How to Stream on Twitch: A Complete Guide to Livestreaming
Over the past few years, livestreaming has blown up in popularity, and Twitch is still one of the leading platforms for content creators to stream. While joining the livestreamer community can be intimidating at first, it pays off as it's a fantastic way to connect with your followers, grow your brand, and make money. In this guide, we'll walk you through everything you need to know about getting started as a streamer on Twitch.
Benefits of Streaming on Twitch
There are many reasons why Twitch is a great place to start streaming, including:
- Community: Twitch has a vibrant community of creators and viewers, making it a good place to network with other content creators and grow your viewership.
- Monetization: Livestreaming on Twitch allows you to explore several monetization options for your streams, helping you turn your hobby into a career. Live merch gifting during streams is a great example of this, and can be offered to your community through Fourthwall's Twitch Gifting feature.
- High viewership potential: Twitch has a massive audience, with millions of viewers tuning in and exploring content every day.
What Do You Need to Start Streaming on Twitch?
Before you begin your streaming journey on Twitch, you'll need the right software and hardware. Here's what you'll need:
What Software to Use
When it comes to making content on Twitch, having the right software makes a big difference in the quality and success of your livestreams. The best streaming softwares will give you a range of features and customization options, to make sure your livestreams are top tier. Several software options are available on the market, but two of the most popular choices are OBS and XSplit.
- OBS, or Open Broadcaster Software: This free, open-source application offers a range of features for streaming on Twitch. With OBS, you can easily set up multiple scenes, add audio and video sources to your stream, and customize your stream layout with overlays and alerts. OBS is highly modifiable and allows creators to add plugins and extensions to enhance their streaming experience.
- XSplit: This paid software offers more advanced features and a more user-friendly interface than OBS. XSplit is known for its customizable stream overlays, transitions, and graphics, which can help creators create more vibrant and engaging streams. Additionally, XSplit offers a built-in video editor that creators can use to edit their streams on-the-fly or after their stream has ended.
What Hardware to Use
Creating high-quality and engaging livestreams on Twitch requires more than just a good internet connection and streaming software - it also requires the right hardware. By investing in quality hardware, you can take their streams to the next level by providing their audience with a more immersive and professional viewing experience. In this section, we'll look at some of the most important types of hardware you'll need to stream on Twitch and how you can benefit from using them. In addition to having a solid dual monitor setup, here are our hardware recommendations:
Microphone:
A high-quality microphone ensures your audience can hear you clearly. Using a microphone will also help eliminate background noise and enhance the overall audio quality of your streams. Having this as an addition to your setup will provide a better viewing experience for your audience and improve the overall production value of your stream.
FIFINE Gaming USB Microphone is a good budget-friendly option.
Elgato Wave 3 is a good premium option.
Webcam:
A webcam allows your audience to see you while you stream, adding a more personal touch to your content. A high-quality webcam can enhance the visual quality of your streams and help you connect with your viewers on a deeper level. If you choose to show your face while streaming, you should definitely prioritize getting a webcam.
Logitech HD Pro Webcam C920 is a good budget-friendly option.
Elgato Facecam is a good premium option.
Lighting:
Proper lighting can make a huge difference in the production value of your streams. It will help reduce glare and shadows to create a clearer image for your viewers. Creators can benefit from investing in good lighting by creating a visually appealing and professional-looking stream.
NEEWER Ring Light Kit is a good budget-friendly option.
Elgato Key Light is a good premium option.
Gaming headset:
A gaming headset can allow you to communicate with your audience and other gamers while you stream. A high-quality gaming headset can help you hear in-game sounds more clearly and minimize background noise. Creators can benefit from investing in a gaming headset by enhancing communication with their audience and other gamers.
Corsair HS65 Gaming Headset is a good budget-friendly option.
Logitech G733 Lightspeed Wireless Gaming Headset is a good premium option.
How to Create a Twitch Account?
- To create a Twitch account, follow these steps:
- Go to twitch.tv and click on "Sign Up."
- Enter your email address, password, and username.
- Click on "Sign Up."
- Follow the prompts to complete your profile.
Key Twitch Account Settings for Streaming
Once you've created your Twitch account, there are a few key settings that you'll need to adjust to ensure that you're properly set up for streaming:
- Profile picture: Choose a profile picture that represents you and will be recognizable to your viewers, like an image of you or your logo.
- About section: Write a brief description of yourself and your content so that viewers can learn more about you.
- Stream key: You'll need to find and copy your stream key from your Twitch dashboard so that you can use it with your streaming software.
How to Stream on Twitch?
Now that you have your equipment and Twitch account set up, it's time to start livestreaming. Here's how to do it from various devices:
From a desktop computer:
- Open your streaming software (OBS or XSplit).
- Add your Twitch stream key to the software.
- Set up your stream settings (resolution, FPS, etc.).
- Click "Start Streaming" to begin your broadcast.
From consoles:
- PS4: Press the Share button on your controller, select "Broadcast gameplay," and choose Twitch as your streaming platform.
- Xbox: Press the Xbox button on your controller, go to "Broadcast & capture," and choose Twitch as your streaming platform.
From a smartphone:
- Install the Twitch app on your phone.
- Log in to your Twitch account.
- Click on the camera icon to start streaming.
10 Tips for Livestreaming on Twitch
To make the most out of your livestreams, consider these tips:
- Plan Ahead
Decide when you want to stream, how long the stream will be, and what you will be presenting. A well-planned Twitch stream will attract more viewers, and make it easier for you to stay focused.
- Have a Good Setup
Invest in a good microphone, camera, internet connection, and computer. Make sure that the lighting and background of your stream are also presentable.
- Interact with Viewers
Engage with your viewers by interacting with them through the chat. If you have a bigger audience, consider getting a moderator to help you with the chat.
- Stay Positive
Stay upbeat, and do your best to keep the energy going throughout the stream. People come to Twitch for the atmosphere, so be sure to engender a welcoming and friendly vibe.
- Keep to a Schedule
Consistency is key on Twitch. Choose a realistic streaming schedule, and stick to it. This ensures your viewers know when to tune in and expect your content.
- Engage on Social Media
Use social media platforms like Twitter or Instagram to promote your stream, give updates, and engage with your followers.
- Collaborate with Others
Collaborating with other streamers is a great way to build community and engage more viewers. Moreover, sharing audiences with other Twitch streamers will expose your content to new audiences.
- Be Authentic
Be yourself, and let your personality shine through on your stream. Authenticity and genuineness go a long way in attracting and retaining viewers.
- Monitor your Chat
Keep your chat positive and avoid allowing trolls and unproductive negativity. Respond professionally and kindly, and remember to always put your best foot forward.
- Learn from Others
Study other successful Twitch streamers and take notes on how they run their stream. Learn from them and apply aspects of their style to your content.
Time to start your journey
If you're a content creator, on Twitch or any other platform, you can use Fourthwall to amplify your success by selling merchandise, offering memberships, and building a website to showcase your brand. By using Fourthwall as a Twitch streamer, you can diversify your revenue streams, generate passive income, and enhance your connection with your audience - all in one place. Sign up today to start offering a seamless experience for your followers where they can access your livestreams, purchase your merchandise, and engage with you and your community.
We wish you the best of luck with your streaming journey, and we’re always here to help you grow. Check out some of our related blogs to learn about more ways to monetize your Twitch streaming career:
- How to Make and Sell Merch on Twitch in 2023
- From Viewers to VIPs: How Twitch Streamers Supercharge Revenue with Memberships