Traffic Thursdays | 5 Reasons Why I Wish I Could Skip Straight To Live Video

If you can’t see the soundless video above, it means UStream is down.

Sorry about the delay. I went over to UStream, which we’re going to talk about shortly when I get to tools, and I got caught up because the recorded video interface is fixed. All the video messages I sent within their system are live, and I was really excited, especially since I had no makeup on.

And if I played my cards right, the video above is of “Pillow Talk with Tinu” a message I sent to a pal of mine who has a show over there. Of course the sound doesn’t appear to be working, but that was on my side.

Back to the lecture at hand.

I’m about to tell you something, a free tip I could (and probably will) write a whole book on. If I had any advice for you right now, it would be that if you want to be popular fast, and you’re technically savvy enough, skip straight to live video. Record it and put it up on YouTube, etc, and you’ve massacred two pigeons with one rock.

To keep things short (I could write on this forever) let me just give you five reasons.

1. I believe that people are going to be more willing to see commercials when watching a live stream. That means this could become a revenue model.
2. Cheaper point of entry. The most you need is access to an audio and video capable computer with a web cam. On Google Products I saw one for $8. On Amazon I see the ones in stock as cheaply as $17.

   With the free and/or cheap broadcasting helpers we’ll discuss today, you can be on air in a few minutes, and you don’t have to worry about design, or the layout of the video, or editing things together. You do a live show, you hit record. Bam, you’re done.

3. Fast. It took me a while to realize I’d have to use the USB setting for my built-in Mac camera, but from there, I had my first video on in less than a minute. I’m camera shy though, at least until I get better, so the no-makeup video you see above is the best you’ll get out of me.
4. People can’t seem to resist something that is being broadcast live. You have to involve your audience, but it’s a blast. And with the instant community some of the recent tools bring, finding viewers isn’t the problem – it’s tuning off so you can get some sleep. Which we’ll talk about another day.
5. Messing up is part of the fun. If you make a mistake and it’s funny, YouTube it.

Now, because I’m camera shy right now, I won’t be able to go right to live video yet, at least not as myself. So what are your options if you realize how big live video is going to be and you want to be an early comer to the game?

Stay tuned. I’m not sleepy yet…