How do I start a live stream on the Locals app?

Live stream enables creators to create a post that contains a video stream and chat that occurs in real-time so supporters can watch and chat with the creator and other supporters in the community, usually centered around a topic or purpose, i.e. a Q & A session with the creator.

How to create a live stream post on the app

1. Launch the app and go to your community page. Tap the "+" symbol and select the "Live Stream" button.

2. You'll be brought to the live stream post set up, where can enter a the Title and description. Tap the gear icon to access the Live Stream settings.

3. Here you'll be able to toggle the different settings for the the live stream on or off. You'll need to scroll down to see all the options:

• Supporters only - If you want to enable supporter only for a live stream, please refer to the section below called "Mid-Stream Supporter Only"
• Allow post tipping - You'll only see this option if tipping is enabled in your community, toggle on if you want to allow members to tip the post.
• Pin post - When enabled, pins the live stream to the top of the newsfeed.
• Add to Content - You can choose to automatically add the live stream video to the Content library to make it easily accessible to supporters, after the live stream has broadcasted and processed.
• Schedule this Live Stream - if you want to go live now, then don't tap this setting; if you want to schedule this live stream to go live later, toggle this setting on and then set the date/time you want to broadcast.
• Notify Members - Send out an email notification to your members; if you're a team member, this also includes push notifications.
• Thumbnail - You can upload a custom thumbnail to appear on the video after the recording or use the default thumbnail (if you've uploaded one), or if you have not uploaded anything, your live stream videos will use your community icon as the thumbnail by default.

3. Once you've enabled your desired settings, tap the x to exit the options screen and enter a title/description for your live stream. When you are ready, tap "Go Live" (the live stream won't actually start until you've reached the final confirmation screen)

4. When you have your device positioned and are ready to start, tap "Start Stream."

You'll get a final confirmation screen before the stream starts. If you want to go back and make any changes, click cancel. Otherwise, make the final confirmation and start the live stream by tapping "Yes, Start".

How to start a scheduled live stream

1. Go to your newsfeed and tap the + button, select "Live Stream" just like mentioned above to start an unscheduled livestream. Enter your title and description, then tap the gear icon to go to the live stream options.

2. Scroll down and toggle on "Schedule this Live Stream" and you'll see 2 fields appear where you can select the date and time (scheduled live streams have to be at least 10 mins in advance). Times are based on EST.

3. After entering the desired date and time, exit the stream options (by tapping the "x") and when ready, tap "Schedule."

4. After tapping Schedule, the live stream post will be posted in the newsfeed with a banner that shows everyone when the live stream is scheduled to go live, along with an active time counter.

5. You can then come back to the post when it is time to start the live stream. If you come back before the start time, you will not be able to start it until it's time. Supporters are free to chat on the live chat before the video stream goes live. Once it's time, tap "Start Stream." Even if it's past the start time, it won't start until you've initiated it.

Live Stream Controls

There are few things to note on the stream screen once you start a live stream:

Tapping the x on the top right corner will exit full screen mode, where you'll still see most of the same options but in different locations, and instead of a chat overlay there will be a chat tab and a comments tab (the chat tab is the live stream chat, the comments tab is for comments on the actual live stream post in the newsfeed).

When a live stream ends

When you are ready to end the live stream, tap "End stream" and you'll get a 2nd prompt to confirm you want to end it. If you are sure, tap "Yes, End."

Once the stream ends, the live chat will become unavailable and your live stream will start to process into a video that can be replayed by members who missed the live stream. The live stream video will act as other content videos and can be placed into playlists later.

Mid-Stream Supporter Only

When you are live streaming, among the icons on the right side of the screen you will see a padlock. Selecting this icon will enable the mid-stream supporter only feature. Initially when you start the live stream, it be visible to all members. The supporters only toggle allows creators to switch mid-stream into a locked stream, prompting non-supporters to support in order to continue watching and participate in the stream. This is great if you're looking to only provide exclusive content on Locals while streaming on multiple platforms.

The toggle will be available to switch on 30 seconds after you've started your live stream, but you can turn it on anytime after this.
Once you've enabled the mid-stream support only toggle, all non-supporters viewing the live stream will have 60 seconds to support before they are cut off (so make sure you wait until the countdown ends to start talking about your exclusive content). You will see the same countdown as the members so you know when it's officially enabled.

As for non-supporters, they will see a countdown prompting them to support before the countdown ends. (Existing supporters are unaffected, they will see the live stream as is and without interruptions)

Once the countdown ends, they will be locked out of the video and live chat.

When you end the stream, once the replay is available, non-supporters will be able to view the free portion of the live stream as a preview and will also be prompted to support if they want to watch the entire replay.

Updated on: 06/10/2022