Embrace your Individuality: Your Stream, Your Way

 Embrace your Individuality: Your Stream, Your Way

Starting in streaming can be pretty intimidating for a lot of us. One major thing that holds us back is the worry that our content won't meet some imaginary standards we have set for ourselves. The truth is, these standards aren't coming from ourselves, they are a mishmash of influences gathered over a lifetime. Whether it's watching different streamers, other YouTube or TikTok videos, TV shows, or movies, we're always soaking up stuff that shapes how we see things. As we've discussed before, the key point is that constantly comparing our content to others can be mentally draining.

Unlocking your Creativity

How do you know if you've been influenced? It's not too hard to figure out. Answer this question honestly, in as much detail as possible: What makes up a live stream?

Most would say it involves someone playing video games live on Twitch, Kick, or YouTube for others' entertainment, with viewers able to chat and possibly play along. But it goes beyond that. Even if you haven't explicitly thought about it, you likely have a minimum length in mind for streams. (Is one hour too short? Is two hours good? There's a cutoff somewhere.) You probably envision 'video game aesthetics,' like light-up keyboards or branded headphones. Perhaps a hanging microphone or a specific cadence to a broadcaster's speech. Most of us have a basic idea of how a stream is laid out. (For instance, you might imagine the game large on-screen with a box showing the streamer.)

Don't hesitate to let go of your preconceptions. Everyone has different visions when thinking about what a stream 'looks like,' constructed from past influences and inspirations. For many, certain elements like a light-up keyboard are optional, while others are non-negotiable. Some streamers insist their stream 'could never' be under a certain length—whether one hour, two hours, or more. Other things, like chatting with viewers, are universally accepted as part of streaming.

But which elements are truly necessary, and which are optional? If you knew, could you expand your creative horizons without upsetting the 'status quo'? Here's the thing: only two concepts define a stream:

It's live.

It's on a platform of your choice.

That's it. Everything beyond those two components is based on your preconceptions, influences, and personal preferences. Every extra restriction you place on yourself might not be hurting your channel, but it is narrowing your creative possibilities.

Breaking the mold: Redefining Success in streaming

Often, we construct creative barriers around our channels based on the conventional notion of what makes a 'successful' stream. This is the classic mindset of chasing algorithms, a mentality that has led many influencers down a path of success at the expense of their happiness over the past decade of social media. The problem here is twofold: firstly, as we emphasized in numerous entries before, achieving success without enjoying what you're doing doesn't bring as much fulfillment as one might think. Secondly, algorithms tend to change frequently. Even if you manage to navigate the system perfectly, your rise to the top is unlikely to maintain a steady trajectory for long.

Rather than confining yourself within rigid limits that offer no guarantee of either success or enjoyment, why not start by defining what you genuinely want to accomplish and build from there?

Even the smallest stream can alter the course of your channel.

Let's explore this idea with a different example. Imagine a streamer who, instead of adhering to the usual expectations of lengthy live sessions, opts for short, engaging one-hour 'Just Chatting' streams. In these sessions, the streamer delves into insightful conversations and shares valuable perspectives on various topics, all within a brief timeframe.

This approach might challenge the conventional notion of a 'successful' stream, typically associated with extended live broadcasts and high viewer interaction. However, by breaking free from these norms, the streamer can carve out a distinctive niche. Despite the shorter duration and potentially reduced interaction, the emphasis on delivering quality content resonates with an audience seeking meaningful engagement.

Over time, these concise one-hour sessions become a sought-after resource, not only among viewers but also for those looking for thoughtful and concise discussions on platforms beyond the streaming community. It is not only traditional metrics that determine a streamer's success, but also their impact and influence within their niche.

Essentially, this example showcases the potential to redefine success in streaming by prioritizing authenticity and purposeful content creation, rather than adhering to preconceived expectations.

Final thoughts

The one-hour 'Just Chatting' stream is just one example of an unconventional show, primarily because it breaks away from preconceived notions about what a stream should be. Even if these streams lacked distinctive features setting them apart from YouTube videos, the choice to broadcast them live instead of posting pre-recorded videos would still be valid. This decision is driven by a genuine enjoyment of creating live streams. This principle applies to anyone, do what aligns best with your preferences. The choices for your channel are entirely yours. It doesn't matter if it attracts viewers, if it proves helpful to anyone, or even if it's entertaining. As mentioned in previous entries, the essence of a stream lies in whether joy is derived from creating it. So, consider what you aim to achieve with your streams, and in doing so, you can genuinely make them your own!