6 Tips to Help You Become a Gaming Influencer

The livestreaming industry is expected to grow at an exponential rate, hitting around $125 billion by 2025, making the gaming industry a profitable and legitimate one for content creators to consider a career in. Large broadcasting platforms such as Twitch, YouTube and Facebook Gaming have elevated the gaming and livestreaming industry to such great heights, allowing anyone with a camera, microphone and stable internet connection to create content and build a fanbase no matter where they are in the world. However, with livestreaming surging in popularity, there comes the question of, ‘How can I stand out from all the other gaming influencers and make a name for myself?’

Becoming a content creator and building a name and brand for yourself within the gaming community is no easy endeavour. You will need to be creative, understand the digital landscape and harness social media. You will also need to consider whether you have the right charisma that draws people in and makes them stay and want to be a part of your community. Furthermore, investing in the right equipment can also be expensive, so you may need to save up so that you have the right streaming gear, such as a PC and monitors and your chosen console. For those of you wanting to dabble in PS Vita streaming you’ll also need to invest in a PlayStation TV and capture card that can remove the PSTV’s HDCP protection (but that’s something for us to delve into deeper another time).

That being said, if you are a passionate gamer who loves to create content and enjoys entertaining, this could be a legitimate career path for you. While the industry is highly competitive, there is the chance of you becoming a gaming influencer who lands brand partnerships and becomes a well-known figurehead in the community. Does all this sound good to you? If so, here are some useful tips to help you become a gaming influencer.

1. Decide on a Gaming Tag and Brand

All gamers have a gaming tag, which is basically a name that they go by and use across all their social media. This is so that they can protect their identity but also help them build a brand that represents them.

Thinking of a gaming tag and brand can be difficult. For some gamers, they combine their name or use a pun. Sometimes it could be a childhood nickname or even something completely random that does not make any sense. All that matters is that it is a name that you are happy about and that is memorable but also free across social media. For example, you will want to refrain from having to use numbers and symbols such as underscores and hyphens. Such additional characters can make your name much more difficult to remember.

If you are stuck trying to think of a gaming tag, look at popular gaming influencers for inspiration. You could also consider your first name, taking elements from it, and combining it with something that represents your aesthetic. For instance, do you plan on playing horror games? If so, you could include the word ‘Spook’ or ‘Spooky’ in your gaming tag.

Once you have decided on your gaming tag, it is time to consider your brand. Your brand could be anything from the colour you will choose for your gaming assets to the colour of your hair or the way you convey yourself across social media. You have free rein when it comes to your gaming brand, but remember that you should be consistent so that you can build a following.

2. Secure Your Social Media Domains

The next step is securing all your social media domains. You will want to see whether your gaming name is available across Twitter, Instagram, Twitch (or whichever livestreaming platform you choose to stream from) and TikTok. Once you have secured the large social media giants, you should keep an eye out for any other social media platforms that may appear and have potential. If a social media platform arises, simply sign up and secure the domain (otherwise known as domain squatting) so that you are sure to have the handle if you ever need it.

3. What Streaming Platform are You Going to Stream From?

This can be a tough decision to make, considering that each platform will have their own perks and downfalls. You will want to research which platform is best for you and which draws in your target audience. Head to Twitch and type in the games that you plan on streaming. You will see how many people follow that game and how many people stream the game but also the number of people who tune in. If your game is popular on Twitch, this could be the right platform for you.

Twitch is the typical gaming platform, but that does not mean you should automatically sign up and start streaming from there. Check out all the other livestreaming platforms and choose the one that appeals to you best.

4. What Games are You Planning on Playing?

Typically, you would do well to decide on the types of games that you play and stick to a particular genre. If you do not, you can label yourself as a ‘Variety’ streamer which means that you will play any game that takes your fancy. While this can provide you with a lot of freedom, it can also limit you as you may not have the repeat viewers who like to immerse themselves in a certain game such as Call of Duty or Fortnite.

You may label yourself as one of the following:

  • Fortnite streamer
  • Call of Duty streamer
  • Zombies streamer
  • Horror streamer
  • Dead By Daylight streamer
  • Variety streamer
  • Nintendo streamer
  • League of Legends streamer

No matter what you choose, you need to ensure that you are passionate about the games that you stream. No one want to watch a streamer play a game that they do not enjoy.

5. Buy the Equipment

All streamers need to invest in the right equipment. This is so that they are not only comfortable while streaming, but can also produce high-quality content that is enjoyable for their viewers. As a live streamer, you will want to invest in:

  • A microphone
  • A webcam
  • A keyboard
  • A mouse
  • A gaming desk
  • A gaming chair
  • A PC
  • A gaming console
  • Stream lights

When it comes to buying the right equipment, do not rush into it. Take your time so that you are making the best decision possible. For instance, when buying a gaming computer desk, you should see what gaming desks are currently on the market and which PC gaming desk meets your requirements. Do you want a gaming desk that has built-in LEDs, or do you need a desk that has a lot of storage options? You can find a vast variety of gaming desks at bedkingdom.co.uk. This gaming desk UK supplier offers professional desks of all sizes and styles.

6. Build Up a Following and Community Before You Go Live

You may be eager to hit the ‘Live’ button, but ideally, you will want to build a small following and community before you even do your first live stream. By doing this, you can gain viewers that can help you grow at a faster rate. Do this by promoting on Twitter and Instagram and asking people to follow your channels for regular updates. It is all about building momentum.

Becoming a gaming influencer can be a struggle, especially with so many people who are aspiring to become a well-known member in the gaming community. However, it is not impossible. For those who put in the time and hours, this can be a great career for avid gamers.

Title Photo by RODNAE Productions from Pexels

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About Simon Plumbe 1050 Articles
Husband, father and lifelong geek. Originally from the West Midlands, now spending my days in South Wales with my family and a house full of animals. Passionate about video games, especially retro gaming, the Commodore 64 and PlayStation Vita. Love pro wrestling, sci-fi and I'm an animal lover and vegetarian. Enjoyed this and my other articles? Why not buy me a coffee: http://ko-fi.com/simonplumbe