When you first start out as a content creator, unless you have a following in another area of your life, you are not going to have a great number of people watching you. When I first started, I only had about nine people, and that was because of Ryan’s audience that was already formed. Starting from zero can be disheartening, but looking at the analytics and going into something like content creation just for the money is toxic and can have a devastating drain on mental health.
It becomes a vicious cycle. Streaming, watching the number, getting into your own head, repeat. It can and will take a toll on your mentality. I have had to take breaks from content creation because I focused too much on the amount of people watching, and it discouraged me. It made me feel like I wasn’t good enough at what I was doing, but that isn’t true. I just haven’t done it long enough to reach as many people.
It takes a long time to build up an audience. I have taken streaming seriously for almost a year now, and I still only get between 15-20 people per stream. That is a huge improvement from the nine I started with, but it still can feel like it’s all for nothing. I have also had friends quit streaming or take breaks because they didn’t grow quickly. It’s heartbreaking to see people struggle and give up because the numbers aren’t increasing. However, knowing that other people go through the same crisis can come as a relief. Not everyone really knows what they’re doing, and most people go through this dilemma as a content creator.
The reality is that, like anything, content creation is hard work. Sometimes, you don’t get out what you put in. It’s a harsh truth, but content creation is a passion hobby (or job, if you get lucky). It cannot be something that you drop everything and start doing full time (unless you have the means to do so, and even then, I wouldn’t recommend it). It’s something that you have to work towards. Content creators are determined people who love their craft. If you go into something like livestreaming just for the fame, glory and views, then you will be greatly disappointed. You won’t immediately take off, and you may never take off, and that’s okay. Do what you love because you love it. It’s easier said than done when you look at the salaries of some other streamers (looking at you, Nick Mercs), but they have also been doing it for ages. They’ve earned it.
Take your time. Improve the way your channel looks. Have fun with it. I guarantee the more fun you have, the more people will want to watch you. Nobody wants to watch someone who is sulking and sad because they only have two people watching. Entertain those two people and make them stick around. The more excited you are about what you’re doing, the more excited other people will be. You got this!
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