Who doesn’t want to get paid and become famous for playing video games? With platforms like Twitch, many individual players have successfully built fan bases for themselves – while raking in some extra cash – by live streaming video games. Sounds good, right? Why not give it a shot? Here are some tips on how to stream on Twitch and become a successful Twitch streamer.
Before you get your heart set on becoming internet famous by yelling into a mic while spray-n-praying in the latest Call of Duty or Fortnite, know that becoming a successful streamer requires both hard work and dedication, and that the road will not be easy.
If you have the patience, time and personality to become a live streamer, follow this useful guide to help you get started!
This post was originally authored by Adam James.
How to Stream on Twitch & Become a Successful Streamer
Have a Good Internet Connection
First and foremost, you won’t be able to stream without good internet. Having a solid internet connection is the basic foundation of live streaming video games. Without a stable and moderately-fast connection, your streaming career will never — and I mean never — get off the ground.
Your internet connection doesn’t need to be lightning fast, but it should be fast enough to broadcast at 720p with ease. Nobody is going to be interested in watch a laggy, pixelated mess underneath your commentary — so make sure you can maintain a steady 720p, minimum. Frequent disconnects will certainly do you no favors, so utilize a wired connection and resolve any connectivity issues you are having with your internet service provider.
Once your internet situation is all sorted, you’ve successfully accomplished the first step towards becoming a famous live streamer! Next, you’re going to need some equipment…
How to Stream on Twitch & Become a Successful Streamer
Have a Good Headset
If you want your viewers to stay engaged in your live stream, they need to hear you loud and clear. Most viewers are more interested in your commentary than your gameplay, so it’s important to have your voice sound good.
Now, you don’t need to rush out and buy an expensive microphone — especially when you are just getting started. The easiest thing you can do is have a decent headset with a decent microphone, as this will prevent you from sounding like you’re trapped inside a wind tunnel, while also removing annoying feedback. A decent gaming headset should prevent the majority of audio problems you might experience.
After giving it a few tests to make sure your voice sounds as sexy as an NPR Morning Edition broadcaster, you’re ready to move on to actually playing something. But what should you play?
How to Stream on Twitch & Become a Successful Streamer
Play What You Actually Want to Play
Everybody plays Minecraft. And Hearthstone. And League of Legends, DOTA 2, Starcraft, Call of Duty and Counter Strike: Global Offensive. Starting off as a new streamer with any of these games is going to instantly put you at a disadvantage. So, unless you are dead set on playing one of Twitch’s most popular games, choose something else.
Viewers will remain engaged with you when they see that you are genuinely into the game you are playing, and if nobody else is playing that game, you have no competition. Playing a game you love which is unique on Twitch is the best way to build an initial audience.
Now is the time to tell you not to get discouraged by the initial lack of viewers. Nobody started out by launching their first live stream to a flood of new, friendly and interested viewers. It takes time — A LOT of time — to build an audience. In order to build that audience, there’s one thing you absolutely must do…
How to Stream on Twitch & Become a Successful Streamer
Interact With Your Viewers
Talk to your viewers! As soon as your first viewer comes into the room, acknowledge his or her presence. If you can get your first viewers into a conversation, they will be far more likely to stay engaged in your stream, as well as return for future streams.
Don’t be afraid to tell them you are new to streaming. Viewers respond to sincerity and genuine interest. Ask them if they’ve ever played the game you are streaming. Ask them for tips or advice on how to get past a certain stage. Ask them what other games they like to play, or what they think of the latest hot topic in the gaming industry. The most important thing you can do is get your viewers talking!
If a new viewer comes into a room and sees you talking to another viewer, they are much more likely to stay and join the conversation themselves. Don’t respond to trolls or negativity. Just ignore them, as they only want to provoke a negative reaction, and will drive away your good viewers. Ignoring the haters is the fastest way to get them to leave.
So, now that you’ve got a handful of loyal viewers, your next step is to keep those viewers while growing your audience further. There is one sure-fire way to do this…
How to Stream on Twitch & Become a Successful Streamer
Stick to a Schedule
Stream at consistent times on consistent days. Viewers who know exactly when you will be live streaming are far more likely to watch you on a regular basis, so let them know exactly what your schedule is.
If you plan on streaming every night from 8pm – 11pm, tell them! If you can only stream on Wednesdays and Fridays, from 6am – 8am, tell them! Your core audience must know when they can expect to watch you, so make a schedule and stick to it.
Also, invite your viewers to follow you on Twitter, so you can tweet when you will be going live, as well as changes to your schedule. This is the fastest way to maintain a core audience while you attempt to grow it further. On the subject of growing your audience…
How to Stream on Twitch & Become a Successful Streamer
Network With Other Broadcasters
Twitch is, first and foremost, a community. Whether you are streaming for an audience of thousands, or an audience of ten, you are part of the collective Twitch community.
As you get started streaming and building an audience, you will almost certainly meet other streamers who share similar interests or stream similar games. Don’t make these people your competition. Instead, make them your friends!
Building a network of Twitch streamers will only serve to increase your support and grow your audience. For example, maybe one friendly streamer is signing off when you plan to start your broadcast. If you have a good relationship, he or she may tell his or her audience to head on over to your stream, providing a massive boost to your broadcast!
It’s always better to have friends than enemies, so network with like-minded broadcasters and be a positive member of the overall Twitch community.
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