5 lessons I learned from having a YouTube Livestream Show

Earlier this year, I started the Messaging Matters Show. I believe, you know, that your business message matters.

I did a YouTube show a few years ago called Copychat. It was fun, but it was lots of work, and I was not very good at video editing.

I recorded the show, uploaded it, and I had a little introduction.

This time I decided I would do my YouTube show as a livestream. I felt there were advantages to doing the show as a livestream.

I also gave it a new name and focus much more on copywriting and content marketing.

With that, I waded into the waters. As a result, I have filmed six shows with six fantastic guests.

I have one more scheduled for 2022 and may do one in December. As I head into 2023, I have some changes to make, including a new YouTube channel for the show.

Reflecting on the previous shows, I have noticed 5 lessons that I have learned.

Today, we look at five lessons I learned from having a livestream show on YouTube.

Let’s dive in.

1. Find a rhythm.

Find you a rhythm. Bonus points if you can spell the word.

One thing I realized early on is I needed consistency without doing too much. Because I decided on a livestream, I could do this once per month.

That schedule allows me to get a good number of shows during the year without running myself ragged trying to record interviews.

The goal is to get better and “geek out with friends” about things in which they are experts.

This pace should allow for 8-10 shows a year. I expect to take off a couple of months during and after the year-end holidays. Sometimes I may miss a show.

2. Your interview is only as good as your guest.

I have said this before and believe I will say it again. And again.

Your interview is only as good as your guest.

That being said, I am not afraid to get someone who has never been a guest before. I have had several people on my shows (previously Copychat) who had their first chance at being a guest.

The key is to get someone who knows their subject very well. I handpick people based on the subject and that I know they are good with that subject.

I believe these are people who can talk about their topic of choice for a half hour with no notes.

They need to help carry a conversation. A live show sometimes creates anxiety.

One of my guests said I put her at ease. I hope to put my guests at ease and let them be the star of the show.

It’s just best if you can have good guests, A+ guests, who know the topic backwards and forwards.

3. Talk about something you are interested in discussing.

Never pick your show topic — I’m talking about the big picture topic, the one thread throughout all the shows — that will bore you.

Pick a topic that will interest you.

I like to talk about anything that pertains to a business’ message. There are many various sub-topics that feed into that big picture topic.

We have talked about community (Disha Pegu), Brand Manifestos, Cookie Marketing (Ryan Waterbury), Testimonials with Sam Grover, having a style guide (Maddy Osman) and Google Business Profiles with Tricia Clements.

I am going to talk about reaching quality over quantity in your business blog in November.

The big picture thread, the one I chose, is one I am very curious about and hope to help other businesses have a clear, cohesive message.

4. Choose improvement. Just get started.

Okay, here I am trying to motivate you. Get started. You may not be waiting to start a livestream show, a podcast, or some kind of niche newsletter, but you have something in mind.

You just want to make sure it is just right before you launch. Maybe you have a checklist of 50 things to do.

Perhaps you are worried it will flop or no one will care.

Look, many of us have launched things that flopped. Yup, it happens.

Your best bet is to get started. Just start.

James Clear says,

“Having the courage to get started is more important than succeeding because the people who consistently get started are the only ones who can end up finishing anything.”

You can improve as you go. No one launches anything perfectly the first time unless they have done something hundreds of times and they have a team. Even so, they will probably have something go wrong.

Often it is better to launch and improve as you go. Stay consistent, get a rhythm, and make it happen.

So, get started.

5. Make your guest the star of the show.

Make sure your guest is the start. At least, that is my philosophy.

I know you may watch a show or listen to a podcast because of the host. When you really think about it, the reason you like the host is that they shine the spotlight on their guest.

Oprah did it.

Others have done it.

I want people to learn from my guest. I want my guests to come across as experts.

Sometimes your guest’s friends will listen to the show. That’s great!

If you hog the conversation and the light, you will show to future guests you do that to them too.

Make your guest the star of the show.

Wrapping it up

Starting a livestream video show or a podcast might not be on your list of things to do, but you surely have something you have been pondering.

Sometimes, it is more important to start and improve as you go.

You can always invite friends who will encourage you to be the first to watch, listen, or take part.

There is something special about starting a new project. It is like the day you go on vacation or the first day of school.

What is that one thing you have been thinking about starting? Let us know in the MainWP Users Facebook Group.