Set-Up: Twitch Account
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.
- Think about your username.
- It needs to be easy to type, memorable and unique.
- 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.
- Write who you are in short form.
- Include goals and values.
- Use puns or quirks.
- 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.
- This image is visible when your channel is offline.
- It should hold something personal and your social platforms.
- It can also tell people more about you.
Add a schedule
You can do it here.
- Start with a consistent schedule. Try to stick with at least 1-3 streams a week.
- You can export your calendar to your apps so you can monitor it and send reminders.
Moderation Settings
You can do it here.
- Personalise your Automod Rulesets. Make sure to cover any minority groups you belong to; this will protect you and your community.
- Block hyperlinks.
- Write chat rules to encourage good behaviour in your viewers.
- 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.