So for many the concept of live streaming and making money playing video games all day seems pretty appealing. I mean really if you go on twitch right now and check out some streamers money is just being thrown at them! But how did they get there?
Honestly I wish I knew! Ok so some are just the originals from Justin.tv which means they’ve been streaming a very long time, and for sure they deserve it. I mean imagine working a job for over 5 years and not making anything? Why would you even do it anymore? Well whats nice with streaming is for the most part it really doesn't feel like a job. Probably the most important part to keep your sanity is make sure you enjoy it, and if for some reason you don’t you’re your own boss and you can take time off whenever you want.
So that was my ramble lets get into it. My name is Medicx21 and I have been streaming full time for about 17 months. The most important thing I have learned and stress to anyone getting started with streaming is you must have a predictable schedule. Lets point out the obvious, if no one knows when you’re going to stream then how can they come watch you again? That’s probably the answer most people will give you and that’s it. How about this thought though, you fit their time frame. Did you stop to think that maybe its not you? Especially just starting out. You’re not special. I’m sure not. Well my mom always said I was. Think of it this way though. You have a couple people watching so you’re not way up on that viewer list then suddenly someone stops in chats and follows. Hey maybe you make a great connection and become best friends but for the most part you will have a pretty casual conversation and hopefully be memorable to them. But you want them to come back right? Well unless that conversation was so special they obsess over the alert of your next live stream notification it may be hard to see them again. Unless you fit their life style. If every day they come home from work at 4 and you’re on at 4 guess whats going to fall into their daily routine?
But timings not everything. Remember you have to get that grab, the feels man, to get that follow. For the most part when someone comes into your channel for the first time you’re behind the 8ball. Not only do they have to wait for an annoying ad play but you’re in the future man. True story. By the time you’re stream hits twitch servers then replays on their device you can be anywhere from 10-30 seconds apart. So imagine this, guys crusing through channels and wants to watch someone. They click on this new channel wait 30 seconds for an add finally get in then say hi and wait 30 seconds for a response. But guess what, you were reading something in game and didn’t see their message for about 20 seconds. Well there goes over a minute now invested in your channel and all you did was read something to yourself on screen. Not very entertaining. Later bro.
What I’ve learned, TALK! Don’t stop talking. Seriously its hard at first but you’ll get use to it. Take the above scenario but instead of being focused on your game and silent you were talking. Stating everything you’re thinking, doing, and going to do. You may have missed their initial Hi but they’re now invested into what you’re doing. They know what you’re thinking. You weren't event talking to them but they feel apart of your conversation already. And hey, if timed right they probably wont even notice it took over a minute for you to respond because you were already talking about something or even to someone.
So far those are pretty important things right? You need to fit peoples schedules (for sure getting started you do not need people to fit you, you need to fit them), and you need to just keep talking. The first time someone enters your channel you’re behind the 8ball and better grab them. Times ticking.
But here’s what you really want to know right, how do I make money! Big bucks! I’m gonna quit my job and be the next sodapoppin right. Well shit I hope the best for you. Some streamers just got it man. They start streaming and a week later they’re partnered with 100’s of viewers and things are just working. Seriously that’s awesome and I’m super happy for those people. Wish I was one of them but such is life.
Here’s the truth, you're not going to make money. Especially if you think you’re going to make money. I streamed part time at as best of a predictable schedule as I could and it was over 6 months before my first donation. I’ll never forget it. But you want to know right? This is a business and you have to be able to generate revenue right? Well here’s what I’ve learned and would suggest trying.
Keep it small, keep it simple, make them feel like they are getting something not you. Setup a donation goal for something that will benefit the viewers. Want a new GPU. Dont say this months goal is so I can get a 1070. WTF go buy one then buddy. How about this, Monthly goal GTX 1070 to reduce frame drops, artifacting, and stutters during stream! Now they feel like they are getting the benefit of the 1070 not you. Right!
This ones important though seriously ive received a lot of positive feed back from this. Everyone knows a gtx 1070 is going for $400+ right now right. If your goal is $250 for a 1070 people are going to ask questions. Initially “Where the hell are you going to get a 1070 for $250?”. Well thanks for asking (because now we get to advertise this monthly goal and I didn’t bring it up to everyone). I really appreciate everyone being here and by no means expect you to just support me. I’m an adult right. I cant justify $400+ on a gpu for my hobby but I really want to provide you the best content every. So this is why its a donation goal. I need help getting you this better content so this little bit extra will help out a long way. Now you’re not asking for others to do everything for you and they feel like they are the ones getting the benefit from it.
So what happens next? Well if you hit the goal you have to follow through so you better be able to afford the difference right? For sure. But here’s a secret. If you don’t hit the goal, it was a monthly goal. Next month clear it start from scratch but make it for something else. Say you made $50. You cant get the 1070 for only $50 and having to front the other $350 right. That’s fine man keep it saved though. Now set a goal for something else. Try to get your goals very close to what you got last month but a little more. If you got $50 last month set a goal for something thats $75. Raise the bar but keep it reasonable. After a couple months come back to that gpu but restart your goal. Maybe you only made $10 the last month. Well now you have $60 towards that 1070 and on stream again you’re only asking for $250.
HEY! Eyes right here buddy! Follow through though. Don’t be a dick. Just because you change up goals doesn't mean you should spend that money on whatever you feel like. Your viewers are investing their valuable time into you and they deserve a quality return. Don’t do it and they will know.
Well then, three pages later. I guess we can rap this one up right here then. Those are three pretty important things I’ve learned over the past couple years of streaming. Fit their schedule and stick to it, keep talking and keep interactive at all times, and set channel goals. That’s honestly just the tip of the iceberg. There’s so much going on behind the scenes and honestly for a larger partnered streamer idk how they do it but I wish I could just find the trick. Till next time, good luck with your channel and I hope for nothing but the best and a long and successful career for you.