Why do people stop watching streams?

-

 Why do people stop watching streams?


Understanding why viewers join and leave your streams is crucial for maintaining an audience. While we often focus on attracting viewers, it is equally important to recognize the common reasons why viewers may also stop watching. In this article, we will explore these reasons and provide tips on how to avoid driving your audience away. We will discuss the importance of accepting that some viewers will naturally leave your stream, and how to empathize with your audience to become a better streamer. By demystifying viewers' behavior, you can maintain your sanity and improve your chances of retaining a loyal audience. 


The connection between losing matches and losing viewers


Imagine you are playing a competitive first-person shooter such as Fortnite or Call of Duty, and your gameplay attracts a larger audience than usual. However, when you miss a few shots and lose a game, you lose some of your viewers. While many streamers assume that losing is the primary reason viewers tune out, this perspective couldn’t be more wrong. While losing a game can cause a drop in viewers, winning can also result in a decline in viewership. The reason for this may be confusing, but it all boils down to why people view streams: for entertainment. Whether you win or lose in a game, there will be downtime between exciting moments. In battle royale games such as Fortnite, for example, there is a lull between games or when you are just looting and looking around for other players during the match. These moments of downtime may prompt viewers to tune out, as they may not have the time to wait for the next big event. Viewers don’t necessarily leave because of poor performance; they leave as a byproduct of coming down from high adrenaline.


Instead of relying solely on winning to keep viewers engaged, it is better to focus on keeping the stream entertaining regardless of the outcome. Utilize the downtime after a match to interact with chat, showcase things such as content from the discord server, or introduce fun mini-games on stream. You could also invite viewers to suggest ideas for your next game such as picking your drop location or which weapon you will use. This way, viewers will look forward to these moments because they may get the chance to engage and submit to the next challenge. 


Maintaining Focus


One of the most off-putting things for me as a viewer is when the streamer is unkind to others in their chat. It immediately ruins my experience, and I’m less likely to continue watching. It is similar to how they say you can tell a lot about someone’s character based on how they treat waiters/waitresses at a restaurant. If a streamer is rude or cruel to a viewer, it is very likely that other chatters are feeling uncomfortable and are worried that they could be the next target. 


Streamers often struggle to control their emotions and may lash out, especially after losing a match. The fear of losing viewership only adds to the pressure and can make it even harder to stay calm. While it is not easy as simply saying don’t get angry, understanding that losing isn’t necessarily different from winning in terms of viewership can help to alleviate some of the stress. Although, skill at a game does play a role in attracting and retaining viewers, ultimately, it is your ability to entertain and engage with your audience that matters most. I’ve witnessed streamers who are not particularly skilled at a game but still have a large following because of their personality and entertainment factor. So, instead of focusing solely on winning at your game of choice, you need to work on improving your hosting and engagement skills to keep viewers coming back no matter the outcome.


Final thoughts


If you want to prevent viewers from tuning out during low-adrenaline moments, it is important to consider the pacing of your streams. Relying solely on your performance on a particular day can be stressful and may lead to anxiety-inducing moments. Instead, focus on consistently providing entertaining content throughout your stream, regardless of wins or losses. With a little creativity and some effective strategies, you can keep viewers engaged and watching for longer periods of time. This approach also helps to alleviate the pressure of winning every match being the determining factor of your stream’s success. Remember, creating great content is what truly matters, so don’t allow the ups and downs to affect your overall streaming experience. Keep your viewers entertained and enjoy the journey.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Prioritize Breaks: They are Essential to Streaming Success

-
  Prioritize Breaks: They are Essential to Streaming Success Establishing a habit like streaming is challenging, and maintaining it becomes even tougher when life throws obstacles your way. Over time, the memories of the initial struggle can motivate you to continue streaming. However, in the pursuit of building a successful channel, there's a risk of losing oneself. You may not see the results you expect despite putting more effort and hours into streaming. The commitment to extended streaming sessions may lead to neglecting other aspects of life outside the channel. It's tempting to view these challenges as temporary roadblocks on the path to success, assuming they'll be resolved once a particular goal is achieved. However, it's crucial to maintain a broader perspective on your endeavors. Neglecting self-care can result in a drop in performance both on and off the stream. Consider this a reminder to schedule regular breaks and prioritize rest from your streaming commi...
Read more

Navigating Reality in Streaming

-
  Navigating Reality in Streaming When creating our content, it’s easy to get caught up in the illusion that everything is under control. Whether we’ve put a lot of effort into planning and setting up our channel before going live or we’re cruising smoothly with our current routine, overconfidence can lead to trouble if we're not careful. Even the most meticulous plans and well-established habits can be disrupted. As in the classic scene from The Godfather, where Don Corleone says, “I’m gonna make him an offer he can’t refuse,” it’s a reminder that unexpected challenges can emerge. So, when streaming, it’s wise to stay prepared for the unexpected and adapt as needed. Prepare for Anything Anyone who has used a public bathroom is familiar with the signs and instructions posted about proper sanitation. These signs often remind people to wash their hands and avoid touching surfaces unnecessarily. Failure to follow these guidelines can lead to health risks, including the spread of illne...
Read more

Streaming Through Doubt and Discouragement

-
Streaming Through Doubt and Discouragement No matter how long you’ve been streaming, whether you’re just getting started or you’ve been doing it for years, the path isn’t always smooth. Some days feel incredible, like you’re exactly where you’re meant to be. Other days, you start to wonder if any of it is working. Doubt sneaks in. Setbacks catch you off guard. And feedback, even when it’s meant to help, can hit in all the wrong places. If you’ve felt that, you’re not alone. Every creator goes through it. It’s not a sign that you’re failing. It means you’re human. It means you care. This post is for those moments. The messy ones. We are going to talk about how to handle doubt when it shakes your confidence, how to keep moving when everything feels like it’s working against you, and how to protect your energy when the feedback starts to wear you down. Most of all, we’ll talk about how to come back to your center, reconnect with your why, and keep going even when it’s hard. Doubts: When Y...
Read more