6 Steps to Create Your Live Streaming App
Given that the live streaming market is expected to reach $224 billion by 2028 – trust us, you would want a part of this thriving industry!
Are you a content creator looking to serve your audience in a better way? You don't have to change your content; you can simply change your mode of delivery. Simply going from pre-recorded content to streaming before a live audience can make all the difference.
In this blog, we’ve detailed 6 easy steps to create an effective live-streaming app that can transform the way you connect with your users. But first, let's understand what a live video streaming app is.
What is a Live Streaming App?
Live streaming apps are software that enables you to capture and transmit video at the same time. Apps like YouTube, Twitch, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and LinkedIn offer live streaming features on their platforms.
Besides these, there are third-party live streaming APIs and SDKs like MirrorFly, ApphiTect, and DaCast which let you create live videos and broadcast them as well as integrate features like real-time chat! All you need to do is create a custom live streaming app for yourself, using their third-party streaming SDK (Software Development Kit).
Let’s understand the benefits of both types of live streaming, one by one.
Top 3 Live Streaming Platforms for Creators
While there are several live-streaming platforms available today, with billions of users- these are our top three choices!
Twitch
Twitch is a video game streaming app used by gamers to live stream their gameplay to fellow viewers.
It keeps users hooked with features like live chat, tips, and viewers’ rewards- ideas that may help your app, too!
Instagram Live
Instagram has gone beyond a photo and video-sharing app. Developers have integrated a live streaming option- ‘Instagram Live,’ which brands, influencers, and individuals use for sharing real-time messages.
Creators from across the globe love Instagram Live for its unique broadcasting features such as scheduling streams, enabling live chat, moderating streams, or even inviting other users to go live with you!
LinkedIn Live
This professional networking site lets users and companies go live, interact in real-time with their audience, and answer questions.
With its advanced scheduling, auto-generated captions, chat moderation, and live chat features- LinkedIn Live has successfully grabbed the attention of worldwide users.
6 Must-have Features of Live Streaming App
While you can easily use these ready platforms for streaming your content and scaling your business- creating your own live-streaming app can help you do more! With the help of a third-party live streaming API, you can tailor the features you want to offer to your users.
We recommend you add these 6 must-have features to your live-streaming app:
Live Chat
This is an in-app chat for live-stream viewers. Live streaming API lets viewers connect and interact with their fellow viewers or streamers.
Polls
Real-time polls keep livestream viewers engaged. This is an effective way of ensuring continued interaction with your content.
Surveys
Surveys come in the form of a questionnaire. You can use them to gather information regarding the interests, expectations, and feedback of your users.
User Profile
Allow users to share their info and profile pictures with friends and subscribers. In addition, advanced features like white labeling, location, and content preferences can help tailor content to specific users who need them.
Extended Streaming Features
With advanced video streaming features, your users won’t just be passive viewers- they can actively engage with your live streams. Use filters, virtual backgrounds, and screen sharing to create exactly the kind of stream they want.
Notifications
Push notifications can help alert your viewers when your app publishes something new that matches their interest. This can significantly improve engagement.
6 Key Benefits of Live Streaming
Once you live stream your content, you can engage with your global audience in a new way and gain a competitive edge. Not forgetting that it also offers you larger creative space!
Besides these two primary benefits, live streaming can also help you:
Increase Your Visibility
Live streaming exclusive content on your app can give you more exposure. It encourages users to search for your content and tune in.
Strengthen Your Community
Live streaming can help build a strong community of users through real-time meetings and chats with streamers.
Analyze Your Insights
You can analyze your live streams' performance with metrics like click-through rates, downloads, etc., and use these results to improve your future broadcasting and content strategies.
Engage Your Users
With live streaming apps, you may engage directly with your viewers. As discussed above, features like chat, quizzes, and surveys are great for engagement. They offer you a chance to communicate and hear back from your viewers.
Monetize Your Content
Through live streaming apps, you can profit from hosting live streams. You can do this using paid ads, premium subscriptions, donations, and a pay-per-view model.
Brand Humanization
Regular live streams can also be beneficial for brands. As a business owner, you can easily humanize your brand or product and build stronger connections with your users.
Live streaming some behind-the-scenes videos or bloopers can help make your brand seem relatable to the users, which will enhance their trust in your products or services.
How to Create a Live Streaming App?
Now that you know the benefits of live streaming apps, let's dive into the 6 simple steps through which you can create your streaming app:
1. Determine Your Audience
The purpose of live streaming is to create and broadcast content for users—so it needs to appeal to them.
Identifying your audience will help you decide on the content and live-streaming API that fits those needs. You can test out a few content and formats and see what works. The idea is to listen to feedback on each content and stick to the ones your audience approves of.
2. Implement Monetization Strategies
You'll need to monetize your streams to make money off your app. Using multiple monetization strategies is the best way to reap the rewards of your hard work.
Here are a few methods you can mix and match:
Paid App: Charge a fee to download your app.
Freemium: Offer a free app download but charge users for access to premium content.
Advertisements: Feature sponsored content in your live stream or add static ads to your app's UI.
3. Solidify Your Tech Stack
Besides the regular language and database choices, your engineers will have to go the extra step to finalize a tech stack that fits a video streaming app.
Here are some choices you must make in collaboration with them:
Streaming Protocol: A video streaming protocol standardizes breaking a video stream into smaller, more easily transmittable chunks.
Streaming Platform: You need a platform that helps build an effective and reliable video delivery system. With HLS, you can create your livestream server from scratch. But if you want a ready-made platform, try Amazon Web Services (AWS).
Content Delivery Network (CDN): A good CDN ensures your app users can watch your live stream without buffering.
4. Design an Intuitive UX
After identifying your target audience and their needs, design a custom UI/UX that supports their viewing experience. Remember, in live streaming, less is more—and video should be the priority of your interface design.
5. Build and Test Your Prototype
Your team may have many ideas for your live video calling API. The best way to test them is to build a prototype.
A minimal viable product (MVP) is a lightweight version of your live streaming app. It has only the essential features needed to function. It's simple and intended to help your team gather feedback from Beta users.
6. Release, Promote, and Iterate Your App
After you have completed the first five steps, your live-stream app is ready to launch!
You must market your app to stand out from competitors. Next, track your app's performance metrics and KPIs. This will help you understand user behavior and improve the UX.
Creating your live streaming app is a straightforward process. All you must do is pay attention to the key components of what you want to offer, including what your audience approves of, and you’ll be fine!
Conclusion
While live streaming platforms offer several engaging features- you've seen a new solution for leveling up your live streams now.
A third-party live streaming SDK can help you create a comprehensive live streaming app that delivers custom streaming experiences.
Whether you are new to live streaming or looking for a change in platforms, third-party streaming APIs let you create your streaming app and reach a wider audience without any extra effort!
Consider a platform that gives you all the tools you need to build, integrate, and broadcast your content. The leading platforms in the business, such as Mirrorfly, have additional features like video recording and RTMP support, which can transform how you connect with your users. Try them out today!
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