The isolation of worldwide quarantines is hitting all of us hard, but it’s been a particularly troubling time for artists and performers. For drag queens, DJs, comedians, musicians, and more, gig-based income has dwindled to nothing in many parts of the world, and filing for unemployment can’t make up for lost bookings.
As we adjust to this new reality, more performers than ever are moving out of the bars and into online livestreams, chatting with viewers, doing makeup and beauty tutorials, or singing. And as with tip-spots in bars, many streamers can earn income from viewers.
Drag queens in particular have been taking advantage of this relatively new platform. For the last year, a group of talented performers known as the Stream Queens have been broadcasting on Twitch, a leading streaming site. More recently, LA-based drag artist Biqtch Puddin organized a Digital Drag Show, and the Digital Drag Fest features high-profile Drag Race performers.
Whatever your art form, the barriers to start streaming are relatively low. I recommend starting with a simple chat stream — you can hold a casual conversation with viewers, do your makeup, perform a lip-sync, and exercise the on-stage hosting muscles that you normally flex at live events.
To get started, you’ll need a computer, a camera and microphone, an account on a streaming site, and streaming software. I’ve broken the setup process into six easy steps, followed by a handful of tips to add polish and grace. For a more in-depth walkthrough of each step, check out the video tutorial I posted on YouTube.
How do I get set up to livestream for the first time?
STEP 1: Get Comfortable
To start, position yourself someplace comfortable and well-lit. Minimize background noise and make sure you have a reliable Internet connection.
STEP 2: Join a Streaming Site
I like Twitch because it has features that let streamers cross-promote and build community. It’s easy to set up a Twitch account: just go to Twitch.tv and click “Sign up.” Make sure you pick a name that’s easy to find. You can also stream on sites like Mixer and YouTube; they have similar features but a less established base of viewers, so we’ll be using Twitch for this walkthrough.
STEP 3: Set up Your Stream
On Twitch, go to your Stream Manager to set up a title.
Then enter a Category. For a simple chat stream, pick “Just Chatting.” If you plan to do makeup, opt for “Beauty & Body Art,” and for music go for “Music & Performing Arts.” Twitch also has tags like “LGBTQIA+” and “Drag” that will help viewers find you.
Once your stream description is set up, go to your account settings and find your Stream Key. That’s a special code that lets you send video to your Twitch channel, so treat it like a password and never share it. Copy that key to your clipboard — you’ll be pasting it into some software in a few minutes.
STEP 4: Get Streaming Software
You’ll need software to send video from your camera to Twitch. My favorite app for that is called OBS — it’s free and reliable. Download and install it, and when it asks if you want to run an auto-configuration wizard, say yes.
STEP 5: Set up your Streaming Software
Use the defaults in the OBS auto-config wizard, and when it asks for your stream info, paste the Stream Key that you copied from your Twitch account. Let OBS verify your Twitch info, and you’re nearly ready to start.
