YOU'RE GOING LIVE.
Thanks for joining me on the stream. Whether this is your first livestream or you've done dozens of them, this page will help you get connected, sounding good, and comfortable before we go live.
THE 60-SECOND VERSION
CHOOSE YOUR SETUP
You can join with surprisingly little equipment.
Join From Your Phone
A modern smartphone can absolutely work for the stream. This is the easiest option if you're traveling, at an activation, or don't normally create video content.
- Smartphone
- Wired earbuds or headphones with microphone
- Strong Wi-Fi or cellular service
- Something to hold the phone steady
- A reasonably quiet location
Join From Home
If you're joining from your shack, office or home, a computer gives you the easiest experience and typically the best audio and video.
- Laptop or desktop computer
- Webcam or built-in camera
- USB microphone, headset or headphones
- Chrome or another modern browser
- Ethernet or strong Wi-Fi
MOBILE: KEEP IT SIMPLE
If your phone can make a good video call, it can probably get you onto the stream. The biggest improvements aren't expensive gear — they're stable video, decent audio and good lighting.
Unless I specifically tell you otherwise, use landscape orientation. Livestream video is normally 16:9.
Prop the phone up or use a small tripod. A steady $20 setup usually looks better than an expensive phone bouncing around in someone's hand.
Wired earbuds are excellent. They put the microphone close to your voice while preventing the stream audio from feeding back into the phone.
Start with a full battery or keep the device connected to power. Streaming video uses considerably more power than normal phone use.
Silence calls and notifications before joining so an unexpected message or phone call doesn't interrupt your appearance.
Strong Wi-Fi is preferred. Cellular works when necessary, but avoid moving between Wi-Fi and cellular while you're live.
HOME / SHACK SETUP
Don't feel like you need to rebuild your shack into a YouTube studio. A laptop, headphones and a webcam are enough.
THREE THINGS THAT MAKE YOU LOOK & SOUND BETTER
1. Camera at Eye Level
Put your camera roughly at eye level instead of looking down at a laptop sitting on the desk.
A stack of books under a laptop is a perfectly legitimate camera accessory.
2. Light Your Face
Face a window, desk lamp or room light. Avoid sitting directly in front of a bright window because your camera will expose for the background and turn you into a silhouette.
Light in front of you beats expensive lighting behind you.
3. Get the Mic Close
Audio improves dramatically when the microphone is closer to your mouth. You do not need a broadcast microphone.
Cheap earbuds close to you often beat an expensive microphone across the room.
YOUR INTERNET CONNECTION
Livestreaming needs a stable connection more than it needs an incredibly fast connection. Consistency is what matters.
If possible, avoid large downloads, cloud backups or multiple household devices streaming high-resolution video while you're appearing on the show.
BEFORE YOU CLICK THE GUEST LINK
WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU JOIN
Open Your Private Guest Link
I'll send you a link before the show. This link is for guests and should not be posted publicly.
Allow Camera & Microphone Access
Your browser may ask permission to use your camera and microphone. Select Allow.
Choose Your Camera and Microphone
You'll normally get an opportunity to preview yourself and select your audio/video devices before entering.
You'll Enter Backstage
Seeing me or other guests does not mean you're live. I'll bring you onto the public broadcast when we're ready.
We'll Do a Quick Check
We'll verify your microphone, video and connection before your segment. If something isn't right, we'll fix it before you're on the air.
WHAT SHOULD YOU EXPECT?
The show is conversational. You don't need to memorize answers, prepare a presentation or worry about sounding like a broadcaster. You're here because I want to hear what you have to say.
We'll usually have a few minutes backstage to get settled before your segment begins.
You don't need to keep the show moving. That's my job. I'll ask questions and help move us from topic to topic.
Livestream viewers may ask questions or comment while we're talking. I'll surface the ones that are useful to the conversation.
Lose your train of thought? Mispronounce something? Need to correct yourself? Welcome to live television. Just keep going.
A FEW LIVE-STREAM BEST PRACTICES
- Don't worry about looking at yourself. Look toward the camera when you're speaking whenever it feels natural.
- Leave a tiny pause before answering. Internet conversations occasionally have a fraction of a second of delay.
- Avoid talking over another guest when possible. Livestream audio can't separate simultaneous conversations as easily as people in the same room can.
- Stay reasonably close to your microphone. You don't need to lean into it — just avoid drifting across the room.
- If you need to step away, tell me. I can remove your camera from the broadcast while you're gone.
- If your connection drops, don't panic. Reopen the guest link and come back. I'll keep the show moving.
SOMETHING NOT WORKING?
I can't access my camera or microphone.
Make sure your browser has permission to use them. Also close Zoom, Teams, Discord or any application that may already be using the device. Refresh the guest page afterward.
I can hear you, but you can't hear me.
Check that the correct microphone is selected in the guest controls and make sure the microphone isn't muted on the device itself.
I'm hearing an echo.
Put on headphones or earbuds and lower any speakers in the room. Echo normally happens when your microphone hears the show's audio coming from your speakers.
My video is freezing.
Move closer to your Wi-Fi access point, switch to Ethernet if available, and close other applications using your internet connection.
I accidentally disconnected.
Just use the same guest link and come back. There is no need to panic or message the audience — I'll keep things moving until you return.
Nothing is working.
Restarting the browser solves a surprising number of problems. If that doesn't work, reboot the device and reopen the guest link.
FINAL GUEST CHECKLIST
- Device plugged in or fully charged
- Headphones / earbuds connected
- Camera approximately at eye level
- Light in front of your face
- Correct microphone selected
- Correct camera selected
- Notifications silenced
- Other video apps closed
- Internet connection looks good
- Guest link ready
- Drink nearby
- Relax — we're going to have fun
DON'T OVERTHINK IT.
The best livestream conversations don't happen because everybody has
perfect cameras and studio microphones. They happen because interesting
people show up and have a good conversation.
I'll worry about running the show. You just show up and be yourself.