Whether you’re a fan of streaming and have been thinking about getting into it, are looking for genuine ways to make money online, or have a passion and you simply want to share it, there has never been a better time to find your audience. More people are watching streams than ever, which means there’s a significant chance to win over an audience of your own. However, there are a lot of streamers out there to compete with, so what makes you stand out?
The content that you stream
If you are able to find a unique hook on the kind of content that you produce, then you should run with it as it is what might be best to set you apart. Creative streams such as art, music, and the like are inherently easier to make unique since they require personal creativity. However, when it comes to gaming, strategic choices of the games that you play can matter, too. You don’t have to be the best at the games, choosing games that have specific followings or niches can help too, and there are tools to help you select games that are trending or have growing communities, too.
Your look, vibe, and brand
Even if your content isn’t the most unique in the world, if you have a passion for it, along with a strong look, feel, and brand, then that can make a big difference. Streaming is a world of personalities of all sizes and kinds, and while the bigger, louder ones might stand out more, that doesn’t mean that there isn’t room for mature thoughtful streamers, comfy and cozy streamers, cutesy streamers, and more. A lot of streamers have been setting themselves apart visually through their decor, outfits, or through avatars, such as a unique vtuber model. Vtubers have been a lot more popular as of late, as they can represent a really wide range of characters, and offer a lot to help streamers protect their privacy, too.
Your community
Never underestimate the power of social proof in terms of getting people to check you out. Treating your community well should be a given (even if some bigger streamers set a pretty awful example), but how you get involved with your community is just as important. This can include things like playing community games together (such as Minecraft or Monster Hunter lobbies), but it also includes taking community suggestions for streams, such as tier lists and the like. Your community should extend to your streaming peers, finding the opportunities for collaborations and genuinely supporting others that you’re excited to watch can help you find a lot of cross-over between your audiences, but it has to be done with real enthusiasm. Most streaming communities can spot clout-chasing pretty well.
It’s not easy to carve out a niche that gets a lot of viewers but if you’re willing to put the work in, have a passion for what you do, and find the right way to stand out, you can win your own viewership, even if you have to grow it steadily at first.
