Over the quarantine months, many people came to me asking for tips on how to start streaming, what equipment to get and how to get over anxiety. I know everyone wants a straight answer, so here it is: there isn’t a straight answer.
Every single person has a different starting point. Some people have a full gaming rig, complete with a high quality webcam and amazing specs. On the other hand, some people have an old laptop that they use for everything. Both of these people can definitely set up their equipment for streaming, but there are things everyone should know before starting out.
Now, I’m not the ultimate expert on streaming. I do it two days a week for a couple hours at a time. Ryan taught me how to set things up and how to troubleshoot certain problems. Other than that, I’m pretty average. I do, however, have some basic tips for people who are interested in streaming as a hobby and want to start.
First, make sure your setup can run multiple programs. During my own streams, I usually have about six or seven tabs and programs open at once. Don’t freak out though: this number can vary based on what you’re streaming and using during your stream. I always have OBS, Streamlabs, Streamlabels, Twitch, YouTube or Spotify and the game I’m playing open. However, OBS and Streamlabs can be used in one software (Streamlabs OBS), and if you’re not playing a game, you wouldn’t need a game running. It’s completely possible to stream on an old laptop, but if it’s something you want to pursue long-term, then looking into some upgrades wouldn’t hurt.
Next, learn the programs you’re using, either on your own or with a tutorial. Doing a Google search can bring you a myriad of tutorials on many programs. It will take a while to get comfortable with the different programs, and you'll always be learning. Take your time with it and have fun! Also, don't sweat technical issues. More often than not, I can find the answer to any technical problem I have on Google. It’s truly a lifesaver. Getting used to the programs and knowing basic functionality can ease your mind of any problems that happen while you’re live. The worst thing is having an issue in front of a group of people and not knowing what to do. If that happens, searching online can bring answers quickly and can save a stream.
Lastly, learn to not take negativity to heart. There will be people that exist purely to troll, harass and bully you. The only thing you can do is ban them, block them and remove them from your life. I couldn’t count the amount of trolls I have gotten since I started. Most are harmless, but sometimes people say things that just hit a little differently on some days. That’s okay. It sucks sometimes, but growing a thick skin is necessary for doing something like streaming.
I hope this can encourage you to give streaming a try. It is truly a great hobby to get into, even with the annoyances. I know I didn’t give technical advice, but I wanted to give a brief overview of things you should expect to learn before streaming. Good luck out there!
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