Ustream Help Center

Build an Audience
Provide a short description of what you are broadcasting and share that with Twitter and Facebook. This will send a link people can follow to watch your broadcast on their computers, mobile phones, tablets or web connected TV's

Ready to Broadcast

Press the Red Broadcast Button to begin broadcasting your video to Ustream

You're Live!! Now What?
Provided you are broadcasting something compelling and have activated your social networks you should start building an audience. You can track your viewer count in the top left of the application.

You will notice a few additional options on the screen you can use during your broadcast

• Camera Rotation Button - This allows you to flip between the rear and front facing cameras
• Torch Mode Icon - This button allows you to illuminate what you are broadcasting by turning on the phones LED light
• HQ - This button will be selectable if your bandwidth allows for High Quality broadcasting (Wi-Fi or 4G Hotspot)
• Polling Button - This button allows you to see the results of a poll if you ask your audience a Yes/No question
• Mute Button - This button allows you to mute the recording audio
• Share Icon - This button when selected allow you to share your broadcast to Facebook and/or Twitter. Great way to update your audience what you are broadcasting
• Chat Icon - This button allow you to see and interact with the Chat and Social Stream

When you are finished broadcasting press the red square button to stop the broadcast and select the 'Save Video' option. Title and provide a short description so people know what you recorded.

Taking your Mobile Broadcast to the next level
Gain Viewers
Encourage your audience to invite their friends and retweet to their followers. Spark the virality of your broadcast by encouraging others to help get the word out.

Engage with your Audience
Encourage your viewers to ask questions in the Social Stream or Chat module and press the Chat Bubble to see those comments. You can either verbally answer their questions, follow their directions or provide text based responses that syndicate out to Facebook and Twitter.

Shoot Great Video
Hold the camera steady and don't make frantic moves. Think of the camera as an extension of your own eyes and viewers will see what you show them so best to keep the motion smooth and steady.

You are the best zoom available. To be a good videographer you need to be able to go where the action is. Don't be afraid to move closer to the action when safe to do so. If you are not close enough viewers may not be able to see or hear what you are trying to film

You are the eyes, ears and often times need to be the voice explaining what is happening to your viewers. Compelling video should be supplemented with your verbal explanation of what you are filming and why the viewer should care. Remember if something was said that was difficult for you to hear chances are it was even more difficult for your viewers to here. Keep the conversation going by providing commentary of what you are filming. Read what your viewers are saying in the Social Stream and Chat and ask them if you are doing a good job or what they would like to see or hear.

OK I get the Basics how do I take this to the next level?

Mobile Phone and Data Packages

TIP: If you are going to be broadcasting a lot of video (Multiple Hours) it is probably a good idea to invest in an unlimited or higher tiered data package.

Mobile HotSpots

If you have an iPhone or other 3G smartphone you can buy a 4G LTE or WiMax mobile access point and create a
mobile Wi-Fi HotSpot to enable faster broadcast speeds. (Best Pick Sprint Overdrive 3G/4G Hotspot)

Extra Battery Power

Devices are getting thinner, faster and have bigger screens. This all means battery life is going to be an issue. You can look at purchasing extended batteries for your particular phone model or if you want some real staying power look at an external battery pack that continuously recharges your device while you are broadcasting. (Best Pick Energizer XP18000)

Once you select your channel you will see the camera preview and you're ready to start spreading the word and attracting viewers

Build an Audience

Provide a short description of what you are broadcasting and share that with Twitter and Facebook. This will send a link people can follow to watch your broadcast on their computers, mobile phones, tablets, or web connected TV's - See All Ustream Apps

Ready to Broadcast

Press the Red Broadcast Button :-)

You're Live!! Now What?

Provided you are broadcasting something compelling and have activated your social networks you should start building an audience. You can track your viewer count in the top left of the application.

Gain Viewers

Encourage your audience to invite their friends and retweet to their followers. Spark the virality of your broadcast by energizing others to help get the word out. Inform viewers of when you will be live (start/end) in advance. Talk to friends and family, Post to your Twitter and Facebook before, after and during your broadcast.

TIP: Always remember to include your channel URL whenever you promote your broadcasts!

Engage with your Audience

Ask your viewers to enter questions in the Social Stream or Chat module and press the Chat Bubble to see those comments. You can either verbally answer their questions, follow their directions, or provide text based responses that syndicate out to Facebook and Twitter.

Shoot Great Video

Hold the camera steady and don't make frantic moves. Think of the camera as an extension of your own eyes and viewers will see what you show them, so it is best to keep the motion smooth and steady. You are the best zoom available. To be a good videographer you need to be able to go where the action is. Don't be afraid to move closer to the action when safe to do so. If you are not close enough viewers may not be able to see or hear what you are trying to film.

TIP: Most modern smartphones come with a small LED light on the back of the device. You can activate this light by pressing the torch icon while broadcasting. This will illuminate what you are recording and works best when 3-5 feet from what you are trying to film.

You are the eyes, ears, and often times need to be the voice explaining what is happening to your viewers. Compelling video should be supplemented with your verbal explanation of what you are filming and why the viewer should care. Remember if something was said that was difficult for you to hear chances are it was even more difficult for your viewers to hear.

Keep the dialog with your viewers going by providing commentary of what you are filming. Read what your viewers are saying in the Social Stream/ Chat and ask them if you are doing a good job or what they would like to see or hear.

OK I get the Basics how do I take this to the next level?

Mobile Phone and Data Packages

TIP: If you are going to be broadcasting a lot of video (Multiple Hours) it is probably a good idea to invest in an unlimited or higher tiered data package.

Mobile HotSpots

If you have an iPhone or other 3G smartphone you can buy a 4G LTE or WiMax mobile access point and create a
mobile Wi-Fi HotSpot to enable faster broadcast speeds. (Best Pick Sprint Overdrive 3G/4G Hotspot)

Extra Battery Power

Devices are getting thinner, faster and have bigger screens. This all means battery life is going to be an issue. You can look at purchasing extended batteries for your particular phone model or if you want some real staying power look at an external battery pack that continuously recharges your device while you are broadcasting. (Best Pick Energizer XP18000)

Get out there and Ustream!

Check out this inspiring video from Tim Pool an independent citizen journalist who along with others have reached over a Million Live Views after streaming the events unfolding in New York as part of the Occupy Wall Street movement.