Twitch has long gone beyond the scope of mere esports and game streaming, and nowadays everyone can find a category to their liking. Such a variety tends to increase the number of people wishing to become popular. In addition to the guys, girls also took interest in the platform – but besides the desire to create content, they have a lot of prejudices regarding the start of a streaming career.
Earlier, we talked about how to start on Twitch – namely when it comes to technical issues and necessary software – and touched on the topic of interaction with the audience. In this article, we will focus on the problems most often faced by the girls as they begin their journey on the platform.
From our guide you will learn:
1. How to start streaming without expensive equipment
2. How to choose what to stream
3. How to build an audience on Twitch and keep it
4. How to get your first income
5. How to deal with criticism and negativity in the chat
6. Why streaming with a cam is optional
7. Why friendship with other content creators is profitable
We also reached out to popular Twitch girls from different regions. Featured in the text are the quotes and personal experience of a popular streamer from Texas – Amouranth, as well as of a representative of the Russian-speaking Twitch segment - B_U_L_O_C_H_K_A.
Streamer gear a girl needs to start Twitch streaming
Broadcasting the first streams is not a feat that requires buying a very expensive PC or video game streaming equipment right away. One can always start small and upgrade the hardware and equipment over time. It is possible to stream from PlayStation, Xbox, or even smartphones. The last option provides a lot of content variety, ranging from the popular mobile games (such as Mobile Legends: Bang Bang and PUBG Mobile) to the IRL content.
For example, Jinnytty (the top-3 streaming girls on Twitch in 2020) loves to travel, so she often streams from her phone and shares her impressions of new countries with viewers.
Key streaming gear to have:
1. Powerful computer
2. Multiple monitors (one for the game, one for the chat)
3. Webcam
4. High-quality microphone, headphones
5. Lighting (such as a ring lamp)
6. Capture Card for Console Streaming
7. Chromakey (optional)
That being said, remember that it's never too late to start streaming. For example, Kaitlyn “Amouranth” Siragusa was once invited to stream in the Creative category due to how successful her cosplays were. But then the category was closed, and it was replaced by a separate IRL-content section. Currently, Kaitlyn prefers Just Chatting and ASMR, she is in the top 100 among the most subbed twitch channels, while the number of her Twitch followers recently exceeded 2M.
Julianna “B_U_L_O_C_H_K_A” Knysh started her journey on Twitch back in her student days.
“Out of boredom and because there was nothing better to do,” the girl told us.
Today she has more than 200K followers on the platform.
Many beginner and seasoned streamers want to remain anonymous, so the use of a camera during one’s streams is not necessary – instead, it depends on the streamer’s preferences.
One of the most famous examples of streamers who are avoiding the camera is the American LIRIK. At the moment, he has 2.7M followers on Twitch, he has not shown his face on streams for a long time and prefers avoiding the use of a camera altogether.
You can stream without a webcam, the main thing is to be interesting to viewers.
When it comes to girls, Esdesu__, dda_ju and Leechungyang, and many others are also streaming without a camera and have good twitch stats. The latter offers an alternative option in the form of an anime character she is associated with.
During streams, you should pay attention not only to your image but also to the description and design of the channel. The description should contain all the key information about your channel. Don't forget to add links to your social networks. If you do not have enough skill or creativity, you can always ask your audience or even arrange a contest for the best description/design.
Being silent during streaming will get you nowhere
Content is the most important thing when it comes to streaming. Therefore, you need to practice constant talk during the broadcasts, as well as communicate with your audience – even if the number of your subscribers is fairly minimal. This is required for you to get used to constantly commenting on what is happening, therefore becoming more skilled in stirring up the interest of the audience.
More categories doesn't mean better
Pro streamers often change the topic of their streams – however, the beginners shouldn’t show conflicting behavior of constantly returning to different categories. Instead, they should choose a particular direction for themselves, given that the stars of the platform are mostly followed for their personality.
The opposite is true for the new content creators – while the audience doesn’t really know your personality, they shall watch your broadcast primarily because of the content (often because this is a new, possibly even hyped game or some kind of unusual content).
At the same time, analyze what you are streaming and where. For example, mobile esports (ML:BB, PUBG Mobile) is known to gain more momentum on YouTube and Facebook, while some titles are only popular on Twitch.
Best streaming categories for girls
Choose your field — games, IRL content, or art?
Go to the Games section on streamscharts.com and analyze what's trending right now (filter by date to gauge the category's potential).
Go to the Channels section and select the game and language to look at your competitors.
You can also check the specific category page (for example, Just Chatting) and see in which countries and at what time of day the category is most popular.
Try streaming. No one forbids you to change the category, if you don't like it, just don't do it too often.
Not by Just Chatting alone
If we look at the most popular Twitch girls of 2020, it appears that the girls are mostly streaming in the Just Chatting category, but found among them are 2chamcham2, who specializes in League of Legends, 39daph, who does illustrations, while itsHafu plays in Among Us. Remember that Just Chatting is a great category for chatting with your viewers, but you need to try something different first to attract them.
In addition to streaming, it is recommended to communicate with your fans on other social networks. Promoting yourself on Twitter, VK, Instagram or TikTok will help you recruit new viewers. This may include not only the communication but also bringing up local memes, jokes, and funny moments from the streams.
An irregular streaming schedule is bad for business
Maintaining a regular streaming schedule is another aspect not to be overlooked. This way you will appear in the users’ recommendations more often, causing more viewers to come to your streams. Over time, your broadcasts will gain a permanent audience – one that will only grow with the proper development of the channel.
Perfect example from lilsimsie
Make friends not only with your audience but also with other streamers
Try to get acquainted with other content creators. In addition to inspiring each other, you may think of such mutually beneficial activities as joint streams or even collaborations.
Hosts and raids from popular streamers will also help with promotion. In this case, “host” is a broadcast mode that allows any streamer to host the content of another streamer on their channel; while a “raid” is the ability to send your viewers to another channel after your broadcast ends.
How to deal with negativity
The most important problem faced by every and all streamers is the negativity in the chat. Girls suffer from this problem twice as much because of gender stereotypes. Twitch viewers can be quite toxic – so in order not to ruin your endeavors because of the opinion of some outsider, you should find yourself some moderators for both the chat and social networks.
Another piece of advice is not to read every comment. It should be clear to you that it is impossible to please every person and the audience in its entirety is pretty much bound to include some dissatisfied people.
Such an audience has to be dealt with on an individual basis. For example, B_U_L_O_C_H_K_A said that she tends to ban toxic users on her broadcasts, and deals with hate in private messages by screenshotting them and putting them on public display. Amouranth has a different approach: Kaitlyn chooses to transmute the negative energy into interesting content, being known for streams where she reads her private messages and is trolling the haters to increase the amount of fun in the chat. The girl noted that ignoring the haters and growing thick skin tends to help a lot.
How to make money on Twitch as a girl
Activate the option to donate to your channel right away. Initially, you should not expect a ton of money (if you are not that lucky) but with your first earnings, you should be able to already update some small equipment and improve the quality of sound or visuals produced.
Amouranth revealed that she doesn't like to focus on a single source of income. As such, she already had a stable income before starting her streaming career.
When Kaitlyn started streaming, she was prepared for the fact that at first, it would not bring her money. Eventually, the girl got enough luck to start to receive the first money from streams just after a couple of months.
“I had few fans, but they were very supportive of me,” said Kaitlyn.
The journey of Julianna “B_U_L_O_C_H_K_A” was longer, with her first constant income making an appearance only eight months into her streaming activities on the platform. The girl went on the air for 8-10 hours every day, and this is how long it took her to achieve success.
Tips from Amouranth
Try to not rely on stream being a sole source of income if possible. Try not to let day to day results impact your overall demeanor or attitude. Give a program or approach enough time to succeed.
Streaming isn’t a linear progression job, it’s one of those “took a long time to become an overnight success” grinds. Mental fortitude is prob equally important as the ability to entertain.
Very few new streamers realize the amount of diligence or discipline it takes to create an environment that makes success probable (yes there are outliers and people who blowup over night or get lucky with a host or viral moment. And yes there are probably people with so much conviction of personality that they can phone it in, but even with those outliers they could probably better if they were more consistent and disciplined and had adequate preparation).
Also, outside of incredible good fortune, having a presence outside or twitch is VERY important. YouTube, Instagram, twitter, TikTok are all helpful in creating awareness or creating multiple points of contact with a community!
Better to take your chances and try than to regret knowing you've never tried at all, and remember: you learn from mistakes! Subscribe to our social networks, and if you know a girl who wants to start streaming but is afraid to, send her this article.
