. The more-expensive products included items that the retailer's executives said they hadn't previously been able to offer, such as frozen waffles and coffee creamer.

Some shoppers have flocked to dollar stores to save money as inflation has pushed prices for many consumer goods higher. Dollar Tree has even said it's noticed more customers who make six-figure incomes stopping by its stores.

But one Dollar Tree store manager in Minnesota — who worked for the company for a decade and a half before leaving in 2022 — told BI that many other less-affluent Dollar Tree customers were likely to be turned off by the higher prices.

The manager recalled that many customers bought fewer items after Dollar Tree's 2021 decision to increase prices to $1.25.

"Your average sale should actually go up a little bit if they're paying more," the manager said, adding that he instead noticed people counting at the registers and saying: "Oh, geez, I'm at $5 already. That's only four items."

"A quarter don't sound like much, but when that's the people you're catering to, it is a lot," he said.

Do you work at Dollar Tree, Family Dollar, Dollar General, or another retailer and have a story idea to share? Reach out to this reporter at [email protected]

Watch: The surprising reason millennial parents are miserable

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When and where the solar eclipse will be crossing the U.S.

A total solar eclipse will grace the skies over North America on Monday, one of the most hotly anticipated sky-watching events in recent years.

Weather permitting , millions of people in Mexico, 15 U.S. states and eastern Canada will have the chance to see the moon slip between Earth and sun, temporarily blocking the sun’s light .

The total solar eclipse will be visible along a “path of totality” that measures more than 100 miles wide and extends across the continent. Along that path, the moon will fully obscure the sun, causing afternoon skies to darken for a few minutes.

Follow live updates on the solar eclipse

In all other parts of the continental U.S., a partial solar eclipse will be visible, with the moon appearing to take a bite out of the sun. Exactly how big a bite depends on the location.

The first spot in North America that will experience totality on Monday is on Mexico’s Pacific coast at around 11:07 a.m. PT, according to NASA .

After moving northeast across Mexico, the eclipse’s path travels through Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Missouri, Illinois, Kentucky, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York, Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine. Slivers of Michigan and Tennessee will also be able to witness totality if conditions are clear.

In Canada, the eclipse will be visible in parts of southern Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island and Cape Breton, at the eastern end of Nova Scotia.

The timing of the eclipse and the duration of totality varies by location. Most places will experience around 2 minutes of darkness, but the longest periods of totality are typically in the center of the eclipse’s path.

This year, the longest stretch of totality will last 4 minutes and 28 seconds in an area northwest of Torreón, Mexico.

Below is a list of timings for some U.S. cities along the path of totality, according to NASA .

• Dallas: Partial eclipse begins at 12:23 p.m. CT and totality at 1:40 p.m. CT.
• Idabel, Oklahoma: Partial eclipse begins at 12:28 p.m. CT and totality at 1:45 p.m. CT.
• Little Rock, Arkansas: Partial eclipse begins at 12:33 p.m. CT and totality at 1:51 p.m. CT.
• Poplar Bluff, Missouri: Partial eclipse begins at 12:39 p.m. CT and totality at 1:56 p.m. CT.
• Paducah, Kentucky: Partial eclipse begins at 12:42 p.m. CT and totality at 2:00 p.m. CT.
• Carbondale, Illinois: Partial eclipse begins at 12:42 p.m. CT and totality at 1:59 p.m. CT.
• Evansville, Indiana: Partial eclipse begins at 12:45 p.m. CT and totality at 2:02 p.m. CT.
• Cleveland: Partial eclipse begins at 1:59 p.m. ET and totality at 3:13 p.m.
• Erie, Pennsylvania: Partial eclipse begins at 2:02 p.m. ET and totality at 3:16 p.m. ET.
• Buffalo, New York: Partial eclipse begins at 2:04 p.m. ET and totality at 3:18 p.m.
• Burlington, Vermont: Partial eclipse begins at 2:14 p.m. ET and totality at 3:26 p.m. ET.
• Lancaster, New Hampshire: Partial eclipse begins at 2:16 p.m. ET and totality at 3:27 p.m.
• Caribou, Maine: Partial eclipse begins at 2:22 p.m. ET and totality at 3:32 p.m. ET.

Other resources can also help you figure out when the various phases of the eclipse will be visible where you live, including NationalEclipse.com and TimeandDate.com .

If you plan to watch the celestial event, remember that it’s never safe to look directly at the sun, including through binoculars, telescopes or camera lenses. Special eclipse glasses are required to safely view solar eclipses and prevent permanent eye damage.

Denise Chow is a reporter for NBC News Science focused on general science and climate change.