Here’s Why Most Twitch Streamers Fail

Before I get started, I have to acknowledge that I am also guilty of several of the mistakes we will talk about. Right now, my Twitch streaming is limited, in part because of that. I am telling you this because it is completely normal to make mistakes. I was aware of these mistakes, and I still made them. So, give yourself some slack because you can only move forward.

The truth is, some people do get lucky and are at the right place at the right time. Some are also naturally charismatic, which helps a lot in the streaming world. And the competition is huge.

You will need to work very hard if you want to be a successful Twitch streamer.

Fortunately, there is an audience for everyone. If streaming is something you want to do, even if only as a way to relax or as a part-time project to make money instead of a career, you can do it.

I’ve helped many Twitch streamers get better results and will continue doing so in the future. And in most cases, everything starts with understanding what you do wrong. This is why I want to focus on why most Twitch streamers fail. Avoiding these errors will INSTANTLY help you get better results.

Inconsistent Streaming Schedule

Our time is limited. This is completely understandable, and the truth is most Twitch streamers need a job to deal with daily expenses. They have to live and streaming does not generate as much income as some people think. Also, the time viewers have to watch streams is also limited. They also have jobs and need them.

With this in mind, creating a streaming schedule you can actually stick to is vital for future success.

You might not be able to be consistent with your streaming right now. This is ok. But you have to think about the future and eventually have that consistent streaming schedule.

Why Is A Regular Twitch Streaming Schedule Important?

You need a Twitch streaming schedule for two main reasons:

• For you — It is just so much easier to prepare and actually deliver a good experience for your viewers when you know when you will stream, for how long you will stream, and other related facts.
• For the viewer — People who like you will know when to tune in. They will mark this in their calendars and will get used to spending time with you when you are live.

When viewers return, they naturally start feeling a connection. They connect with you, the streamer, and with other viewers. This is the first step towards creating a community, which you will need to be successful.

How To Create A Consistent Streaming Schedule

I cannot give you a blueprint for this and nobody can. What I can highlight is that you should never feel forced to stream.

Many articles online will tell you to stream a number of days or hours per week. The truth is there is no minimum. As long as you can be consistent with what you decide, you reap the benefits. And there is always room for growth.

Start with whatever feels comfortable. For instance, maybe stream on weekends for 2–3 hours in the afternoon/evening. Or maybe 3 days a week after work. Your call.

Note: If you are really limited and you can only stream like once per month, the best thing is to focus on something else. Try to create TikToks or YouTube videos to eventually move on to streaming more in the future. This is especially true if the time when you can stream is completely random. Try to build your community in other ways, like through Discord, social media, or short-form content.

Lack Of Unique Streaming Content

This is a tough one. Many Twitch streamers fail at having a unique stream. We cannot really blame them, since there are hundreds of thousands of streamers out there. It is very hard to stand out in anything you do, since someone has most likely already done what you think makes you unique.

The Oversaturation of Similar Content

Let’s take streaming “League of Legends” as an example. Do you main a champion? Well, there are many streamers who main that champion. Are you a top-ranked player? Again, there are many top-ranked players who stream. Are you good at telling dad jokes? Guess what? There are many streamers who are good at telling dad jokes. You get the point!

Be Honest with Yourself!

Make a list of what makes your stream special and unique. Think about why viewers might choose to watch you. Go one step further and actually ask your viewers what they like. You might be surprised by the answer.

Make that list and see what you can focus on.

• Are you naturally talkative?
• Are you very good at a specific aspect of the game you play?
• Are you a great DJ in a specific genre?
• Do you offer unique emotes?
• Do you have a unique layout?

Anything can be an advantage as long as you actually use it. To leverage that advantage, you have to put the focus on it. Do you main a specific champion? Then you will have to play many games on that champion to showcase it. Are you really good at talking to people? Then you will have to talk to your viewers regularly and maybe even have long “Just Chatting” sessions.

Not Identifying Your Niche

The official advice is to pick a niche. You are told that you have to pick one that is not oversaturated, which practically means one where you can appear on the first page of Twitch based on your viewership numbers. This is solid advice, but I would like to expand on it further.

The big problem with going too niche is that you drastically reduce your potential reach. I would much rather recommend that you choose a niche where you are completely comfortable, regardless of the competition.

Let’s expand on this a little further. Let’s say you want to play Fortnite on stream. You can do that. The trick with choosing the niche you operate in is to focus mostly on creating content for that niche. There is nothing wrong with playing many games if you want to be a variety streamer or even singing on your guitar if you want to.

There is no wrong answer when it comes to choosing your niche. However, there are several wrong approaches you could take after choosing the niche.

Creativity vs. Following Trends

The last thing I want to highlight regarding your streaming content and its uniqueness is that many streamers choose to follow trends to stay relevant or for other reasons.

For instance, Marvel Rivals is huge right now, and many top streamers are playing the game. The problem is right there: when you blindly follow streaming trends without a plan, you get lost in the crowd. Can you really compete with the top Twitch streamers if they also play Marvel Rivals?

This is where creativity steps in. Once again, if you are unique in what you offer, it does not really matter what game you play. Obviously, you do not want to play something like “ This War of Mine,” which nobody is really interested in right now. You want something with a decent viewership, and you want to focus on creativity and what sets you apart. In most cases, this should be your personality. But more on that below.

Poor Engagement With Your Viewers

Out of all the streaming sins you could commit, this one is the worst. Not interacting with your viewers is the fastest way to lose out on followers, subscribers, and views.
People do not primarily watch you for the games you play. They watch you because of you. They like you and what you offer. The game is secondary in most cases.

Stream Interaction

Did you get a new follower? Welcome the follower! It is as simple as that. Go one step further and ask a question like:

• Where did you come across my channel?
• What music would you like to listen to?
• Do you play the game I am playing now?
• If so, what is your favorite champion, map, or game feature?

If you do not know what to ask, take a moment and make a list of things you could ask your new followers. Rotate between these questions, and you will instantly create a connection from the moment you get a follower.

Do not be discouraged if people do not answer! Sometimes they just want to lurk. Do your best to encourage interaction by opening the conversation, asking questions, and remembering details about your viewers.

Off-Stream Communication

Take it one step further by communicating with your viewers wherever you can and enjoy doing so. There is a reason why most streamers have Discord servers. They also maintain social media profiles where they post content regularly. These platforms provide opportunities to connect with your viewers off-stream and even attract new ones in the future.

People want to connect with the streamer. Make it easy for them. Create a Discord server and be active on social media. Respond to every single comment you get-it will pay off in the long run.

Building Personal Connections

As a streamer, your goal is to build personal connections with your audience. You want them to return because they trust you, not just because they enjoy your content. How can you do this if you do not engage with them?

Ask personal questions, but always be respectful. For example:

• How was your day?
• Did you do [X]? (where [X] is something they mentioned in the past)
• How is your dog?

When you show that you care about your viewers’ personal lives, they will come back! They start to care about yours too. This makes streaming simpler because you will have more chatters and fewer dead times on stream. New viewers will notice that you care about your audience.

For instance, I once knew a viewer who liked a specific band. When it was her birthday, I sang a song from that band for her. It is these little gestures that build personal connections and the ones you want to focus on.

Inadequate Marketing And Promotion

The “if you build it, they will come” mentality does not work in streaming. It might work a little on a small platform like the newly launched Parti, but it will definitely not fly on Twitch. The competition is simply too intense. This is why one of the biggest reasons Twitch streamers fail is that they do not promote their channels-or they do it the wrong way.

Getting More Visibility on Twitch Beyond Streaming

Streaming is not the only way to gain visibility on Twitch. In fact, it is only a small part of what you should be doing when you are starting out. You want to be active in other streams and build recognition there. This brings huge benefits in the long run. More on that later, but here is one thing you should always do:

Always raid out when you end your stream! This helps spread the word that you are streaming on Twitch while actually using Twitch itself. It is also a great way to let your favorite streamers know that you are active on the platform.

However, do not go into the chats of other streamers and demand that they follow you. Do not even mention that you stream unless asked! This is something they should discover naturally. Some streamers might actually ask if you stream. There is nothing wrong with confirming it, but talking about your Twitch channel without being prompted is a big mistake.

Use Social Media!

It always surprises me how many Twitch streamers do not use social media. Some do not even have accounts. Here’s the deal: you already stream, and you are putting yourself out there! Why not take it one step further and fully utilize all the tools at your disposal? Social media is free.

It is better to focus on a few platforms instead of spreading yourself thin across all of them, as you need to update them consistently. With this in mind, consider the following platforms:

• TikTok: A great place to post your short clips!
• YouTube: You do not have to limit yourself to longer clips. Shorts work great here!
• Instagram: Ideal if you are comfortable sharing pictures from your personal life.
• Twitter (X): A great place to meet new people and interact with your audience.

Shameless plug: Follow me on Twitter and TikTok! I almost always respond to interactions.

Further helpful read: Properly Using TikTok Hashtags And How To Choose Them!

Collaborations

If you interact with smaller streamers on Twitch, you will quickly notice that most of them are very helpful. They are often willing to answer questions and provide advice when you need it. If you are respectful and they know you are a streamer, they might even agree to collaborate with you-or invite you to collaborate with them.

Perhaps you have heard of Corpse Husband. While he is no longer active, his story is a great example of how collaborations can be incredibly impactful. During the Among Us days, a bigger streamer invited him to play with some very prominent streamers. This did wonders for Corpse Husband’s following and reach.

There are numerous collaborations you can do and Twitch even heavily pushes their Stream Together feature now. Set up collaborations so you can expose your audience to the other streamer’s and they do the same for you.

Cross-Promotion

A lack of cross-promotion is simply a missed opportunity. There is nothing wrong with telling your TikTok audience that you stream on Twitch. And your Twitch audience that you have a TikTok account.

Take it one step further and actively think about how you can cross-promote.

Further reading: 15 Effective Cross-Promotion Ideas

Bad Audio And Video Quality

The quality of your Twitch stream does not need to be 4K. But…it needs to be high enough. Nobody can watch you or hear you when your audio and video quality are sub-par.

Fortunately, you do not really need that much. Here are some great budget options for you:

After some time, you will likely be able to afford better equipment. You might even invest in a stream deck if you want to.

The most important part is ensuring you have enough to create a good viewer experience. Your computer should also be capable of streaming at a decent quality-at least 720p. If you have these essentials, you are all set.

Neglecting Community Building

Once again, we have to discuss a community. As a streamer, you always want to build a good community, one that offers support and care. Neglecting this aspect makes it close to impossible to grow, regardless of how good you are at the game, the quality of your stream, or other factors.

The Importance Of Having A Loyal Community

Without a community, you cannot really do much. Here are some huge advantages of having a loyal community in your corner:

• Consistent viewership — The number of viewers you have is often consistent.
• Interaction and engagement — People will talk to you and each other, making it easier to focus on other parts of the stream.
• Feedback — Your viewers will give you feedback.
• Support — If you have some problems, your community will most likely help you.
• Word of mouth marketing — Your loyal viewers will recommend your stream to their friends.
• Financial support — You will actually get more money if your viewers are loyal.

Organizing Community Events And Activities

There are countless possible community events and activities you can organize. Some will be more appropriate than others though, based on the type of stream you run. You can consider the following examples of what you can do together with your viewers:

• Tournaments — A wonderful way to involve your viewers and even other streamers for increased visibility.
• Retro game days — Playing some retro games can be very appealing for your viewers.
• Music sessions — You could react to some songs recommended by your viewers or even go one step further and do karaoke.
• Cooking streams — Very popular among some communities.
• Q&A sessions — A great way for your viewers to learn more about you.
• Viewer’s choice — The viewers would choose something you do on stream.
• Charity streams — You can show support for what is very important for you.
• Birthday streams — Celebrate your birthday with your viewers.
• Watch parties — Just make sure you do not break Twitch TOS.
• Giveaways/raffles — Give back to the people who support you.

Creating A Safe And Inclusive Space

When a viewer comes to your stream and watches whatever you do, they have to feel safe and included. Make sure to set up clear rules when it comes to inclusivity and when they are broken, take the appropriate actions. While in the short run you might have more viewers when you do not care about these things, in the long run, you have to respect such standards.

Financial Mismanagement

Let’s face the hard truth!

Twitch streaming does not generate substantial income in the beginning. It takes a significant amount of time and effort to start earning good money. This is why financial mismanagement can quickly force you to stop streaming on any platform.

Underestimating Running Costs

At first glance, running Twitch streams might not seem expensive. Upon closer inspection, however, several costs emerge. The biggest issue is the time investment required to run the stream. Additionally, you’ll need proper equipment: good lighting, a quality camera, a reliable microphone, a stable internet connection, and a powerful computer. As games become more advanced and demand better hardware, you’ll also have to account for upgrade costs.

On top of this, consider content creation for other platforms. You might need a video editor, pay your moderators, collaborate with a writer to maintain a blog, or outsource other tasks. These expenses can add up quickly, potentially causing financial strain.

Balancing Time Investments with Potential Returns

Most streamers cannot afford to spend as much time streaming as they would like-or as much as is necessary to build a strong community. Schedules can also be difficult to stick to due to time constraints.

A common mistake Twitch streamers make is failing to properly balance their time with potential returns. Many focus too much on activities that do not generate income instead of prioritizing those that could bring financial benefits.

For example, it may be more beneficial to edit a highlights video for YouTube than to stream for an extra hour, as this builds your content library and extends your reach. Deciding what to prioritize and treating your streams as a business can be challenging. Many Twitch streamers fail to balance time investments with potential returns-and often, they don’t even realize this is the issue.

Lack of Networking

Making it alone in streaming is tough. A large number of Twitch streamers don’t interact with other streamers at all, and this is a mistake you should never make-especially when you’re starting out.

Consider the top streamers. They often collaborate with each other, and this happens at lower levels as well. It’s a missed opportunity not to network. There are gaming tournaments organized by streamers for other streamers on Twitch, and we’ve already discussed the importance of raiding out.

Networking is valuable because it introduces streamers to new audiences-those of other streamers. New followers join, and smaller communities can merge to become stronger.

Honestly, without partnering up with other streamers or engaging in networking, it’s nearly impossible not to fail. In today’s world, finding new viewers is harder than ever. So, when invited to an event, seriously consider it!

Burnout

Last but not least, it’s disheartening to see how many Twitch streamers quit due to losing their passion or burning out. You see it happen every day.

Streaming is demanding. It takes a toll on your mental health and can damage your physical health as well. In the long run, it’s incredibly challenging to maintain interest and motivation.

You must be prepared for burnout in streaming. If you’re serious about building a career or business through Twitch streaming, preparing for burnout is essential-it will likely happen at some point.

Further Reading: Nurturing Your Passion: A Guide To Preventing Content Burnout For Streamers And Gamers

Final Thoughts

Being a Twitch streamers is NOT as simple as many believe. It is so easy to look at the top streamers and see what they are doing now to then come to a wrong conclusion. The reasons highlighted above are just the most common. Others could be mentioned but being prepared for these is a great start for a lucrative career you will enjoy.

Originally published at http://adriancruce.com on January 15, 2025.