At a glance

Livestreams, if you have a stable internet connection, are free and easier than many think - and you can make sure it reaches your audience by using our Youtube channel.

What is Livestreaming?

Livestreaming is where you broadcast your event, live, so others can watch your event without needing to be there in person. Often livestreams are also used as a permanent record of the event.  

Why would you want to?

Livestreaming helps people participate in your event even if they can’t make it in-person or just brings your event to a wider audience in real time - and for all time.

What do you need to live broadcast your event?

• A stable internet connection

• A laptop with a webcam and microphone OR a smartphone with a camera and microphone

• A Google (gmail) account. 

Tip: Remember to licence your video Creative Commons

Setting up a basic free live stream in <30 minutes 

WHEN STARTING THE HANGOUT: Set up your laptop / phone close to the speaker.

1. If you click the “screenshare” icon on the left of the screen, you can click on which video-stream (i.e. window) you’d like displayed during the call.

2. Tip: To display slides, or a talker without other people's video being present on screen head to the cameraman icon and set the third option to Yes.

3. Tip: Prioritise sound over video quality.

4. To display slides elegantly in a hangout can be tricky, but once you know the steps it’s easy. The steps for Powerpoints on most devices are:

   • On your Powerpoint, go to “Slide Show”, then “Set up Show”

   • A new window will open. Change your “Show Type” to “Browsed by an individual (window)”. Click ok.

   • Make the slideshow fullscreen. It should now just be in a window.

   • Go back to your Google hangout. Find the screenshare option.

   • From the Screenshare selector, chose the window which shows the Powerpoint in full screen.

   • You can now go back to your slideshare and navigate the presentation.

5. Test your stream. To do this have someone watch the stream and make sure sound and video are coming across as expected.

   • You can change how loud people are on the control panel, as well as mute people.

   • Tip: If you’re alone just have the edit screen open while you do all this in another tab. There you can see the stream quality and learn your way around how the cameras work.

6. Broadcast your link to the world

7. Run your event, When you're finished just click the “stop broadcasting” button.

   • Tip: If someone’s connection dies, if someone else is present the livestream it will keep on going.

   • The youtube page can take comments and questions, check it regularly.

8. After the event check your video

   • The video will already be online

   • Check it to make sure it starts and ends in the right place - this can sometimes get messed up.