Streaming video games is a big deal, and the amount of people wanting to try their hand at live broadcasting on the internet has exploded. Millions of players and e-sports fans from GGbet now tune in every day to watch their favorite streamers play, share tips, and fool around with the chat. Interested in getting behind the mic and starting your own community? Here are some tips to help you get started.

What you need to start streaming

You’re going to need some gear, and it’s important to have the right hardware and software from the start. Here’s a basic checklist to get going:

Hardware:

1. A decent computer: Streaming is demanding on your system. Most gaming streamers broadcast at 1080p60, so your set-up needs to be able to run your games at this resolution and cope with streaming it to Twitch or YouTube. Ensure your PC or laptop has a good CPU (like an Intel i7 or Ryzen 5) and a decent GPU (such as an Nvidia GTX 1660 or higher). You may be able to get away with less, but the bigger punch your PC packs the better.
2. A high-quality microphone: Clear audio is crucial. Consider options like the Blue Yeti or the HyperX QuadCast, both of which produce good sound and won’t break the bank.
3. A webcam: Showing your face is optional, but you can bet doing so will make your stream more personal. Popular choices include the Logitech C920 or the Razer Kiyo.
4. Stable internet connection: The faster the better. Most home connections should be fine, but more bandwidth makes for a smoother stream.

Software:

1. OBS Studio: OBS is an extremely popular application specifically designed for streaming. This is a very safe bet. There are other options, but many of the most popular streamers only use OBS Studio for good reason. Bonus: it’s free.
2. Streamlabs: Used in conjunction with OBS, Streamlabs (which, again, is free) lets you add chatbots, overlays, and alerts. If you’re watching streamers on Twitch or YouTube, they’re probably using OBS and Streamlabs.

Choosing the right platform

When it comes to streaming platforms, Twitch and YouTube are the main options for gaming. While you can stream on both simultaneously, each has its own set of advantages:

Twitch:

• Community: Twitch was made for streaming games and e-sports, so it comes with a community of players that has a pre-built acceptance of all things video games. With millions of viewers looking for gaming content, it’s a great place to build an audience.
• Features: Twitch offers features like chat interactions and subs. Viewers can also clip your feed live on Twitch, making sharing key points in streams as easy as hitting a button.
• Monetization: Twitch allows streamers to earn money through subscriptions and ads once they reach Affiliate or Partner status.

YouTube:

• Reach: YouTube is the online video daddy. Its audience is enormous, and so is the potential for building a large community for your streams.
• VODs: Your streams are automatically saved as videos. This is a massive plus over Twitch, which doesn’t do this by default.
• Monetization: As you’d expect, YouTube offers various monetization options, including ads, memberships, and Super Chat.

Tips for Building an Audience

The million-dollar question: how do you get people to watch your streams? Here are some tips to get you going, but you need to accept that you’re probably in for a very long haul.

1. Be patient: This is the absolute, unavoidable, number one requirement. Success could take literally years. Keep streaming, love the process and don’t get discouraged by slow growth.
2. Consistency: Establish a regular, sustainable streaming schedule so viewers know when to tune in. Start slowly. Sticking to streaming once a week is far better than trying to do it five times a week and not being able to cope after a few months.
3. Engagement: Interact with your chat. Ask questions and respond to comments. You won’t build community if you don’t interact with your viewers.
4. Promotion: Take the time to promote your streams on social media. This is obvious, especially in the early days, but you’d be amazed how many people don’t.
5. Upgrade your gear: As your channel grows, upgrade your equipment to increase the quality of your streams.

An amazing hobby that could become a career

Streaming games can be an amazing hobby that brings you into contact with people from all over the world, but the competition is ferocious. The key in making it as a streamer is just to start, to enjoy yourself and to build your profile and audience over time. If you’re patient, produce quality content, stay consistent in broadcasting over the long-term and have a genuine desire to interact with your viewers, you’ll see your stats rise. Good luck!