Don't Fear Failure

Don’t Fear Failure

After streaming for some time now and if you are anything like me and so many others, you are thinking about making changes to improve your stream.  You might want to try a new game, change your hosting style, change your stream graphics/aesthetics, or maybe want to stream at a different time. Whatever change you are thinking about is, when the idea first comes to mind, you are thinking this concept is a great idea, and one you’ll really enjoy, but when the time comes to implement the change you can’t bring yourself to do it. 

Failure

We all hate failing, and that is understandable. From a young age, it has been ingrained in our minds that failure is not an option, the simple thought of it brings up many negative emotions. What most people don’t realize is that there are 3 types of failures. First, we have preventable failures, which include lack of focus, inability, attitude, and lack of understanding. These can be overcome by learning from our mistakes and developing techniques to better handle issues as they come up. Next, we have catastrophic or large failures that are complete, sudden, and often unexpected breakdowns, that often can’t be helped. All you can do is implement strategies to help you deal with the situation. Finally, we have failures linked to experimentation and innovation. These types of failures often offer you a fresh perspective and provide you with knowledge. Granting you a priceless learning experience. 

In the world of business, companies utilize failures all the time. The roadblocks they face on the road to success are analyzed, and if their idea or product is not working as intended, companies will pivot. Meaning, that after they assessed where the likely flaws are and what was wrong with their idea, they will move forward and try something new, they think might work.  The same principle can be used with streaming. 

Harnessing Failure

It is important to understand that everyone involved is human and not every single aspect of your stream will be perfect on the first try or ever for that matter. You have to remember that mistakes happen, and you have to use those mistakes to your advantage to learn and improve your channel. You should start with small changes to create small tests so to speak in order to get an understanding of what works and what doesn’t. Allowing you to adjust your strategy toward success. 

Streaming is a tricky place as there is no one right way that works because everyone is different. All we can do is keep experimenting. I didn’t start my channel knowing what it would be. In fact, my stream as it exists right now has almost nothing in common with the one I started with. I had different graphics, played different games, and in time changed the identity of my channel. The only way to grow is through experimentation, failing at something, and knowing that through that experience, you will learn what works and doesn’t work. The knowledge you gain from this process is priceless. You have to be willing to admit to yourself that something isn’t working to allow yourself to improve. This can take many forms, from changing the games you play to different ideas for chat engagement, volume mixes, sizing your camera overlay, or how incorporating your chatbot or alerts can change the experience for viewers.  

My experience

When I started my channel, I did not know how it would grow and look over the years. In fact, my stream as it exists right now has almost nothing in common with the one I started with. I had different graphics, played different games, and in time changed the identity of my channel. I have shifted my schedule times, gone through multiple stream bot messages, and refined how I host my stream. I’ve also changed the games I play, the platform I use, my overlays, and to my husband’s chagrin rearranged my entire setup. As for social media, I have tried them all, and I’m still learning and finding my voice. To this day I’m always thinking of ways I can improve.

I am very analytical, so I don’t make changes on a whim. Anytime, I’ve wanted to make changes, I’ve had legitimate concerns. When I think of changing my stream time, I think I can’t do that as so-and-so won’t be able to come by. Before I re-rebranded with a new name and new graphics, I had reservations about what people would think of the new logo and emotes as it was so different. When it came to a stream schedule that would work for me, there was a lot to consider. I work full-time, and I have family and friends, so I had to find a time that would be manageable and not interfere too much with other aspects of my life. It has changed multiple times since the first few attempts weren't quite right, and I’m sure it will change again. It’s important to experiment and see what works and what doesn’t, so you can focus on your stream and on the social media platforms that work for you. Some of the changes I’ve made have failed, while others have succeeded but one thing that remains consistent is that I have been able to learn from my failures to grow my successes.

Final thoughts

Any changes you make to your channel will help solidify what you want your stream to represent. Everyone who joins your stream will detect your passion. Remember it will take experimentation, failures, and pivots to know how you want your stream to be. This will not happen overnight and in fact, it will be a never-ending process. It is important to have the humility to admit that something about your stream needs fixing, and that means embracing the fact that in some way you have failed.  This is not a bad thing, and that realization will make your channel better. Failure is your friend and an opportunity to learn and get better.