Over the years, streaming has changed the way gamers and content creators used to interact with each other. Famous streaming platforms have gathered millions of people in one place where they can all connect, watch, and support each other.
Whether you’re a gamer, artist, or passionate about creating an impact with your unique personality, starting and dedicating your time and efforts to create content for others is a beautiful journey.
In this guide, we’ll go through all the basics that you should never overlook if you’re planning to start streaming online. So, without any further ado. Let’s dig straight in!
Streaming Setup
Before anything else, you must get yourself a decent setup that fulfills all your needs to create high-quality content. A good setup includes all your necessary hardware including a microphone, webcam, and stable internet connection alongside a powerful PC capable of smoothly running the intended games and software products that you plan to create content with.
High-quality gear increases the overall content quality. You may be able to record your voice and yourself on a cheap microphone and webcam but the quality matters a lot. High-definition recording and crisp voice help you create a better a better impression on your potential audience.
Lastly, the ambiance and lighting of your setup and your streaming place matter a lot. Try to arrange your streaming space to reflect your overall persona effectively. You can always use lights, wallpapers, and posters of your favorite characters to increase the aesthetics of your place.
Choose Your Niche
When starting your streaming career, the first thing you should have clarity about is your niche. You should not only be clear about your niche but you should also be specific about your area of interest.
For example; you should not only know that you’re going to create gaming content but you should also be specific about the games that you plan to create content around.
Streaming Software
There are many streaming software out there such as OBS Studio and StreamLabs. They all provide exceptional features that play a very important role in managing your overall streams. Be it your stream layout, messages, or the quality of your stream, these software products give you complete access to control everything with only a few clicks.
It is recommended to watch a few basic guides related to the software you’re opting for, YouTube guides will help you learn the basics of your chosen software. It will help you to personalize your stream according to your choice. You can add different layouts like your webcam, stream chatbox, or anything you’d like.
Choose a Streaming Platform
When it comes to choosing a streaming platform, it gets hard to choose between the new rising platforms and established ones. There are few platforms doing exceptional by promoting new content creators. Let’s discuss the pros and cons, it’ll help you make an informed decision.
Twitch
Starting off with the world’s leading platform Twitch. With over 140 million users, you can say that Twitch is the main hub of online streaming right now. Although, Twitch offers great opportunities for new content creators due to higher competition, aspiring streamers try to look for alternatives to make their way up.
You can start streaming on Twitch and make money once you achieve your path to Twitch affiliate, there are specific requirements for that. You can check out our Twitch affiliate guide, it will help you understand everything. Moreover, Twitch splits up 50/50 revenue of the streamers except in some exceptional cases.
Kick
With over 14 million active users, Kick is another streaming platform that has been rapidly growing over the past few months. Many Twitch streamers have been shifting to Kick because their revenue percentage cut is nothing compared to Twitch. They split up 5/95 which is quite appreciative for new content creators.
You can start making money on Kick by joining the Kick Creator program. There are some specified requirements for that such as 75 followers, and streaming time of more than 5 hours, etc. The only thing that appeals to new streamers is the streamer-friendly policies that encourage them to shift to Kick but Twitch still compensates for that by providing better chances to grow.
Trovo
Trovo isn’t as crowded as Twitch and Kick. With 300k streamers, it’s a less crowded platform. You won’t find more than 30-50k active streamers on Trovo at any time. But, surprisingly, it’s always growing so we don’t know what to expect in the future.
To make money on Trovo, you need to become a part of the Trovo 500 program. It’s an invitation-based program with different levels. The earnings of each level vary from others as they’re classified based on their popularity and engagement.
While Twitch may provide you with better opportunities to grow in the long run, Trovo and Kick offer streamer-friendly policies that encourage new content creators to start making money as quickly as possible.
Facebook Live Streaming
We all have been using Facebook for decades now. It features live streaming options to promote content creators. There are multiple ways to make money as a streamer on Facebook.
Once you achieve the 10000 follower count on Facebook, you can monetize your streams with live ads. There are three types of in-stream ads.
- Pre-roll ads: 5-15 seconds ad before your stream starts
- Mid-roll ads: 5-15 seconds ad in between your streams.
- Image ads: Banner ads that may appear at any time during your live streams.
You can earn money from subscriptions as well. To get eligible to receive subscriptions on Facebook you must have 10,000 followers or 250+ return viewers, 50,000 Post engagements, and 180,000 Watch Minutes in the last 60 days.
YouTube Live Streaming
The best way to generate passive income on YouTube as a live streamer is through their YouTube Partner program. To get eligible for the YouTube partner program, you must have 1000 subscribers along with at least 4000+ hours of watch time in the last 1 year.
You can also earn on YouTube via Adsense but that income is reliable and it fluctuates. You get 55 percent out of that revenue.
The other potential earning streams are super chat and tips. Such income streams show your viewer’s support. It always increases once you’ve built a solid community on YouTube.
Instagram Live Streaming
Instagram is another live-streaming platform that allows you to go anywhere with just a few taps on your phone. To make money via Instagram live streaming, you must be eligible for Instagram live badges.
Live badges are the currency or a monetization method on Instagram that helps live-streamers make money. Below is the eligibility criteria.
- Have a professional business account.
- 18+ years old
- Comply with Instagram’s Terms of Service
- Be in a region with access to the feature
- Have 10K+ followers
Make a Schedule And Be Consistent
Streaming is just like training your body every day and going to the gym. You won’t see any results immediately because it’s a time-consuming process. Motivation doesn’t help you to stream every day. It’s the dedication and consistency that helps you run long.
Create a proper schedule to go live every day. Try to stream at night or in the evening so that the maximum number of people are available to join your streams.
Stay Active on Social Media Platforms
Your social media presence plays a significant role in improving your overall profile. Short reels, your daily life hustles, are a great way to connect with your audience personally. Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook are the major platforms every streamer must use. You can build whole different communities there alongside your streaming platform.
Conclusion
Starting your streaming career requires lots of effort, dedication, and consistency. From actively engaging with your viewers through chat to promoting your streams on your social media platforms. It’s a continuous hustle to grow.
The journey demands creativity, smart approaches, and better networking. You can always collaborate with other streamers in the initial stages to achieve the spotlight of different communities.
Once you’re clear with the process, and have your setup ready, just hit the “Go Live” button and enjoy yourself showing your undiscovered side to the whole world. Happy Streaming!