This was written with the intent to be released last week as an article on Livespace, intended to bolster struggling streamers; it was delayed due to feedback. Now, with the unexpected announcement of LS' closure, this article is being released as is.
Things are tough right now, not going to lie about it: things are tough for streamers.
Maybe you’re burnt out by the endless controversies du jour in the streaming world. Maybe you’re wondering where the audience has gone, or if they’ll be there. Maybe you’re frustrated over getting enough subscriptions. Maybe you’re confused why people aren’t buying the awesome stuff in your store. Maybe you’re wondering why you aren’t getting enough collabs. Or maybe you don’t care about that and you just wonder where the magic went.
Maybe you’re even – shock! gasp! – considering throwing in the towel.
Fair enough.
For starters, let me say this: if you do decide it’s not for you…that’s fine, not an issue. The grand majority of streamers (myself included) aren’t trying to make this a career, and not every hobby is for everyone (trust me, anyone who’s seen me try modelbuilding knows I have zero patience for that.) I have a friend who has a talent for streaming but has no interest in it; he tried for a while, but his internet connection combined with his dislike of it sent him off. And there’s nothing wrong with that in the least. Some people are meant to be the audience only. Some people aren’t even meant to be here. Again, that’s not a slam – that’s life.
And for those who are trying to make it a career – there’s no shame in failure. There’s a Mongolian proverb that says, A person falls seven times and gets up eight. So this run didn’t work for you. Maybe you’re looking at it from the wrong way. Maybe you’re doing it wrong (and oh yes, there are plenty of you doing it wrong, but that’s another discussion for another time). Of course, it could also be just timing: you might be the best at Fortnite BR on Livespace, but let’s be honest: how many “best at X” are on the other sites as well? Plus, there are a limited number of things the eyeball can track, so something’s gotta give.
Look at it from a different way: You might be the best at Fortnite BR. But how many people are, good or bad, playing the same game? Maybe branching out into something else might be it. Farlight 84, Valorant, etc. etc. etc. Maybe you’re good at art? How about a Creative stream? Love chatting? Do a Just Chatting stream. The possibilities are endless. And don’t say “I’m not good at that.” You probably weren’t good at the game you’re playing when you started, but you got better over time. That applies to real life as well, too. Including streaming.
For collaborations: networking is key. It doesn’t really matter how great you are at whatever if no one knows you’re there. Or worse, you’ve gained a reputation that you won’t talk. That’s a death knell as a streamer to begin with, but it’s especially egregious if you want collaborations. I’ve swung around plenty of streams and seen people who just play and say nothing, nothing at all. Note this is different from “focus”, where you don’t say anything for periods of time. We all go into focus at one time or another; as an artist here on LS I would be remiss and hypocritical if I didn’t excuse that. But again, there’s a difference between not saying anything for a few minutes and not saying anything during your entire stream. People come to streams for interaction and by not, well, interacting, you’re not going to let them have a fun time.
And if you are going to make streaming a career: don’t. And by don’t I do not mean don’t do it, what I mean is don’t look desperate for money. Viewers, in a sense, are like sharks: they’re going to see whether you’re having a great time or you’re doing it just for the coin. And that goes double if you’re favoring certain audiences over others. I had the “pleasure” (note sarcasm) of watching a multistreamer literally state to his audience on LS (well, technically LS and any other site he was multistreaming to) that unless they were going to get subscriptions on Twitch, they weren’t worth his time. Was he joking? Not a clue. Did that cause him to completely push away any potential audience that he had on LS – or anywhere else? Well, I haven’t seen that account active since, so you tell me.
As for merchandizing: unless you have a compelling reason to do so, don’t go overboard. It doesn’t matter if you’re the best streamer or not; if you only have one or two viewers, I guarantee you’re not going to sell more than a couple of hoodies, T-shirts, stickers or what have you. And while that might be great for the average streamer, for those who are counting on a financial pipeline from the store, that’s going to be very bad.
Let’s take a look at someone who I think is doing the store right: @Coreyartus is an LS streamer and his store is more focused on his business rather than his streaming efforts. From his store, you can buy stationery, greeting cards and the like. Does he plan on T-shirts and other streaming-based wares? Probably, but that would be down the line once he has a steady stream of viewers. He has a long-term plan, and while I haven’t spoken with him extensively about them, it’s clear that he has one. There are likely others, who don’t make streaming the focus of their stores, but themselves or their businesses.
Lastly, I’m going to impart upon you all a grand secret, a cosmic truth that shines down mightily from the heavens and bores into all the souls of each who shall hear it. Are you ready? Follow the rules and traditions of each site you are going to. Each site is like its own nation and has its own culture. Streaming on Twitch? Well, you know how that is. Streaming on Kick? You know what it’s like there. Youtube? Likewise. But Livespace is a different animal than the others, and you need to understand that. Just because streaming gaming in Just Chatting works on one site, it may not work on the others. Streaming gaming in Technology or Outdoors because you’re the only one there so people will pay attention? Also not going to work. Streaming NSFW stuff without the age block because you’re the only one doing it so you’re sure to draw in the eyes? Not only is that not a good idea, it’s gonna run you afoul of the mods. Sure, do people make mistakes? Yup. Do people not know the rules automatically the first time they come here? Obvious. But when you’ve been here a month, still doing “my first stream” in Just Chatting when you should be in gaming with a better title, you know better and you wonder why the audience isn’t there? You’ve just answered your own question.
Ultimately, in the long run, streaming isn’t easy, not in the least. And ultimately, it does take some effort – even when you don’t want to be personable, you need to be, for the viewers, collaborators and anyone who is within your sphere of operations. And of course there are responsibilities (seriously!) as well as things to keep in mind. But most of all, let us not forget at the end of the day: it’s supposed to be about fun. You’re supposed to have a blast and invite others to do that right along with you, whether or not your aim is to make money or even just have a good time.
And if you can’t do that…why are you doing this to begin with?
But don’t just take my word for it: I asked a few of my fellow Spacers to jot down their own wisdom, and a couple of them chimed in.
“Have FUN along the way as you only get one go round on this planet, so make the most of it.”
@oldbaldg
“Knowledge is power.”
@Midgeworth
“Focus on your own work. Making decisions based on what works for others will never work 100% of the time. You can get motivation from others in your space, but at the end of the day you're the only one who can show up for your special and unique show and that should be something you love about yourself and your process.”
@Fawnlace