- 13 Steps to Become Successful on Twitch and YouTube Gaming
Whether you want to be successful on Twitch or you want a channel on another streaming platform, there are a few things you can do to make your streaming journey easier. Most successful streamers have to continually work hard to hold on to their target audience and create meaniningful communities in this space.
We have worked with many steamers, helping them create better content, become more consistent, and find their niche in the space. Our combined efforts have helped us narrow down some of the best things you can do to become a successful Twitch streamer.
So whether you’re just starting out or you’ve been streaming for a while and haven’t seen the success you’re hoping for, follow these key concepts and you’ll build your stream more effectively than the vast majority of your competition.
13 Steps to Become Successful on Twitch and YouTube Gaming
The following are our top 13 live-streaming tips that will help you build the streaming career of your dreams:
Choose the Right Platform
The first step to becoming a successful streamer is choosing the right platform. While there are many streaming platforms out there, Twitch is by far the most popular and has the largest audience. Not only that, but Twitch also provides a number of tools and features that are specifically geared towards streamers, which other platforms don’t offer.
If you already have a large following on Facebook or a gaming channel on Youtube a headstart on these platforms makes them decent alternatives. In our experience, if you’re new to content creation Twitch is the best place to start. The community on the platform is very friendly and supportive, which means there’s plenty of potential for new streamers to build their audience.
You will also want to pick a streaming software that if intuitive for you to use. You can also look into different plugins, such as OBS plugins to create better content and increase your channel quality.
Set a Stream Schedule
Setting a stream schedule is important for several reasons. First, it will help your viewers know when to expect you on air so that they can tune in at the right time and watch live with everyone else. Keeping your stream schedule consistent will encourage your viewers to adapt their life to your streaming schedule.
Second, having this type of consistency builds trust between you and those who follow your channel because they’ll understand how serious streaming is as well as how much value is put into giving them quality content consistently every day or week (or whatever schedule choose). It could also help you gain Twitch sponsors in the long run.
Use Camera
One way to make your stream more professional and engaging is by using a camera. This doesn’t necessarily mean you need to invest in an expensive webcam; even the built-in webcam on most laptops will do the job just fine if you are just starting out. It will be important for you to eventually invest in video quality in the future as you grow.
“In a poll of 3,300 Twitch users, 71% of viewers prefer to watch streamers with a Facecam.”
Using a camera allows your viewers to see your face and connect with you on a personal level, which can help build trust and loyalty over time. While many channels will stream games without video or even audio, these channels are typically not successful unless they are known on another platform or are a professional gamer.
Build and Use Socials
Building up your social media accounts is an important step to becoming a successful streamer. Not only do they help you grow your audience, but also provide another channel for people who may not be able to watch live streams every day to connect with you. If you choose to stream on Twitch one of the biggest problems is discoverability.
Many successful content creators use Youtube, Instagram, or Tiktok to build a rapid following with short, easy-to-make videos. Down the line, you can use these socials to funnel to your stream with go-live or by teasing fun content people are going to want to see live in the future.
Many people within the streaming world also connect on X, either by sharing content or engaging with other streamers in their particular live-streaming niche.
Use Quality Graphics, Overlays, and Alerts
Now that you’ve got your channel set up and have started to stream, how can you make it stand out from the rest? One way is by using quality graphics, overlays, and alerts. These will help distinguish you among all other streams on Twitch as well as give viewers a sense of professionalism when watching your content. They’ll also be more likely to keep coming back if they see how much effort you put into making your stream look good. You can pick up a full stream package for around $30.
Use Features Provided by Platforms
As we mentioned earlier, Twitch & Youtube provide a number of tools and features specifically for streamers. These include things such as Twitch emotes, subscriber badges, which allow viewers to show their support for your channel, and on-screen overlays that can be used to display information about your current stream.
Utilizing these tools will help you stand out from the competition and make your streaming experience more enjoyable for both you and your viewers. You also have access to analytics dashboards which are a great way to figure out exactly what content works, based on viewer engagement and view times.
Produce Quality Content
If there’s one thing that sets apart the best from the rest, it’s how much value they put into their content. A lot of work goes into creating high-quality videos and streams so make sure yours are worth watching.
Try using different types of formats like interviews with other influencers/celebrities about topics related to what you’re streaming on Twitch during breaks between games. You can also watch successful Twitch streams to find ways you can improve your content.
Another great strategy is to play brand-new titles before anyone else gets access so viewers who are thinking about purchasing the game find your stream during their research. To see our best picks you can read our best games to stream list.
Bring Something Unique
A great way to stand out from the crowd is to have a unique brand that sets you apart from other streamers on Twitch. Whether it’s through how you dress or how you talk about yourself in social media posts, building a strong personal brand will make people remember who you are and what makes your channel special. All it takes is some creativity and hard work, but if done correctly they’ll pay off big time down the line so don’t give up before giving them a try first. Creating an influencer space in a room of your house specifically for making content in is also a great way to stand out.
Stream Frequently
How often should you stream? Early on, the more you stream, the better. There is a lot to learn to improve your content and there is no substitute for experience. This may seem like common sense but it’s one of the most important steps to becoming a successful streamer. People who frequently stream are more likely to be noticed by other streamers and viewers alike.
There is no one-size-fits-all answer to how often you should stream, but as a general rule, streaming at least three times a week will get you in front of more people and help improve your skills over time. On the opposite end of the spectrum, going live every night may actually hamper your growth on a platform. Make sure you are spending time planning your stream and coming up with new ideas, not just going live and hoping for the best.
Monetize Your Channel
Once you’ve reached a certain level of regular viewers, it’s time to start thinking about how to monetize your channel. There are many ways you can do this including subs, paid ads from sponsors, and affiliate links.
Not only will these options help bring in some extra income for your streaming career but they’ll also allow viewers who enjoy watching content to contribute directly to something they enjoy. This is especially useful if those subscribers want access to exclusive features such as emotes or channel-specific privileges.
As mentioned before, there are many different types of monetization strategies out there – so take some time figuring out what works best for your particular situation. Analyze what streamers in your niche are doing and replicate the elements that work and trial them on your own channel.
Network with Other Streamers
One way to grow your channel is by partnering with other streamers who have similar interests and audiences. This can be done through a variety of ways including guest appearances on each others’ channels, cross-promotion in social media posts or even collaborating during live streams themselves (for example playing video games together).
There are many benefits to networking with other streamers, but one of the most important ones is how it can help you grow your audience and become more visible on a platform. If someone sees their favorite streamer playing with another popular streamer a successful collaboration could benefit both parties. A secret tip here is to try and network with content creators who stream at a slightly different time. This opens the door to a viewer being able to enjoy both streams down the line without having to choose.
Build an Audience Outside of Twitch
It may seem counterintuitive, but the best way to build an audience on Twitch is actually outside of it! Building relationships with other content creators and finding new ways to reach potential fans can be a great way of growing your channel’s viewership over time. This might include things like creating YouTube videos related to your streams, posting about them on social media, or even reaching out to other websites and publications that might be interested in featuring you.
Build a Community Around Your Channel
Building an engaged community is one of the most important things you can do for your Twitch stream. When people feel like they’re part of something bigger than just themselves, it makes them more likely to come back again – and when those same viewers start inviting their friends too then all sorts of sudden there’s this whole group that feels connected together.
You’ve created this environment where everyone knows each other well enough so everyone wants everyone else around as much as possible. And how did we get here? Well…we built up an amazing sense of camaraderie among our audience members by reaching out personally through social media, creating engaging content, and just being downright nice to everyone who tunes in.
Final Thoughts
So there you have it! These are just some of the things you can do to help grow your Twitch channel and build a successful streaming career. There’s no one-size-fits-all answer to this, so experiment with different tactics and see what works best for you and your viewers. And most importantly, have fun while you’re doing it.
As your streaming reputation grows, you will need to remember to maintain a healthy work life balance. This will help you keep your consistent schedule while also ensuring that you produce high-quality content when you go live. We hope to see you on the top streamers lists soon!
