Lots of people are having a go at being a streamer, and it’s not just gamers trying to make a name for themselves. People are streaming all sorts of things, from study sessions and cooking lessons to panting and singing. With so many people making new accounts and trying to get viewers, competition seems to only be getting more and more fierce. If you’re trying to grow your audience, here are some tips to help you attract dedicated fans who will come back again and again.
Collaborate Wisely
Collaborations can make or break your streaming career. It’s tempting to collaborate with everyone who asks, especially if you’re starting out, but hopping on a stream with someone you don’t know much about can negatively impact your audience and your brand by extension.
If someone behaves badly on stream with you, you’ll be guilty by association, and you never know who will clip an embarrassing moment to preserve forever. Don’t be discouraged if bigger streamers aren’t willing to stream with you just yet, and definitely don’t discount smaller streamers.
You can still learn a lot from each other! When you do your research and collaborate with streamers in a similar niche who share your values, you can both grow your audiences and make some friends in the process.
Share Your Life
One of the best ways to grow a loyal fanbase is to be as genuine as possible. It’s the connections you make that bring people back, not just the game or other activity you’re streaming. Consider hopping on for a casual chat, a house tour, or for some other activity that you don’t normally stream.
This can help your viewers get to know you better as well as shake things up in a static routine. For example, if you’re considering some last minute cruises, why not take your viewers along? You don’t have to stream the whole trip, but a few activities can drum up a lot of excitement, as well as explain why you’re not going live on your normal schedule.
Use Better Equipment
Some viewers get turned off by fuzzy audio and video, so it’s important to use the best equipment you can. If new equipment isn’t in the budget, this doesn’t mean you should wait to start streaming or hold off on streaming more if you’ve already started, but you should consider investing your budget into better quality equipment as soon as you’re able.
A better camera, microphone, and headphones make a world of difference. If you don’t have the cash for replacements, focus on creating an attractive environment that shows your personality. Keep your background clean and throw in some fun posters or decor items that bring visual interest without being distracting.
Curate Your Brand
If you’re streaming everything and anything without much progress, it may be time to curate your brand. Variety streamers can be successful, but many of them have strategies to help. Take some time to really think about your brand and the message you want to send to your viewers.
Then think about how you can get those ideas across on stream. Everything from your behavior, your setting, your content, and the language you use can either support or break down that brand, so it’s a good idea to take your time when developing those ideas.
Learn Streaming Etiquette
If you’re looking for a tip that doesn’t cost anything, you can’t go wrong with brushing up on streaming etiquette, especially if you’re new to the space. There are unspoken protocols for just about everything, from how you set up your stream to interacting with chat and other viewers. You don’t want a simple, innocent mistake to keep you from growing.
For streamers, boosting their viewers and subscribers is the best way to grow their channels, but you want to do it the right way. Don’t waste your time trying to draw in just anyone, you want people who have a vested interest in you and your stream. By evaluating your current practices and seeing where you can improve, you’re sure to steadily grow your audience with valuable content.
