So, you’ve decided to jump into the world of live streaming, and you’ve chosen Kick. Great choice. If you’ve heard about YouTube Live, Twitch, and Facebook Live, Kick is right in that same ballpark with a focus on keeping creators happy and content policies clear.
Let’s get you set up and streaming with minimal frustration and maximum fun.
Getting Started with Kick
Creating an Account
First things first, you need an account on Kick. Head over to their website, hit that shiny sign-up button, and fill out your details.
If you’ve signed up for anything before, you’ll manage this part just fine. Nothing particularly special about this step.
Finding Your Stream Key
Once you’re in, navigate to your Creator Dashboard. Here’s where the magic happens. Find your stream key and server URL. You’ll need these to go live.
Don’t share it with anyone unless you want them to stream on your behalf, and that’s rarely a good idea.
Setting Up OBS Studio
1. Download and Install OBS
OBS (Open Broadcaster Software) is the go-to for many streamers. It’s free, it’s powerful, and it’s surprisingly not a pain to use. Download OBS from their official site and install it. If you’ve installed software before, you’ll breeze through this.
2. Inputting the Stream Key
Open OBS Studio and head to the settings. Find the “Stream” section and select “Custom” from the service dropdown menu. Now, enter the stream key and server URL you got from your Kick Creator Dashboard. Easy peasy.
3. Adjusting Output Settings
Kick supports a maximum resolution of 1920×1080 and a maximum bitrate of 8,000kbps. Head to the “Output” tab in OBS and set your video bitrate accordingly.
Ensure your internet connection can handle this – nothing can ruin a stream like that annoying buffering animation.
- Resolution: 1920×1080
- Bitrate: 8,000kbps max
- Frame Rate: 60fps max
- Bit Rate Type: Constant Bit Rate (CBR)
4. Testing Your Setup
Before going live, do a test stream. There’s nothing worse than going live to find out your mic isn’t working or your video is lagging. Stream to an unlisted channel or use OBS’s built-in recording feature to check everything.
Choosing the Right Equipment
Recommended Camera
For a quality stream, you need a quality camera. Something like the OBSBOT Tail Air 4K PTZ is a solid choice, and I often use mine for different tasks. It connects wirelessly, shoots in 4K, and has AI tracking capabilities. Fancy, right?
It’ll keep you in frame no matter how much you move. Now it is a bit pricy, but if you want to do everything the right way, you’ll have to invest some money into it.
Going Mobile with Streamlabs
Setting Up Streamlabs
If you’re a fan of streaming on the go, you’ll need the Streamlabs app. Download it, grant microphone and camera access, and head to the settings to set up Custom RTMP.
Enter your Kick stream key and server URL here, too. Voila, you’re mobile streaming.
Monetizing Your Kick Streams
Kick Creator Program
Kick’s monetization options are pretty sweet. You’ll need to join the Kick Creator Program to start earning. Here’s how you can make some cash:
- Donations: Viewers can throw money at you because they love your content.
- Memberships: Offer exclusive perks to your die-hard fans.
- Affiliate Marketing: Promote products and earn commissions.
Revenue Split
Kick is generous, giving you 95% of the revenue from subscriptions. That’s almost all of it. You need at least 75 followers to become a Kick affiliate. Get those followers, and you’re on your way to making bank.
Going Live
Setting Your Stream Title and Category
From the Creator Dashboard, set your stream title and category. Make it catchy. No one wants to click on a stream titled “Untitled Broadcast.” Once set, press the “Start Streaming” button in OBS.
Ending Your Stream
When you’re ready to call it a day, click the “Stop Streaming” button in OBS. Your stream will go offline, and the replay will be saved to your channel page. Easy.
Regenerating Your Stream Key
Lost your stream key? No worries. Head to the Creator Dashboard, click “Reset,” and you’ll get a new one. Crisis averted.
Special Notes for Mac Users
Encoder Settings
Mac users, pay attention. Ensure your encoder is set to x264 to enable CBR when streaming on Kick. It’s a small setting, but it makes a big difference.
Final Thoughts
Streaming on Kick is straightforward once you’ve got the hang of it. From setting up your account to going live and making money, Kick offers a creator-friendly platform with transparent policies.
Follow these steps, and you’ll be streaming like a pro in no time. Remember, the most important part is to have fun and engage with your audience. Now, get out there and show the world what you’ve got.