Twitch is one of the fastest-growing websites on the internet. It is the gamers’ main channel for streaming live broadcasts of their gaming videos. Twitch started out in 2011 but it was only during the latter half of the decade when it got over a million viewers. Fast-forward to 2021, with dozens of new and exciting games and more gamers coming out Twitch has reached over 6 million concurrent viewers.
For gamers, having a Twitch account and streaming games has become a really good idea. It’s a good way to connect with other gamers, influence the gaming industry, and play games not totally on your own. If you already have a Twitch account, the next thing you might be thinking about is how to get followers on Twitch. Check out the guide below to help you out.
Planning Stage
If you want followers and more viewers for your live streams, you need to do your homework. You can’t just go live without planning first. Here are some things you need to get started on:
Decide on Focus Content
First of all, you need to solidify what kind of content you will be making. A good idea is to focus on games or content that you like or are passionate about. You can focus on one single game that you love, like the Sims, or focus on a specific genre, such as role-playing games.
Review Target Viewers
Once you have decided on the type of content that you will be showing on your Twitch account, it will be easier for you to learn more about your target viewers. Checking out the statistics of Twitch users will allow you to know when you should be broadcasting. You need to check when are your target viewers active or actually awake to watch your streams.
Knowing your target viewers will also help you in choosing the type of content you will show. For example, if you have decided on focusing on World of Warcraft, you should always be up-to-date when it comes to new updates and expansions from Blizzard.
Make and Follow a Schedule
Gathering information from your focus content and your target followers, it is now time to make a schedule and actually stick to it. Followers appreciate Twitch accounts that actually show their schedules or those that do live streams consistently. When you are consistent with your videos, from content to schedule, you will likely get more followers.
Creating Content
Now that you know the base of your strategy on how to get followers on Twitch, it’s time to get into the actual content. Apart from the consistency, followers would want to see Twitch streamers that have entertaining and informative videos.
Use the Right Equipment
First things first, to be a Twitch streamer, you need to have the right equipment. The most important is that you have a desktop or laptop for streaming Twitch. Make sure that you have at least 8GB RAM and a processor at least an Intel Core i5-4670.
You don’t need to have a fancy computer unless you plan on showing your setup to your followers. Aside from meeting the Twitch requirements, your specs should also meet the requirements of the games that you will be playing. Upgrade your video card if you can so your followers can watch lag-free videos.
Other equipments you might want to invest in include an external microphone or a headset with a good mic. Good lighting is a must too if you want your followers to see your reactions clearly when you play.
For Live Videos
The very foundation of Twitch is on live streaming, so for live videos, you really need to pull out your A-game. Here are two things to help you with your live videos:
Practice Talking to an Audience
Before you go live, do a lot of practice talking to a pretend audience. For first-time Twitch streamers, it can be a bit awkward to talk to just your screen. Try to record yourself during your practice so you have an idea of what you look and sound like for your actual live streams.
Prepare Script or Talk Points
Nobody wants to watch a Twitch video wherein the streamer isn’t really giving any good information. To help you out, you can make a script for your planned content. Make sure to include a call-to-action, such as for subscribers to follow you.
If you feel scripts are a little too restrictive or won’t come out naturally, you can always list talk points instead. Include the highlights of the game that you will play, reminders of how you want your gameplay to go, and other notable information that you can talk about randomly in case your mind suddenly blanks.
For Posted Videos
Twitch has allowed affiliate or partner Twitch streamers to upload pre-made videos. For this, you can definitely tweak the information you want to show your followers.
Brush Up on Editing Skills
The advantage of pre-made videos is you can filter out information that isn’t needed. Brush up on your editing skills and make transitions on your videos smooth and clear.
Get Help
If you aren’t talented in the video editing department, don’t worry. You can always ask for help from friends or professional editors. Do get help because you can gain new followers and retain old ones with good content.
Expanding Your Network
Once you have posted your video or finished streaming, the work does not end there. One of the most important ways on how to get followers on Twitch is to put yourself out there. Just because you are on Twitch doesn’t mean you should only focus all of your energy there.
Use Other Social Media Platforms
It’s a good idea to also set up an account on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, TikTok, and other social media platforms for your Twitch account. This way, you can maximize the number of people who can see you or learn about your Twitch streams. More viewers and more audience can equal to more new followers.
Be sure to put informative posts on your social media accounts. This can include a schedule of your live streams, the topics of your videos, or just anything about your Twitch account.
Communicate With Followers
Once you get followers, the next thing you need to think about is how to retain them. Remember those old followers can get you, new followers. So, if someone leaves a comment on your other social media accounts, do reply.
If you don’t have too much time on your hands, you can always have a pre-set reply ready. However, followers appreciate Twitch streamers who are authentic and actually communicate with them.
Join Groups
If you want to get followers who are your actual target market, then it’s time to join groups. If you have focused content on Final Fantasy, then join a group that is into Final Fantasy. However, you can always diversify the group you join, like general gaming groups.
Support the Community
Everyone needs support but don’t forget to offer your support too. If you have fellow Twitch streamers following you, do follow them back. It’s normal that when you start out on Twitch, the first followers you get are people you know, like your friends and family. But that’s really how to get followers on Twitch at first.
Final Tips
Now that you know how to get followers on Twitch, it’s time to get to work. Remember that starting out on Twitch, your viewers and followers count will always start at zero. And, sometimes, the rise up will feel so slow, and it can get frustrating, but don’t give up.
There is no easy way to get followers on Twitch, authentic or organic ones, that is. But remember that you just need to do the work. Good quality content, consistency, and exposure can really boost your numbers. It also helps if you are nice to your audience!
