Live streaming is one of the biggest trends sweeping across gaming right now, with many streamers using platforms like Twitch to grow their audiences and increase revenue. It’s an indispensable marketing tool for indie game developers and even big publishers; you can use it to broadcast your gameplay footage straight to your fans. However, if you’re new to live streaming or just need a helping hand, follow these beginner-friendly tips. They cover everything from how to set up your camera so that viewers can see your face and reactions clearly, to how to structure a streaming session so that you don’t look nervous or stammer when talking about your game. Keep reading for five helpful tips on how to learn how to use a camera for game live streaming
Start small and be consistent
No matter how much you want to take streaming seriously as a channel for expanding your audience, your first few broadcasts probably won’t be very successful. Instead of trying to cram in a full thirty-minute session at once, start with a series of shorter, bite-sized broadcasts so that you don’t feel so stressed each time you hit the “publish” button. In the early stages, you might only be able to squeeze in ten-second videos, but you’ll gradually be able to stream longer sessions as you become more confident. Next, be consistent. When you first start streaming, there’s a chance that you might fall into a “rabbit-trail” syndrome and broadcast a lot of content without really having something new to say. However, if you make a point of publishing regular content, your viewers will eventually begin to recognise your voice and style. You might even come across a few viewers who comment on the regularity of your broadcasts. This might make you think more carefully about how often you’re publishing content and prompt you to come up with new ideas for your channel.
Talk about your game and personalisation options
When you first start streaming, you probably want to focus on your gameplay, but as you grow as a channel, your viewers might want to hear more about your game. You can talk about the inspiration for your game, how you developed it, and anything else that might interest your fans. You might also want to consider adding some optional “sponsored content” to your broadcasts; it’s not mandatory, but it can help you to make a little extra money while you’re growing your audience. When it comes to the visual side of your stream, you probably want to focus on producing high-quality video. Fortunately, Twitch has a whole host of options to help you to do this, from colourful overlays to professional camera equipment. For example, you can look into purchasing a camera that has built-in lighting, as well as microphones and audio inputs that you can use to pipe in sound effects and music from your computer. Add these visual elements to help to make your gameplay footage look even better.
Don’t forget sound effects and music
While you’re producing quality visuals, you may want to add some sound effects, too. Add anything from simple audio clips to more complex soundscapes that you can create using software like Audacity. Alternatively, you can also find community-made effects that you can use in your broadcasts. As for the music side of things, there are actually a few different ways that you can use music in Twitch streams. The first option is to simply play music in the background, which is suitable for gameplay videos. Alternatively, you can use music for sound effects, which is ideal for when you’re creating visual effects, such as soundscapes or sound effects for when you’re firing off weapons in an FPS. You can also use music for when you’re creating a narrative for your broadcasts, such as when you’re playing a narrative-driven game, such as a first-person adventure.
Lay the foundation for growth with regular broadcasts
If you’re just starting out, a weekly, or even bi-weekly broadcast might be your best bet. These regular broadcasts can help you to build up a regular stream of content, which will make it easier for your viewers to get used to your voice and style. You can also use these broadcasts to add optional sponsored content, such as tutorial videos or walkthroughs for your game. You don’t have to broadcast the same content each time you broadcast; instead, use these broadcasts as a chance to come up with new ideas, such as tutorials and walkthroughs that aren’t included in your regular broadcasts. This will help to lay the groundwork for your channel’s growth and help you to avoid falling into a “rabbit-trail” scenario.
Wrapping up
Starting out as a Twitch streamer can feel intimidating, but with a little patience and a few helpful tips, you can grow as a streamer and make some serious money. Start with small, bite-sized broadcasts and be consistent in your content; you can use these broadcasts to add optional sponsored content, such as tutorial videos, or lay the groundwork for future growth with new ideas for your channel. Once you’re comfortable streaming regularly, you can also use these tips to help you to grow your channel and build an audience. Live streaming is an invaluable marketing tool for indie game developers and even big publishers. However, if you’re new to live streaming or just need a helping hand, follow these beginner-friendly tips. They cover everything from how to set up your camera so that viewers can see your face and reactions clearly, to how to structure a streaming session so that you don’t look nervous or stammer when talking about your game.
