How to get your first viewers on Twitch:Twitch is fast becoming the most sort for in the list of streaming services. It is a platform that allows users to make crafts, play video games and display their lifestyle.
Millions of streamers and broadcasters stream via Twitch, although not all of them have viewers. A bunch of broadcasters on Twitch are yet to attract any viewer to their channel, yet they’ve spent months on Twitch.
As a streamer, discoverability on Twitch has been a great issue. Streamers who have large views on Twitch are those who already have large followers.
As a beginner, you can get your first few viewers from your family and close friends. Although, this does not mean you’ve automatically retained them as they may not be consistent.
As a streamer, getting views can be very pressurizing. How then do you attract and retain viewers on Twitch?
Ways to get your first viewers on Twitch
Below are some ways to get viewers to your stream.
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Create a YouTube channel
YouTube is a larger streaming platform that attracts lots of viewers than Twitch. One sure way to get viewers is by sourcing them from YouTube to stream your content on Twitch.
You can get gaming enthusiasts from YouTube by using the latest but not popular games to attract them. Especially ones with just a few videos on YouTube about them.
When you’ve selected the game, stream an excellent video of yourself playing the game. You can also include the game procedures or tips on how to excellently play and win in the game. This could be in a different video entirely.
Once this is done, upload the video. Don’t forget to give it a title. Ensure the title carries the name of the game and also the terms specific to that game.
To redirect them to Twitch, ensure to include the link to your Twitch account and also your social media accounts.
You can also include your Twitch username in the video and ask people to visit your Twitch channel for real-time gaming.
Another way is to add your Twitch username in the video and inform them to visit your Twitch channel for live gaming.
The more YouTube views you get, the more viewers you’ll get on your Twitch channel. Create more videos to increase your views on your Twitch account on a regular.
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Utilize your Social Media Account
Social media has been utilized by Twitch streamers to draw viewers to their Twitch accounts.
To utilize your Social media accounts, promote yourself on the platforms.
However, your social media does not mean that people will automatically flood your channel. Engaging your followers on your social media page is a way to get them to view your content on Twitch.
You can engage with people by using hashtags or following popular trends. Just make sure you’re engaging people, commenting on chats, joining conversions, giving your views on topics, etc.
This way, you can get these people to follow you on Twitch and view your content.
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Comment on other Twitch streams
Commenting on other Twitch channels allows you to interact with broadcasters. Target streams with large followership and interacts there. This way, other viewers will get attracted and want to stream your content.
Your efforts to engage and communicate with others will compel them to check out your account. The streamers will be able to see what you are offering and look forward to viewing more content from you.
While commenting on other streams, be neutral, be nice and avoid curses or rude words. Leave good impressions with your comments that will compel other streamers to visit your channel.
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Use Twitch Communities
As a streamer, you can utilize Twitch communities to get viewers quickly. Twitch communities are essential networking tools.
Increasing your followership and the number of streamers largely depends on your interactions. Creating and keeping relationships will help get loyal followers.
The whole of this is to get famous in these communities which will spur viewers to check out your channel. Once this is established, take advantage of it and coordinate events on your stream.
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Make your streams search engine friendly
Most viewers search the Twitch websites via the direct URL. They use search engines like Google, Yahoo!, and Bing to find the URL and visit it.
Ensure your Twitch streams search engine is friendly. This enables viewers to find it easily on their browser.
The best way of achieving this is to spread your stream details, name, and URL all over the web. Share the URL on online platforms, the social media. The idea is to make it seen everywhere by publicizing it.
Such a strategy allows search engines to identify your URL and index it. If people can see you on Google, following you on Twitch is a step away.
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Stream contents with viewers’ interest
Competition is the order of the day on streaming platforms, even on Twitch. This can be so gross that it may be difficult to direct a viewer to your stream.
You attract and retain viewers in your channel with the kind of content you broadcast.
Your stream isn’t for you, so dwell more on what people have an interest in and not just what you want. For example, the source for trending video games that people enjoy and not just a game you like.
Stream games you can easily spend hours playing. It should have the right intensity to attract viewers. Always pay attention to people’s interests.
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Stream in another language
Twitch isn’t limited to only English-speaking countries. Hence, there are users who do not understand or speak the language.
Streaming in another language is an added advantage for you as a streamer, as that field isn’t exploited yet. This way, you can be on the top-ranked list of streamers in that language.
You can also combine this other language with the English language to stream or have a schedule for days you’ll stream with English or the other language so that your viewers won’t be limited to just a group of people. However, specializing in a particular language will attract people of that group in their numbers to your stream.
As a streamer, don’t just go straight into broadcasting. I know you’re so excited about getting your content out there. Relax, sit down and map out a plan.
What do you want to stream on, how do you intend to attract followers, and how long do you want to stream for? These and more are questions you should ask yourself before streaming. This is where the plan comes in.
You should also plan how you want to get viewers to view your content. That is, which of the above strategies are you employing?
A plan will help you in marketing your channel properly and also know who to work with in growing your channel.
Tips for being in a Twitch Community
- Look at who else is active in the Community, why not join their chat and become friends?
- You can host them after your stream, or set them as auto hosts within your settings
- You could even be sneaky and raid them during your streams
- Do they have a Discord channel that you can join and interact with?
- Follow their Twitter, fellow community members, and engage with them
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQs)
As a streamer, how many Communities can I participate in?
In order to best connect to the audience most relevant to the content you are producing, you can only stream to one Community at a time. Have in mind that you can only add up to three communities on Twitch.
What happens to the Games Directory and Creative Directory?
They’re not going away! Communities are a separate, more targeted way to discover new broadcasts and stream to the most relevant audience.
Why are some translations missing in my local language?
In Twitch’s initial launch of the Communities beta, they do not have full support for non-English language Communities. They are working to change this, and translations will become available as soon as possible.
Why can’t I select a Community name that uses non-English characters? And why can’t I filter the list of Communities by language?
In Twitch’s initial launch of the Communities beta, they do not have full support for non-English language Communities. Twitch is working to change this, and they will support both non-English characters in Community titles and language filtering options as soon as they can.
How can I find Communities in the Twitch mobile apps?
Currently, Twitch does not support Communities in their mobile apps. Twitch plans to do so soon.
How is Twitch planning to handle Communities that violate our Terms of Service?
Communities must strictly adhere to Twitch Terms of Service and Community Guidelines without exception. As Communities evolves, Twitch looks into whether they need to expand its moderation tools.
I’m a developer, is there an API for Communities?
Yes! See the Twitch developer blog post for more information on what endpoints are available and how to get started.