Become A Twitch Influencer With These Six Easy Steps

With 3.2 million unique broadcasters and 45 billion minutes of streamed content every month, Twitch has become a treasure trove of receptive followers. Most of them are into gaming, true, but who isn’t? Besides, there is no industry where influencer marketing is more effective than this one.

This means that if you too are spending your days playing Fortnite or LoL, Twitch can help you build a sizeable following in very short amount of time. With large followings come large opportunities for branding and marketing, as well as aspiring new brands that are eager to monetize on your influence.

Here’s how to become a Twitch influencer, in six easy steps:

1. Stick to a Consistent Streaming Schedule

Being an influencer can be a hobby, but only if you treat it with the same amount of passion and commitment that you’d devote to your everyday job. In order to gain the audience's attention, you should be streaming at least a couple of times per week and make your sessions significant in length (2-4 hours).

Not only does this call for a busy schedule, but it also requires you to share this schedule with viewers so that they know exactly what to tune in for and when. Post your weekly schedule on your social media accounts and feature it prominently in your Twitch profile. And be as consistent as possible - viewers are more likely to tune in when they can anticipate your broadcasting hours.

2. Figure Out What Your Audience Wants

Now, 81% of Twitch users are male, with 55% of them being 18-34 years old. This is great when it comes to audience targeting, but that still doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t try to tackle your audience’s specific needs, wants, and expectations.

Currently, the most popular games on Twitch are Fortnite, WoW, League of Legends, Destiny, and Counter-Strike: Global Offensive, which means that you’re going to need some practice to beat out the competition. Alternatively, you can introduce new games to the platform, providing reviews and sharing your gaming knowledge to create an audience of your own.

Some of the top streamers in the game started out with niche categories and games. The reason is simple: less competition means you have a better chance of breaking through the 'small-streamer' phases. From here, you have the ability to expand your repertoire to more popular games and carry over much of your audience. Not saying it's impossible to make it big starting out on Fortnite or R6 Siege, but you'll be competing with the top dogs for viewers.

3. Find Your Unique Streaming Personality

Influencer marketing relies on one’s ability to stand out from the crowd and offer something new and unique. In other words, either be incredibly smart and invincible while playing the standard games or try to find a fresh approach that nobody’s ever used before.

As a gaming platform, Twitch serves not only to provide expert tips but also to keep its audience engaged and entertained. Before you can be an influencer here, you must develop a persona that’s likable, relatable, and interesting. Take hints from Dr. Disrespect or Rudeism, for example.

Your goal is to stand out and offer something 'fresh' and 'unique' for viewers. If you don't have esports-level talent, you will need to make up for this with an engaging, one-of-a-kind personality. Think TimTheTatMan: Tim's not out there breaking any records with his Fortnite gameplay, but he draws in huge audiences with his hilarious, outrageous persona. It's no surprise that some of the biggest sponsors in the game have struck partnerships with Tim and his channel.

4. Make Your Videos Visually Appealing

Gameplay and personality are Kings on Twitch, but your stream presentation is a vital consideration for building an audience, getting noticed, and maintaining viewer engagement. Proper stream design marks you as a professional and provides more entertainment for your audience, setting you apart from the rest of the streaming crowd.

When just starting out, we recommend upgrading your stream with professionally-designed premade overlays and graphics. These designs are perfect for a streamer on a budget, providing your first foray into a branded look and catching the eye of viewers and sponsors. Once you're ready to make the jump, most streamers transition next to custom, personalized designs, branded to your unique channel and personality.

Just like viewers are more likely to tune in for professional-looking broadcasts, so too are sponsors more likely to invest in a streamer who looks committed and organized. If it looks like you've put time and effort into your channel appearance, sponsors are more likely to think you would put the same energy into promoting their brand.

5. Provide an Engaging, Interactive Stream Presence

Just like anywhere else in the business world, the key to attracting more consumers (and that’s ultimately what your followers are) is in your ability to communicate your message and be responsive with your answers. Also, just have fun with your audience.

If you want them on the edge of their seats, then you’ll need to keep the show going. Talk constantly on your stream, but also add elements of a dialogue. Ask them questions to which they can respond in the chat room, and then join in yourself to spark a debate.

6. Use the Best Streaming Equipment

A quality camera and microphone, speedy internet connection and reliable streaming software are necessary to become a leading Twitch influencer. Build yourself a high-quality streaming kit and use Twitch inspector to monitor potential issues with your internet connection and encoder.

And that’s that, folks! Ultimately, becoming a Twitch influencer is doable as long as you have a passion for gaming and a knack for setting yourself apart. Do what you do best and have fun while doing it. Everything else you’ll learn along the way by interacting with your loyal followers.

Get started today with Visuals By Impulse Twitch custom designs! And if you’re thinking of expanding to Mixer streaming, we have a wide selection of custom Mixer overlays also!