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A year ago I created my board game Twitch channel without a clue what I was doing.
Googling software, settings, overlays, the works. I changed my set up daily. I had no plan!
If you're thinking about streaming, just start, learn as you go. I'm so glad I made the leap.
Googling software, settings, overlays, the works. I changed my set up daily. I had no plan!
If you're thinking about streaming, just start, learn as you go. I'm so glad I made the leap.
Twitch is my first board game video content. I've never presented anything in my life, and have barely ever given a public speech (does reading a poem with shaky hands at your sisters wedding count?).
You don't have to be slick, or ultra professional, you'll improve!
You don't have to be slick, or ultra professional, you'll improve!
Getting your first few viewers is nerve wracking. Sure it's only one or two people but they are watching YOU.
The first raid (another channel bringing its viewers to yours) made me break out into a sweat.
But you adjust to it, and soon it begins to feel like talking to friends.
The first raid (another channel bringing its viewers to yours) made me break out into a sweat.
But you adjust to it, and soon it begins to feel like talking to friends.
My first stream where a publisher had shown interest was a total car crash. After I started the whole South of the UK lost internet. I was mortified!
But I was streaming for me, not for anyone else, and you keep going because you are enjoying it, you are the catalyst to this.
But I was streaming for me, not for anyone else, and you keep going because you are enjoying it, you are the catalyst to this.
Like most things, the biggest barrier is starting, the biggest fear is failure but you can learn to fail upwards.
Just begin. Learn as you go. Try things, experiment, it's your space.
The BG community on twitch is so supportive. So kind. They are the silver lining in my 2020.
Just begin. Learn as you go. Try things, experiment, it's your space.
The BG community on twitch is so supportive. So kind. They are the silver lining in my 2020.
That said, this is the internet, so think ahead and ask a friend to mod those first few streams.
Do not hesitate in kicking or banning trolls. This is your house, your rules.
They are a viewer but they contribute nothing you want to the conversation. You don't need them around.
Do not hesitate in kicking or banning trolls. This is your house, your rules.
They are a viewer but they contribute nothing you want to the conversation. You don't need them around.
If your computer is struggling to stream:
Drop the resolution
Drop the bit rate
If you can video call you can stream.
Don't aim for HD if your computer doesn't allow it, you don't need it!
There are guides to adjust the quality to fit your computer and connection. It can work!
Drop the resolution
Drop the bit rate
If you can video call you can stream.
Don't aim for HD if your computer doesn't allow it, you don't need it!
There are guides to adjust the quality to fit your computer and connection. It can work!
The main issue most have is trying to stream in 720p/1080p. That is a system hog. Go lower.
Those who grew up preHD know everything doesn't need to be crystal clear to enjoy it, describe and explain.
Your personality is the star attraction. That works HD or not.
Those who grew up preHD know everything doesn't need to be crystal clear to enjoy it, describe and explain.
Your personality is the star attraction. That works HD or not.
No webcam? You can use your phone. In fact you can stream directly from your phone using mobile data and nothing else!
Just make sure you have enough data before you begin,!
Just make sure you have enough data before you begin,!
Trying to stream at too high quality for your connection is worse than streaming at a lower quality.
Connection stability reduces pixelation. If your connection is trying to hit a high it can't quite hold drop the bitrate. Start low, increase, find the balance.
Connection stability reduces pixelation. If your connection is trying to hit a high it can't quite hold drop the bitrate. Start low, increase, find the balance.
If anyone wants/needs twitch advice or just a friendly community (streamers and otherwise) to talk to then you're most welcome to join my discord group.
This link only lasts a day, so nudge me if you read this later for an invite. https://discord.gg/zFyZ6Avh
This link only lasts a day, so nudge me if you read this later for an invite. https://discord.gg/zFyZ6Avh
I've created a specific section just for twitch stream advice and questions, but also lots of space for conversation outside of streaming and games.
