The Streamer Framework

  Growing your channel publicly Prospective streamers often delay starting their channels because they want everything to be perfect before their first stream. In previous entries, we have emphasized how important it is to begin streaming as soon as possible, even if you are not fully prepared, to avoid procrastination. Let’s review the following scenario, you have spent the last 6 months preparing your channel, and upon its launch, everything is flawless, leaving no room for improvement. While your stream may appear impressive, you have eliminated any opportunity for growth. While you may still gain a following, you will have deprived your viewers of the excitement of watching you evolve which is one of the most engaging aspects of following a streamer. Striving for perfection is an undesirable quality and will harm any potential growth and success.  Focus on the journey Consider a streamer you have followed for a long time, not the ones with massive followings, but rather th...

  Dealing with criticism about your stream  Imagine opening your social media and finding a private message from a long-time regular viewer who is known for being supportive and wanting the best for your streams and community. However, instead of exchanging pleasantries, they begin to criticize your camera setup, audio quality, or even something you said that may have offended another viewer. This sudden negative feedback catches you off guard, and you become defensive and maybe even offended. Your first thought might be to try and justify or make excuses for the issues, or compare your stream to others in a defensive way. It is a common reaction for a lot of individuals who struggle to accept criticism. It is, however, essential to learning to handle both positive and negative feedback gracefully and with tact to become a better streamer and in turn, bringing your community closer together.  For many people, the desire to be right often trumps the desire to be successful...

  Focusing on Quality over Growth As you build your channel, it is common to feel the need to expand during periods of staleness when reaching milestones such as a follower goal or finishing a long-term project. While there are several ways to grow your channel’s scope and quality, such as hosting events or upgrading equipment, it is important to evaluate which upgrades are actually helpful to your success. Pursuing growth blindly can lead to a bloated channel that negatively impacts your streams or even worse your motivation.  As streamers, we may encounter a unique kind of pressure to conform. Since our platform choices are highly visible, there can be an unspoken expectation regarding how we should brand ourselves, leading us to feel as though we're on a predetermined path to channel growth. However, the reality is that there's no singular "correct" approach to expanding your channel, and what works for others may not be the best fit for you. You may have preconcei...

  Enhancing Your Streams If you have been a regular reader of the Streamer Framework, chances are you have already implemented changes to your streaming setup based on the advice and tips shared here. In this article, we will take a moment to pause and reflect on your channel’s performance, and prioritize which aspects of your stream truly require additional attention. Whether you aim to strengthen the basics, maximize your data analytics, or evaluate previous choices, it is crucial to look back at your progress in order to make informed decisions going forward.  By taking this step, you can not only enhance the performance of your channel but also develop the ability to critique your own decisions. Often, we implement ideas but fail to acknowledge the indications that they may not be yielding desired results. When you challenge your presumptions about your channel’s success, you can unlock a fresh perspective and accelerate your growth potential.  Revisiting the basics...

  Tips for finding time to stream Streamers face a common challenge shared by professionals across all industries, a shortage of time. The idea of streaming can seem overwhelming when you are already juggling a busy schedule. Both new and established streamers  struggle to go live as frequently as they’d like. The technology requirements and setup process can be time-consuming and intimidating, and finding extra hours in your day or week to produce quality content may seem impossible.  You may find yourself preoccupied with an impending work project or a personal engagement that is causing you anxiety. Perhaps you are dealing with a health issue such as a cold, broken leg, or even an eyelash stuck in your eye. When an issue arises it is easy to feel like you can’t start streaming until everything is resolved. However, if you are truly committed to becoming a streamer but find yourself consistently putting it off due to external factors, it’s important to realize that the ...