blogTV.com Tips & Tricks

 
           

TIPS & TRICKS FOR BLOGTV BROADCASTERS

Table Of Contents (Click on the topic you wish to review)

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
TIPS FOR LIVE BROADCASTING
TIPS FOR RECORDING YOUR BROADCASTS
TIPS FOR PROMOTING YOURSELF AND YOUR SHOW
TIPS FOR HANDLING THE HATERS
TECHNICAL TIPS

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

    HOW CAN I GET MORE PEOPLE TO WATCH MY SHOW?

  • After clicking on the "Start Broadcasting" button you can email all your friends, as well as import addresses from various email accounts, and twitter your show.

  • Embedding your live show on your personal websites or favorite community sites (i.e. FaceBook, YouTube, MySpace… etc) can be an amazing way to draw in viewers as well as make your profile page very distinctively your own. In order to embed your show, from the live broadcast, simply copy the code found above the list of usernames (in the live broadcast feature), labeled 'EMBED THIS LIVE SHOW.'
    It's an instant face lift to your personal pages!
  • We have also provided broadcasters with an embeddable link to virtually every social network and/or blogging site which can be accessed from the second window after clicking BROADCAST NOW.
  • Record a promo for your show and spread it everywhere. You can upload your promo to YouTube, Facebook and your Myspace page.
  • If you have a Facebook account, you can add the blogTV application and broadcast from there. This way, all your Facebook friends can automatically be included in your audience.
  • Don’t forget about digg, furl, del.icio.us, and spurl! If you have accounts on these sites, go directly there (to promote your show) by clicking on the fast links located under your recorded shows.


    • HOW CAN I GET BLOGTV TO NOTICE MY SHOW?

  • If you have a scheduled show that you think deserves attention, write to kara-hannah at community@blogtv.com. We may help promote your show on the home page and even mention you in The blogTV Weekly news!

    • HOW DO I KICK SOMEONE OUT OF MY SHOW?

  • (KICK) Click on the user's name once, and then click on the word, 'kick' - the user will be immediately booted from the show and will not be able to return for 15 minutes.


    • HOW DO I IGNORE PRIVATE MESSAGES DURING MY SHOW?

  • (IGNORE) You can choose to ignore the user who is private messaging you, by clicking the word, 'ignore' which can be found when you double click on a username and open a private message window.

  • (DO NOT DISTURB) If you do not want ANYONE to private message you, click on your own username from the user list and choose status>>Do not disturb from the options at the bottom of the username list.


    • IT'S HARD TO CONTROL THE ROOM ON MY OWN, CAN I HAVE HELP?

  • (OPS) Yes, you can grant operational privileges - this feature enables you to give other people in your room the power to kick and ignore others. You should only grant these privileges to users you know and can trust not to abuse the power. Click on the username and then on the words 'grant operational privileges.'

  • (CHOOSE WHO CHATS) You do not need to worry about verbal harassment in your chat room any longer, if you choose who is able to chat. In this feature, you simply click on the 'CHOOSE WHO CHATS' button and decide whether you want 1. 'Guests can't chat' 2.  'Guests can chat' 3.  'Operators only'

    1. If you choose not to allow guests to chat, then only registered users will be able to chat as usual.
    2. If you allow guests to chat, ALL VIEWERS will be able to chat.
    3. If you all Operators only, then you will choose who chats by awarding OPs (operational priviledges) to your friends only. This method will make sure no one harasses you during your show.

    * Be careful who you give OPs to. If you see that you are being harassed frequently, we suggest using the 3rd option so that only you can decide who speaks in the room.

    • HOW FAST DOES MY INTERNET CONNECTION NEED TO BE TO BROADCAST?

  • The maximum quality of a broadcast on blogTV requires a 600Kb/s upload internet connection. The maximum bandwidth usage of a downstream is approximately 1000Kb/s. That's why we recommend using a high broadband internet connection with at least 400Kb/s upstream, (512Kb/s and up recommended) for broadcasters and at least 1.5Mb/s download for viewers.

    • HOW CAN I BROADCAST ON THE GO?

  • In order to broadcast on the go you will need a laptop and an internet connection.
  • There are 2 options to get an internet connection when on the go:
    1. Use a mobile PCMCIA or PCMCIA Express card that connects to the mobile carrier. We have heard good things about Verizon EvDO cards. Once there will be UMTS (3G) and HSDPA (3.5G) coverage there will be a lot more cards out there for you to use.
    2. Connect to WiFi hotspots. There are several hotspots that offer free internet when you are on the go. Please verify when using such hotspots that the upload speed is at least 350Kb/sec. You can test your speed using sites such as: Speedtest.net
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TIPS FOR LIVE BROADCASTING

    WHEN SHOULD I BROADCAST?

  • Broadcast whenever you are available to chat and at least be visible on camera.


    • WHAT CAN I DO IF I WANT SOMEONE TO JOIN ME IN MY BROADCAST?

  • Invite a co-host. Broadcasts with co-hosts last longer and are usually more interesting.
  • Invite people to join your own broadcast. Ex) Bring friends over to join you, stop people on the street and interview them.
  • Visit other shows and make friends with the blogTV community, so that when you do have a broadcast, people will recognize your username and will want to come and support you.

    • HOW CAN I KEEP/DRAW PEOPLE TO MY SHOW?

  • Interact with your viewers, keep up with the chat, greet them when they join, say their names when you talk to them, ask them questions, answer theirs, create polls ("Where is the most interesting place you've been to").
  • Talk, sing, dance, express your feelings. Be active! Don't just sit there and type chat.
  • Look into the camera, not just into the computer screens – imagine you are a TV show host
  • this is just like looking into the eyes of your viewers.
  • Plan your show ahead of time, including the topics you will discuss, the games you will play, etc.
  • Post the current topic into the chat and change it when appropriate, so that newcomers can easily join in.
  • Make your show more dynamic by moving the broadcast to another room, changing something in the background, or changing the angle of the camera.
  • Add additional features/insert video clips to your broadcast by following these links:

    • Manycam.com
    CamTwist
    Webcammax.com

  • Welcome guests. They make your show more popular and may be future reg. users on your show.
  • Know the rules of the site. Do not broadcast nudity, sex, copyrighted television shows or movies, or if you are under the age of 18.

    • HOW CAN I KEEP PEOPLE COMING BACK TO MY SHOW?

  • Broadcast at a regularly scheduled time and let users know when your next broadcast will be.
  • Use the schedule feature in your show page:
    Click on "My Shows" then click on "Add" in the Schedule Box. From there you fill in which day and time you plan on broadcasting a regular show.

    • 1.
    2.
    3.


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TIPS FOR RECORDING YOUR BROADCASTS

    HOW CAN I MAKE MY RECORDINGS AS INTERESTING AS MY LIVE BROADCASTS?

  • Decide how long a recorded show will be before starting the broadcast.
  • Make a plan for the show that is going to be recorded (the beginning, middle and end, the development of the "story", etc.).
  • Decide on a topic. If the recording will be an episode of an existing show, start the show by saying something like "On the last show we talked about… and today we're going to talk about…"
  • While recording, try not to chat too much with your viewers, but keep an eye on what is going on in the chat.
  • If you chat with your viewers, remember to do it verbally, and not by typing, unless it is not relevant to the topic.
  • If someone is conversing with you on the chat or asking a question, repeat what he is saying verbally. For example: "Nunu is asking what I'm eating. Well, Nunu, I'm eating…"
  • Keep it short and interesting. Remember you are recording. It is very rare for people to watch a video on the internet which is longer than a few minutes.
  • If you believe that all of your recorded shows are excellent but you are out of space, please email community@blogtv.com and request more hours for recording.

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TIPS FOR PROMOTING YOURSELF AND YOUR SHOW

    HOW CAN I MAKE MY SHOW MORE EASILY ACCESSIBLE ON THE SITE?

  • Create Tags. Once you’ve created a show, make sure to appropriately tag it with most relatable words so that other users and newcomers can find your show easily.

    • HOW CAN I MAKE MY SHOW STAND OUT MORE ON THE SITE?

  • Create a show logo. This is great for branding and creates automatic broadcaster recognition.

    • HOW CAN I GET MORE PEOPLE TO WATCH MY SHOW?

  • After clicking on the "Start Broadcasting" button you can email all your friends, as well as import addresses from various email accounts, and twitter your show.
  • We have also provided broadcasters with an embeddable link to virtually every social network and/or blogging site which can be accessed from the second window after clicking BROADCAST NOW.
  • Record a promo for your show and spread it everywhere. You can upload your promo to YouTube, Facebook and your Myspace page.
  • If you have a Facebook account, you can add the blogTV application and broadcast from there. This way, all your Facebook friends can automatically be included in your audience.
  • Don’t forget about digg, furl, del.icio.us, and spurl! If you have accounts on these sites, go directly there (to promote your show) by clicking on the fast links located under your recorded shows.


    • HOW CAN I GET BLOGTV TO NOTICE MY SHOW?

  • If you have a scheduled show that you think deserves attention, write to kara-hannah at community@blogtv.com. We may help promote your show on the home page and even mention you in The blogTV Weekly news!

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TIPS FOR HANDLING THE HATERS

    IS BLOGTV A TROUBLE FREE ENVIRONMENT?

  • Although most of the members of the BlogTV community are here to have fun and make friends, there are always a few party poopers who try to spoil the fun for everyone else. Please read the following to find out how you can handle the trouble maker.

    • HOW DO I KICK SOMEONE OUT OF MY SHOW?

  • (KICK) Click on the user's name once, and then click on the word, 'kick' - the user will be immediately booted from the show and will not be able to return for 15 minutes.


    • HOW DO I IGNORE PRIVATE MESSAGES DURING MY SHOW?

  • (IGNORE) You can choose to ignore the user who is private messaging you, by clicking the word, 'ignore' which can be found when you double click on a username and open a private message window.

  • (DO NOT DISTURB) If you do not want ANYONE to private message you, click on your own username from the user list and choose status>>Do not disturb from the options at the bottom of the username list.


    • IT'S HARD TO CONTROL THE ROOM ON MY OWN, CAN I HAVE HELP?

  • (OPS) Yes, you can grant operational privileges - this feature enables you to give other people in your room the power to kick and ignore others. You should only grant these privileges to users you know and can trust not to abuse the power. Click on the username and then on the words 'grant operational privileges.'

  • (CHOOSE WHO CHATS) You do not need to worry about verbal harassment in your chat room any longer, if you choose who is able to chat. In this feature, you simply click on the 'CHOOSE WHO CHATS' button and decide whether you want 1. 'Guests can't chat' 2.  'Guests can chat' 3.  'Operators only'

    1. If you choose not to allow guests to chat, then only registered users will be able to chat as usual.
    2. If you allow guests to chat, ALL VIEWERS will be able to chat.
    3. If you all Operators only, then you will choose who chats by awarding OPs (operational priviledges) to your friends only. This method will make sure no one harasses you during your show.

    * Be careful who you give OPs to. If you see that you are being harassed frequently, we suggest using the 3rd option so that only you can decide who speaks in the room.

    • IT'S HARD TO CONTROL THE ROOM ON MY OWN, WILL BLOGTV HELP ME?

  • (MODS) Yes, blogTV has a team of its own moderators who watch the site around the clock to make sure that the rules are upheld and no one is being harassed. If a user you've kicked keeps coming back, or says anything particularly offensive or racist, you should notify the moderators. In order to call the moderators into your room, ask one of your trusted viewers to flag the room as inappropriate. The flag link can be found underneath the broadcast window.

    • HOW DO I NOTIFY THE MODERATORS THAT A BROADCASTER IS BREAKING THE RULES?

  • (FLAGGING) All registered viewers have the ability to flag a show, in order to notify the moderators that something inappropriate is going on in a show. Flagging may be used when a broadcaster is breaking the rules, but it may also helps to alert the moderators if a user is harassing the broadcaster or other viewers.
  • Another way of notifying the moderators is by sending a complaint about the user. You can send those to moderation@blogtv.com, and make sure that you include the exact username and a screenshot of the chat proving the user's inappropriate behavior.

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TECHNICAL TIPS

    WHAT KIND OF HARDWARE DO I NEED TO BROADCAST SUCCESSFULLY?

  • The site will work with Pentium 3/AMD K7 based computers and up (Pentium 4/Athlon XP and up are highly recommended). There's no need with any fancy video cards, a standard video adapter with 64MB and up is sufficient.

    • WHAT KIND OF CAMERA SHOULD I USE TO BROADCAST SUCCESSFULLY WITH?

  • Every webcam that supports 640x320 resolution and 25fps should suffice when broadcasting as long as you remember to illuminate the objects you are focusing on.
  • Make sure you have a webcam with a focusing mechanism, and don't forget to focus on the object before you start shooting.
  • You may also use a DV camera.

    • WHAT KIND OF SOFTWARE DO I NEED TO BROADCAST SUCCESSFULLY?

  • blogTV is designed to work with Firefox Mozilla 1.5/Internet Explorer 6.0 and up. For MacOS and Linux users, using Firefox Mozilla is recommended.

    • HOW FAST DOES MY INTERNET CONNECTION NEED TO BE TO BROADCAST?

  • The maximum quality of a broadcast on blogTV requires a 600Kb/s upload internet connection. The maximum bandwidth usage of a downstream is approximately 1000Kb/s. That's why we recommend using a high broadband internet connection with at least 400Kb/s upstream, (512Kb/s and up recommended) for broadcasters and at least 1.5Mb/s download for viewers.

    • HOW CAN I PRODUCE AN OVERALL HIGH QUALITY BROADCAST?

  • Things such as lighting, angles, background, sound with and without a co-host, etc., can help improve the quality of the broadcast tremendously.

    • HOW DO I GET THE BEST QUALITY PICTURE DURING A BROADCAST?

  • Always focus on yourself or the subject you are broadcasting.
  • Creating a setting or an interesting background can enhance your show.
  • Try to look straight into the camera for your viewers. A continuing side angle shot is usually not as interesting to watch.

    • HOW DO I GET THE BEST QUALITY SOUND DURING A BROADCAST?

  • After clicking "Start Broadcasting," you will see an Adobe flash settings box. In this box, adjust the appropriate volume level with the slider and check the "reduce echo" box. (If you need to go back to your settings, you can always right-click in your broadcasting screen and that will pull up the settings box again.)
  • Make sure you are not too loud or too soft for your viewers.
  • If you are co-hosting a broadcast, use headphones to correct any possible echo problems.

    • HOW DO I GET THE BEST QUALITY LIGHTING DURING A BROADCAST?

  • Always try and light your show evenly (unless you’re trying to evoke a certain moodiness). If you have natural sunlight, it’s best to face it. If you’re using a lamp, a good trick is to diffuse the light by pointing it towards a white wall behind you.

    • HOW CAN I BROADCAST ON THE GO?

  • In order to broadcast on the go you will need a laptop and an internet connection.
  • There are 2 options to get an internet connection when on the go:
    1. Use a mobile PCMCIA or PCMCIA Express card that connects to the mobile carrier. We have heard good things about Verizon EvDO cards. Once there will be UMTS (3G) and HSDPA (3.5G) coverage there will be a lot more cards out there for you to use.
    2. Connect to WiFi hotspots. There are several hotspots that offer free internet when you are on the go. Please verify when using such hotspots that the upload speed is at least 350Kb/sec. You can test your speed using sites such as: Speedtest.net

    • Back to Top