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The Guide to LIVE Streaming

The Guide to LIVE Streaming

Hosted by Ben Baldwin and Tara Stevens

Episodes

23

Latest episode

May 2025

Language

EN

About the show

"The Guide to LIVE" is your go-to weekly gathering for discussions on live streaming, guided by individuals who truly understand the essence of the craft. Let's be honest—mention you're a live creator, and you might as well be speaking another language to most people! Hosts Tara and Ben, a dynamic duo dedicated to the art and science of live streaming, bring you a lively session each week filled with humor and insights. With a roster of expert guests, including industry insiders and seasoned live streaming professionals, the show explores the ever-evolving world of live broadcasting. Whether it's a detailed analysis of Tap Through rates and microphone tech or a broader conversation on the live streaming industry's business side, "The Guide to LIVE" promises engaging content for anyone keen on mastering live creation.

Listen to episodes

12 recent
May 19, 202531 min

#46 Were Cavemen the First LIVE Streamers?

In this conversation, Tara and Ben explore live streaming as a dominant form of entertainment, particularly with the evolution of entertainment from ancient interactive forms to recent more modern passive consumption then back to more interactivity with live. The conversation delves into cultural roots that drive our desire for interactive entertainment.

March 31, 2025Episode 4526 min

#45 Avoiding TikTok LIVE Shadow Bans: 10 Things You Have to Know

Host's Tara Stevens and Ben Baldwin siscusses the intricacies of live streaming, focusing on the importance of understanding the craft, the concept of shadow banning, and the various factors that can limit a streamer's reach.  Chapters 00:00 The Craft of Streaming and Support05:40 Understanding Shadow Bans10:01 Factors Limiting Your Reach20:22 Top Violations Causing Limitations34:23 Navigating the Streaming Landscape

March 7, 202539 min

#44 Women Leading the Future of LIVE Streaming: She’s LIVE & In Charge

This week on the pod host Tara Stevens, CEO of blu shift creative, is joined by Sofia Poblano, ex-Head of Key Accounts at a TikTok LIVE UK and LIVE consultant, and ps.cirina, a LIVE pro, streaming expert, and operations officer at blu. Together, they explore the transformative power of live streaming, particularly for women. The discussion delves into personal journeys, the challenges faced in the industry, and the critical role of community support. They highlight the importance of cultural understanding in live streaming, strategies to prevent burnout, and the significance of self-love and authenticity. The guests also examine how technology has created new opportunities for self-expression and entrepreneurship, emphasizing the role of data in optimizing streaming success. With insights into evolving content trends, boundary-setting, and time management, this conversation offers valuable advice for aspiring female streamers looking to thrive in the ever-changing live streaming landscape.

December 11, 202441 min

#43 TikTok Ban: What to do and how to prep as a LIVE Streamer on TikTok LIVE

This isn’t about panic—it’s about preparation. Get actionable advice to safeguard your streaming business and thrive, no matter what happens.In this episode of the Guide to LIVE Streaming, Tara and Ben dive into the practical steps every LIVE streamer needs to take to stay resilient in the face of uncertainty—whether TikTok gets banned or not. Learn how to protect your connection with your audience, build a lasting community beyond any single platform, and avoid common pitfalls like chasing after shiny new apps without strategy. We’ll discuss tools and techniques to build direct contact with your audience, including CRMs, email lists, Discord communities, and more. Plus, we’ll explore why understanding your audience’s habits and diversifying your reach can give you more control over your career. Tune in and take charge of your future as a professional LIVE streamer.

November 17, 202427 min

#42 Secrets to Winning at Live Streaming

In this episode of The Guide to Live, Tara and Ben share insights on balancing preparation and spontaneity in live streaming, emphasizing the importance of planning a "run of show" to reduce stress and create engaging content. They recount the thrill of winning TikTok's Outstanding Content Award, explore the evolution of live streaming from its raw beginnings to a professional medium, and highlight the role of community in fostering authentic connections. With real-life examples, including working with hosts at the New York Comedy Festival event, they demonstrate how preparation elevates live content while leaving room for magic.

November 8, 202424 min

#41 Grow Your Stream: Should You Chase More Viewers or Longer Engagement?

In this episode of The Guide to Live Streaming, hosts Tara and Ben dive into the balance between nurturing a dedicated community and growing a broader audience, exploring why striking this balance can be one of the biggest challenges in live streaming. They examine creative ways for streamers to diversify their content while staying authentic and discuss how building a multi-faceted audience can bring new opportunities. They also answer a listener’s question on whether it's better to aim for high concurrent viewership or longer watch times, weighing the benefits for both engagement and monetization. To wrap up, Tara and Ben share tips on leveraging community-building tactics, reminding creators that growth doesn’t mean losing their core fans but rather expanding on what already works.

November 2, 202439 min

#40 Is LIVE entertainment what we're built to consume?

Welcome to The Guide to Live Streaming, where hosts Tara and Ben explore the latest insights and trends shaping the world of live content. This week, they’re diving into the evolution of live entertainment and how it’s paving the way for today’s streaming landscape. In today’s episode, Tara and Ben examine the power of real-time interaction, featuring examples like the reimagined Ringling Brothers Circus and the growing preference for live content. They ask the big question: Are people hardwired for immediate, in-the-moment entertainment? And could live streaming soon become the dominant form of entertainment? They’ll also share updates on Live Fest, now in full swing, and respond to a listener question from the UK. Join Tara and Ben as they break down what makes live content so engaging and why it just might be the future of entertainment.

October 18, 202442 min

#39 Could Brand Money Could Break LIVE Streaming?

In this conversation, Ben and Tara explore the evolving landscape of live streaming, discussing the shift from traditional mass media to individualized content and the rise of niche communities. They delve into the impact of brand sponsorship on LIVE content creation, the balance between viewer funding and advertising, and the future of monetization strategies in the live streaming industry. The discussion highlights the importance of community engagement and the unique challenges faced by creators transitioning to this new format. Takeaways The balance between advertising and viewer funding is crucial for sustainability. The future of live streaming may lean towards viewer-funded models. The entertainment industry is at a crossroads, with potential for significant change. Live streaming is a unique form of entertainment that allows for individualized content. Chapters: 00:00The Evolution of Education 06:48The Rise of Individualized Entertainment 09:22The Impact of Live Streaming on Content Consumption 11:49Community Building in Live Streaming 14:56The Shift from Advertising to Viewer Funding 17:35The Power of Niche Content 20:12The Future of Live Streaming and Brand Partnerships 23:22The Role of Creators in Shaping Content

October 15, 202429 min

#38 If it says LIVE it should be LIVE!

In this conversation, Ben and Tara discuss the evolution of podcasting and live streaming, highlighting the transition from live broadcasts to studio recordings. They explore the features of Streamlabs, a cloud-based software for live streaming, and how technology has made streaming more accessible. The discussion also touches on the cultural shift towards live streaming in mainstream media, the confusion surrounding the term 'live' in streaming contexts, and the importance of defining it clearly. They conclude with a light-hearted conversation about Halloween costumes, inviting community engagement.

March 11, 2024Episode 2629 min

#26 Confessions of LIVE experiments

Join hosts Tara and Ben as they navigate the ever-evolving and unpredictable landscape of TikTok and live content creation. FFrom the worry of sudden platform changes to the adrenaline of live streaming innovations, this episode is a rollercoaster of insights, anecdotes, and expert tips.Discover their journey from whimsical IGTV experiments to engaging TikTok live streams, exploring the power of community building, the art of captivating an audience, and the resilience needed in the face of bans and algorithm changes.Whether you're a seasoned live creator or just starting out, The Guide to LIVE offers an invaluable peek behind the curtain of live streaming success, infused with the humor, challenges, and triumphs that Tara and Ben have faced along the way. Tune in to be inspired, informed, and entertained as you embark on your own live streaming adventure.

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