YouTube gaming streams watch-time increased to 100 billion hours in 2020 (almost doubled from last year). It’s proof positive of the increasing popularity of this niche amongst the audience. So, this is the best time for you to enter the YouTube streaming world and tap into this large pool of users looking for gaming content.
How to start streaming on YouTube as a gamer?
“If a window of opportunity appears, don’t pull down the shade.”
-Tom Peters
Those words fit very well for YouTube gaming creators right now. You have a huge class of potential users, you have access to YouTube, and you have a camera. Now all you need are some easy hacks to get started. With that, we give streaming tips for beginners on YouTube from the creators of top gaming channels.
Tip 1: Find your niche
Thousands of gaming streamers are playing the same game. Hence, it is imperative to find your unique style to stand out from the crowd. You need to establish your own voice. Individuality and creativity are necessary to build a community.
Find a niche in which you’re interested and that is different from other gaming channels. Conduct research and present authentic content to your viewers.
Tip 2: Set a goal
Setting a goal is crucial as it helps in forming a streaming strategy for your YouTube channel. If you’re into playing competitive games, then your stream should be more focused on the gameplay. However, if you play personality-based games, then your characters and traits need to shine in the streams. For such games, you need to make more entertaining videos to engage the audience.
Tip 3: Keep your audience hooked
YouTube suggests videos to other viewers based on the watch time. Gamers can check the average view duration of their videos via the Studio app.
This way, you will know which parts of your videos were watched the most and which parts were skipped. Then plan and create more engaging content accordingly so that viewers watch your videos till the end. Also, use the latest trends to make the content more engaging for viewers.
Tip 4: Plan your content and be consistent
It is important to stick to a schedule and keep your YouTube streams at a particular time. Why? So that viewers know when you will be online, and it becomes a part of their routines.
The trick is to plan your content and upload it ahead of time. This will allow you to manage time effectively and produce regular content. Once your channel grows, try uploading videos 2-3 times a week.
Tip 5: Use quality equipment
As a YouTube gaming streamer, you don’t need to buy subscriptions to expensive applications. As a beginner, start with software such as Open Broadcaster Software (OBS) along with a webcam and a microphone.
However, you must invest in a good-quality microphone because the fine audio quality is key to viewers’ wanting to listen to what you have to say. The camera is not that critical for gaming streamers, as users will be seeing your computer screen and hearing your voice rather than watching your face.
Tip 6: Focus on engagement
Interact with your viewers frequently. Respond to comments on your channel. Use SmartReply. In particular, pay close attention to your regular viewers and make them feel special by mentioning their names while streaming.
Reach out to your loyal fanbase to get honest feedback. Try live streaming. This way, you’ll be able to make your subscribers happy. Also, your streaming will improve by taking into consideration your viewers’ opinions.
Check out these ways to engage with your audience and get to know them better.
Tip 7: Evolve your content with time
To keep subscribers and viewers elated, you must evolve and modify your content continuously. Improvement in editing, thumbnails, scripting, etc., is helpful. Streaming multiple games has worked well for the famous gaming creator, Jay Gaming.
You can try this too by scheduling mixed content streaming from time to time. It provides multiple options to the audience on your channel, and they can decide what type of game they want to watch.
Tip 8: Collaborate with other YouTubers in your niche
Most famous YouTubers take advantage of collaborations. You must have noticed creators featuring in each other’s videos or playing a multiplayer game together and streaming on their individual channels. This boosts their channel’s fanbase and gives them more exposure.
Find YouTubers streaming the same category of games as you and reach out to them for combined streaming. Check out this guide on how to collaborate with other influencers to grow your influence.
Tip 9: Enhance brand approachability
Brands approach streamers based on their number of subscribers, popularity, or face value. Once engagement on your channel and views on your videos increase, brands are more likely to ask for a collaboration. A consistent level of viewership and an engagement rate across the channel are essential.
YouTube gaming streams: a result of hard work and patience
Hard work and patience are the keys. As with any other content creation, YouTube streaming needs dedicated work too. Concentrate on your goals regularly and improve your channel as you go. Continue to push yourself, and views will come sooner than you think!
