Game streaming is no longer a niche due to various live streaming services, the explosive rise of esports, and the growing popularity of online gaming.
However, it can be difficult to build and maintain a live streaming audience. Here are some strategies to increase the number of viewers on your live streaming channel.
Select a popular movie to stream.
You should select recently released and popular games that are currently attracting attention when choosing games to play on a live stream. Popular games are more likely to grab viewers’ attention and drive them to your channel.
Check out the top gaming websites and search engines to find out which new titles are making headlines and getting positive user reviews. It would be ideal if you could get a copy of a well-known game before it was officially released.
In case you run out of suggestions, the Twitch homepage also lists the most popular games among viewers. But if you really want to know what the gaming community is paying attention to right now, it’s always a good idea to do your homework.
Choosing games that have already received excessive press is also not a good idea. Even months or years after their release, some well-known games continue to be streamed. With well-established streams covering specific games for a while, it can be tough to compete.
Triple AAA gaming fans who aren’t happy with the glut of coverage sometimes stick to the streams they know because they’ve had plenty of time to figure out which gaming journalists they like. Therefore, you may want to choose recent indie releases that are still widely read but less mainstream.
Keep a regular schedule when streaming
When launching a streaming channel, you need to stick to a regular schedule like any other content release. You can modify this routine to suit your time constraints, but it’s important to maintain consistency.
Instead of streaming intermittently and then going silent for varying lengths of time, you need to maintain a constant, steady output.
Don’t try to stream every day if you’re short on time during the week. If so, streaming on weekends or once a week is best. Audiences prefer consistency to chaotic and unpredictable programming schedules.
Continue the dialogue.
There’s really no reason for other people to watch you if you’re playing your game while sitting on a live stream. Especially if your game involves concentration, you won’t need to converse all the time. However, maintaining a conversational tone helps keep your audience engaged.
Describe your plan of attack and what you are doing in a game or dungeon that requires skill. Comment on your first thoughts while playing a casual game.
If you’ve done this before, engage your viewers in conversation and they’ll likely post questions and comments in the chat area. It doesn’t have to be all about the game. Sometimes your audience wants to get to know you.
Your audience will impact the discussions you have.
Appreciate new feed subscribers
Your main source of income comes from subscribers to game streaming services like Twitch, so you need to express your gratitude in kind. Make sure your audience understands that even a small contribution helps you earn money from games.
While this can be difficult to do when trying to focus on a game, you can automate the process somewhat by using a streaming plugin. Please note that this does not eliminate the obligation for you to mention someone specifically during your broadcast. But it helps them feel appreciated while you wait for a break in your game to give them more attention.
Choose your streaming platform wisely
Despite the shutdown of Mixer, there are still several powerful live streaming sites. This would help you decide which platform is best for you based on the audience you want to reach.
Take the time to understand the distinguishing features of the service you select, whether it’s Twitch, YouTube, Facebook Gaming, or another platform.
This can help you decide which material to prioritize, the most effective strategies for attracting new viewers, and the steps needed to join as an affiliate or partner on your platform of choice.
Interact with your social media fans
Speaking of interaction, some audience members may want to contact you in person. This is especially true if they are unable to listen every time. It would help if you let your followers know about all your public social media handles.
No, you don’t have to add followers as Facebook friends. However, you can provide your Twitter ID and other social media profiles that you want people to view.
Many people in your audience will be interested in what you have to say, even if you don’t always share gaming-related content. You can even check out social media platforms designed specifically for gamers. Engaging your audience is a crucial concept outside of streaming sessions.
Provide incentives for returning audiences
If content producers offer the right incentives, more and more viewers are willing to subscribe or sponsor them. Live streaming, however, differs slightly from conventional content creation in some ways. What can you do, then, to motivate your audience?
Giving things away is one of the best ways to do this. Make sure you are familiar with the contest rules for the platform you are using and the region where you are hosting the contest.
Games, gift cards, and game service subscriptions make great gifts. Shipping costs can be avoided when you start with items like these, for which you can send digital keys. You may be able to offer subscription incentives based on your streaming service. As an illustration, Twitch offers subscribers exclusive streams and a range of bonuses.
YouTube offers several benefits to channel members, including early access to content and emoticons.
You can set higher goals and even receive sponsored prizes from specific businesses as your channel grows. But if you’re just starting out, you might be able to find game deals to share.
Find sponsorship for your live stream
You should already have follow-ups for this step. But finding a sponsor can help you expand your audience.
Streamers frequently cite getting a sponsorship as a strategy for growing their fan base. Some explain this by saying that having a brand’s endorsement increases its credibility.
Aim for affiliate status on a platform like Twitch if you can’t find a sponsor yet. As a result, you gain credibility and sources of income. However, it’s not a quick fix to earn a sequel; it takes a lot of work.
Involve additional players
Even though live streaming is usually a solo endeavor, inviting other players to join your streams is a great idea. It is not necessary to be a regular aspect of an official alliance. However, a little occasional variety can improve your channel.
Look for other players with whom you get along well. One thing gamers find most amusing is banter, especially in multiplayer games. You won’t always require the player to show up in person. In fact, fantastic relationships are developing between streamers who have never met offline.
Use appropriate equipment.
Streaming quality is a key element that influences how your audience sees your content. Establishing a perfect 4K stream isn’t something you need to worry about. However, you must ensure that the quality is acceptable. Most viewers will walk away if they hear hissing microphones, experience severe packet loss, or see pixelated visuals.