Twitch has dominated as the main streaming platform for gamers and various types of content creators. Many streamers have curated their streams to represent their brand. They started their account to join others who share the same hobby, but it quickly turned into a profession.
Whether you are new to streaming on Twitch or want to polish the look of your content, you can take steps to make your streams look and sound more appealing to a growing audience.
Read below to find out four ways to make your Twitch stream more professional.
1. Purchase or Create An Overlay
Viewers will (hopefully) spend hours staring at your broadcast screen. To encourage them to stick around, you want to make sure the stream looks as clean as possible. Enter overlays.
A Twitch overlay consists of any banners or animations you want to appear during the stream. While overlays are not exclusive to Twitch, they first appeared on this platform.
Overlays are a simple yet powerful way to set you apart from amateur gamers. Some templates let you insert tickers that display new followers or other notifications, incentivizing viewer engagement during streams. You can also display the chat or include your webcam view to make your channel more personal.
2. Stick to a Stream Type
If you’ve ever browsed Twitch, you know that the platform is for more than just gaming. Users broadcast cooking shows, workout sessions, and everything in between.
Some users can get away with showcasing various types of content if it fits their brand. In most cases, however, you’ll want to stick to a single stream type. Consistency manages user expectations and shows viewers that you take your channel seriously.
Once you settle on a stream type, make sure your channel reflects your chosen theme. You want your avatar, overlay, banner, and channel name should be representative of your brand.
3. Invest In Quality Streaming Gear
This tip may seem like a no-brainer. But it can be challenging to prioritize the quality of your stream when you’re trying to create the perfect online persona.
Need some convincing that quality gear is worth the price? Consider that sound quality is one of the first things new viewers notice when they land on your channel. Nothing says unprofessional like unreasonably low voices and hissing noises.
Do yourself and your audience a favor by investing in a high-quality microphone. You should also consider other gear such as a decent webcam and a high-performance gaming computer. With this equipment, you’ll set yourself apart from the newbie who’s going live out of their mom’s basement.
4. Include Information Panels
Information panels allow viewers to learn more about you outside of your stream. They include an “About me” section, links to your other social media accounts, and subscriber incentives (if you have any). If you advertise subscriber incentives, you will see more engagement with followers who support you as a content creator.
Your followers want to know more about you or what they should expect from your streams. Write a blurb that is relevant to your brand. What you share alongside a reachable business e-mail will attract potential sponsors. It’ll be hard for anything to make you feel more professional than saying you have a sponsor.
Go From Amateur to Pro With These Tips
Making your Twitch streams look more professional does not happen overnight. Building a community following for your content requires investing in your setup and your online persona. Your subscribers want to view consistent quality content from someone they can relate to on a personal level.
With our tips, you’ll go from an amateur to a pro in no time.