Twitch is one of the leading streaming platforms on the internet. It is a platform where you can make crafts, play video games, and showcase your daily activities. The platform attracts millions of broadcasters every month.
Although Twitch attracts millions of streamers, not all of them have viewers. Many broadcasters have spent months on the platform yet they still have zero viewers on most of their streams.
If you have started broadcasting, this guide will help you know how to get your first viewers on Twitch.
Broadcasting on Twitch sometimes means spending time streaming to almost no one. The biggest issue with the platform is discoverability. Broadcasters who get views are those that already enjoy a large following.
A novice can get their first viewers on Twitch by involving close friends and family members during its initial stages. However, with this method, you aren’t guaranteed any return visitors.
On any social media platform, a lack of audience can be demoralizing. So, how do you get viewers on Twitch?
7 Ways to get your first viewers on Twitch
Here is a look at some practical ways to get started.
1. Create a YouTube channel
YouTube is an established platform that has more viewers than Twitch. So, why not try getting some gaming enthusiasts from YouTube to watch your streams on Twitch?
Well, the process isn’t that difficult. Simply find the latest game that isn’t very popular and only has a handful of videos on YouTube then create a great video of yourself playing the game.
You can also create a video explaining different strategies for winning challenges or unlocking achievements in the game.
Upload your video and create a description for it. Make sure to include the name of the game and terms related to that particular game in your description.
Finally, add links leading to your Twitch account as well as social media accounts.
You can also include your Twitch username in the video and ask people to visit your Twitch channel for real-time gaming.
The more your video will get views, the more your viewership will increase. You can create more videos if you want to gain more followers quickly.
2. Use Social Media
Social media has the power of driving massive traffic to your Twitch channel. If you want to get your first 20 viewers on the platform, you need to promote yourself on all social media networks.
But just because you are using social media does not mean people will come to your Twitch channel. You need to engage with people by getting involved in conversations.
You can engage with people through hashtags or following popular trends. Even if a few accounts are talking about a topic, join the conversation.
Behind those accounts are actual people. These are the people you should target so that they can follow your Twitch channel and view your streams.
3. Comment on other streams
Commenting on other Twitch streams allows you to engage and communicate with broadcasters. You should comment on streams that enjoy a wide following. It is a strategy that can give you the first few viewers on Twitch.
Your efforts to engage and communicate with others will force them to visit your profile. The streamers will be able to see what you are offering and look forward to viewing your streams.
But if you comment on other streams, avoid generic comments. Your comment is more likely to result in a follower if it is personal.
A comment like “Nice” or “Cool” cannot leave a good impression. You need to comment in a way that will inspire other broadcasters to check out your stream.
4. Use Twitch Communities
You should use communities to help get viewers fast on twitch. Twitch communities are essential networking tools. They help you to coordinate with regular streaming and build connections.
If you cannot create relationships, you will not increase your followers or viewership. Here is a list of some of the top communities for new Twitch streamers.
Also, check those streams you enjoy, or have been following for a while. Spend some time on other streams because you will be promoting yourself and your channel.
Once your name is out there, take advantage and coordinate events on your streams. The events will allow more people to follow you and view your streams.
5. Make your streams search engine friendly
Most people don’t always visit the Twitch website by inputting its URL directly on their browsers. People use search engines like Google, Yahoo!, and Bing to find the URL and visit it.
By making your Twitch streams search engine friendly, you are allowing people to find you on Google, Yahoo!, and Bing.
It is one of the fastest ways of getting initial viewers on your Twitch streams.
The best way of achieving this is to spread your channel’s information, name, and URL everywhere on the web. Share the URL on forums, the social media, and comment on it on other websites.
Such a strategy allows search engines to identify your URL and index it. If people can see you on Google, they will follow you on Twitch.
6. Stream the right content
Twitch is a world filled with many broadcasters. It can be challenging to differentiate yourself from the rest. Even if you try to be unique, all that may count to nothing.
Most streamers use a lot of money and employ the right skills to make their streams look unique and amazing.
In most cases, the best way to get viewers on Twitch is to have the right content. Moreover, you need to put yourself in a unique position from the rest.
Always stream a game you think other people will like. The game should be fun, challenging, and adventurous.
Choose a game you can easily spend hours streaming. It should have the right intensity to attract viewers.
You should be able to incorporate the game into your streaming routine. In essence, you do not need a big game like Overwatch or Bloodborne to attract viewers.
It is best to stream a small game that will get you more attention. A big game will get you zero viewers and more frustrations.
7. Stream in another language
Are you conversant in another language other than English? Well, there are many users from different parts of the world who visit Twitch daily yet most of them can’t speak English.
The benefit of streaming in another language is that, unlike English, other languages have very few streamers.
Your stream is likely to appear on the first page when people search for streamers in that language.
Whether it is Hungarian, German, French, or Chinese, give it a go and your channel could have lots of views.
Getting viewers on Twitch is not easy for beginners. While the above strategies can help, it takes time and patience.
Also, you need a plan on how to get your first viewers on Twitch. A good plan will help you to determine how you will reach the peak of your streams.
It will help you to figure out how to market your streams and who to partner with to advance your broadcasts.