Categories
Streaming

Streaming Low Self Esteem

Undoubtedly, streaming is special. Once you start to stream, your life changes. Suddenly, you host your own show for the whole World from your bedroom. You start expressing yourself more clearly, care to be more creative and entertaining, talk to people from different continents and improve skills like gaming. Many people find the process of growing their channel very emotional. Personally, I’ve seen people happy and sad cry on Twitch and I’ve been watching other streamers for less than three months. If you’ve been in the streaming environment for a while, you must have noticed people feeling down about their streams. Or maybe you have yourself. If you have, that’s okay, I have too. So, what is the link between streaming and low self esteem?

Streaming Low Self Esteem
Streaming Low Self Esteem Source: https://www.pexels.com/photo/woman-in-black-shirt-using-black-headphones-3930068/

Streaming with few viewers can cause low self esteem

Unfortunately, many people fall into the trap of being too attached to their viewership count. When starting, it is natural to have almost no viewers. This can be especially frustrating when a streamer broadcast to talk to people rather than show off their skills or narrate the playthrough. Streaming to no viewers for months or even years is not uncommon. Consequently, after some time a fraction of these streamers conclude they are not good enough and quit.

Also, a large amount of people seem to be fixated about getting monetized. Facebook groups and Twitter hashtags are overloaded with stream reports showing that 0.5 average viewer left to become affiliate on Twitch. Furthermore, some of them are begging you to join their streams or even suggesting giving up. However, often those people don’t even need money. Incentives like channel coin rewards, custom emotes and subscriber logos impact small streamers to the extent that they are ashamed of their streams. For instance, they rarely invite more successful streamer friends to their streams as they feel less attention-worthy. (Hernandez, 2018)

Some streamers would just compare their viewership to others’ forever, and that is definitely not healthy. Believe it or not, people would get low self esteem from streaming to only 20 people. On the other hand, same people would have never had so many people paying attention to them in their offline life. It’s all about one’s perspective!

Webcam can be a nightmare

Another thing which gives streamers anxiety is their webcam. Society has this pressure to look perfect driving millions to the gyms, plastic surgeons, as well as to use video filters and Photoshop. No wonder why streamers are anxious about how they look while streaming. You can see streamers like Valkyrae or Dr DisRespect always looking flawless and confident, while you’re just sitting there with no visible eyes and double chin. Yes, a good lighting, the right angle and a high quality cam can help a lot. However, who has the skill to control such things while playing a shooter like Apex Legends! As you can imagine, watching vods is a nightmare for perfectionists. Therefore, numerous streamers are questioning their looks or even if they should use webcams.

Webcams are not mandatory for streaming, nor is looking perfect. Make your show not about your looks, but about personality or skills, and your life will be way easier!

Followers, subscriptions, donations and peer pressure

Another sad phenomenon is the streaming success obsession. This issue concerns mostly people who jump into broadcasting with the big fame prospect. Once you see your channel grow you are all hyped and expect it get better and better. However, channels hardly ever develop in the constant pace. One or two days without a new follower or subscription may make you wonder what you did wrong. Also, why are the others getting donations and you’re not?! Well, more things than just you and your stream quality determine these things. For instance, you’re streaming two hours later than usually and your European fans are already sleeping. Besides, platforms like Twitch have little things organized, thus random events are common.

Conclusion

Basing your self esteem on streaming achievements is very toxic. People would talk to you and tell you compliments while you stream and that makes you feel this sudden happiness which you can easily get used to. When it goes away, your brain would suggest that something’s wrong and you may feel down. (Rossi & Caretto, 2007) Take time to remind yourself why you’re streaming and of those people who have expressed their support for you. Remember, nobody’s perfect and you’re doing it for fun! Unless, you don’t. Then, I suggest getting another job. 😉

Have you experienced low self esteem because of streaming? What do you do to feel more confident about yourself and your content?

Categories
Gaming Streaming

Do you have to be good at games to stream?

Meet The Hang Out Streamers, who do not have to be good at games to stream

Many starting streamers wonder if they have to be good at video games to stream. Also, smaller streamers may ask themselves whether they are not getting views because of their gameplay. Well, in this post I will answer this question for you.

In fact, you have many possibilities for your channel’s climate. Being a top player or speedrunner are not the only options. Actually, numerous people watch streamers just to have somebody to hang out with. This is especially important in the light of COVID-19 lockdowns. Therefore, you can often see casual smaller streamers with a regular audience of over 20 people. (Epstein, 202) (Reddit, 2018)

How do they do that? Don’t worry, I’ve done the research for you.

So, let me introduce you to the hang out streamer types.

Do you have to be good at games to stream?
Do you have to be good at games to stream? Source: https://unsplash.com/photos/NpX1pz-h2MM

The Friend

Imagine having friends from all around the World. A lot of friends. Friendly streamers usually are very kind and have extraordinary memory when it comes to remembering details about their numerous watchers. They often have their own Discord servers and descent social media following. They don’t hesitate to reply to your comment or ask you a question. No wonder why their community is so strong. They are often happy to give other streamers shout-outs, host channels or raid. No wonder why their kindness is usually returned. (Hernandez, 2018)

The Entertainer

Some people stream just to make others laugh. They either tell jokes themselves or get special props. Examples of such are funny overlays, clips, spectacular in-stream notifications like new follows, ridiculous chat commands, creative channel coin prizes etc. Also, they like to dress up in an… interesting way. They truly love make up and head accessories! Many of them have social media to make sure you will not miss the latest funny clip from their channel, or just to troll fellow streamers. Memes? Well, they’re their Bible. (Conlan, 2020)

The Cool Guy

You probably have stumbled upon those cool, confident gamer streamers, who no matter what, always have viewers. They usually play those popular games in the multiplayer mode. You can hear more or less clearly their mysterious teammates communicating with each other. Basically, everyone is shooting and running and it is hard to keep up. Yet, you’re watching perplexed. Naturally, it does not apply to the shooters like Call of Duty exclusively. Also, you can meet some loners playing that one game which used to be popular and apparently is good now for a casual gameplay. You can sense that they play whatever makes them happy and stream whenever they want. You do not have to be good at games to stream like them, but you should have at least mediocre level, since your playthrough is your story. (Reddit, 2020)

you do not have to be good at games to stream
Your playthrough is your story Source: https://unsplash.com/photos/WA84FtTi7NU

The Attractive One

You have probably heard of the successful gamer girl stereotype with big breasts and cute looks. Well, this is one of the way you can attract your audience. Like in real life, many people like to see pretty women or handsome men. Just look at the trending streamers like Ninja and Pokimane. (Hore, 2020) Nonetheless, there are other attention-grabbing qualities. People can be drawn by your make up, clothing, and hair style; as well as body language and voice. When it comes to the latest one, it is usually a combination of naturally deep voice or a fetishized accent and a high quality mic. Recently, it seems to be getting more attention at the video games streaming. For instance, in October 2020 Corpse Husband, who is a non-webcam deep-voiced streamer, is trending thanks to his Among Us commentary. (Leber, 2020) (Van Edwards, 2020)

Go Hard or Go Home

You might have come across a long-term Twitch user telling you to stream every day for 4 hours. While this tactic is outdated, there are still streamers using it. They would often cut on their sleep or working hours for the sake of the peak viewership time window. You may be under impression that they stream 24/7 since you just can’t keep up with their broadcasts. Besides, they either play the same game forever just to master it, attempt to speedrun as many games as possible or have an endless collection of video games for every stream. Anyway, they sacrifice for you, so why not stop by. (Hernandez, 2018)

The Professional

Best equipment, advanced stream overlays, professional logos, superb Internet speed, some streamers would invest everything to get the highest stream quality possible. You can see no flaws at their streams. Thus, chat comments of watchers impressed by the new fancy mouse they have just showed off are not unusual. They always stay up-to-date with the latest streaming tools and trends. Unsurprisingly, you often see them on Tweeter responding to postings about the latest gaming technology e.g. upcoming Playstation 5. Consequently, their viewers rely on them for their ultimate streaming experience. (Andronico, 2020)

there are different types of hang out streamers
There are different types of hang out streamers Source: https://www.pexels.com/photo/woman-in-black-hoodie-sitting-on-chair-5380588/

The Woke One

Sometimes, you come to the stream and this random person is passionately sharing some rare, yet vivid ideas. These can be either about the details of the game they’re playing or stemming from the topic their viewer just tackled. These online philosophers are directly expressing their views and ideas to their intrigued viewers, who are too engaged to leave before the monologue or debate ends. Moreover, the ”woke ones” have strong personal expression. For instance, they have unusual looks and stream overlays consisting of the art pieces they had made themselves. Not everyone understands them enough to stick around, but those who do, are loyal fans. (Hernandez, 2018)

You do not have to be good at games to stream

So, does becoming one of those streamer types make you successful? Most certainly not. My intensive 2-month-long Twitch investigation on different age, gender and game categories concluded that the more types a streamer could fall under, the higher their average viewership was. But of course, there are exceptions. Generally, the point of this post is to show you there are many methods you can use. Master your strengths and learn new skills, and you’ll see yourself grow. (Twitch, 2020)

Do you agree that you do not have to be good at games to stream? What hang out streamer methods do you use/want to use?

Categories
Streaming

Streamer near me – How to find them

Sooner or later in your streaming career you may ask yourself: ”How to find a streamer near me?”.

Also, if you are a gaming content viewer, you might want to support your locals.

Finding streamers near you can make it easier to create quality connections or a community with shared values. (Hernes & Metzger, 2017)

Furthermore, if you live close to each other (same state or city), you can hang out some time. Meeting up offline with friends to play video games is the most effective fun source from all the gaming modes. Thus, if you need a friend to do so, why not find a person who understands your passion for streaming? (Kaye & Bryce, 2012)

In this simple guide I explain how to find a Twitch, YouTube and Facebook streamer near you.

streamer near me
Meeting up with local streamers can be fun Source: https://unsplash.com/photos/2rt_GNUCJwc

Twitch Streamer near me

To begin with, if you wish to find a Twitch streamer close to your area, you should look for streams in the language used primary in it. You can do that via the Twitch search bar. Of course, not all streamers broadcast in their native or most commonly used language, but it is way easier to find e.g. a Polish streamer when you use the Polish language search filter. Besides, you could search for stream titles including words like ”American”, ”AUS” or a country name. Nonetheless, the more you network and research, the more likely you are to find next-door streamers. (Noreen, 2016)

YouTube Gaming Streamer near me

When it comes to local YouTube streamers, the easiest way to find them is via the YouTube search bar. YouTube creators use hidden hashtags, so if you type ”Alabama streamer” you are will find one. Just use it like the Google search engine! (Stelzner, 2019) In addition, you can try Google video search to seek for videos, since it automatically suggests you YouTube content. (Techboomers, 2015)

Facebook Gaming Streamer near me

Similarly, finding a Facebook streamer is easy. In order to find one, you should make use of the Facebook search bar. You may have heard of stories people finding their crushes on Facebook just by typing their home city. Well, that method often works and I can confirm it. Try typing ”gamer Amsterdam” and see what you get. Moreover, Facebook uses hashtags. Thus, you can use Facebook search like Google and Twitter search. Also, you can search for gamer and streamer Fb groups, both international and local. In my opinion, those are the richest databases of streamers by location. (Facebook, 2020)

How to find a streamer near me?
How to find a streamer near me? Source: https://unsplash.com/photos/WSpXkq7PXsc

The power of Social Media search

Another way is to search neighborhood broadcasters via social media. Country-, city-, and streaming-related hashtags on Twitter and Instagram such as #southafricanstreamer come handy for your investigation! Another handy Twitter feature is setting your search filters to ”from anyone” and ”near you”, so that you can browse more generic hashtags like ”streamer” freely! (Twitter, 2020) (Newberry, 2020)

Furthermore, you could seek for Discord servers dedicated to streamers from your target country. (Willings, 2020)

Geek Events are the best for networking

Want to meet local gamers and streamers offline? Go to geek events! The events you may want to be at are cosplay events, gaming events e.g. tournaments and fan conventions. (EventMB Studio, 2017) Meet people, ask about their hobbies, where they are from and if they stream.

Notably, many events in 2020 are cancelled and not safe due to the COVID-19 pandemic. (Minelle, 2020) That is not a problem! Simply, go to online events alternatives and type in the chat. However, you may want to choose smaller events since huge chats are hard to handle… To find online events, use Google and Facebook search bars. Also, you can check the event hashtags on Instagram and Twitter.

Conclusion

To sum up, finding a streamer near you is a hassle, but it’s not impossible. There are various methods you can use. For instance, you can use Twitch, YouTube and Facebook search bars. Also, you are able to find local streamers by hashtags. Once you are patient in your research and networking, it will pay off! Who knows, joining the local streaming community may be the key to getting more viewers.

What do you think about connecting with local streamers? Do you belong to local streaming communities?

Offline Sources:

Putting The “Fun Factor” Into Gaming: The Influence of Social Contexts on Experiences of Playing Videogames by Linda K Kaye & Jo Bryce (2012)

Categories
Gaming Streaming

How to stream and not be shy

Gaming is a more introvert-like activity. Streaming, in turn, requires you to talk pretty much non-stop and be often open about what you think. Thus, video games streaming is quite ironic. Consequently, there are many either shy experienced gamer streamers or unexperienced outgoing gamer streamers. My focus in this blog post will be on the first group. How to stream and not be shy (or too introverted) guide let’s go!

How to stream and not be shy
Streaming can be hard for introverts and shy people Source: https://unsplash.com/photos/hxnBkzz9iL4

1. Choose a game/activity you feel confident with

Like in your everyday life, there activities you feel more comfortable with and the ones which make you anxious. Same with video games. Why would you play shooters on stream if you’d rather just play The Sims all the time? Go ahead, stream your favorite game. I’m sure there are people who will find it interesting! Of course diversity and experimenting is a good thing, but maybe leave it for the time you feel more confident. But what if you are asked to stream something you are less confident with? My advice would be practice streaming a more comforting theme beforehand; or ask somebody to co-stream or help you host from the backseat. (Restream, 2020)

2. Stream in a comfortable environment which makes you feel less shy

Secondly, you ought to take care of your streaming station. What I mean by that is don’t stream in the same room where there are people you don’t want to be judged by e.g. your parents or a new flatmate. Also, make sure you are not surrounded by excessive objects which prevent you from reaching the keyboard/controller. That also applies to the virtual environment. If you have bad memories with a certain video game community or streaming platform, why not switching temporary or permanently to another one? The less your environment is intimidating you, the easier it is to talk and express your emotions. (Watts24fps, 2018)

Stream in a comfortable environment

3. Take care of you non-verbal expression

While talking may be your not strongest point, especially at the beginning, you can make up for that. The best way to do that is marketing. Take care of your brand while you stream and when you don’t. Express your personality while streaming via your looks, stream overlays, the background behind you, sound effects etc. Don’t be afraid to show off your interests and points of view. You don’t have to be mysterious, but be interesting! Also, make use of social media. Share and promote your content there so that people can get to know you. (Chamber of Commerce, 2016) (Vicari, 2018)

4. Build a community

Finally, it would be wise to create yourself a community. When you are surrounded by friends, talking to them on stream shouldn’t be a problem! Ask your friends to join your streams or make online friends. You don’t have to reach out to many people at once if you don’t feel like it. Find a circle of friends who would support you and show up in your streams. Opt for a quality following rather than a huge one. Starting small can be very frustrating, but be consistent and your effort will pay off. Remember, it is a long process, the key is to make it fun to yourself. (Chamber of Commerce, 2016) (Vicari, 2018)

Tips for streaming when you are shy or introvert
Streaming is easier when you are comfortable with your environment Source: https://unsplash.com/photos/dhrVciddsqc

To sum up, everybody can stream, even if they’re shy. Once you practice and apply the tips above, you will find yourself speaking more while broadcasting. Also, sooner or later your audience will grow. The show is yours!

What is your experience with being a shy or introverted streamer? What are your tips for how to stream and not be shy?

Categories
Streaming

Is streaming worth it?

There World has more and more streamers. Only between February and April 2020 there were the number of Twitch streamers rose by 3.5 million. In September 2020 there were already 7.46 million active streamers on Twitch. (Statista, 2020) Furthermore, its viewer base will grow to grow by 26.2% in 2020, more than the initial forecasts. (Goetzen, 2020) Believe it or not, the overall amount of hours watched on Twitch, Facebook Gaming, YouTube Gaming and Mixer combined in Q2 of 2020 was 98% higher compared to 2019. (Torque Esports Corp., 2020) One of the reasons for that is, of course, the pandemic and the lockdown. Society faced increased loneliness, hobby limitations and job loss. Consequently, streaming seems to be the answer to some people. However, is streaming really worth it?

Is streaming worth it
Is streaming worth it? Source: https://unsplash.com/photos/LB0kKgf8Vrc

Is streaming as a job worth it?

Well, that depends of your goals of course. The more you expect to get from it, the harder get the desired returns. For example, if you’re aiming to become a worldwide-know fulltime streamer within a week, you can forget about it. 75% of total Twitch viewership comes from only 0.23% of streamers AKA super stars. Thus, the probability of becoming rich and famous is very low. Also, when you choose this career you face several risks. It is very instable, you get no job security, you can literally lose the job overnight due to being cancelled on Twitter, a harsh competition or a platform going out of business. Also, forget about pension or a long career. So, think several times before quit your other job or school. (Hannent, 2019)

Is streaming as a hobby worth it?

But, what if your primary focus is to get a fun hobby? Well, there are many advantages to amateur streaming. First of all, you get to enjoy doing more or less ordinary things with other people. Goodbye loneliness! Also, you do not have to leave your house anymore to meet new or old friends. Secondly, it encourages you to develop new skills, such as presenting, gaming, social, IT and graphic design. If you invest enough time and effort, then who knows, maybe streaming will become a nice side hustle for you. (Simic, 2017)

Before you start streaming

Naturally, there are also disadvantages you need to reconsider. Streaming requires you to take extra cautions to protect your personal data and well-being on the Internet. Despite not being a norm, there are people who like to mess with others on the cyber space. The key is to prevent such individuals from accessing your stream. Another thing is cost. Streaming demands decent Internet connection and streaming tools like PCs, consoles, capture devices, cameras, mics etc. However, as long as you choose priorities while buying devices and not buy a new video game weekly, you should be fine with a small budget. Amateur stream = amateur stream quality, and that’s totally fine. If your stream is quality is bearable and you are the main star, then people will come to hang with you. 🙂 (Hannent, 2019) (Rybyk, 2020)

Streaming can be or not worth it, depending on your goals

To conclude, streaming is worth it if you’re looking for a social hobby which does not require you to go out. If you are looking for a fulltime stable job, then it is not the best choice…

What are your thoughts on streaming? What benefits or frustrations have you experienced so far?

Categories
Gaming

Is gaming good for you?

Gaming is getting more and more popular recently. There are as many as 40 million more active video gamers in 2020 than it was in 2019. (Statista, 2020) Recently, the factors especially contributing to it are digitalization, lockdown and population growth. Unable to go out and socialize, people opt for the virtual reality. You may be among this group yet or want to join. But, you should ask yourself: is gaming good for you?

To begin with, let’s take a look into advantages and disadvantages of video games.

Is gaming good for you
Are video games bad? Source: https://unsplash.com/photos/Mf23RF8xArY

Advantages of Gaming

1. Video games are fun

Gaming is a fun factor, especially when with friends. The studies found that playing with ‘real’ friends, either offline or online, is more fun than playing with ‘virtual friends’. (Kaye & Bryce, 2012) So, if have friends who want to play video games with you, you’re lucky. This is why multiplayers are so popular. Take the recent success of ”Among Us”, a simple social strategic game, as example… (Kelly, 2020)

2. Video games educate

Video games stimulate learning. Meaning, they let you experience possible life problems and force you to find solutions so that you do not ‘die’. Thus, you acknowledge the usability of different tools and routes. In short, you can use a video game as a fun educational tool for anything! (Griffiths, 2002)

3. Video games improve skills

Besides, video games are brilliant to improve your skills. For example, we tend to play for fun without even realizing that we are learning a foreign language. Furthermore, gaming is proven to stimulate language skills, basic math skills, basic reading skills and social skills. (Kaye & Bryce, 2012) I wish I had told that my parents when I was a kid, haha.

Disadvantages of Gaming

1. Video games cause frustration

Unfortunately, social games can cause you a lot of frustration. Friends can be mean or outperform you in a competitive game. No one likes their character getting killed constantly, right? Similarly, that applies to playing with random people. Just imagine a stranger joining your playthrough and randomly beat you. (Kaye & Bryce, 2012)

2. Video games are addicting

No matter how much you wish to deny it, video games can be addicting. Both World Health Organization and the American Psychiatric Association have been researching the issue for a while. ”Gaming disorder” is to be included in Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM) and International Compendium of Diseases (ICD). (Bean, Nielsen, van Rooij, Ferguson; 2017) Moreover, studies found online gaming to be the most addicting. Online gaming craving has the same neurobiological mechanism as substance dependence and that is very concerning. (Ko, Liu, Hsiao, Yen, Yang, Lin, Yen, Chen; 2008) I used to be an online gaming addict myself, and I can confirm it’s not fun in the long run. Please be careful with the amount of time you spend playing video games!

Gaming is both good and bad for you

To conclude, gaming is both good and bad for you. Whether you endure its advantages or disadvantages depends mainly on your habits. Almost each activity can be harmful if done too often. Once you control the time you spend and set up limits, you should be fine.

What are your thoughts on gaming? Do you think it is good or bad?

Offline Sources:

Putting The “Fun Factor” Into Gaming: The Influence of Social Contexts on Experiences of Playing Videogames by Linda K Kaye & Jo Bryce (2012)

Categories
Gaming Streaming

Gaming and streaming blog for you!

Hi! I am fastandhungry and this is my gaming and streaming blog. I started it as a project for my Digital Marketing course. The purpose of this site is to help new gamers and streamers feel more confident with what they are doing. Meaning, this is the place I will share useful gaming and streaming tips, personal experience and research. I hope you will like it!

fastandhungry, the gaming and streaming blog author
This is me, fastandhungry, the author of this gaming and streaming blog (:

To tell you more about myself, I am a hobby gamer, Twitch streamer, YouTuber, comedian and influencer. Besides, I have a background in management and business, predominantly in digital marketing. The latest is my great passion. Thus, I like to test my skills while doing my free-time activities as well. I began streaming games in July 2020 with no much preparation and unsure what to expect. However, I was positively surprised. I stepped out of my comfort zone and started creating content which made me happy. Also, I learned many new skills, became more time-efficient and made new friends.

I’ve decided to launch a gaming and streaming blog because I have seen many beginners struggling. I have struggled myself. When starting, there are many odds and being a newbie doesn’t help. Also, not everyone is an IT genius, right? I wish to help you save your time and stress. So, I want to collect all the essential knowledge here. Though, this is not going to be a professional blog. Instead, I will present step by step guides and sincere reflections. Gaming and streaming for dummies let’s go!

This gaming and streaming blog discuss topics such as:

This blog is for you! 🙂 So, what are the topics you would like to read about?