Quick How-To for Twitch (Twitch for Beginners)

TWITCH IS NOT JUST FOR GAMERS! Here’s a quick how to start streaming on Twitch that anyone can use. Comedians, painters, singers, chefs, trivia freaks, and more can share their passion with a growing community on Twitch. Here’s a quick how-to for beginners to go live on Twitch now!

Step 1: Sign Up & Customize

• Sign-Up: Go to Twitch.tv, “Sign Up” (upper right). Usernames = 4-25 chars. Be consistent across platforms.

• Customize your profile photo, header photo, bio information, links, and screens for your livestreams. 

Step 2: Get the Right Tools:

• Basic: Twitch app + phone, tablet, or computer with a camera and mic. 

• Upgrade: 

  • Hardware: Mic, mobile tripod, lighting, mobile audio interface

  • Software: Twitch Studio, OBS, Streamlabs

Step 3: Categories and Tags 

• Choose the right category and tags for discovery. 

  • Categories: Just Chatting, Games, Music & Performance, Talk Show, Sports, Travel & Outdoors, Food & Drink, Special Events. 

  • Tags help users find you in the directory or front page. Tag types: Stream Tags, Category Tags, Automatic Tags 

Step 4: Going Live! 

• Title your stream properly! Be relevant, creative, and brief.  

• Be Consistent: Set a recurring day/time of when you’ll go live.

• Multiple Devices: Have a second device to stay active in your chat. 

Step 5: Engagement Tips and Tools

• Tools to interact with your existing audience: 

  • Chat Room & Moderators

  • Emotes: Enhanced emojis/emoticons (partners and affiliates)

  • Discord Chat

  • Zoom

Step 6: To Raid or Host?

• Twitch Raids: Raids enable a streamer to send their viewers from their live to another live channel. Most likely of the same genre, industry, or category.

• Host a Channel: A way to share your favorite channel’s live channels while you’re offline.

Step 7: Getting Paid on Twitch

• Subscriptions 

• Bits & cheers

• Donations

• Brand Partnerships

• Merchandise

• Ad Sales (partner)

Step 8: Enjoy!