Outside Perspective: Fresh Eyes on Streaming

 Outside Perspective:  Fresh Eyes on Streaming

When you stream for a long time, you develop a unique style. However, most of us don't create content in a vacuum. We draw inspiration from other streams we watch, and those creators are influenced by their favorite streams. This creates a ripple effect, shaping the streaming landscape. Despite differences, streams often share commonalities. As someone deeply rooted in the streaming community, it can be challenging to view your content objectively. In previous entries, we helped you see your streams from a viewer's perspective. Now, let's take it a step further: how would your content appear to someone who has never streamed before? By examining the quirks of streaming, we'll try to see our content from an outside perspective.

Stream Complexity

On the surface, streaming platforms offer an intuitive experience. The websites and apps are well-designed, allowing users to easily find a game, select a stream, and start watching. However, we often overlook the complexity of this experience. A typical stream's visual layout is a vibrant mix of colors, graphics, and animations. Beyond the game itself, there may be follower goals, death counters, chat messages, emojis, and scene changes. The terminology can be unfamiliar and sometimes confusing. For instance, the difference between a follower and a subscriber may seem obscure to viewers who are new to streaming platforms but familiar with YouTube. Stream titles can also be puzzling, with cryptic symbols, exclamation points, and numbers in brackets, resembling a suspicious file name from an unknown website.

The chat itself can be overwhelming, with commenters seemingly speaking in a different language. New viewers may struggle to understand the nuances of emotes, acronyms, abbreviations, and shorthand remarks. Even the streamer may use these terms verbally, leaving newcomers baffled. For instance, they might hear the streamer and chat excitedly mention "Kappa" and wonder why everyone is referencing a mythical Japanese creature from folklore. Or, they might be confused when the chat starts talking about "Pogs" - an old fad from the 90s - and wonder what it has to do with the game being played. Similarly, they might see emotes like "TriHard" or "PogChamp" and not understand their significance or how they're related to the stream. When everyone appears to share a secret language, it can be intimidating for new viewers.

Welcoming New Viewers

You might think, "Welcoming new viewers to my stream is unnecessary since most of my audience is already familiar with the platform." However, consider that you might not even realize when new viewers are watching, as they often avoid chatting due to feeling intimidated by the platform's nuances. Just because they're not engaging in chat doesn't mean they're not there.

I've had personal experiences where friends, family, and followers from other platforms have told me they've watched my streams, even mentioning specific games or moments they enjoyed. Many of them don't have accounts on the platform, but they still showed their support by tuning in. I believe that many of the lurkers on your streams might also be new to the platform. When you create content on other social media platforms to promote your stream, new viewers will likely discover your stream and potentially visit your channel for the first time. Wouldn't you want to ensure they have a positive first experience and feel welcome in your community?

Final thoughts

In the entry "Various Forms of Viewer Engagement for Your Stream," we categorized viewers into two primary types. There are the engaged and interactive viewers who actively participate in the chat and the silent observers who watch your stream but never interact. Streaming newcomers often fall into the category of silent observers. This means they either remain silent or say a few things, but quickly feel overwhelmed and retreat into the background.

Streamers often focus their attention on engaged viewers since they are the most vocal during streams. However, it's essential to recognize that no single type of viewer is more important than another. Even those who never chat might still be recommending your stream to others. Many silent observers remain loyal viewers over time and regularly encourage others to watch the streams they enjoy.

Consider your streams. What aspects might be difficult for newcomers to understand? Is there anything you can do to make them feel more welcome? This means you can continue catering to your regular viewers or completely overhaul your shows for new users. However, it's important to put yourself in their shoes. You might discover areas where you can make your streams more approachable or respond more patiently to those unfamiliar with the nuances of chat interactions. By being mindful of how confusing streaming can be, you can view your streams from an outsider's perspective and welcome those viewers you never even knew you had.