If there’s one thing that the internet has done, it’s expanded our idea of what can be called work.
You can become a streamer, a YouTuber, or an Instagram influencer if you choose to; all monetized hobbies that we wouldn’t have if the internet did not exist.
Still, we’re talking about the internet, and these days everyone is on there. This means it would take more than choice or interest to become a successful streamer.
You need a concrete strategy, consistency, and a healthy dose of creativity to stand out and make a living out of live streaming.
This article is your fairy internet god-gamer walking you through what you must do to become a popular streamer.
We’ll cover everything from content to equipment and, most importantly, marketing.
Yes, marketing.
Because once you decide to monetize your gaming channel, you have to start handling it like a business, man. You’re a business, man. Alright, enough Jay Z one-liners. Let’s get into it.
How to Become a Successful Streamer
Before you even post your first stream on the internet, there are a few things you should think about. Consider this to be the pre-production phase.
These steps aren’t critical to getting online, but they are necessary to take streaming seriously and build an audience.
It may all be overwhelming to take it all in at once, but keep in mind that we all begin with zero followers, zero subscriptions, zero guarantees, and high hopes.
1. Pick your main channel.
First, you have to pick your main streaming platform. Every streaming platform has advantages, and you’ll have to experiment to figure out which one is right for you.
Twitch, YouTube, and Facebook are all great places to start, and depending on your target demographic, you’ll quickly see which one brings you the most viewers.
You could even try multistreaming to all of them at once if you want to save time.
Let’s check out the leading streaming platforms and their pros and cons.
Twitch: pros and cons
Twitch is a great live streaming platform that has fostered a large community of content creators where you can do pretty much whatever you want.
It’s the world’s largest online game streaming platform, with over 140 million monthly viewers, making it the ideal place to showcase your talents and garner the attention you need for your channel.
Twitch also allows you to become an affiliate and then a partner, using Twitch as a revenue source.
Most streamers can quickly become an affiliate with Twitch. To boot, Twitch offers more ways to earn money (subscriptions, donations, and bits) through their service and has a higher payout percentage than other platforms.
However, you need to know that Twitch only supports live streams.
This means you cannot upload pre-recorded videos like you can on YouTube.
YouTube: pros and cons
Speaking of YouTube, the platform offers both live streaming and pre-recorded channel videos, and it is an excellent complement to a Twitch channel.
Streamers usually have a YouTube channel in addition to live streams on YouTube, Twitch, or Hitbox.
The significant advantage here is that you can make the videos more appealing by only showing highlights of the live stream.
For example, you can cut 15-20-minute clips from hours of live stream footage for upload on YouTube. Of course, this would take time, and special software is required to cut scenes and add effects to videos to make them more interesting.
Still, this means you can repurpose content and create more income streams (haha, that’s ironic).
The downside to streaming on YouTube is that YouTube isn’t a dedicated game streaming platform, and Twitch is.
If you’re looking at being a game streamer, Twitch has an audience that’s better aligned to gaming content than YouTube does so that you can channel your efforts accordingly.
Most new streamers choose Twitch until they have a large enough following to move to YouTube.
Facebook: pros and cons
Because so many people use Facebook regularly, sharing and viewing video content is a natural platform extension.
Some streams attract tens of thousands, if not hundreds of thousands, of people. Facebook’s ranking algorithm was updated to show more live videos in people’s news feeds.
If you miss a live video from a friend or a page you follow on Facebook, the live video will remain on the account’s wall after the Facebook live streaming event has ended.
The main advantage of streaming live on Facebook is the pre-existing audience.
It’s a no-brainer if you’ve spent time building a social media following. Facebook Live is also free, which is ideal for new streamers.
2. Decide on your content.
There are dozens of different streams you can get into now that streaming is so popular and easier to get started than ever before.
On Twitch, you’ll find cooking channels, streamers creating live art, music performances, or even “just chatting” streams.
The most common, of course, is gaming content. Viewers tune in to see a streamer play their favorite game and cheer them on.
We’ll concentrate on the gaming channels, but you can apply any of these tips and steps to any sort of channel you want to start.
3. Determine your streaming name.
Your streaming name might seem like the most inconsequential detail of the lot, but it’s a vital part of your branding.
The name of your channel makes the first impression on your potential audience.
Because the online world is teeming with Twitch streamers, it is critical to find a unique channel name that will set you apart from the crowd.
Tips for choosing a great streaming name
- Keep It Short and Simple: Pick a name that’s short and easy to say and easy to remember. Stay away from weird or complicated spellings, because that would make it difficult for visitors to find you if they search. If there’s a name you like, but you find it’s already taken, differentiate yours with digits instead of crazy characters like dashes or dollar signs. Make sure to add the numbers in a way that keeps the name clean and straightforward, like greenmonk90 instead of gr33nm0nk.
- Think Long-term: It is not a good idea to make usernames based on trends because they may become obsolete over time. You don’t want to rebrand when you’re considerably big. You could lose some of your fanbase to the name change. Instead, stick with something that will last for years to come.
- Be consistent: Before you choose a name for your channel, make sure that it’s available on all the other social media platforms you’ll be using. You don’t want to use different names on social media platforms, making it harder for people to find you.
4. Set up your profile.
Regardless of the platform you choose (Twitch, YouTube or Facebook), membership is completely free.
All you have to do is open the website, fill out your information, and customize your profile image, banner, and description.
The latter is crucial (even going forward) because it is the first thing people see online.
Make it brief and to the point so that your viewers can learn a thing or two about you and your content.
5. Get the right equipment.
Keep in mind that if you’re just starting as a Twitch streamer, you don’t need the most expensive streaming equipment.
We recommend that you test the waters first to see if streaming is for you.
To get started, all you need is a computer (PC or laptop), a webcam, and an excellent microphone (could be a headset).
Of the three, pay the most attention to the microphone, as that determines your audio quality.
Great audio trumps visuals when it comes to streams, as it is more important for viewers to hear you and keep up with the goings-on than to see a super-crisp picture of your t-shirt.
When you start getting more serious with your channel, you’ll need a range of streaming equipment that you don’t necessarily have to upgrade soon.
You’ll need a better microphone, webcam, capture card, stream deck, gaming PC or console, stable internet, headset, mouse, and a keyboard.
You’ll need accessories to improve the quality of your stream as well, such as lighting, encoders, hardware switchers, and more.
Streaming equipment can get costly, dampening your spirits especially if you haven’t begun to earn money from streaming.
At the start of your streaming career, don’t stress out about your gear. Just because your favorite streamer has a super-sharp webcam and fancy streams from high-end equipment doesn’t mean you have to — at least not right away.
Prioritize audience growth before spending thousands of dollars converting your bedroom into an all-out studio.
We have a guide to the best live streaming equipment for all budgets, so check that out to see how you can put together a great setup to produce quality streams no matter how much you have.
6. Choose a streaming software.
The broadcasting software, which allows you to share your stream with the rest of the world, is the most crucial part of any streamer’s toolkit.
The two most popular programs are Open Broadcasting Software (OBS), which is entirely free, and XSplit, which has a free version but requires a paid subscription to use its key features.
Setting up your stream, regardless of which software you use, generally consists of the following steps:
- Choosing your sources (such as your computer monitor, game feed, or webcam)
- Laying out how they will all appear to your viewers
Those with a “potato PC” can consider PlayStation and Xbox console streaming.
The cool thing about console streaming is that you can do it via broadcast settings and software like Streamlabs OBS.
The primary downside of console streaming is that it is less popular on platforms like Twitch than PC gaming.
This, however, suggests that the console games niche is less saturated, so there is less competition.
So, if you’re used to playing games on a console, you might as well stick with it and find a dedicated community.
7. Pick your niche
Remember that your streaming channel is a business, or at least you intend for it to be.
Like in business, you need to pick a niche and tailor your offering for a particular target audience.
Do some market research to figure out available games that line up with your interest.
This will help you build your brand as you start. If you play whatever game you want, it’s less likely people will remember you as a gamer.
Even if you play various games at the beginning to figure out what your viewers are more interested in, we advise you to niche down ASAP.
Either pick a singular game or a distinct category.
Still, it is essential to do steady research to get updates about your game of choice.
This is important so that your channel doesn’t suddenly become obsolete because the game stopped being trendy.
We recommend having a contingency plan, or introducing new content when you begin to gain significant traction.
When you build a fanbase and a substantial number of loyal viewers, you could switch to streaming variety games.
Most likely, your viewers would have developed an attachment to you and your channel that would keep them coming back regardless of what you play.
But, the chances of this happening depends on the next point…
8. Find your voice.
With streaming becoming more popular, there are almost certainly hundreds of other channels providing a similar stream to what you are providing.
On average, there were 56,000 concurrent Twitch broadcasters as of March 2020, and that number has only increased in the last year.
It’s a good idea to think about how you’ll attract viewers to your stream and what will set your channel apart from others.
So, if you’re insanely good at a game or play it competitively, you might attract viewers.
Find a unique quirk and play it up, and that could be your distinct selling point.
Some streamers have cute dogs, some have alter egos, and some have fun costumes that make the stream more engaging and fun.
Viewers will be watching you for hours, so as much as you want to be original, you still have to realize that you’re putting on a show.
The biggest gaming streamers are loved and followed not only because they’re good at the games they play but also because they have authentic and fun personalities.
So find what makes you stand out, and run with it.
9. Determine your goals.
Before you begin, it is a good idea to identify the goals or reasons you would like to start putting your gameplay out there for others to watch.
This is an important step whether you intend to pursue your stream-dream full-time or just as a hobby.
So, where do you want to see your channel go, and how do you anticipate it growing?
Do you want to create a community around a game you’ve seen on your stream?
Or are you looking for a way to make a living from your gaming passion?
There is no such thing as a wrong answer, but this process can help you get on track to accomplish your goals.
Start with literally writing out your goals.
Follow the S.M.A.R.T goals format– which means your goals have to be specific, measurable, achievable, realistic, and timely.
Instead of wanting to become a ‘superstar streamer sometime soon,’ set actionable goals for your channel over specific periods, and measure your progress as you go.
Also, for long-term results, focus on optimizing your processes.
Trial and error will bring experience, and you can create more effective plans towards achieving your goals by learning from past mistakes.
10. Map out a schedule.
Having a schedule is one of the best ways to grow as a streamer in 2021, and like, always.
It can be five times a week, twice a week, or even once a week, but you should live stream regularly.
It’ll help your viewers know when to look forward to your streams and allow them to schedule watching you into their daily routine.
Put up details about what you stream and when you stream on your channel and your social media platforms.
Scheduling helps you as well, as in you get to create a healthy work-life balance effectively.
No matter how much you love gaming or streaming, it’ll get mentally tasking if you do it all the time.
Not to mention that that would be terrible for your physical health, and it will also prevent you from diversifying.
Scheduling helps you rest and recharge. It also preserves your creative juices so you won’t burn out.
Consistency is essential, so make sure that you’re on when you say you’ll be.
Disappointing your viewers will take a toll on your channel’s growth in the long run.
11. Promote your streams.
Promoting your streams is the most important aspect of your streaming career.
Even if you’re the most skilled gamer around, it won’t count if people aren’t watching.
While it may seem counterintuitive, the best way to build an audience on Twitch or any other streaming platform is to build it elsewhere.
Simply streaming games will not do, especially as a new streamer.
Streaming platforms like Twitch are great for a variety of reasons, but getting discovered is not one of them.
In December 2020, there were over 9 million total streamers, with 95 percent of Twitch streamers averaging 0-5 concurrent viewers.
Shroud, one of Twitch’s biggest streamers, says that newbie streamers have to go the extra mile to get noticed on the platform now.
He advised new streamers to try to become well-known within a specific gaming community, which would increase their chances of making it big.
Join gaming communities on Discord, Twitter, Reddit, Facebook, etc., and foster relationships with other gamers in your niche.
Not only can they offer helpful tips to grow your channel, but they can also share their viewership with you as a way of co-promoting.
Strategies for Getting Viewers as a New Streamer on Twitch
Fans must discover you to build a community. Here are some tips for attracting an audience to your streaming channel:
1. Use social media.
Promote your channel with Instagram reels, TikToks, Facebook group chats, and whatever other social media you have access to.
You could select a few exciting clips and post them on social media platforms or even run ads if you can.
Add a link to your streaming channel and make sure that you’ve optimized your channel to receive visitors before you dedicate effort to promotion.
You want visitors to like what they see enough to keep coming back.
2. Get to know your followers.
Live streaming is like hosting an online hangout, so you can read people’s comments and reactions.
As much as possible, make an effort to respond to comments and questions.
Take advantage of the growing phase and interact with the few viewers who interact with your content early on.
Carry on genuine conversations with each person that joins, so that your viewers can build a connection with you quickly.
3. Collaborate with others.
Leverage your network to get seen. After making connections in forums such as Discord or Reddit, you can collab with other streamers to get more eyes on your channel.
Collabing is a good idea as you can share communities – at the end of each stream, you can host each other, so you can send all your viewers to a different streamer after you’re done.
Get Your Game On!
There are no hard and fast rules for becoming a successful streamer.
Like anything that’s worth doing, it takes hard work, creativity and dedication.
We hope this guide has given you some actionable pointers to start and grow your Twitch channel or any other streaming venture you’re choosing.
Remember to be consistent so that your efforts can compound over time, but overall, have fun with it! Now, go get your game on!
Stream for a Living is a small team of gamers, full-time content creators, and streamers who are dedicated to helping you grow your stream.