Live Streaming Best Practices
Tips for lighting, audio, and presentation to create professional streams.
1Lighting Setup
Good lighting is the single most important factor for professional-looking streams. Poor lighting makes products look dull and unprofessional.
Good Lighting
- • Face a window for natural light
- • Use a ring light at eye level
- • Soft, diffused lighting
- • Light from the front
Avoid
- • Window behind you (backlit)
- • Overhead ceiling lights only
- • Harsh shadows on face
- • Mixed colour temperatures
Budget-Friendly Setups
Face a window during daylight hours. Natural light is flattering and free.
Ring light with phone holder. Great for mobile streaming.
Softbox or key light setup. Professional studio quality.
2Audio Quality
Viewers will tolerate imperfect video but poor audio makes streams unwatchable. Invest in audio before upgrading your camera.
Microphone Options
- Wired earbuds: The mic in your phone earbuds is better than your laptop mic
- Lavalier mic: Clips to your clothing, great for movement
- USB microphone: Best quality for desktop streaming
Audio Tips
- • Stream from a quiet room with doors closed
- • Turn off fans, air conditioning, or noisy appliances
- • Soft furnishings help reduce echo
- • Test your audio before going live
- • Position mic close to your mouth (6-12 inches)
3Camera & Framing
Modern smartphone cameras are excellent for live streaming. Focus on framing and stability rather than expensive equipment.
Camera Options
- • Smartphone (rear camera is best)
- • Laptop webcam (decent for starting)
- • External USB webcam (1080p+)
- • DSLR/mirrorless with capture card
Framing Tips
- • Position camera at eye level
- • Leave headroom above your head
- • Fill the frame (not too far away)
- • Use landscape orientation
Stability is Key
Shaky video is distracting. Use a tripod, phone stand, or prop your device against something stable. Even a stack of books works in a pinch.
4Background & Environment
Your background should be clean and on-brand without distracting from your products.
Good Backgrounds
- • Plain wall in a neutral colour
- • Tidy retail space or showroom
- • Branded backdrop or banner
- • Styled shelving with your products
- • Professional backdrop cloth
Avoid
- • Messy rooms or visible clutter
- • Busy patterns that distract
- • Windows (causes backlighting)
- • Areas where people walk behind you
5Internet Connection
A stable internet connection is essential for smooth streaming.
Recommended Speeds
720p streaming:
5+ Mbps upload
1080p streaming:
10+ Mbps upload
6Pre-Stream Checklist
Run through this checklist before every stream:
- Camera positioned and stable
- Lighting set up and tested
- Microphone connected and tested
- Background tidy and presentable
- Internet connection tested
- Products ready and in order
- Phone on silent / notifications off
- Water nearby (streams can be long!)
7Common Mistakes to Avoid
Looking at the screen instead of the camera
Eye contact builds connection. Look at your camera lens, not your face on screen.
Holding products too close or too far
Find the sweet spot where products are clearly visible. Practice before going live.
Rushing through products
Give viewers time to see and consider each item. 2-3 minutes per product is typical.
Ignoring chat messages
Engagement drives sales. Acknowledge viewers and answer questions promptly.