Ever wondered what it would be like to share your life online? Well, people are doing just that – sharing their day-to-day experiences with an audience with IRL (In Real Life) streaming. This might be exploring a new city or trying out a new walking trial – no matter what you want to show, IRL streaming can help you bring people on the adventure with you.
In this guide, we’ll show you three important steps to get started with IRL streaming, with some little tips along the way.
What is IRL streaming?
IRL streaming lets individuals broadcast real-time personal experiences, daily activities, or events for a live online audience. Unlike conventional live streaming, which often revolves around specific content genres, IRL streaming offers a more unfiltered and spontaneous look into the streamer’s life. Some say it is a more personal way to share your life with your audience.
IRL streaming is all about authenticity, meaning content creators can share genuine, real-life moments with their audience. It goes beyond the structured format of traditional live streaming and offers a more personal and relatable connection between the streamer and viewers.
Live streaming culture, since the rise of platforms like Twitch, YouTube Live, and Facebook Live, has significantly impacted both individuals and businesses. The immediacy and interactivity of IRL streaming contribute to its popularity, with statistics indicating substantial growth in the number of viewers and streamers.
IRL streamers, who can often be found using the ‘just chatting,’ or ‘travel’ tags, such as Pokimane or NomadicGaijin, share their travels or simply their day-to-day living, and people from all over the world watch their journey.
The components of an IRL streaming setup involve essential equipment like cameras, encoders, and microphones. These elements contribute to delivering high-quality, engaging content, making viewers feel part of their journey.
Setting up your IRL stream: A step-by-step guide
Before you start your IRL streaming journey, you need to know these essential steps to make sure your stream is set up correctly and resonates with your target audience:
Choose your IRL streaming niche
A well-defined niche improves viewer engagement, aids content creation, and promotes community building. Popular niches are things like travel, outdoor activities, day-to-day life, and behind-the-scenes. The choice of niche influences various aspects of your streaming setup, from the type of equipment needed to selecting an appropriate streaming platform.
💡Pro tip: Choose a niche that you’re genuinely interested in. People love authenticity, and this will shine through in your live streams if you’re sharing something you’re passionate about.
Select the right equipment for IRL streaming
For beginners, you only need to think about the basic requirements right away, these include:
- A good quality camera.
- A stable internet connection.
- Audio equipment (microphone, headphones, etc).
- Video encoders.
As you progress, you might want to consider adding things like tripods, lighting, or IRL backpacks for on-the-go streaming.
Take a look at WpStream’s guide on the best streaming equipment for those looking to boost their streaming setups. You’ll see a range of options to suit different budgets, making it a great place to start your journey.
Choose the ideal platform for your stream
A live streaming platform is a video hosting solution that enables you to upload and share video content with your audience in real time. Think like live TV but online, allowing users to watch, create, and share videos instantly. You’ll find two primary types of live streaming solutions:
- Free platforms: Examples of free-to-use platforms are YouTube Live and Twitch.
- Professional platforms: These are more comprehensive, paid platforms like WpStream.
While free platforms have financial benefits and a built-in audience at your fingertips who already use the site, professional platforms offer greater control over your stream content and are typically more flexible. Make sure to consider user-friendliness, equipment compatibility, viewer experience, engagement, and monetization when choosing which platform is best for you.
WpStream is a great option for both beginners and experienced users.
It is compatible with any broadcasting setup, with support for anything from a laptop webcam to professional streaming hardware. WpStream offers complete control over your stream appearance and content as a white-label platform that enables you to stream directly from your own website. The platform also provides flexible monetization options to accommodate various strategies, coupled with scalable pricing plans suitable for both novice and seasoned streamers with large audiences.
With its versatility and user-friendly features, WpStream is an excellent starting point for anyone venturing into the world of IRL streaming. By choosing the right niche, equipment, and platform, you’re well on your way to creating IRL content that resonates with your audience and drives the success of your streaming journey.
⭐Bonus tip! Looking for ways to set up your IRL streaming journey? Check out these how-to steps for the best tricks of the trade.
Monetization and audience-building strategies for IRL streamers
Monetization for IRL streaming refers to the various ways content creators can earn money from their live streams. These monetization strategies include:
- Pay-per-view live streams: Charging viewers a fee to access exclusive live content can be a lucrative strategy for IRL streamers, offering a premium experience for dedicated followers.
- Subscriptions: Subscribers pay a recurring fee for access to special perks, badges, and exclusive content, providing a steady income stream for IRL streamers.
- Advertising: Integrating ads into your IRL streams allows for revenue generation, especially as your viewer count grows.
- Sponsorships: Collaborating with brands for sponsorships can provide additional financial support, with brands often seeking exposure to a streamer’s engaged audience.
- Donations: Viewer donations, whether large or small, contribute directly to an IRL streamer’s income, showcasing viewer appreciation for the content.
- Sale of merchandise: Offering branded merchandise, such as clothing or accessories, allows IRL streamers to monetize their personal brand and create additional revenue streams.
WpStream supports all these monetization models through integration with WooCommerce and other WordPress plugins, making it a great choice for IRL streamers aiming to capitalize on their content.
⭐Bonus tip! Here are some of our best audience-building strategies to get you started:
- Personal branding: Crafting a unique and relatable personal brand distinguishes IRL streamers in a crowded online space, making them memorable to viewers.
- Consistency: Regular and predictable streaming schedules help build anticipation among viewers, fostering a sense of reliability and commitment.
- Viewer engagement: Actively engaging with your audience through chat interactions, polls, and Q&A sessions creates a more immersive experience, fostering a sense of community.
- Collaboration with other creators: Partnering with fellow content creators expands your reach, introducing your stream to new audiences and creating mutually beneficial relationships.
- Targeting a niche audience: Tailoring content to a specific niche attracts viewers with shared interests, increasing the likelihood of building a dedicated and engaged community.
- Social media promotion: Using social media platforms for promotion extends your reach beyond the streaming platform, attracting new viewers and keeping existing ones informed and engaged.
Collectively, these strategies contribute to expanding an IRL streamer’s viewer base and encouraging viewer loyalty. By implementing a thoughtful combination of monetization and audience-building strategies, IRL streamers can transform their passion into a sustainable and rewarding online presence.
Start your IRL streaming journey with WpStream today!
As the demand for authentic content grows, IRL streaming stands out as a great way for creators to share genuine experiences. Starting your IRL stream is simple: identify your niche, gather the right equipment, and choose the perfect streaming platform.
For those looking for a platform that offers complete control over content, appearance, and setup, WpStream is the perfect choice. Compatible with any broadcasting setup, this white-label platform allows you to stream directly from your own website. With flexible monetization options, scalable pricing plans, and support for WooCommerce integration, WpStream lets IRL streamers turn their passion into a sustainable business.
Whether you want to share your GRWM (Get Ready With Me) routine or bring your audience on your next vacation, you can start your IRL streaming journey today by trying WpStream’s full feature set for free!
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