With the boom of the gaming industry over the last few years, as well as an increase in popular streaming platforms like YouTube and Twitch, there are more video game streamers than ever before. What’s more insane is some channels can amass millions of followers, thousands of viewers, and it’s a full-time job.
If this sounds like a life you want, remember that it’s never impossible and that with hard work and perseverance, you too can make it in the world of online streaming. Anybody can. Whether you’re new to streaming or you’re looking to boost your follower count, here are seven top tips you need to know.
#1 – Choose a Main Game
While variety streaming can be a great way to mix things up, your viewers will follow you because they enjoy seeing you play a certain game, so try and select one main game as your bassline. Of course, that doesn’t mean you can’t mix it up, but until you get the followers, stick with one.
Great games you won’t lose interest in including Battlefield, Call of Duty, Overwatch, Fortnite, CS:GO, and similar round-based, multiplayer games.
#2 – Plan for the Future
Game streamers are only going to be popular if they’re playing relevant games that people care about. Games lose popularity all the time. If you’re playing an old game like Counter-Strike Source, unless you’re hugely charismatic, nobody will be interested.
Play five days a week on one game, with one day for variety, and over time switch this to two days, and so on.
#3 – Prepare to Put in the Hours
Becoming a popular full-time streamer is hard work. In addition to actually streaming and playing, you need to spend time promoting your channel, making montages of for YouTube, clipping your videos, updating your graphics or your channel page, and engaging with followers and running social media channels. Phew.
#4 – Promotion is Key
Nobody is going to watch your channel if they don’t know it exists. The best way to start is to get your friends involved. They could be playing with you, but more importantly, they give you viewers; the virtual currency. Advertise your stream on forums and have dedicated social media pages for your fans to connect with you.
#5 – Engage with Your Followers
This is perhaps one of the most overlooked aspects of streaming, yet it’s one of the most important. Over time, you’ll have regulars who come to your stream, so follow them back on social media and give them shout outs when they join your stream. This is how you build an online community.
#6 – Get Decent Equipment
When you’re starting out, you may not want to pour a ton of money into your equipment, but you’ll need decent equipment to provide a quality stream. The most important piece here is the microphone, so you can be heard clearly while you engage your stream.
#7 – Work with Other Streamers
Another overlooked promotional method is working with other streamers. Set up private servers or matches with streamers with a similar follower count and promote each other. This way, you’re sharing followers, and it tends to make the stream for more exciting for the viewers.
Summary
Becoming a full-time streamer is hard work, but don’t ever let anybody tell you it’s impossible. Although the market is saturated, anybody can make it if they put in enough time and effort when providing an entertaining experience.
