Pirauxide

Coffee Tiger | Email: [email protected] | (he/him)

[Burr @Burr_TV]

Made a new video talking about two incredible games I played recently. Nova Drift (@NovaDriftGame) And Dungeons and Degenerate Gamblers (@DnDG_game)

Watch here: https://t.co/6WTl6CXTdA

[Iateyourpie @Iateyourp1e]

Over the last few months, I've seen a ton of my streamer friends and mutuals openly talk about the challenges of fitting in with the Twitch Space. Seems like a ton of people are hitting a wall, and are wondering what's causing it.

I've been thinking about this a ton, especially in regards to my own stream. In the last year or so I have hit few bumps myself. Some of it is self inflicted, some of it is just viewer burnout, and some of it is Twitch shooting themselves in the foot.

So I wanted to put out some general thoughts this morning on advice I'd give in the year 2024 for someone who has a small, middle, or even somewhat large channel that is hitting a bump.

First thing. I think Twitch is a huge mixed bag when it comes to helping people find new streams. I really have loved their recommends options they've been putting out. But it rewards playing the SAME GAME more times than not. While I think they have taken some steps forward in discovery, it feels like they have taken steps BACK in keeping them there.

The new Mobile app is a great example of this. You'll get more "Mobile Views" and in theory more people viewing your content, but actually converting them is proving difficult. Anyone who has tried to make content on any Short Form Content, can probably attest to the extremely low turnover rate.

They've also continued to remove features that I felt were very "Engagement Growth" oriented. I could talk for days on how Moments was one of Twitch's Best Kept Secrets, or how Channel Points and Predictions are amazing at keeping people coming back. But they've either gotten rid of these tools, or have stopped putting in work to improve them, and in exchange for pushing things like Stories (WTF Twitch?)

So if Twitch feels like they are doing everything they can to make it harder for you in someway, how do you overcome it?

1. Collaboration

This is going to be the #1 way streamers overcome the wall. A lot of my growth in the beginning days was simply hanging out with friends in calls, doing races, hanging out in other peoples streams. Being around. Communities like SpeedrunsLive and similar sites had stream pages where it was very easy to find the content you were looking for.

I think more and more streamers are going to have to find new ways to organically network with friends, and friends of friends. It's tough. Ill be honest, I hate reaching out to people, especially those who may be bigger or close to in size, because I don't want to feel like I'm leeching. I also think that it's not as simple as "Jump in a call with 4 other people and play games" I've seen countless people do this and it goes nowhere. Collabing isn't as simple as streaming at the same time. I'd argue streaming at separate times but sharing a common goal together does way better.

2. Consistency is more important than ever. I've always been a big believer in this. But with Twitch nerfing notifcations, making it even harder to find streams that you follow on the mobile app, and just the sheer amount of streams that are available to you to choose from, viewers are going to gravitate toward people who show up, day and day out consistently, at the same time. I'm a big believer in taking time off, and I've been doing that more lately, but you want to structure it in a way where your audience knows too. Consistency also does a ton of good for the algorithms. Taking extended breaks can super hurt you.

3. Providing Value.

I've had a few people reach out to me for advice on what it takes to continue to grow on this platform. And the question I always ask is "What do you provide on your stream that others don't?"

A ton of people will say things like "Community, Laugher, Snugness, Chillness, Skill." And while these things are all great, almost EVERY person on this platform will say these things. There are thousands of great "communities" on here. But what's your one advantage, what's your one thing that's hard to replicate elsewhere?

Ironmon worked so well for me, largely because I was the guy who started it. For every ironmon that I made, there were countless other failed challenges or ideas, but I was always looking to do my best to stand out and provide content that wasn't there. I looked for a need (Nuzlockes were the only challenge runs and felt stale) and met it.

What need is your content meeting? What are other similar streams that stream around your time doing? You could be providing super unique content, at the same exact time as a few others during that time slot. Maybe switch it up. Game choice goes with this too. You gotta play games that bring people in, but you also have to ways to bring a unique spin on it. Speedrunning was THE thing years ago, and why so many streamers grew so fast. Now it's been done so much, you really have to have a unique idea to stick out. You also want ideas that last long. Ideas that generate growth over months, and not just a week.

4. Patience. I think this is the biggest one that I would hammer over and over and over. Making significant changes to the way you do things on your channel takes time to see the results. Often you'll see dips, big dips even. Sometimes the idea doesn't work and you bail because it wasn't the right one. But a lot of times I've seen some really cool ideas from streamers fizzle out because they stopped too soon. They went back to the comfort of the one game they played.

I started as a Paper Mario Speedrunner, then I branched out to Mario RPG Speedruns, then I played 3D Platforming Speedruns, then I did Mario Maker, then I jumped to OOT randos, then finally the Pokemon Arc began. I'm now entering my next arc, still figuring that out. But each time required me to do a bit of a leap of faith. And each one required a bit of trial and error and patience.

Twitch is a tough platform to grow on. 2024 hasn't been the easiest on me either. But thats the thrill of this industry. There are new streamers each day that are finding new ways to grow on this platform. The opportunities are out there. You just gotta keep brainstorming, keep digging, keep looking for feedback.

Hope these thoughts help. I can't promise miracles. But I do think if you start working on these 4 things more, you'll see more opportunities to grow here.

If this helped you out, feel free to share with others!

[Pirauxide @Pirauxide]

@Dangers_TV Mario taking taxi driver jobs 😔😔😔

[Dangers @Dangers_TV]

You can WRONG WARP in Super Mario Odyssey??

[Pirauxide @Pirauxide]

@Dangers_TV Definitely nothing wrong with that DSS

[Dangers @Dangers_TV]

Easy trick, works every time...

[Pirauxide @Pirauxide]

@Dangers_TV The bar doesn’t like the bird

[Dangers @Dangers_TV]

A bird walks into a bar...

[Dangers @Dangers_TV]

We've hit an incredible milestone.

Ten thousand dollars raised by our collective communities for Jasper wildfire relief, a number that is matched equally by the Canadian and Albertan governments for a grand total of THIRTY thousand CAD.

Thank you all for your support 💜

[Pirauxide @Pirauxide]

@Dangers_TV Bold of you to presume I can even get to the starting point

[Dangers @Dangers_TV]

Climb the Inverted Pyramid from the outside...

[Dangers @Dangers_TV]

Jasper needs our help.

Donations to the @redcrosscanada pledge for Alberta wildfires are being matched by the Albertan AND Canadian governments, meaning your support goes 3x as far.

If you are able to give, let's make a difference.

[Dangers @Dangers_TV]

Thank you all for spreading the word. We've made about $300 CAD since posting my video earlier. My community raised about $5000 on stream last night. I KNOW we, as streamers, can do more.

[Kiara_TV @KiaraStreams]

Schedule Time! Super Special Charity Stream this week on Wednesday to help support my friend @Dangers_TV 's drive to raise funds to help with recent events in Canada.

[Dangers @Dangers_TV]

DONATE or JOIN us HERE: https://t.co/FR0FIrUktY

If you are a streamer and need assistance setting up with Tiltify, I'm more than happy to help get you started. Please join us.

[harmony IS MOVING ACCOUNTS ! @alinkmissing]

I hate to keep harping on about the Jasper situation even as someone living literally an hour away, but. Here's a fundraiser. Please, PLEASE give what you can. For the sake of every evacuee we see at work every night, for the sake of our community, for our sake. Please. 💙

[Somur || Chaos Corgi vTuber 💫🐾 @SomurCourt]

I'm going to be joining up when I stream this week. Friday will be a special day where we will stream as long as donos come in. More info later. Support Jasper if you can.

[Burr @Burr_TV]

Any mutuals/creators or just anyone willing to join or spread the word to help is appreciated

Let's help Jasper

[Pirauxide @Pirauxide]

@Dangers_TV @redcrosscanada Really awesome thing you and @Burr_TV have started! Would be really cool to see some local coverage on this @GlobalCalgary @YourAlberta @CTVCalgary

[Burr @Burr_TV]

Today we will be raising money for @redcrosscanada to help aid those effected by the recent Alberta wildfires that hit Jasper.

@Dangers_TV made a Tiltify team to help support and if any other streamers would like to join and help you can join here: https://t.co/vN5G1Wqf10

The campaign will be open for awhile so please join in when you can!