Live video streaming has rapidly grown from a niche use case into a mainstream staple of modern marketing. As per Insider Intelligence, 82% of marketers now use live streaming as part of their strategy.
And YouTube remains at the forefront. Over 2 billion logged-in users visit YouTube each month with over 500 hours of new video uploaded every minute (YouTube).
While public streams attract wider audiences, marketers are increasingly utilizing YouTube‘s private streaming capabilities for secure, invite-only video broadcasts with key clients, internal teams, event attendees, and other exclusive groups.
In this comprehensive guide, you‘ll learn how easy it is to live stream privately on YouTube in 4 simple steps:
Step 1: Access YouTube’s Live Control Room
To go live, click on your profile picture → "Go Live":
YouTube allows any desktop user to live stream through its platform, no subscribers or approvals required.
Simply go to YouTube and click on your profile avatar in the top right corner. Select Go Live from the dropdown menu:
This enters YouTube‘s Live Control Room – your central dashboard for managing your live broadcast.
Choose "Built-in webcam" when prompted:
Next, you need to select a stream source. The Built-in webcam option uses your device‘s microphone and front-facing camera for a quick, no-hassle setup:
The alternative is "Streaming software" like OBS or XSplit requiring third-party encoding programs with more customization options. As a beginner, however, your device‘s built-in hardware offers the easiest route.
Step 2: Change Visibility Settings to “Private”
By default, your live stream will be public – viewable by every YouTube user. Instead, limit access to invitees only with private streaming:
Click Edit → Scroll Down → Click Visibility → Select Private
Once you enter the control room, locate the Edit button in your stream summary containing title, description, etc:
Click Edit then scroll down to the Visibility option and select it:
Finally, under visibility settings choose Private from the available options:
- Public
- Unlisted
- Private (limits viewership to invited users only)
Select Private to make your stream accessible solely to invited guests.
Step 3: Send Invite Emails to Viewers
Add Emails → Check "Notify" Box → Click "Done”
After selecting “Private”, you‘ll be prompted to share access. Click Share Privately:
Then enter each viewer‘s email separated by commas. These email addresses will receive private access to join your live stream event:
Make sure notify box is checked so YouTube emails them invite links when live. Then hit done.
Checking that box is crucial! It means YouTube will automatically email access instructions to every address added once your broadcast begins.
Step 4: Save Settings & Go Live
Revisit Stream Setup → Click Save → Click Go Live
With visibility set to Private and your invites created, here‘s how to complete setup:
- Revisit stream title, description, category and other key details
- Click Save in the top right corner to retain visibility edits
- When ready, click the blue Go Live button (bottom right corner)
- Your private live stream will begin, automatically emailing invites!
Once you Go Live, YouTube immediately emails customizable viewing instructions to each address added. This grants them private access to your live stream event.
So in minutes you can be streaming securely to key clients and VIPs!
Bonus Tips for Quality & Engagement
Beyond the basics, make your private live streams truly shine by incorporating these best practices:
Optimize Video Quality 🎥
- Position webcam at eye level, angled down slightly
- Frame shot at torso level
- Use soft box lighting to eliminate shadows
- Consider lavalier mic for crisp, echoless audio
Promote Interactivity 🙋
- Remind attendees to enable webcams & mics
- Utilize live chat for questions
- Poll viewers and monitor responses live
- Enable screen sharing capabilities
Troubleshoot Issues 🛠️
- Close bandwidth-hogging browser tabs
- Disable other devices sharing your connection
- Reboot encoder software if crashed
- Switch audio inputs if echoing occurs
The Benefits of Private Live Streaming
As the data shows, live video performs exceptionally well for marketers when executed strategically with specific goals in mind.
But why go private instead of public?
Here are a few key reasons:
-
Secured Access: Limit viewership to only clients, internal staff, event attendees and other vetted guests
-
Exclusivity: Add prestige and enhance engagement through limited availability
-
Control: Maintain oversight of precise viewership numbers, analytics, conversations and content
-
Monetization: Potential to charge admission or membership fees for access
-
Compliance: Ensure privacy regulations, confidentiality constraints or secrecy requirements are met
So hosted correctly, private live streaming on YouTube can become an invaluable arrow in your marketing quiver!
The ability to live stream directly to select individuals makes YouTube a versatile hosting platform – perfect for marketers seeking security and exclusivity.
By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can easily privatize any YouTube live stream in minutes:
- Go Live from YouTube’s Control Room
- Change default Visibility to **Private
- Share Privately by adding invite emails
- Save settings and Go Live
Now put this into practice for your next product demo, virtual event, client presentation, media briefing, or even internal team meeting!
As online video consumption grows exponentially year after year, skillfully leveraging platforms like YouTube for both public and private streaming is key for marketers seeking an edge.
Have you live streamed privately on YouTube yet? How did you utilize this capability successfully? Let me know in the comments below!
