Twitch is by far the most popular streaming platform of choice among gamers (with YouTube fast catching up), which is the reason gamers like you are constantly searching for new Twitch ideas to help grow their channels.
If you are interested in making Twitch your full-time job, there are some things you should know beforehand that may make your experience easier.
And the best way to make your Twitch channel successful is to be prepared.
A successful Twitch channel can bring in some serious money, with successful streamers earning in the seven figures.
The first Twitch idea that’ll help you grow your channel is research.
Research what games are popular on Twitch, as well as what is a popular genre for streaming.
I mean, you don’t want to spend time broadcasting a game no one will watch.
Instead, stick to the games that will bring in an audience of hardcore fans.
Once you select your game, research what equipment you need to stream and how to use them.
You want your fans and potential Twitch subscribers to be able to tune in without feeling disoriented due to poor sound or video quality.
The second idea is producing great content on a regular basis.
You can’t just expect viewers to show up from thin air, you have to work at it.
That means broadcasting content regularly.
In fact, the more you broadcast, the better chance you will attract a loyal fan base who tune in every time they see your stream is live!
The third Twitch idea is to make Twitch streaming your #1 focus.
You don’t have to quit your day job, but you need to devote most of your time to streaming in order for your channel to succeed.
Once you put the work into growing a loyal fan base, there are some great ways to monetize your stream.
- Sponsorships
- Donations
- Paid subscriptions
- Merch
Ideas for Twitch Streams
The fourth idea is understanding how Twitch chat works, and how to use it effectively to further engage with your fan base.
Twitch chat isn’t just a place to commiserate with other gamers.
It is an active community that can help you grow your Twitch channel.
So get to know your viewers and create content based on the feedback you get.
The fifth Twitch idea is understanding the rules of competition between other streamers on the platform.
There are three main types of competition, and how you deal with them will determine if you succeed or fail as a Twitch streamer.
Inter-stream competition: This is when people watch other streams instead of yours because the content they are broadcasting is more appealing to them.
This happens. Obviously.
So quit trying to be everything to everyone.
And, instead, focus on the type of games that will bring in viewers.
THEN cater your channel to that audience.
Rather than trying to compete with everyone, find your niche and excel in it.
You can’t please everyone, so focus on the people who love the content you are broadcasting.
Cross-platform competition: Some of your viewers may be interested in watching other streamer’s broadcast games on different platforms (Xbox, PS4, etc.).
So if you aren’t broadcasting on multiple platforms, you may be losing viewers.
Inter-channel competition: This is when other channels try to make their content more appealing to your viewership.
So if you notice that a lot of people in chat are mentioning another channel and then leaving, it could mean they are trying to steal your viewers!
Something to keep in mind.
Ideas for Twitch Streams
The sixth idea is using social media to build relationships with your potential viewers.
You want people talking about you on social media, so use Twitter and Facebook to let them know when you are broadcasting live.
Re-tweeting tweets from fans will help expand your reach, as well as responding to any complaints or praise you receive.
The seventh Twitch idea is to be active on Reddit.
As with social media, your goal is to build relationships with viewers who will act as evangelists for your channel.
With that in mind, comment regularly on related subreddits and join Twitch focused communities like r/Twitch .
And never forget the value of good old fashioned word of mouth.
You can’t control who tells others about your Twitch stream, but you can make sure that those people will have great things to say.
So give viewers a good experience and tell them they should tell their friends!
The final idea is understanding your role as a streamer on Twitch.
You aren’t just broadcasting content.
You are nurturing a community!
So be approachable and accessible, engage with your audience, give them what they want, and you will grow your channel into something profitable.
In conclusion
Well, that’s it for this article about the path to success on Twitch.
I hope you enjoyed it!
As with any how-to guide like this, the best way to succeed is to do your own research. YouTube can be great for watching tutorials on how to grow your Twitch channel.
Just make sure you always have fun gaming!
-The Zombie Writing Team