How to Network with Other Twitch Creators
Originally published May 2021
Everyone wants to make a career out of doing what they love. Streaming video games on platforms like Twitch, YouTube, and Facebook have been game-changers. Still, even though Twitch streaming seems to be a lax career, there are unwritten rules and etiquette that successful streamers follow.
Whether you stream on Twitch as a hobby or are dedicated to making streaming on Twitch a career, you still need to be respectful of other people’s spaces. Here are some of the unofficial, but kind of official rules of Twitch etiquette while in another person’s channel.
Read the Broadcaster’s Rules
Reading a channel’s rules seems like basic common sense. But too often, a viewer will enter someone’s channel and do so many things that make the streamer uncomfortable. These things will likely be in the streamer’s set of rules.
A broadcaster will likely have had experiences they want to avoid repeating and create rules to protect themselves and viewers. Their rules are boundaries they set for others to make their streaming experience enjoyable and comfortable. Taking the time to read and follow a content creator’s rules for their channel is important.
Also, if a broadcaster has a lot of rules, don’t ask them why they have so many rules. Don’t complain about them having a lot of rules. It’s their channel. You can choose to be a viewer or move onto another broadcaster.
Do Not Be Overly Familiar
Being overly familiar includes bestowing nicknames, pet names, honorifics, and talking to them in a way that expresses closeness. Each streamer is different in what they allow and what they are comfortable with. It’s safer to not assume people are okay with pet names because someone else was cool with it.
For example, I do not like being called darling, hun, honey, dear, etc. by people who don’t know me. I have that in my rules. While I enjoy streaming for others, I do not consider all my viewers to be my friends. Being cool and being acquaintances does not equal friendship. This also helps in maintaining strict boundaries to keep people from getting the wrong idea.
Do Not Talk About Your Channel (No Self-Promotion)
When you go to a party, you don’t tell the host that you are also having a party at your house, do you? The same concept applies to streaming. It’s impolite to go to someone’s channel and say, “Hey, I’m about to start my stream” or “I just finished streaming” unless that creator asked specifically about your stream.
While there may be people who are okay with others promoting their channel, self-promotion is generally frowned upon. Again, don’t assume all are cool with it just because one broadcaster was.
The Wrong Way
Streamer: Hey [viewer name]! How was your day?
Viewer: It was great. About to stream some Fortnite.
The Right Way
Streamer: Hey [viewer name]! How was your day?
Viewer: It was great. About to play some Fortnite in a bit.
Now, if the streamer were to ask, “Hey, do you stream?” or “How was your stream?” then, that is the time to talk about your channel.
Do Not Ask to Be Hosted or Raided
In the same breath of “do not talk about your channel” also, please do not ask to be hosted or raided. A guy came into my channel, followed me, then repeatedly asked me how long I was going to be streaming because he wanted me to raid him. I ignored him the first few times and continued playing my game and talking to viewers. But seeing his words triggered my anxiety. I banned him.
This also goes for asking for the broadcaster to raid or host your friends. It’s annoying.
Resist the Urge to Be a Backseat Gamer
We get excited when we see a broadcaster playing a game we enjoy. Still, we have to keep in mind that they may not want to be told how to play nor hear spoilers. It’s one thing if the streamer asks for help. It’s quite another to impose your playstyle and how you want the broadcaster to play. Just don’t do it unless you’re asked.
Spoiling the game can seriously bring down the whole vibe of the stream. When I asked Master Geektress, REDinFamy what’s something that can ruin the mood of her stream, she said, “…it’s when a viewer wants to spoil the game when it clearly says, ‘no backseat gaming’. It can throw off the whole vibe because if your mods are not on it you have to pause the game and timeout or ban the viewer. It can be an annoyance.”
Do Not Beg
Broadcasters are typically busy creating content, playing a game, entertaining, or whatever it is they are doing. Constantly begging to play with them, begging for a shoutout, begging to add your battletag/gamertag, or begging them to accept your friend request can be a source of annoyance or anxiety.
Content creators generally do their best to be interactive. Being impatient with their delayed reactions to your demands or even just demanding anything of them can really ruin the vibe and energy.
It’s important to understand that broadcasters are human beings first and foremost. They do not owe you direct attention regardless of how much you tip, how long you have been a subscriber, nor how long you have been a follower of that channel. No one is entitled to another person’s time, energy, nor attention. Period.
Whether you want to network or simply want to be a part of someone’s community, respecting the people you are engaging with should always be first and foremost. People take notice, even if they do not address you directly.
