If you want to take on a profitable side hustle that can become a full-time job, you have quite a few to choose from. One of the most fulfilling options to try is livestreaming, whether you want to play video games, indulge in some deep conversation, or both. With the right hardware and platform, streaming is relatively easy, but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t require care and preparation. Novice mistakes can hurt your numbers if you don’t prepare properly. Sift through this helpful list of common mistakes new live streamers make so that you can avoid them in the future.
Streaming Poor Audio
One of the most widespread novice streamer mistakes is going live with poor audio. If your broadcast volume is too quiet, obnoxiously loud, constantly popping, or otherwise annoying to listen to, viewers will turn elsewhere for entertainment. The best way to prevent this issue is to invest in high-quality recording gear. Accessories such as pop shields will also make a big, positive impact on sound quality. That said, even if all your mics and accessories seem great on paper, the proof is in the performance. Run tests with all your equipment to ensure that the settings are optimal and everything is functional.
Having Unrealistic Expectations
As mentioned above, getting into streaming is very easy if you have the right gear and platform. However, growing your audience and becoming a must-see professional streamer is where it becomes challenging. Don’t assume you’ll become the next great streamer a week after your first broadcast. Like many jobs, livestreaming comes with a grind; attracting and retaining viewers is no simple task. Plus, you must be a good conversationalist, which isn’t always easy for newcomers. Thankfully, there are various techniques for attracting viewers to a livestream, so use them to your advantage. If you put in the effort to hone your skills and engage with audiences, you’ll reach professional status eventually.
Neglecting the Audience
One of the biggest changes that novice streamers must make is to their conversational skills. We briefly discussed audience engagement above for a significant reason—most new streamers don’t have experience holding engaging conversations with a chatroom while playing video games. The audience is the lifeblood of a stream, so neglecting them will deliver a major blow to your view count. Professional streamers become industry leaders, thanks in no small part to their ability to entertain and engage with their viewers. Although it’s understandable to struggle with good commentary during streams, take time to work on conversational skills as soon as possible.
As you can see, there are several common mistakes new live streamers make, none of which are minuscule. Thankfully, these mistakes are avoidable with the right preparation. With enough passion, creativity, and effort, you can swiftly turn livestreaming from a fun hobby into a fulfilling job.