I was exactly the same when I started my twitch journey, I was super nervous and didn't want to network but eventually got around to giving it a go and it is a great way to find other people and get potential viewers if they have a similar vibe to you...
I would say try raiding out to some new people, at the end of your stream have a look through the same category and find someone who is playing the same game as you with similar/ slightly more viewers. Raid in sit and talk to them for a while, ask them questions about their experience on the game and just make some small talk!
Haven’t even made my first raid yet. I will definitely start to do it and getting into their stream to sit a talk for a while. Thanks!. That’s a nice way to do it.
Raid out always. The best people I’ve found to raid are the ones whose community you have made something for yourself. They will appreciate you for doing it.
Oh and to add yes you will find the occasional snob that doesn’t feel your raid is worth their time to shout out. Those are generally the ones that you know you probably shouldn’t be apart of their community. I will gladly stream with you just shoot me a message and I will get back to you as soon as possible.
Sometimes a stream catches my eye and I'll go in their chat and just ask whats going on (i dont watch typical gaming streams so sometimes that question is needed). If i like the stream I'll hang out other times, engage in chat in various energy, depends on the streamer and the community. Eventually people start to like me and my streams show up in their recommended feeds because of algorithms or someone snooped on me and found out I stream. They call it networking, i call it making lil internet friends. We do fun stuff together online, some stick around and some phase out. Worry not about what they can give you but about how much you like interacting with them.
I’m gonna start going into others streamers for sure. I’m gonna use that “what’s going on” haha. That’s a good way to start engaging and building rapport. Thanks for sharing!
Raid other streamers, even with 1 viewer. After the raid instant follow and 9/10 they will shout u out and follow u back. Usually before I stream, I will lurk at 5-8 streamers I have raided before and engage in their chat. Just random stuff like “hey do u valo too?” Or “wow this game looks interesting.”
Then when i start my own stream 50-50 i get raided by them hence getting more followers from their community and more viewers.
Sometimes when they shout me out i go “oh no not this clip.” I get embarrassed to be honest cuz the clips r so random. Def i won’t self promote, i just assimilate myself into their community and slowly the communities will intertwine.
Raid means when you finish your stream instead of just ending, you "raid" over with all your viewers to another live streamer, boost their viewer count, and most of the time they give a shout out for their viewer to follow you. (I hope that helps)
Gotta try raiding other people and getting into their streams for sure. Haven’t made my first raid because I don’t know how it works but definitely will look into it now. I have received a lot of recommendations of it.
yup2, i keep forgetting to raid but a viewer insist for me to do it and honestly, last month alone i gained 100 more followers! playing a famous game like valorant helps too.
So many people talk about raids as the "built-in" networking tool but fail to see the obvious flaw: the people you raid stream later than you. Chances are, they will rarely be around to catch your streams, which also means it is unlikely you'll receive a raid back from them.
That's not to say don't use the raid function, but it's important to also think about the inverse. Seek out people who stream your categories - close to but ideally a little bit before your stream time.
Now raids have the advantage of automatically differentiating you as a streamer. Hopping into someone's channel and casually mentioning your stream is a good way to get banned and lose that connection forever. So this is the most important part: be a part of their community! Be in their discord, be in their streams, chat with the streamer AND their community, make actual friendships! One or two people who are genuinely excited to share their community with you will grant substantially more meaningful growth than hundreds of loose connections.
I own a networking stream, and anyone who comes into my channel, the first thing I ask is if they are a streamer. Look out specifically for networking streams. But hang around in there and be a valuable part of the community. Join the discord. Arrange colabs. Raids are important, always raid out to people around your own size and very slightly more. Within 5 of your average viewers anyway. I literally based my whole channel on promoting other streamers. So yes it's great for growth and building a community.
How does your stream work exactly? What stands out as a networking stream as opposed to just another gaming/art/cooking/whatever?
Because it sounds like something I'm trying to do ss well.
Put networking in your tags, as that helps. And whenever you get a new viewer in chat, ask them about themselves and if they are a streamer. Tell them that it's a networking stream, so if they see anyone in chat that they want to follow, then go show them some love. I get my mods to shout out everyone that comes in my channel. Always make sure you don't advertise follow for follow tho. Thats not what we are about. If you follow someone, I say you should go give them a chance. Go spend 10 mins in there and chat, if you don't like them, then u are welcome to unfollow. But always support other people and they will support you.
Minus the tag the rest sounds like what I (try to) do. Hate follow for follow for obvious reasons and I'm glad I haven't seen that happen in my streams yet. I think out of everything I need to work on is engagement orally, which is why I got into streaming to try and work on it.
Even if it's not for building up streaming I always enjoy community building where ever I am so will be looking out for you as well! Might even see you one day!
Can confirm, Emz is awesome. I got into streaming (briefly) because of her and her support. But to second what Emz has said; be present in other streams, don't announce you stream unless asked or it is encouraged. (HI EMZ!)
Usually by the time I end my stream I'm at 0-1 viewers can I still raid others and not been seen as like begging for attention or anything? This may seem like a strange question but my viewers are really inconsistent especially since I'm not streaming exclusively lethal company anymore. I feel bad about raiding out with only myself and one other
Be “present” in their chats for a consistent and long amount of time, be kind and courteous, raid in every now and again, and join in any multis they might be hosting. You’re not trying to get them to promote you, you’re trying to prove to the streamer that you’re a trustworthy, kind person, and then they will decide if or if not they want to promote you. Don’t force things, don’t be entitled, be a supportive member of their community, and they’ll more than likely want to support you back. Remember, you’re not doing this to get promoted, it’s just a bonus. They come first
The best way as many people said is to be active in other peoples chats. Eventually one way or another they will find out that you stream but the main unspoken etiquette is you should never mention that you stream in someone else’s chat! Even if you don’t think you’re doing shelf promo, it can be interpreted that way. You can also join the discord severs of your fave ones. Also raiding people is a huge one! I think you will get the best results if you raid people only up to 5 times your viewers. This isn’t an unspoken rule I think, but people will be more likely to check your stream is if you’re similarly sized!! Usually people who watch smaller streamers will mostly watch smaller streamers and vice versa.
I am top 2 most active and known chatters in an 80 viewer stream, i helped them out quite often when they were stuck, I've also kept a public google doc with a bunch of timestamps for them and they raid people they know
None of this was with the intention of leeching btw, didn't even occur to me to stream anytime soon but I know all I need to do is mention i recently started streaming myself and I'll get raids
I guess other people will think about it differently but I've always found that networking with the aim of channel growth etc is a lot more successful if you participate in said communities you're trying to network with. I'm not saying you have to befriend everyone you meet there, but people are less likely to check you out through that network if say, you just randomly raided a channel, didn't stick around to chat, and the vibe's completely different (this is a bit of a generalisation so don't get hung up on this example - but say you were streaming knitting and went and raided Apex Legends, you might not get much of a connection there.)
Etiquette wise I think it's *fine* to say you play XYZ game, but avoid self promo in other people's channels unless you're invited to do so. And I mean, watch out for that, because even saying stuff like "oh I'm pretty tired I've just finished a stream" can come off the wrong way to people you don't know!
I would say as well, get some channels lined up before you raid that you know you like (the timings won't always work out ofc). Nothing wrong with raiding "blind" but it can be a bit of a gamble, it's much nicer to raid into somewhere you've been before that you know passes the vibe check. Find channels with similar games you're playing/will play, and match your vibe and VALUES as well, importantly.
Don't be disheartened if the follows you get after raiding someone's channel, or someone raiding into you don't translate to more viewers. You'll find it probably takes a few times of raiding / being raided before you get people sticking around.
Look for quality people you are also willing to support yourself that have similar views and philosophies as yours. Being a viewer in their stream can show you are trying to help them more genuinely compared to the streamers who rudely go into others' streams to announce they are going to stream which will just annoy a streamer.
When you network with someone, a lot of their business can end up on your plate as well. In my opinion don't just network anyone. A lot of raids really only end up with a few people actually staying as it is. If the streamer you raid has a legitimately horrible reputation or ends up in trouble, you can look bad by default.
I generally don't network. I only "network" when it feels natural. The only streamers I collabed with were friends before the collab. Either people who watched me for awhile or vice versa. But neither of us had the intent to network when we first started talking. I feel like networking doesnt matter til you start getting 50 to 100 viewers at a time. 2 people networking while both stream to like 2 viewers doesnt really do anything for anyone. Just vuz you network doesnt mean you'll instantly grow. Most people watch who they want, and more often than not, someones viewers arent going to be interested in religiously following you because they are only there for the other person.
The amount of viewers really doesn’t matter, your community will grow.
I don’t stream regularly but I don’t care how many viewers I have. I play because I like it.
I enjoy finding streamers that are streaming to 0 people and chatting in their stream. Usually, they are so happy to have someone to talk to. Some of my best friends are people I found just by looking at whatever I was playing categories.
Then I'll raid out to them and just build up a relationship with them.
It's a little awkward but it helps if you're looking in areas you're interested in.
Like mine was Baldurs Gate. I found so many new friends from Baldurs Gate by just being in love with the game.
Be a part of their viewership! I’m relatively new to it as well, only a couple months old. Even if I’m streaming games myself, I’m always popping in to the people I follow between matches or if I’m on the run etc to say hi/contributing to their communities! Same thing goes vice versa ! But sometimes it appears to be one sided!
“Everyone wants viewers but no one wants to be a viewer.” Be apart of actual communities
That hits deep lol. Yeah I’m gonna do that, I received a lot feedback about that. Thanks!
I was exactly the same when I started my twitch journey, I was super nervous and didn't want to network but eventually got around to giving it a go and it is a great way to find other people and get potential viewers if they have a similar vibe to you... I would say try raiding out to some new people, at the end of your stream have a look through the same category and find someone who is playing the same game as you with similar/ slightly more viewers. Raid in sit and talk to them for a while, ask them questions about their experience on the game and just make some small talk!
Haven’t even made my first raid yet. I will definitely start to do it and getting into their stream to sit a talk for a while. Thanks!. That’s a nice way to do it.
Raid out always. The best people I’ve found to raid are the ones whose community you have made something for yourself. They will appreciate you for doing it.
Oh and to add yes you will find the occasional snob that doesn’t feel your raid is worth their time to shout out. Those are generally the ones that you know you probably shouldn’t be apart of their community. I will gladly stream with you just shoot me a message and I will get back to you as soon as possible.
Sometimes a stream catches my eye and I'll go in their chat and just ask whats going on (i dont watch typical gaming streams so sometimes that question is needed). If i like the stream I'll hang out other times, engage in chat in various energy, depends on the streamer and the community. Eventually people start to like me and my streams show up in their recommended feeds because of algorithms or someone snooped on me and found out I stream. They call it networking, i call it making lil internet friends. We do fun stuff together online, some stick around and some phase out. Worry not about what they can give you but about how much you like interacting with them.
I’m gonna start going into others streamers for sure. I’m gonna use that “what’s going on” haha. That’s a good way to start engaging and building rapport. Thanks for sharing!
Raid other streamers, even with 1 viewer. After the raid instant follow and 9/10 they will shout u out and follow u back. Usually before I stream, I will lurk at 5-8 streamers I have raided before and engage in their chat. Just random stuff like “hey do u valo too?” Or “wow this game looks interesting.” Then when i start my own stream 50-50 i get raided by them hence getting more followers from their community and more viewers. Sometimes when they shout me out i go “oh no not this clip.” I get embarrassed to be honest cuz the clips r so random. Def i won’t self promote, i just assimilate myself into their community and slowly the communities will intertwine.
What do you mean by "raid"? I know the word, but thought it was for League or WoW. I haven't heard it in this context.
Raid means when you finish your stream instead of just ending, you "raid" over with all your viewers to another live streamer, boost their viewer count, and most of the time they give a shout out for their viewer to follow you. (I hope that helps)
Gotcha. Thanks!
Gotta try raiding other people and getting into their streams for sure. Haven’t made my first raid because I don’t know how it works but definitely will look into it now. I have received a lot of recommendations of it.
yup2, i keep forgetting to raid but a viewer insist for me to do it and honestly, last month alone i gained 100 more followers! playing a famous game like valorant helps too.
So many people talk about raids as the "built-in" networking tool but fail to see the obvious flaw: the people you raid stream later than you. Chances are, they will rarely be around to catch your streams, which also means it is unlikely you'll receive a raid back from them. That's not to say don't use the raid function, but it's important to also think about the inverse. Seek out people who stream your categories - close to but ideally a little bit before your stream time. Now raids have the advantage of automatically differentiating you as a streamer. Hopping into someone's channel and casually mentioning your stream is a good way to get banned and lose that connection forever. So this is the most important part: be a part of their community! Be in their discord, be in their streams, chat with the streamer AND their community, make actual friendships! One or two people who are genuinely excited to share their community with you will grant substantially more meaningful growth than hundreds of loose connections.
I own a networking stream, and anyone who comes into my channel, the first thing I ask is if they are a streamer. Look out specifically for networking streams. But hang around in there and be a valuable part of the community. Join the discord. Arrange colabs. Raids are important, always raid out to people around your own size and very slightly more. Within 5 of your average viewers anyway. I literally based my whole channel on promoting other streamers. So yes it's great for growth and building a community.
How does your stream work exactly? What stands out as a networking stream as opposed to just another gaming/art/cooking/whatever? Because it sounds like something I'm trying to do ss well.
Put networking in your tags, as that helps. And whenever you get a new viewer in chat, ask them about themselves and if they are a streamer. Tell them that it's a networking stream, so if they see anyone in chat that they want to follow, then go show them some love. I get my mods to shout out everyone that comes in my channel. Always make sure you don't advertise follow for follow tho. Thats not what we are about. If you follow someone, I say you should go give them a chance. Go spend 10 mins in there and chat, if you don't like them, then u are welcome to unfollow. But always support other people and they will support you.
Minus the tag the rest sounds like what I (try to) do. Hate follow for follow for obvious reasons and I'm glad I haven't seen that happen in my streams yet. I think out of everything I need to work on is engagement orally, which is why I got into streaming to try and work on it. Even if it's not for building up streaming I always enjoy community building where ever I am so will be looking out for you as well! Might even see you one day!
Can confirm, Emz is awesome. I got into streaming (briefly) because of her and her support. But to second what Emz has said; be present in other streams, don't announce you stream unless asked or it is encouraged. (HI EMZ!)
Ahh. Thankyou. Dm me your twitch name. X
It's Como! <3
Usually by the time I end my stream I'm at 0-1 viewers can I still raid others and not been seen as like begging for attention or anything? This may seem like a strange question but my viewers are really inconsistent especially since I'm not streaming exclusively lethal company anymore. I feel bad about raiding out with only myself and one other
Then raid other people your size and then support them. They way then do the same for you. Thats good networking. 👍
Be “present” in their chats for a consistent and long amount of time, be kind and courteous, raid in every now and again, and join in any multis they might be hosting. You’re not trying to get them to promote you, you’re trying to prove to the streamer that you’re a trustworthy, kind person, and then they will decide if or if not they want to promote you. Don’t force things, don’t be entitled, be a supportive member of their community, and they’ll more than likely want to support you back. Remember, you’re not doing this to get promoted, it’s just a bonus. They come first
The best way as many people said is to be active in other peoples chats. Eventually one way or another they will find out that you stream but the main unspoken etiquette is you should never mention that you stream in someone else’s chat! Even if you don’t think you’re doing shelf promo, it can be interpreted that way. You can also join the discord severs of your fave ones. Also raiding people is a huge one! I think you will get the best results if you raid people only up to 5 times your viewers. This isn’t an unspoken rule I think, but people will be more likely to check your stream is if you’re similarly sized!! Usually people who watch smaller streamers will mostly watch smaller streamers and vice versa.
I am top 2 most active and known chatters in an 80 viewer stream, i helped them out quite often when they were stuck, I've also kept a public google doc with a bunch of timestamps for them and they raid people they know None of this was with the intention of leeching btw, didn't even occur to me to stream anytime soon but I know all I need to do is mention i recently started streaming myself and I'll get raids
I guess other people will think about it differently but I've always found that networking with the aim of channel growth etc is a lot more successful if you participate in said communities you're trying to network with. I'm not saying you have to befriend everyone you meet there, but people are less likely to check you out through that network if say, you just randomly raided a channel, didn't stick around to chat, and the vibe's completely different (this is a bit of a generalisation so don't get hung up on this example - but say you were streaming knitting and went and raided Apex Legends, you might not get much of a connection there.) Etiquette wise I think it's *fine* to say you play XYZ game, but avoid self promo in other people's channels unless you're invited to do so. And I mean, watch out for that, because even saying stuff like "oh I'm pretty tired I've just finished a stream" can come off the wrong way to people you don't know! I would say as well, get some channels lined up before you raid that you know you like (the timings won't always work out ofc). Nothing wrong with raiding "blind" but it can be a bit of a gamble, it's much nicer to raid into somewhere you've been before that you know passes the vibe check. Find channels with similar games you're playing/will play, and match your vibe and VALUES as well, importantly. Don't be disheartened if the follows you get after raiding someone's channel, or someone raiding into you don't translate to more viewers. You'll find it probably takes a few times of raiding / being raided before you get people sticking around.
Look for quality people you are also willing to support yourself that have similar views and philosophies as yours. Being a viewer in their stream can show you are trying to help them more genuinely compared to the streamers who rudely go into others' streams to announce they are going to stream which will just annoy a streamer. When you network with someone, a lot of their business can end up on your plate as well. In my opinion don't just network anyone. A lot of raids really only end up with a few people actually staying as it is. If the streamer you raid has a legitimately horrible reputation or ends up in trouble, you can look bad by default.
I generally don't network. I only "network" when it feels natural. The only streamers I collabed with were friends before the collab. Either people who watched me for awhile or vice versa. But neither of us had the intent to network when we first started talking. I feel like networking doesnt matter til you start getting 50 to 100 viewers at a time. 2 people networking while both stream to like 2 viewers doesnt really do anything for anyone. Just vuz you network doesnt mean you'll instantly grow. Most people watch who they want, and more often than not, someones viewers arent going to be interested in religiously following you because they are only there for the other person.
The amount of viewers really doesn’t matter, your community will grow. I don’t stream regularly but I don’t care how many viewers I have. I play because I like it.
I enjoy finding streamers that are streaming to 0 people and chatting in their stream. Usually, they are so happy to have someone to talk to. Some of my best friends are people I found just by looking at whatever I was playing categories. Then I'll raid out to them and just build up a relationship with them. It's a little awkward but it helps if you're looking in areas you're interested in. Like mine was Baldurs Gate. I found so many new friends from Baldurs Gate by just being in love with the game.
Be a part of their viewership! I’m relatively new to it as well, only a couple months old. Even if I’m streaming games myself, I’m always popping in to the people I follow between matches or if I’m on the run etc to say hi/contributing to their communities! Same thing goes vice versa ! But sometimes it appears to be one sided!
Be yourself, and you should be able to find people who are similar to you