Let your passion meet performance.
A was getting bored, B loved playing video games, C got inspired by friends, and D wanted to make money by ditching the traditional office job. There might be a variety of explanations associated with ABCDs, but one thing is certain they joined the world of live streaming to express themselves in creative ways.
Be it gameplay, storytelling, news reporting, live sales, or any streaming activity; streamers capture the attention of viewers using their unique personality and talents. They build or become a part of a community around shared interests while being their own boss and creating content on their own terms.
Imane Anys, a Moroccan-Canadian internet personality, started playing Game Boy, Nintendo DS, and Wii, following in the footsteps of her gamer brother. During her middle school, she began playing MMOs (massively multiplayer online games) such as MapleStory and Endless Online.
In 2013, she bought a $250 PC from a classified website and started streaming on Twitch. To pursue her career in streaming, she dropped out of Chemical Engineering at McMaster University and attracted the attention of Twitch users with her streams focusing mainly on League of Legends, Fortnite, and Valorant. With 9.3 million followers, her channel Pokimane (portmanteau of Pokémon and her name, Imane), is the most-followed channel on Twitch operated by a female. She, however, quit Twitch on January 30, 2024, citing its “messy behavior” and that she wanted to try other streaming platforms.
While explaining the live streaming e-commerce culture in China, The New York Times narrates the story of Taiping, a man born in the plains of Inner Mongolia, an autonomous region of the People's Republic of China.
Born and brought up in a place that witnesses minus 20-degree temperature, he worked as a herdsman as well as a driver before giving up his school after the fifth grade. Once, during the tourist season, he saw the influx of people in the town’s grassland and he capitalized the moment by selling beef jerky. He made good money, but when the tourist season ended, his temporary business also came to a close.
Sometimes later, he was introduced to Kuaishou (pronounced kwai-show), China’s first short video platform, launched in 2011. In the platform where people used to share pre-recorded clips, Taiping noticed the economic viability and started posting videos about beef jerky. Viewers began ordering the product, and he started making money by shipping to delivery locations of customers.
Soon, Kuaishou started the live streaming feature and became a dominant hub of live sales. At the same time, Taiping was approached by a Kuaishou’s representative who wanted him to expand his business using live streaming. Having little knowledge of Mandarin (the widely-spoken language in China) and being completely unfamiliar with the intricacies of business management, he was flown to Beijing to participate in an expedited learning program covering public speaking, employee management, and trademark registration.
In 2018, he sold $650,000 worth of beef jerky (30 times more than his income in 2016) with exponential growth in his income during the coronavirus pandemic. He has expanded his team to include 10 customer-service personnel who aid him in engaging with fans while he converses.
Be it Imane Anys or Taiping, the journey of both from novice to virtuoso is a testament to the power of perseverance, passion, and determination. They must have gone through several challenges, setbacks, and moments of self-discovery before becoming a master of their crafts — online gaming and live sales.
Many streamers like them started from scratch but honed their skills through regular practice. However, during the journey of transformation, these professional streamers possessed certain characteristics that carry special weight for those starting afresh with live streaming.
Let's take a closer look at some of these important traits:
In the universe of live streaming, boredom is the final boss. From cracking jokes and demonstrating pro-level gaming stunts to exuding enthusiasm while reporting an event and inspiring sluggish people to start doing pushups instantly in the fitness session, it's the presentation that keeps viewers glued to their screens, begging for more.
When charm, wit, charisma, authenticity, and infectious energy are combined then even mundane moments can be transformed into unforgettable experiences. An engaging personality is the X-factor that differentiates top-notch streamers from others and sets the stage for success.
Professional streamers have a good understanding of live streaming software and streaming settings to deliver high-quality streams to viewers. They know how to adjust audio-video quality, manage custom branding, and troubleshoot technical issues. An extended technical glitch can not only wash out the chances of getting news viewers or donations but also it can be perceived by viewers as a sign of unprofessionalism.
Building connections with other streamers, brands, and industry insiders opens doors to collaborations, sponsorship deals, and valuable opportunities. A professional streamer knows how to leverage networking because they seek new perspectives and ideas around audience growth and revenue generation.
If your channel is popular and viewers really like your stream, then have got certain expectations. They eagerly wait for your next stream to watch it and interact with you as your loyal fan because for them your channel is a dependable source of entertainment. Consistency sets apart successful streamers who can maintain a dedicated and engaged audience over time.
Viewers’ preferences are not always constant, they change over time. Similarly, the technology and platform algorithms can also witness a significant change. In these circumstances, a professional streamer is always ready to adapt quickly to stay relevant and competitive in the live streaming sphere.
Skilled streamers know the art of maintaining a perfect balance between personal and professional life. They’ve to brainstorm content ideas for their calendar, they’ve to analyze previous performances, and they’ve to be efficient in handling technical issues and collaborating or discussing with network partners and sponsors. They know they’ve to manage everything calmly to achieve their goals.
Long hours of streaming often lead to a sedentary lifestyle, negatively impacting physical and mental health in the long run. Without a balanced diet, proper sleep, and exercise, the energy level goes down, eventually disrupting focus and creativity. Moreover, as an influencer, a professional streamer inspires viewers to adopt healthy behaviors. By setting positive examples, they contribute to creating a healthier and more supportive streaming community.
By staying positive, professional streamers can tackle hurdles and setbacks with resilience because they know reaching their goals requires time and patience. MC Tianyoy, a live streamer on YY, used to be a street vendor before he started rapping about life, love, and gender dynamics using down-to-earth lyrics. He continued optimistically and started making $11 million a year.
Since you know the basic traits required for the transformation from being a newbie to a pro streamer, you need to follow some key steps to achieve your desired status:
Whether you want to give cooking ideas for the bachelor or demonstrate your Counter Strike skills to gamers, you’ve to select a niche. Your niche will become your identity because it’s your area of expertise where you’ve invested your time, energy, and passion. Richard Tyler Blevins (Ninja) who has the most-followed channel (19 million) on Twitch knows his gaming abilities, so he simply plays whatever he can. Gaming was his true passion. He never opened an astrology channel to explain the intricacies of retrograde mercury in the 11th house.
Defining your niche is a crucial step in becoming a successful live streamer. Your niche is the specific area or topic you'll focus on in your streams. Here's why it's important and how to go about defining it:
🔸Assess your passions and expertise: Choose a topic you're knowledgeable about and enjoy discussing.
🔸Research market demand: Use tools like Google Trends or social media analytics to gauge interest in potential niches.
🔸Analyze competition: Look at existing streamers in your potential niche to identify gaps or opportunities.
🔸Consider your unique angle: Think about what fresh perspective or value you can bring to the niche.
Start broad, then narrow down: For example, if you're into gaming, you might focus on strategy games, then specifically on real-time strategy games.
Cross-niche potential: Consider combining two interests, like "fitness for gamers" or "tech reviews for artists".
Try streaming in your chosen niche for a while and gauge audience response. You must be open to slight shifts or refinements based on what resonates with your viewers. Also be courageous and don't feel scared to pivot if you find a related niche that works better for you and your audience.
Remember, while defining your niche is important, it doesn't mean you can never stray from it. Occasional variety can keep things fresh for both you and your audience. The key is to have a clear focus that helps viewers understand what to expect from your channel.
While content is king, the quality of your stream can make or break your viewership. Investing in the right equipment enhances your stream's professionalism and viewer experience.
By investing in a powerful computer, quality microphone and webcam, and lighting setup, you not only contribute to an enjoyable experience for your viewers but also capture the attention of sponsors and brands. Premium equipment is often durable and less prone to technical glitches. Professional streamers who invest in reliable hardware are less likely to encounter problems such as audio glitches, video lag, or equipment failures during their streams.
Here's a comprehensive guide to essential streaming equipment.
Your commentary during the stream plays a key role in adding entertainment value. With interesting stories, witty banter, juicy anecdotes, and engaging discussion, you can turn a boring situation into a thrilling escapade. You can also handle difficult circumstances by communicating calmly, diplomatically, and empathetically to maintain a positive and friendly atmosphere. With good communication skills, you’re more likely to attract sponsors and advertisers.
Here are some key strategies to enhance your communication skills specifically for online streaming and podcasting:
Understanding your audience is crucial for effective communication. Research your target demographic and tailor your content and communication style to their interests and preferences. This will help you connect more authentically with your viewers or listeners.
In the fast-paced world of online content, clarity is key. Practice speaking clearly and concisely. Avoid filler words like "um" or "uh" and focus on delivering your message in a straightforward manner.
Even though you're the one creating content, listening is a vital part of communication. Pay attention to your audience's feedback, comments, and questions. Incorporate their input into your content to create a more engaging and interactive experience.
Stories captivate audiences and make your content more memorable. Learn to structure your ideas into compelling narratives. Use anecdotes, examples, and metaphors to illustrate your points and keep your audience engaged.
For video streaming, your body language and facial expressions are just as important as your words. Practice maintaining eye contact with the camera, using appropriate gestures, and conveying emotions through your facial expressions.
Stay updated with the latest trends, technologies, and topics in your niche. The more knowledgeable you are, the more confidently and authoritatively you can communicate with your audience.
Monotone delivery can quickly lose your audience's attention. Practice varying your pitch, pace, and volume to add interest to your speech. This is particularly important for podcasting, where your voice is the primary tool for engagement.
While spontaneity has its place, having a clear structure for your streams or podcast episodes can significantly improve your communication. Outline your key points and practice transitions between topics.
Your audience can sense when you're not being genuine. Be yourself and let your personality shine through. Authenticity builds trust and helps create a stronger connection with your audience.
Regularly ask for feedback from your audience and peers. Analyze your performance and be open to constructive criticism. Use this feedback to continually refine and improve your communication skills.
With Yostream, you can develop a unique brand identity that suits your niche. Use custom logos, backgrounds, overlays, banners, etc. reflecting the true personality of your channel. Once done, start promoting your channel to different social media platforms, online forums, and communities to reach new viewers and grow your audience. Make sure your thumbnails, titles, and descriptions are optimized to be discoverable on different platforms. Create teasers of upcoming events to notify people in advance, and use clips of already streamed content to maximize the reach.
Compare your growth metrics to competitor channels, analyze every stream's performance, identify improvement areas, and set a target that should be reached within a strict deadline. With a data-driven approach, that includes tracking these metrics and analytics, you can gain valuable insights into your channel's performance, audience engagement, and overall growth trajectory. Do not ignore feedback from your audience and fellow streamers; they can be crucial for your content strategies and overall growth.
Selecting the right live streaming software is also a crucial decision for professional streamers because it can significantly impact the quality of the stream, including video resolution, frame rate, and audio clarity.
With Yostream as a reliable partner, streamers can ensure a positive viewing experience for their audience. If they’re multistreaming to different destinations, they cannot afford technical glitches or crashes during their streams. Guaranteeing reliability and robustness, Yostream remains stable even under heavy loads or long streaming sessions. The user-friendly interface of Yostream is easy to use and saves considerable time and effort.
