People have only been streaming video games for a few years now, but it has already exploded in popularity since the invention of Twitch. Millions and millions of people are watching streams frequently, every single day, and there are already 150,000+ people making money streaming on Twitch alone, with countless others streaming for fun.
Despite the popularity and the fact there are so many people already streaming, that doesn’t mean that you can’t give it a try too, there is always room for new streamers. However, getting a lot of viewers and being a good streamer isn’t always easy to do, so this article will look at a few tips and tricks that can help you become the best streamer you can be. While it will still take a lot of dedication and hard work to be successful, these tips can definitely help.
Get all the Necessary Hardware and Software
Before you can ever become a great streamer, you need to have all the software and hardware necessary to start. This includes things like a quality computer, streaming software, microphone, webcam and if you are streaming from a console, it might be worth spending extra on a great capture card. Each of these pieces of software and hardware play an important role in making sure your stream looks, sounds and performs well.
When you are just starting out, you don’t need to spend an arm and a leg on equipment, and the basics should be more than enough. But as your stream and community grows, it couldn’t hurt to up the quality of your stream. Your audience and any new viewers you may get will appreciate it.
Start With a Single Game, But Have a Contingency Plan
While being a variety streamer is fun, many people watch streams of particular games, so if you are playing a lot of different games, you might struggle to retain viewers. Instead, choose a game and stream that every time you go on. You will soon develop a reputation as a streamer for that game, and fans will be confident that you will be streaming their favorite game.
Of course, if you ever become a very successful streamer, many people will stick with you no matter what you play, but early on, it’s often better to find a game that you enjoy and are good at, and stick with that for a while. Of course, if the game you primarily stream dies off, you need to have a backup game that you can stream and still get viewers.
Promote Your Stream Wherever You Can
Viewers and fans won’t just magically appear in your stream chat, so you need to go out and find them. The best way to do this is to promote your stream in any way that you can. Asking friends and family to check you out is helpful, and social media can be a fantastic tool to find new.
Other things you should try to do are create a Youtube account, a Discord channel and so much more. Of course, you cannot always be in promotion mode, but still make sure you take time to share or promote your stream. While you can promote for free, paying for ads on Facebook or promotion on Twitch can be helpful, too.
Really Get to Know Your Viewers, Followers and Subscribers
A stream shouldn’t just be something that people view, they should actively participate. Since it is live, people can ask you questions and you should be sure to answer them. Don’t be scared to ask your audience questions as well. It truly is a two-way street and you should never forget that.
Not only that, but you should get to know your viewers as well. This includes recognizing those who come in frequently, and getting to know the things that are going on in their lives if they’re willing to share. This becomes hard when you get larger, but early on, you should be as personable as possible.
Have a Schedule
While you could stream all day every day, that doesn’t work for a lot of people. As a result, you will have certain times that you like to stream, and others that you don’t. Instead of just streaming at random times and hoping that people will join and check out the streams, you should come up with a streaming schedule.
You should make your schedule public, and stick to it as best you can. If you are going to miss a stream, or add an extra, be sure to let your viewers know via social media or in your Discord. Having a schedule simply lets your viewers know when you will be online and when you will not.
Watch Your VODs Over Again
While it might be a little bit uncomfortable early on, it is quite important to watch your streams over again after you have gone offline. The reason for this is to see what your viewers see and how interesting and engaging you are. If you are unable to watch your VODs and stay interested or engaged, how are other people supposed to do it.
You should take what you see in your VODs and find ways to improve any wrongdoings that you were able to identify. Also, in addition to watching your VODs, be sure to watch other streamers in your niche and see what they do well and try see how you can fit something like that into your streams. Of course, don’t copy what they do, but taking some inspiration is perfectly okay.
In conclusion, there are a number of things you can do to help yourself become the best streamer you can possibly be. And the better a streamer you become, the more viewers you will be able to attract and the more your fanbase will build. While there is a lot of competition when it comes to streaming, as many people are wanting to get involved, hopefully this article and the tips inside it can give you a leg up on the competition.
