Maximizing Stream Flexibility

 Maximizing Stream Flexibility

At the core of being a streamer is one vital truth: you need to be streaming. Regardless of the graphics, giveaways, or social presence, consistent streaming reigns supreme. Failing to hit that 'Go Live' button translates to procrastination. While this might seem obvious, putting it into action consistently poses an ongoing challenge for most streamers.

The go-to excuse? Time. It's the hurdle that stops many of us from even starting our streaming journey. Even after a month of consistent streaming, a dinner reservation, or a vacation can break your commitment. Often, we have very specific ideas that define our streaming journey, which causes us to skip streams that fall short. This mindset harms your streaming routine and leads to unfavorable outcomes. In this article, we will guide you towards embracing flexibility and transforming your streaming approach.

When life knocks on the Door

Let's dive into the world of content creation and explore the journeys of two online creators and let's call them Emily and Chris. Both are passionate about sharing their creativity through streaming and creating a dedicated audience for their channels. However, as time went on, Emily's channel flourished while Chris faced a decline in viewership. What set them apart?

Their content involved a blend of interactive segments, discussions, and entertainment. As they engaged with their audiences during live streams, interruptions were unavoidable. Here's where their strategies took different paths. When Emily's streams encountered a pause, a technical glitch, or an unexpected call, she skillfully managed to seamlessly resume, keeping her audience engaged without a hitch. On the other hand, Chris struggled more with interruptions. His streams are structured, and any disruption often means starting from the beginning. Interestingly, the more popular Chris became, the more viewers flocked to his streams, leading to an influx of interruptions. This resulted in a cycle where maintaining a consistent streaming routine became increasingly challenging.

Emily, however, employed a more flexible approach. She designed her streams with modular segments (just chatting, and gaming), ensuring that if she faced an interruption, she could quickly pick up where she left off without derailing the entire stream. This adaptability allowed her to maintain engagement and deliver value to her viewers. Consequently, while both creators were producing content of similar quality and complexity, Emily's adaptable strategy allowed her to navigate interruptions and thrive, while Chris grappled with viewer attrition.

This scenario is a common challenge in the world of content creation, especially for streamers. Many of us often establish rigid schedules, dictating fixed expectations for our streams. The thought process may be this: "My stream always goes for three hours, and any deviation feels like a disservice. Oops, today's commitments won't permit a full three-hour session. I suppose I'll have to skip today." This mindset can lead to a pattern of making excuses instead of embracing flexibility and adaptability.

Adapting for Growth

In the realm of streaming, there are no set rules. You don’t have to stream for a specific time, your setup, appearance, content genre, and location, are all unique to you. As long as you adhere to the terms of service, your options are more extensive than you might think. Are you feeling under the weather or self-conscious about your appearance? Stream without a camera. Are you bored with your usual game? Dive into something different. Can't spare the normal three hours for streaming today? Try two hours or even one hour. Truthfully, there are very few valid reasons not to stream. Most barriers are merely mental constructs born from preconceived notions of what a stream should be.

Flexibility is the key. Consistency in streaming doesn't hinge on likeness; it relies on showing up every time. If your approach is rigid, it's prone to break under life's unpredictable forces. However, if you adapt to external factors while maintaining your commitment to streaming, you'll establish a strong habit. As previously discussed recognizing when to compromise is crucial: Remaining open to flexibility should apply to the timing and format of your streams, but your commitment to streaming should never waver. Allowing excuses to interfere with your scheduled streams can be a significant setback. 

Final thoughts

Stripped down, streaming revolves around forming a routine and then fiercely protecting that routine. The specifics of your stream, the timing, your mood these factors fade in importance. The key is showing up, every single time. Even when faced with a common streaming obstacle like a sudden change in your schedule that interferes with your streaming time, don’t allow it to become a roadblock. In such situations, it is important to find a solution and re-work things to find a time to stream.  While there might be less chat interaction with the new schedule change, you have still delivered content. Your routine remains unbroken, and viewers seeking your stream can still find entertainment, and you might even find a new audience. Before you consider canceling a stream, ask yourself if the reason is genuinely valid. In most cases, I can confidently say it's not. Embracing flexibility in your streaming approach can make all the difference. Allow your streams to bend to prevent your channel from breaking.