https://i.imgur.com/D1UgKy8.png

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Disclaimer I am not a professional streamer. This topic is based off a viewers opinion, and other viewers opinions. You may feel free to post below things you think can be added to this topic. This does NOT guarantee you viewers.

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Topic #1: Where/how do I begin?
Let's begin. First off, you should have an idea of a game, or games, you would like to stream to your audience. Note if the game is too popular like League of Legends or Counter Strike, you're lower on the lists on twitch and can gain less viewers (Obvious, not saying you can't get viewers it's very possible.)

- Make your twitch name unique, don't copy! It doesn't look really too good on your stream
- Stream consistently, If you don't yet stream there will be a tutorial on how to get started below!
- Try to be your own self, have a unique stream with your own kind of content. Not copying a streamer like nightblue3 or PhantomL0rd for example.
- Have a clean, attractive, overlay (this does not mean a big girl on your screen)

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Topic #2: How do I start Streaming?
First off you will need to find a broadcasting software. There are several you can pick from but I would recommend you the free software instead of ones you have to pay for.

Software you can use
- Open Broadcaster Software (OBS)
- xSplit Broadcaster
- Wirecast
- StreamLabs OBS [I use this one]

When you have a software picked out that you absolutely can get used to, it's time to get your stream key.
You can get this by going to: twitch.tv/broadcast/dashboard/streamkey , Make sure you are logged in, it should ask you to if you are not. When you are on the page you should see a purple button that says "Show Stream Key." You will need this, so copy it down. Note you CAN change your key when you need or want to.

Now for the next part it depends on what program you are streaming with. So I have picked out a few videos for you to watch in tutorial for whatever program you have. I am only providing videos for the listed software's in this topic.

Open Broadcaster Software


xSplit Broadcaster


Wirecast


Streamlabs OBS

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Topic #3, How do I gain viewers?
There really isn't a very very good way to gain viewers quick. But there are ways to over-timely gain viewers to your twitch.

- Be an active streamer, stream almost everyday, viewers appreciate it and usually keep coming back to say hi for a few mins, which turns into a very active view to your channel.
- Do some giveaways! Yes, that word "Giveaway" attracts the biggest noobs to your channel you will ever know, but some do stay! You will gain followers but the people who are still interested can stay. Don't do this all the time or it just fills your channels followers/viewers with giveaway hungry plebs.
- Interact with your viewers when you can! Yes! Please, I see so many lower viewed channels and some don't interact with their viewers. If you interact the best way you can then your viewers will get to know you better.
-Play games with your viewers. Viewer games are another way for you to interact. And long term viewers would appreciate to play a game with you now and then usually.

-Have Follower/Donation Alerts, (Suggested by: UnrealApp), At nightdev.com/, or twitchalerts.com so your viewers will feel recognized from their Follow/Donation.

-Recommendation: Don't follow for Follow, this is not the way to really gain viewers, plus the person who follows you for your follow can unfollow later on.

-Don't Spam chats for "Please watch my stream zomg.", If people want to watch you they will come. Don't beg for viewers via donations, chats on twitch. This gets you no where and leads to hate usually.

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Topic #4.0: Set up your stream information!

Below your stream, you have an area where you can add information below your stream. With this I will show you examples from my stream if you would like to see examples.

Have it nicely set up and readable. Usually people can get to know you through an "About Me" box below your stream which makes it easier so people don't ask you through your chat. Take this example in the image below from my stream itself. This is how my information tabs are setup.
https://i.imgur.com/omLatqu.png
(Dark theme from BetterTTV Dark theme)

Having things like Stream Schedules, About Me, What equipment you use, What kind of computer you have, useful information that your viewer can have from you for them to get to know you, your play styles, and maybe games you play, or even to identify you on games and become friends if you have the room on your friends lists. Or maybe you just don't want to answer the same question over and over again if you become a relevantly popular streamer with a substantial amount of viewers.

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Topic #4.5 - Set up your banner

Twitch Introduced on 9.29.2016 a new layout. With the new update, I recommend adding more flare to your channel with banners! They are now located above your stream video area. Use Shiphturs channel for example.

https://i.imgur.com/qt2DC9w.png

Editing is self explained.

Dimensions of banner I use: 1920 x 480 px

List of All Profile Dimensions: reddit.com/r/Twitch/comments/27m4...f_missing/

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Topic #5: Services you can use to improve your stream. (Bots, Alerts, etc...)

1. BetterTTV - Most twitch streamers know about this addon. This is an addon you can download at nightdev.com/betterttv/ . You also get things like BTTV Emotes. A Full features list is available on their website.

2. Streamtip - streamtip.com/ , This is a place where you can track tips you receive. Since I don't accept donations on my stream at this time, I have no idea what the process is to linking this service, but I am well aware that it's safe and used by many streamers.

3. streamlabs - Stream labs are your Follower,donation, etc... Alerts that pop up on a stream. Just like streamtip it can track your donations as well ( I recommend this one personally I use the site anyways) You can get your alert box, donation goal, donation ticket, stream labels (Downloadable content) , and even your chatbox showing up onto your streams screen.

There are many more twitch chat bots out there, you will just need to find what matches your needs.

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NEW ADDITIONS TO THIS GUIDE COMING SOON

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You now know the basics, now get to streaming and see what you got, get out there and create your audience. Happy streaming!

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Now, click this spoiler and wait.