Optimizing your Twitch channel as a non-affiliate streamer can be a good start. It’s better to start strong than struggling and having to change everything.

This lesson will be short and sweet because I'm not fond of long-winded pay-to-view tutorials filled with ads.

It will cover the setup of your Twitch Channel, not your stream software and computer setup.

Create a Twitch Account

You can do it here.

1. Think about your username.
2. It needs to be easy to type, memorable and unique.
3. Try to avoid special characters and numbers.

Need help figuring out a username?

Add a profile picture and banner

You can do it here.

• Make it fit your name.
• Use your face or a sound logo
• Good branding makes a difference.

Double-check your Display Name

On the same page, you can choose custom capitalisation to emphasize parts of your name.

(twSparkleCat, HayzTee, etc..)

Write an enticing Bio

On the same page, fill out the Bio section.

1. Write who you are in short form.
2. Include goals and values.
3. Use puns or quirks.
4. Do not dox yourself. (Be sensible with your personal info)

An interesting bio does not use the full 300 characters.

Social Links

On the same page, add social links to create unity on your platforms.

• The more, the merrier; every link creates a backlink, which increases search engine optimisation.
• As it will be discussed in a username post, try to use the same name for all your socials.

Accent Colour

You can do it here.

• A clever accent colour uses a colour from your branding.

Video Player Banner

On the same page, you can add a video player banner.

1. This image is visible when your channel is offline.
2. It should hold something personal and your social platforms.
3. It can also tell people more about you.

Add a schedule

You can do it here.

1. Start with a consistent schedule. Try to stick with at least 1-3 streams a week.
2. You can export your calendar to your apps so you can monitor it and send reminders.

Moderation Settings

You can do it here.

1. Personalise your Automod Rulesets. Make sure to cover any minority groups you belong to; this will protect you and your community.
2. Block hyperlinks.
3. Write chat rules to encourage good behaviour in your viewers.
4. Disable “Followers-only mode.” This allows people who are not following you to type in your chat and get to know you better first.

Enable Drops

You can do it here.

• Even non-affiliates can give out Twitch Drops!
• It WILL help you grow because it gives people incentive to stay.
• You can also check the open campaigns to find games to play on stream.

Edit your Twitch Panels

You can find this on your channel page. This link usually looks something like: https://www.twitch.tv/YOURCHANNELNAME/about.

• The panels should contain information about you, your content, your channel, your social media, your donation links, and more.
• There are many different ways to customise your panels, so no complex rules.

Interesting panels have more than "Please Donate".

Twitch Extensions

You can find them here.

Is something still missing, or are you seeking a semi-native engagement tool? Check out the Twitch Extensions and add them as panels or stream overlays.

More info on Twitch Extensions here.

With Twitch being a popular live streaming platform, you, as a viewer, will also be impacting its environment. Sometimes, social situations call for rules, but in this case, I believe proper etiquette can go into your self-improvement as a viewer. Here are some tips to make your viewing experience better.

TLDR;

Do

• Follow the chat rules
• Support the streamer
• Empower the raid
• Respect their schedule
• Read the room
• Be understanding
• Respect the mods
• Give feedback!

Don't

• Post links
• Beg for freebies
• Post spoilers
• Backseat
• Dox
• Trauma dump

Breakdown

Do: Follow the Chat Rules

Chat rules are a specific pre-written book of law by the streamer or their moderators. These help them all be on the same page and create a safe and welcoming environment for viewers and the content creator. Here's an example of how they may look:

1. No hate speech or discrimination: this includes racist, sexist, or otherwise offensive language or behaviour.
2. No spamming or flooding the chat: This means not repeating the same message multiple times or sending large amounts of text in a short period.
3. No sharing of personal information: This includes yours and others. Keep things safe and secure by not posting personal information in the chat.
4. No self-promotion or advertising: This includes promoting your stream, channel, or product without the streamer's permission.
5. No cheating or exploiting glitches: This includes using cheats, hacks, or other methods to gain an unfair advantage while watching a stream.

For the majority of streamers, this list will look the same. To make sure you live by their laws, you can find them in the following places:

Rules: In the Twitch Panels

Every Twitch profile has a panel section underneath its stream. This section shows and explains the channel's content, but it sometimes gives the chat rules in a neatly ordered manner.

Of course, these will differ depending on the streamer, so make sure you scroll that wheel and check it out.

Rules: In a chat command

Sometimes, rules are a bit more collaborative or need a hyperlink. Here, I'm thinking about people who care more about people's behaviour than default streamers. It is usually found in streams for all ages. You could also use a chat command to link to this blog post.

Support the streamer

There are plenty of ways to support your favourite streamer without spending money. Here is a comprehensive list:

Follow and Share

It's as easy as that. All you have to do is click the follow button and share your favourite content creator's stream with a friend. Imagine if everyone did that once. Your streamer will grow exponentially.

Chat and be active

Chat activity is one of the most critical factors for a Twitch streamer. Having a high-quality active chat defines a creator's community. This does not mean you have to share every little bit of your life, or even worse, trauma dump, but interact with your streamer. Clip fun moments, use the channel point redemptions, use their in-chat loyalty points, join their community events and react to questions they may ask you.

Join the community

Discord is one of the most used community platforms used by Twitch streamers. The fun you're having in their stream goes on in their server. From discussions about hobbies, games and food to minigames and off-stream community events. Be aware that this place also has rules to abide by.

Subscribe, gift a sub or use Bits

Subscribing is a way to support your Twitch streamer every month. It comes with benefits such as emotes, an ad-free experience and, in some cases, extra permissions and less chat moderation. By default, these auto-renew, but you can choose not to renew the subscription on your subscriptions page.

If you can access Amazon Prime, you can have one free monthly subscription. When you're already subscribed or don't feel like putting down that monthly commitment, you can gift subs to incentivise others to renew theirs next month.

Bits are a form of currency. Identical to channel points, you can use these to bring more activity in chat. Most streamers have Sound Alerts, Voicemod or Blerp installed to allow you to add sound effects and stickers LIVE.

Subs and Bits are a 50/50 revenue split for Twitch and your streamer. Although they add to the experience, it's not the most profitable but consistent.

1 Bit translates to $0.01 to the creator.

Donate straight-up cash

The most straightforward way to contribute is by donating. Many streamers dream of making a living from it. Donating is usually a 100% guarantee that all your money gets to the streamer, aside from payment fees by Paypal or credit card companies. You will commonly find the donation button to be a Fourthwall Site, Streamelements, Ko-Fi, Streamlabs or Patreon link. All of these are secure and payout to their Paypal or bank. But don't be scared of others; there are a lot of platforms that offer these services.

Send Gifts

Aside from a public P.O. box address, there are also gift services. I'm thinking about food and product services such as TreatStream and Throne. Both of these protect the privacy of the streaming whilst allowing you to send them something meaningful.

There are more similar services; if you feel I need to mention a specific one, feel free to say it in a comment to this post.

Use affiliate links

The last revenue streamer earns is through affiliate links. This means that whenever you buy something through these links, the creator gets a small cut of the profits or extra benefits. Affiliate marketing (future posts pending) is a passive form of income that empowers a creator's reach and networking.

It's not always about revenue; sometimes, it's about representing a community or game, such as Two Way Champions.

A streamer's affiliate links can be found in their panels or social media platforms.

Empower the raid

Clouded by the considerable controversy of hate raids (future posts pending), these are marvellous ways for creators to expand their collaborations and share their audience. This is conducted at the end of a stream, usually to a minor creator, a friend, someone who plays similar games, or someone your streamers attempt to emulate. Most streamers prefer you to use a raid message to share their vibe with the previously mentioned creator.

The raid message can usually get copied from a command a chatbot will provide you with. If you're unsure, feel free to ask your streamer if they have a raid message. Most importantly, you should only post it ONCE. There's no need to spam this one out by yourself.

Respect their schedule

Your streamer will plan their content to their best capability and availability. Make sure to honour that. Setting out a schedule is probably one of the hardest things for a Twitch streamer since it needs to be consistent and takes time away from real-life commitments. Believe it or not, many content creators still have a day-to-day job. Even though someone looks like a full-time streamer, it does not mean they are one. So respect their time with them and make sure they know you value it.

Read the room

This is probably one of the more abstract ones—not because it's hard to understand, but because this is the one that separates good communication. Let's say the streamer had a pet that passed away; it would definitely NOT be the moment for a joke about flattening cats on the street. It's a bit crude, maybe, but it gets the point across.

Realize that not all streamers are the same. Everybody copes with situations differently. But remember: If you have to think twice about whether it would be the appropriate moment, it usually isn't.

Be understanding

Did your streamer cancel the next stream? Well, good for them!

There is most likely a good reason. Most content creators will also describe the reason or put it down in a vague category, such as mental health or family issues. Don't question it; show your support by letting them know you'll await the next stream. In the meantime, hang out in their community Discord server or interact with them on other platforms, such as YouTube videos or Social Media.

Respect the mods

Ah, yes, the mods. They make fun of viewers and streamers whenever they get the chance. It is essential to understand that this is an act they play. It brings a healthy amount of humour and jokingly messing around. Respecting the time they put into managing chat and helping your favourite streamer collect feedback is all you have to do. By default, moderators are friends of the streamer and do not get paid to be there. Don't make their life hell because it will impact the channel.

Give feedback!

Whether you tell them in chat you like the music they're playing or you write a long and touchy message in their Discord server's general chat, feedback is necessary to improve the stream past the streamer's capability. It will not only enrich your own experience, but it will also help them enjoy and appreciate the community more.

Ask your streamer about it if you do not see a way to leave feedback. They might create a Strawpoll or add a feedback extension to their channel.

Do Not

Don't post links

Hyperlinks, keywords to your socials, and any unsolicited self-promotion is a big no. In most Twitch chats, this means a timeout or even a ban. It's a form of disrespect and a clout chase.

Don't beg for freebies

As discussed in our support section, is your streamer an affiliate or ambassador? Do not expect them to give you free goods unless they run a giveaway. And even then, you're supposed to win it, not get it gifted.

Don't post spoilers

Spoilers are spoilers, whether it's new movies, games, music releases or the ending of your favourite book. They are not always respected unless requested. Type with caution.

Don't backseat

The thin line between giving valuable tips and spoiling an entire game. Usually, Twitch Streamers have a tag on their streams, such as NoBackseating or BackSeatingAllowed. But even if they don't, read the room and see if they appreciate it. Not every content creator wants chat to tell them the easter eggs and the optimal way to complete a game.

Don't dox

The action or process of searching for and publishing private or identifying information about a particular individual on the internet, typically with malicious intent. From: Google Definitions.

Twitch chat is not the appropriate place to share personal information about others, known as "doxxing". Doxxing is a form of online harassment where someone's private information is shared publicly without consent. This can include their full name, address, phone number, and other sensitive information. Not only is this illegal, but it can also be dangerous and cause harm to the person being doxxed. It is important to respect other people's privacy and refrain from doxxing in Twitch chat or any other online platform.

Even jokingly sharing someone's name is inappropriate if they wish to keep it private.

Don't Trauma Dump

The act of disclosing intense personal feelings and ideas to others without discretion or timing is referred to as "trauma dumping." Mental health professionals do not commonly use this phrase as a clinical term. However, those participating in this behaviour may be prone to describing traumatic experiences or stressful scenarios to others at an inappropriate time.

Some causes for people to resort to this behaviour are:

• Depression
• Anxiety
• PTSD
• Stressful home or work environments
• And many others.

This is not a place for Twitch chat. Instead, take it to a vent chat in a Discord server.

Small disclaimer: If a streamer asks about your situation, be cautious. They do not know what to expect until it is in their chat. Think twice about whether it's the right place to post it.

Of course, as with any rule, there are a few exceptions. But usually, those channels are licensed professionals who can steer you to the proper help.

So, you managed to set up your Twitch channel. Now, you want extra engagement or ways to display information in your panels or on screen. There are hundreds of Twitch Extensions to discover.

You can find the Twitch extension page here.

What are extensions?

Twitch Extensions are blocks that hold information, forms, embeds, or other interactable buttons. They can be from Twitch, your social media, or the games you play.

They can communicate with each other by using what they call an API (application programming interface). Don’t worry too much about what this odd-looking thing is; that’s for another post.

Why use them?

There are various reasons why you would use Twitch Extensions. Let’s explore them further, and I’ll give some examples per category.

Engage Your Audience

Twitch Extensions allows you to create a more interactive and engaging streaming experience for your audience. Whether you’re a gamer, artist, or musician, extensions allow viewers to participate in polls, quizzes, and other interactive elements during your stream. There even used to be a Twitch Sings extension.

Game Connections

In the gaming category, we’ll find many interactive extras that can help your audience to play or immerse with you. Make sure to search for your favourite games on the extension page. Here are some examples:

• Cult of the Lamb and the Companion of the Lamb: Players can recruit viewers from their audience to join their cult.
• Destiny 2 and the Destiny official Extension: When enabled and actively streaming Destiny 2, your viewers can complete weekly Bounties for in-game rewards, inspect the stats, mods, and perks of your Guardian’s current loadout, view your Trials of Osiris stats for the week/season/lifetime, and track your active Trials of Osiris Passage.
• League of Legends and Mobalytics: The Mobalytics extension enhances your stream’s viewing experience by giving your audience interactive access to your stats, rune pages, builds, and insights on your play style and matchup. 

Minigames and Pets

You can also run your minigames or let your viewers raise their pets using extensions. Here are some examples:

• Dragon Pets and the extension: This one displays a dragon pet on your stream, and your viewers can interact with it to make it stronger and care for it!
• 2048: If you have ever played this game on your mobile, you understand how fun it can be to have this side by side on your stream. 

Monetization Opportunities

This is what you’re here for — cash, money, the dough. Numerous extensions allow your audience to use bits, donations, or gifted subs to affect your game or stream. This generates revenue and keeps your viewers busy. 

• Pay to Play: Several extensions allow donations to play sounds, clips, or images on screen. These are great for jumpscares, memes, or other entertaining factors: Soundalerts, Blerp, Viewer Attack, and Crowd Control.
• Prime Gaming Benefits Reminder: The Prime Gaming Benefits Reminder adds an icon as an overlay to the video, reminding viewers that they have a Prime channel subscription to claim and showing them other benefits of Prime Gaming.

More Branding

You can also use extensions to extend your branding and give more information. Some include listing your schedule and RSS (Really Simple Syndication) Feeds. These use, you guessed it, API to connect to your social media app.

• Chrono Channel: Displays your schedule in a nicely coloured panel. 
• Throne Wishlist: Gets your wishlist from your Throne account and puts it in a friendly panel.
• Xeke’s Simple Emote Panel: This one displays the possible emotes and badges your viewers can unlock.
• Schedule from Videos: This panel uses past broadcast information to estimate your next streams.

Viewer Retention

Keeping viewers engaged is vital to a successful Twitch channel. Extensions can help improve viewer retention by offering loyalty point systems, rank lists or other incentives that encourage your audience to stay and interact with your content. Here are some examples:

• Streamrate: Give your viewers a say about you and your content. This helps everyone. Don’t feel bad if they leave a negative review; it’s considered constructive criticism, and you can use it to improve your next stream.
• Leaderboards: Streamelements, Wizebot, Throne, Community Members, Most Valuable Viewer
• And More

There are too many extensions to cover in one post, and I do not want to overwhelm you. Pick the right ones for you, your brand and your community. Especially if certain games are your main content, those extensions are trivial.

Important Notes

There are a lot of good ones, but also bad ones. Here’s a list of things you need to pay attention to.

• Malicious extensions: Always review an extension before adding it. Extensions can access your Twitch information if you allow them to, and like anywhere else on the internet, this can result in problems.
• Hate Speech or Spam Generators: Some extensions automatically add text to the panel. Avoid these since you have no control over them.
• Unwanted ads: Avoid extensions that make their logos too visible. This clutters your panels and turns your channel into a billboard for the companies—credit where credit is due, however.
• Viewer location and IP grabbers: Some extensions show you where your viewers are from. Please do not use these, as they discourage people from staying around.

My word is not law. Use the extensions you think are good for you. Feel free to comment on some extensions you believe should be included in this post below!