Kickstarter Live

Live streaming gives your backers a unique, transparent look into your creative process. It’s an opportunity to connect with your community directly and share some of the behind-the-scenes magic of your project.

Kickstarter Live is interactive: during the live stream, viewers can participate in a group chat, ask questions, send you selfie GIFs and even pledge to your project. Remember to engage with your viewers, chat with them, respond to their questions, and thank them for watching.





• Prototype demos

• Studio tours

• An AMA or an interview with the project team

• Counting down the last few minutes of your campaign

• Introducing new collaborators

• Exclusive performances

• Sneak peeks of artwork, gameplay, or film scenes

• Schedule your live stream at least a few days in advance. Give yourself ample time to promote it to your followers and fans.

• We’ve seen that Sunday through Thursday afternoons and evenings (in the timezone where you expect most of your audience to be based) are generally a good time to stream.

• Post a link to the sign-up page in your project updates, on your social media channels, in your newsletter, and on any other outlets you use to communicate with your audience.

• Don't just blast out that you'll be doing a live stream - Get specific. Mention that you'll be sharing exclusive, one-of-a-kind content that viewers won't get to see elsewhere.For example, "We’ll be sharing news about a brand-new reward tier!” or “Watch our first ever live product demo."

• Invite collaborators to participate as co-hosts on your live stream. You can have up to four broadcasters live at a time.

• If you’re anticipating a larger audience or it’s your first time streaming, ask a co-host to act as a moderator and to help monitor the question and chat windows.

• A countdown timer will appear on your project page 48 hours before the stream is scheduled to start. Encourage people to sign up to get a reminder before your live stream starts or to submit questions beforehand.

Be mindful of your background: You can go for a solid backdrop or consider showing off your artwork, studio space, sketches, etc., in the background while you’re streaming. Just remember to tidy up beforehand.









Avoid backlighting: Backlighting occurs when you position yourself with a bright light or window to your back and could make it difficult for your viewers to see you. Always face the brightest light source in the room, with your back to a darker area.

Illuminate your face: In addition to removing any backlighting, you'll probably still want some kind of fill lighting for your face. A small desk lamp pointed at your face will probably do the trick, to make you pop off the background. Or try sitting near a window or in a well-lit room.

Reduce external noise: Find a quiet space without a lot of traffic or activity. Eliminate as many sources of external sound as possible — and turn off the ringer on your cell phone.

Position the camera above your eyes: When you use a built-in webcam, it's looking up at you. Ideally, though, you want the camera positioned above you, so that you're looking up into the camera. Stack your laptop on some books, or check the positioning of your webcam to test out a good angle. Remember to make eye contact during the live stream.

Broadcast to Facebook simultaneously (beta) so viewers can watch live on Facebook too. Afterwards, your stream will automatically become a video on your page once the event is over. If you don't stream to Facebook, you can still share the replay link or upload the video file directly to Facebook as well.

• Approach your live stream like you're having a conversation with your closest fans or friends. Keep it upbeat and interesting.

• The reward and chat window will take up about 25% of the right-hand side of the screen. Position yourself accordingly.

• Pay attention to questions and comments that come in. Acknowledge people that pledge, send selfies, or ask good questions.

• Try to maintain eye contact with the camera and keep decent posture.

• If you hold something up to the camera, keep it there for at least 5-7 seconds so people don't miss it.