Create content, go live and get paid

Yuki He

Online video content creators are no longer just people who create elaborate scripts and play out well-rehearsed scenes on our mobile screens. Live Video has transformed content into spur-of-the-moment snippets that are fresher and more interactive. From the sensational singer to the captivating dub artist, people are showcasing their inner talents through live videos for more reasons than one.

Live video streaming has multiple ways of rewarding content creators. It offers people an outlet for their creative expression, a chance to communicate with like-minded individuals, and possibly network with more established creators. But the best and probably the most sought-after reward from Live Streaming is, of course, the money. 

The professional twist

In 2015, live video streaming took a professional turn, when Twitter launched a video streaming platform called Periscope. Hundreds of professionals took to Periscope in order to speak about their field and become 'industry experts' through live streaming. The latest development in live streaming occurred in 2017 when Facebook launched Facebook Live. Facebook Live and Instagram Live are similar platforms that allow users to send notifications about upcoming and ongoing live videos. They also allow real-time comments on videos. 

Earn while you record  

Earning cash by creating quality video content is now a well-established concept. Platforms such as YouTube allow people to upload videos, get subscribers, and eventually get paid through advertisements on their channels. However, the concept of earning through videos that are recorded live is fairly new, and there are both direct and indirect ways of monetising your live videos. Pay-per-view streaming is a direct method, while platforms such as DaCast and Vimeo allow you to earn money through subscriptions. In such a setup, content creators allow paid access to viewers for a certain period of time.

Popular streaming platforms such as Facebook Live allow monetisation through ad breaks, which are 10-15 second advertisements that stream during videos. To earn through Facebook Live ads, you must have a minimum of 2,000 followers and a live video audience of 300 members. Facebook Live notifies you when you become eligible for an ‘Ad Break’ while live streaming. On the other hand, Twitter’s Periscope allows users to earn ‘Super Hearts’, which are essentially virtual tips from viewers watching the video. 

India’s LiveMe is also a platform that pays users for showcasing their talent. All users need to do is to start earning cash is to generate a buzz on LiveMe. Hosts can create and stream live shows and get paid. The platform also allows fans to send virtual gifts to creators, which are redeemable via Paypal. For example, Rehaan Tamta, a regular LiveMe user, claims to earn Rs 15,000 from each of his videos. 

Finally, a great way to earn through live videos is through product marketing. Once you become a widely-appreciated face on live streaming platforms, you can begin tying up with brands that match the personality of your channel and stream videos of yourself using or talking about the product. Not only does this offer you a chance to earn through Super Hearts or Ad Breaks, but also to be paid by brands for social media mentions. 

Become a live video mogul 

It is one thing to know how going live can pay, and a whole other to become someone who would get paid for going live. Simply switching to the Live Video feature and hitting start won’t get you followers; you need to build an engaged viewer base before the earning process can begin. 

A content creator is under continuous pressure to create videos that have some significance in their viewers’ lives. While a video with poor content might go miraculously viral sometimes, you’ll need to constantly stay relevant to earn regularly through live video streaming. Once you crack that live video code, there’ll be no stopping the big bucks from rolling in. All you’ll need is for someone to hit play!

How the concept of live video went viral

The first live video platform was called Livestream and was launched in 2007. In the same year, in one of most notable uses of live video, Justin Kan, the founder of video streaming platform Justin.tv, strapped a webcam to his hat to live stream his life, a concept that would later be termed 'lifecasting'. 

YouTube started its experiments with live video in 2008 when it streamed a U2 concert from San Francisco. The website then proceeded to stream live sports broadcasts, including the 2012 London Olympics. Today, YouTube live streaming is available to every user who has a minimum of 1000 subscribers.

— The writer is CEO of LiveMe and Senior Vice President at Cheetah Mobile