A few years ago, making money from streaming gaming videos was seen as a joke. Who could’ve thought that playing video games would not only turn into a means of earning extra cash on the side but also a legit way to earn a living? It may seem too good to be true, but it is a reality for many people.
Today, we have more gamers than we ever could have imagined. People love watching others play gaming videos, which is why there is an entire genre of video game live streaming. If you love playing video games and are good at it, now is your time to monetize your passion.
Because we want to support gamers in all possible ways, we have prepared this guide for you. If you do not know how to turn your leisure into a profession, we are here to help you out. Keep reading, and by the end of this blog, you’ll be all set to earn the big bucks.
What Makes Live Streaming of Video Games So Popular?
Before you can set up shop, you need to understand what makes game live streaming so popular in the first place. While watching gameplay is enticing in itself, live streaming of video games offers more than that. As social animals, we are hungry to communicate and stay in touch with our emotions.
Because of this reason, you’ll notice that most live streamers tend to be talkative and energetic. Be it the gladiators or the Olympics, history has enough evidence to prove that we love a fight. And when you stream games, you offer that to your viewers.
Another essential factor that has soared the popularity of the game live streaming is the sense of community and belongingness. People want to be part of something bigger than themselves, and live streaming offers that to people in the comfort of their homes. You’d be surprised to know that around 48 percent of gamers like watching live streams instead of playing games themselves.
Another important reason people watch live streaming videos is that they want to learn something or become better at playing those games. Apart from the gameplay, viewers can also ask questions through live communication to learn what they want to know about the game. Live interaction plays an integral role in the life of any successful streamer.
What Would You Need to Start Game Streaming?
If you’ve made up your mind about starting live streaming, you need to have your basic requirements sorted. You have to start with having a powerful machine that allows high-quality live streams. However, if you have money restraints, go with the best money can buy you while staying within the constraints of your budget. Typically, a low-budget hardware recommendation would include 8GB of RAM, Intel Core i5-4670 processor, and Nvidia GTX 650 series or higher. If you cannot afford any of these, don’t fret. You can start live streaming with your smartphone.
Apart from a strong PC, you will need a microphone and a good webcam. You may underestimate the audio quality of your videos. However, it is essential to remember that many viewers love to listen to live streams rather than watch them.
You will require a third-party app that allows you to transfer your data to the streaming platform of your choice. When that’s sorted, you need to ensure that a stable internet connection is in place, and you cannot compromise in this department. Go with an ethernet connection rather than a wireless one. Your upload speed will matter, so make sure it is around 5 Mbps to allow decent quality live streams.
Lastly, you’ll need some cash to invest in lighting or other special effects, such as custom overlays and a green screen. When you do so, it will speak volumes of your commitment level, ultimately attracting more viewers to your channel.
Top Tips to Become a Successful Game Live Streamer
Half of your job is done when you have your streaming setup ready. Now, let’s take a closer look at how you can convert your channel into a legit source of business. Here are a few helpful tips that might help –
1.Start with choosing a game for live streaming, and you need to follow two essential criteria to pick one – it 2.should be trendy, and you must love playing it. Do thorough research on the latest trending games and pick the one you love.
3.When you have a game for your streaming channel, you have to be consistent with your uploads. Chalk out a schedule and stick to it. Not only does it show your level of commitment, but it also offers a sense of reliability to your viewers.
4.You need to make it a point to interact with viewers while streaming live. Do not neglect your viewers when you’re concentrating on the game. You must keep the conversation going, but do not try to force things. Try to keep it as natural and simple as possible.
5.You need to brand your live streaming channel to make it eye-catchy and unique. Put some thought into choosing your thumbnails, banners, and logos.
6.When you’re streaming, you need to watch your behaviour. It is not uncommon for streamers to lose their audience because of toxic behaviours. Cheating, hate speech, sexism, racism, and nudity are just a few things that can get into trouble.
7.Offer incentives through contests, giveaways, and run polls to attract new viewers and retain the old ones. A few innovative giveaway ideas include free gift cards, game keys, in-game currency, etc.
Closing Thoughts
You’d be happy to know that the future of game live streaming appears to be bright. If you’re passionate about being a streamer, there couldn’t be a better time than now. If you don’t have your basic equipment, it is time you start saving up some money to buy all your gadgets.
When you’re ready, choose a game for your live streams and stick to it. The key to success is consistency, so prepare a schedule to stay organized. And when you stream, keep interacting with your viewers to grow your audience base.