With over 2 million unique monthly broadcasters and 15 million daily active users, Twitch is one of the most popular livestreaming platforms on the internet. Twitch has played a big role in helping to popularize and grow the esports scene. It is what comes to mind immediately if someone says live gaming platform.
Content creators of all ages from around the world show up daily to stream. With such a large and competitive community, it can be difficult for your content to be discovered. If you’re looking to take your Twitch livestreaming to the next level, let’s start with ways you can grow your audience.
Origin Story
In 2007, American internet entrepreneur Justin Kan created Justin.tv as a spin-off from his earlier live video streaming project. The site allowed users to broadcast live videos of themselves to the world and quickly became popular with gamers looking to share their gameplay experiences online. In 2011, Justin.tv rebranded as Twitch Interactive and focused exclusively on livestreaming. The company was acquired by Amazon for nearly $1 billion in 2014.
"While gaming is still a big part of Twitch, the company has been diversifying. Gaming is no longer the most popular streaming category."
Find What Works for You
Mari Takahashi is a successful gamer and entrepreneur with a content strategy she recommends for new Twitch users. She gives some great feedback. Mari first stressed the importance of not focusing on numbers too much.
“I think developing a healthy relationship with metrics is fundamental to a sustainable career as a creator. Sometimes that means not paying any attention to the numbers, and sometimes, it’s setting quantifiable goals and having fun hitting them. It’s finding what works best for you,” Takahashi says.
Comparison is the Thief of Joy
Even as a seasoned streamer, Takahashi admitted a challenge she faces is one that most people face when they’re starting out: comparison. “Not comparing your work to others is the challenge,” she adds. It’s so easy to get caught up in what other people are doing and compare your own progress (or lack thereof) to theirs. The issue with this is that you have no idea what someone else’s expectations or goals are. Everyone’s definition of success is different.
Imagine posting on social media that you are going to be doing a pop-up performance and 50 people show up. That is a great turnout! Remember that real people are on the other side of your stream too. Thank the viewers who show up to your stream by answering their questions and acknowledging them when they support you.
"Developing a healthy relationship with metrics is fundamental to a sustainable career as a creator."
An Interactive Platform
Gabé Leal is a LinkedIn Live producer, content strategist, and community builder who shared with me that he actually got his start in streaming on Twitch and still sees a lot of value in it. “Twitch is a really interactive platform. It allows everybody who joins in to be immersed in what you do as a creator,” Leal said.
He streamed on Twitch every day for a year until he found his groove. He produced music, collaborated with friends, and engaged with his community. Within three months Leal gained access to the Twitch Affiliate program–even though he started with low viewer numbers.
Building a Community
Leal says the barrier to affiliate status and monetization opportunities is lower on Twitch than on other platforms. His advice for anyone trying to build a community on Twitch is to find your niche and create with consistency. “You have to put in the time and effort,” he adds.
Despite his recent move to LinkedIn Live to explore other opportunities, he still feels Twitch is one of the best streaming platforms out there. In the ever-changing landscape of livestreaming, it can be tough to keep up with the latest trends, but don’t worry—we’ve got you covered. Here are some top tips.
Twitch Streaming Tips
- Use attention-grabbing titles and thumbnails
- Add relevant tags so people searching for your topic can find you
- Make a stream schedule and stick to it so people can support you
- Respond to your chat messages and show appreciation for your community
- Add overlays, alerts, and animated graphics to keep your audience engaged
- Save your streams and share clips on other social media platforms
- Collaborate with other streamers to expand your community
- Watch other content creators for inspiration on how to improve your streams
"Growing on Twitch takes time, so talk about something you enjoy so that it is easy to stay consistent."
Begin by Improving Production Quality
Here are some simple ways you can improve the viewer experience for your future subscribers: lighting, camera selection, audio quality, and internet connection strength.
I recently started using the Roland AeroCaster Livestreaming System to upgrade my home studio. With its easy-to-use wireless setup, a streamer can connect multiple iPhones or Android smartphones to give viewers an immersive livestream experience. It is a game-changer for my clients who host video podcasts, online cooking shows, and educational content. You’ll be able to create professional-looking broadcasts with minimal setup time. Even better, the companion software is completely free with no subscription required.
Growing on Twitch
Growing on Twitch takes time, so talk about something you enjoy so that it is easy to stay consistent. The Twitch Creator Camp can provide more details on the platform’s latest efforts to help creators.
