Methods to generate leads from YouTube Stay
YouTube Live is a badly underutilized tool that should be in every marketer's arsenal.
It's easy to look at your live video options and think that Facebook is enough, but it's just not – let alone that Facebook Live isn't important. It definitely is.
But people watch YouTube for billions of hours every day.
This means that you won't be using YouTube Live as if you were holding a lottery ticket until it expires. You wouldn't do that, would you?
Live video is such an effective marketing method that I believe everyone should be using it.
Hence, I'm going to show you how to set up and use YouTube Live effectively to grow your business and convert viewers into leads.
The good news is you can start producing more effective live content in minutes.
But first, you need to understand how powerful live video can be for your business.
Why Use YouTube Live Video?
Live video has been around for a few years, but many marketers are still sticking to tried and tested digital marketing methods like blog posts and social publishing.
This means that if they neglect live streaming services, they are missing out on a huge stream of leads.
80% of people prefer to watch a video than read a blog post.
You will also find that 70% would prefer to watch their live video on YouTube.
Why aren't you using it yet?
Most likely, you've found that YouTube Live isn't quite the plug-and-play system that services like Facebook offer.
Facebook is easy!
Your audience is there so they definitely won't get any hatred from me.
You haven't hit that 70% demographics yet, however, so you can see where the room for growth is.
With YouTube broadcasts, there are a few more steps to take and then the problem arises of figuring out how leads are actually being operated.
Let's start with the setup, then we'll show you how to increase your Youtube leads.
How to use YouTube's live video
First, log into your YouTube account and find your live dashboard.
If you haven't created a YouTube account yet, this guide will walk you through the account.
When you're signed in, look for the Youtube broadcast button – it looks like a camera with a plus sign.
This will take you to YouTube Studio. However, you may not have access to the feature if you haven't verified your account.
Use your phone number to receive your verification code via text or automated call.
Then enter the 6-digit code:
Success!
Once you've checked, you'll see your YouTube Live dashboard.
Don't be overwhelmed.
There is a lot of information to digest and tweak. So I want to walk you through the key steps before we dive into the tactic you are going to use.
There are three ways to go live: mobile, webcam, and encoder. Here is the difference between the different types of YouTube broadcasts:
This is a step-by-step guide to setting up your stream and running live.
You start with the coding software, which is the biggest difference between YouTube and other popular streaming services. You need to find third party software to go live.
Encoders compress your video and audio into a format compatible with the YouTube platform.
The added benefit is that your content will be made available to the broadest possible audience. Whether your audience is on a phone, desktop, or tablet, they can see you!
YouTube has a recommended list of encoders that you can use to stream anything from your Wii U to your smartphone.
Note: You need at least 100 subscribers to go live on mobile devices. When you have less, consider getting a webcam.
If you want to stream some of your games, you'll need to use an encoder instead of live screen sharing on your PC.
The encoder you use will depend on your needs and you have a wide choice.
For example, let's say you want to record an interview-style video from your webcam. Easy enough.
You want to use an encoder like the open source system "OBS".
It's simple, intuitive, and free.
There are more flexible options, but this is a good introduction to YouTube live streaming.
A paid alternative would be something like VidBlasterX. Depending on which version you get, you can stream in HD and have access to reliable community support.
But let's install OBS to keep things moving. Download it and go through the typical installation process.
Then click through a few more boxes until you get to one that looks like this:
Make sure you optimize for streaming. If you accidentally click the other option, it won't be the end of the world, but you want to make sure that you're ready to get started with as little hassle as possible.
The next window to look for looks like this:
You need to make sure that you set your stream type to Streaming Services.
The service you use is of course YouTube. Also, you should make sure that you are on the primary YouTube ingest server.
Once everything is done, you can click back on your YouTube channel and get your stream key via the live stream dashboard.
You'll find my stream key is protected and there is a good reason for it.
You can actually stream on any channel you have the key to. So make sure your key is protected.
Now you've set up your encoder, but you're not quite ready to stream it.
You still need to add audio and video sources.
Otherwise, your audience will see an empty live stream while you search for things.
How do you add sources?
It is easy. At the bottom of your encoder you will see a toolbar that looks like this:
You want to click the plus symbol in the field to add your audio and video sources. The results look like this:
You can also share a variety of items such as pictures, text, or even screen shares.
However, before you hit play, make sure that your live stream information is optimized for your viewers.
Go back to your YouTube dashboard and scroll down until you see:
Enter the correct title and description of the information and set the category accordingly.
You probably don't need to mess around with the advanced settings just yet, so leave those for now.
After all of that, you're good to go!
On the right side of the encoder toolbar you will see a small menu:
The first option is to start streaming.
Click on it, then come back to YouTube.
If you did everything right, you will see:
That means you stream live!
Share the link on your dashboard to see how your audience grows.
How to Get YouTube Leads Using Live Videos
You set up YouTube Live, but now you need a strategy and content that can convert viewers into leads.
You still have to create actionable content or you will be wasting your time.
Any content you create depends on the resources you put into it. Video is no different.
In addition, creating videos is an effective way to provide thought leadership, educate users about your product, and promote social evidence.
But how do you do that with live video?
YouTube broadcast Option 1: have a celebration
Who says business has to be boring? You have a lot to celebrate!
Maybe it's your 10,000th customer, you've just hired your 10th employee, or you've been in the business for ten years.
Whatever the occasion, you can use live video to spread the celebration to the world.
How does this work?
It's pretty formulaic so I'll share it with you, then show you an example:
- Build excitement with announcements and social sharing.
- Schedule the event. Coordinate what to say and share to keep everything in order.
- Build an enthusiasm. Share stories, failures and successes. Build a relationship with your audience.
- Transmission. Go live!
- Post the highlights. Share your video with your followers in the following days and weeks.
Take this example from Results Fitness.
They built excitement with posts like:
They even shared a four-part series of posts featuring success stories of their gym members over the years.
Then they went live for the pre-party in front of their official flash mob to cause a stir.
The results?
They saw an immediate increase in membership after the event. Pretty cool right?
Just by sharing one big celebration, they were able to increase their bottom line and start their 17th year with a win.
YouTube broadcast option 2: interrupt
When your audience is used to reading your blog posts, live video will break up the pattern you created.
If you do the same thing every time, people will get bored.
If they're bored, your competition will find them and steal you.
Instead, surprise your followers with a live stream.
You will grab their attention like never before. You can also provide small details such as: B. include the office dog in your video to keep the momentum going.
A good example of this is when Jason Carr, a FOX 2 newscaster in Detroit, started streaming live from the back of a Cadillac on his way to a new job.
But his audience didn't know that he still had a new job! As Carr said, he was on his way to "unknown parts".
Only later did his audience realize that he was starting a new job to get to know his colleagues.
So use live video to pause and spice up this week.
YouTube broadcast option 3: involve viewers
When you go live, regardless of the reason, do your best to interact and respond to comments.
I saw a live stream once where a trusted professional was explaining a very technical and much debated topic.
But he ignored the comments.
It was so annoying to see how all the questions and inquiries went unnoticed and unanswered. I wanted to turn off the video.
What if any of these questions lead to a sale?
Even if you need a presenter to ask questions, it is worth engaging with your audience.
Or, you can promise to go back and answer any unanswered questions after the fact.
Your goal is to keep the conversation going. Doing so will give you the opportunity to demonstrate your knowledge and area of work and attend future live events.
YouTube broadcast option 4: get personal
Your audience wants to connect with you. That means your live video shouldn't be stuffy and formal.
Find ways to be open and honest about mistakes, or show them something cool about what you do every day.
Callaway Golf has a great example of a very personal live video. They decided to live stream a tour of the office of famous golfer Arnold Palmer.
They displayed some really cool memorabilia like this honor jersey and a whole wall of golf clubs.
What a cool way to keep things personal, right? If you keep it real, your audience will listen to what you have to say.
Being open and honest about mistakes you've made will get people interested in you more.
Statements like “I tried to rely on blogging only, and it nearly killed my business. I want to share with you … "are golden.
They show a security flaw. Your audience will love the ups and downs and ask you to share more.
YouTube Broadcast Option 5: Offer private access
Our final way to generate interest in your YouTube Live event is to share something so cool that your audience just needs to be a part of it.
Send a rocket into space.
SpaceX is using YouTube Live services to broadcast the highly anticipated rocket launches, including the launch of Elon Musk's Tesla Roadster into space.
There's nothing more exciting than getting to T-minus for a minute and waiting for a rocket to shoot into space.
Why not give people direct access to this event?
To make it even better, SpaceX includes a simple timeline that shows you how far the rocket is from launch.
Isn't that just great?
I understand that you are unlikely to be launching missiles into space.
But you have your own exclusive and cool features to give your audience access to.
Start your new product launch or offer exclusive information and request an RSVP from your followers.
Do what you can to create a community around your live event and metaphorically take your brand into space.
Then go live and offer valuable, actionable content. Rinse and repeat.
YouTube Broadcast Option 6: Call Your Audience To Action
If you have traffic, why stop there? Keep the momentum going by asking your audience to do something.
As I was watching the SpaceX Live video, I noticed that just before takeoff, when the audience peaked, a little animation popped up that looked like this:
At the height of the anticipation, they asked me to like and subscribe! It was perfect and I had to share.
However, there are many ways you can get your audience to act.
A great trick that I love to use is a dedicated landing page for my live video.
I invite my viewers to visit this particular URL in order to receive something in return, e.g. B. advice or a helpful guide.
I also share this link in the video description and chat area to make sure they can find the correct link.
I do everything I can to keep my momentum forward. If people like your content, they will want more.
Keep your audience moving with well-placed calls to action.
Conclusion
If you don't use YouTube Live to generate leads, you are missing a powerful tool to grow your brand.
Even if you use other live streaming services like Facebook, you cannot reach the millions of viewers who flock to YouTube every day.
This guide will help you set up YouTube Live and start streaming in minutes.
Use your new live streaming capabilities to party with your community, and remember to keep your persona approachable and honest. Break your normal flow of content creation or give your fans access to an exclusive or memorable event.
Most importantly, don't forget your call to action. Your audience needs guidance, and it's up to you to give it.
What's your favorite way to generate leads when you go live?