A streamer is a person who broadcasts online on the Internet. In recent years, streaming top online games on PC has become big business, with streamers ranging from vloggers to gamers becoming modern-day celebrities by showcasing their talents. Before you think about how to become a successful streamer, you need to start from the bottom.
We will give you some basic tips on how to build an audience on the top streaming sites, with a focus on how to become a video game streamer and what it takes to stream. However, do not forget about the design, so we suggest you have a look at customizable twitch banner templates.
Pick the Right Hardware
However, for quality streams, you will need the following:
- Laptop, PC or Mac - make sure your device has USB ports to connect your broadcast equipment. Also, if possible, your device needs an SSD drive and at least 8 GB of RAM so that everything loads quickly and without brakes.
- Camera - if you're on a budget, you can use a regular webcam. If you can afford more, look for a 160-degree 4K audio and video recording camera - great for a start.
- Microphone - most beginners who learn to stream use USB microphones. These are very simple devices with automatic plug and play settings that allow you to record sound with basic quality.
Luckily, you don't have to buy expensive Alienware hardware.
Choose a Niche
After acquiring everything you need to stream, the next step is to decide on a niche. Since your field is gaming, we already know what will be in the spotlight. Therefore, you need to think about the target audience and genre of games. Streamer is a broad concept, and you need your own bright personality. Do you want to play MMO or MMORPG games? If you choose MMORPGs as your niche, what will you choose: PvP or PvE? Think about these questions.
Your broadcasting style should match your personality. Many people learn how to broadcast based on the experience of other bloggers. However, almost all celebrities in this business have found their own way. Of course, it makes sense to draw inspiration from others, but in no case should you copy someone else's style.
Choose a Platform
The next logical question is, where is the best place to stream? Many gamers want to know how to get started. This platform draws on the gaming industry and remains the most popular destination for this type of content. However, despite the fact that many people want to become famous on Twitch, it is important to remember that this is not the only platform in the world.
There are already thousands of streamers on Twitch, so it will be difficult to break into the top here. You might consider YouTube or one of the niche sites as an alternative. Even if you end up coming to Twitch anyway, you can take your first steps and learn how to stream on any other platform.
Develop a Schedule and Stick to It
This applies to any direction that seems attractive from the outside. People always want to know how to become a gaming streamer while underestimating the responsibility. They see celebrities with millions of followers making over $1 million a year and they want the same.
But how popular streamers come to this is hidden from prying eyes. You can't just start streaming and instantly become a superstar. They put an incredible amount of work into this, starting with a few subscribers and gradually expanding their audience.
Start Streaming and Be Yourself
The penultimate step in our guide to becoming a streamer is streaming content. At this point, you have the right equipment, you know what content you will be creating, and you know where and when the streams will go. The next step is to do it. Get started and show what you can do. A streamer is someone who shows off all their talents live, like it's top MMO skills or stealth action or whatever.
Thus…
Understanding how to become a streamer and where to stream better is easy. It's hard to gain popularity on Twitch or any other platform.
If you are willing to work hard and still play games online and enjoy what you do, nothing will stop you from becoming a first-class streamer. Now you know how to become a streamer and use your abilities to the maximum!
Online Threat Alerts Security Tips
Pay the safest way
Credit cards are the safest way to pay for online purchases because you can dispute the charges if you never get the goods or services or if the offer was misrepresented. Federal law limits your liability to $50 if someone makes unauthorized charges to your account, and most credit card issuers will remove them completely if you report the problem promptly.
Guard your personal information
In any transaction you conduct, make sure to check with your state or local consumer protection agency and the Better Business Bureau (BBB) to see if the seller, charity, company, or organization is credible. Be especially wary if the entity is unfamiliar to you. Always call the number found on a website’s contact information to make sure the number legitimately belongs to the entity you are dealing with.
Be careful of the information you share
Never give out your codes, passwords or personal information, unless you are sure of who you're dealing with
Know who you’re dealing with
Crooks pretending to be from companies you do business with may call or send an email, claiming they need to verify your personal information. Don’t provide your credit card or bank account number unless you are actually paying for something and know who you are sending payment to. Your social security number should not be necessary unless you are applying for credit. Be especially suspicious if someone claiming to be from a company with whom you have an account asks for information that the business already has.
Check your accounts
Regularly check your account transactions and report any suspicious or unauthorised transactions.
Don’t believe promises of easy money
If someone claims that you can earn money with little or no work, get a loan or credit card even if you have bad credit, or make money on an investment with little or no risk, it’s probably a scam. Oftentimes, offers that seem too good to be true, actually are too good to be true.
Do not open email from people you don’t know
If you are unsure whether an email you received is legitimate, try contacting the sender directly via other means. Do not click on any links in an email unless you are sure it is safe.
Think before you click
If an email or text message looks suspicious, don’t open any attachments or click on the links.
Verify urgent requests or unsolicited emails, messages or phone calls before you respond
If you receive a message or a phone call asking for immediate action and don't know the sender, it could be a phishing message.
Be careful with links and new website addresses
Malicious website addresses may appear almost identical to legitimate sites. Scammers often use a slight variation in spelling or logo to lure you. Malicious links can also come from friends whose email has unknowingly been compromised, so be careful.
Secure your personal information
Before providing any personal information, such as your date of birth, Social Security number, account numbers, and passwords, be sure the website is secure.
Stay informed on the latest cyber threats
Keep yourself up to date on current scams by visiting this website daily.
Use Strong Passwords
Strong passwords are critical to online security.
Keep your software up to date and maintain preventative software programs
Keep all of your software applications up to date on your computers and mobile devices. Install software that provides antivirus, firewall, and email filter services.
Update the operating systems on your electronic devices
Make sure your operating systems (OSs) and applications are up to date on all of your electronic devices. Older and unpatched versions of OSs and software are the target of many hacks. Read the CISA security tip on Understanding Patches and Software Updates for more information.
What if You Got Scammed?
Stop Contact With The Scammer
Hang up the phone. Do not reply to emails, messages, or letters that the scammer sends. Do not make any more payments to the scammer. Beware of additional scammers who may contact you claiming they can help you get your lost money back.
Secure Your Finances
- Report potentially compromised bank account, credit or debit card information to your financial institution(s) immediately. They may be able to cancel or reverse fraudulent transactions.
- Notify the three major credit bureaus. They can add a fraud alert to warn potential credit grantors that you may be a victim of identity theft. You may also want to consider placing a free security freeze on your credit report. Doing so prevents lenders and others from accessing your credit report entirely, which will prevent them from extending credit:
- Equifax
- Experian
- TransUnion
Check Your Computer
If your computer was accessed or otherwise affected by a scam, check to make sure that your anti-virus is up-to-date and running and that your system is free of malware and keylogging software. You may also need to seek the help of a computer repair company. Consider utilizing the Better Business Bureau’s website to find a reputable company.
Change Your Account Passwords
Update your bank, credit card, social media, and email account passwords to try to limit further unauthorized access. Make sure to choose strong passwords when changing account passwords.
Report The Scam
Reporting helps protect others. While agencies can’t always track down perpetrators of crimes against scammers, they can utilize the information gathered to record patterns of abuse which may lead to action being taken against a company or industry.
Report your issue to the following agencies based on the nature of the scam:
- Local Law Enforcement: Consumers are encouraged to report scams to their local police department or sheriff’s office, especially if you lost money or property or had your identity compromised.
- Federal Trade Commission: Contact the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at 1-877-FTC-HELP (1-877-382-4357) or use the Online Complaint Assistant to report various types of fraud, including counterfeit checks, lottery or sweepstakes scams, and more.
- Identitytheft.gov: If someone is using your personal information, like your Social Security, credit card, or bank account number, to open new accounts, make purchases, or get a tax refund, report it at www.identitytheft.gov. This federal government site will also help you create your Identity Theft Report and a personal recovery plan based on your situation. Questions can be directed to 877-ID THEFT.
How To Recognize a Phishing Scam
Scammers use email or text messages to try to steal your passwords, account numbers, or Social Security numbers. If they get that information, they could get access to your email, bank, or other accounts. Or they could sell your information to other scammers. Scammers launch thousands of phishing attacks like these every day — and they’re often successful.
Scammers often update their tactics to keep up with the latest news or trends, but here are some common tactics used in phishing emails or text messages:
Phishing emails and text messages often tell a story to trick you into clicking on a link or opening an attachment. You might get an unexpected email or text message that looks like it’s from a company you know or trust, like a bank or a credit card or utility company. Or maybe it’s from an online payment website or app. The message could be from a scammer, who might
- say they’ve noticed some suspicious activity or log-in attempts — they haven’t
- claim there’s a problem with your account or your payment information — there isn’t
- say you need to confirm some personal or financial information — you don’t
- include an invoice you don’t recognize — it’s fake
- want you to click on a link to make a payment — but the link has malware
- say you’re eligible to register for a government refund — it’s a scam
- offer a coupon for free stuff — it’s not real
About Online Threat Alerts (OTA)
Online Threat Alerts or OTA is an anti-cybercrime community that started in 2012. OTA alerts the public to cyber crimes and other web threats.
By alerting the public, we have prevented a lot of online users from getting scammed or becoming victims of cybercrimes.
With the ever-increasing number of people going online, it important to have a community like OTA that continuously alerts or protects those same people from cyber-criminals, scammers and hackers, who are every day finding new ways of carrying out their malicious activities.
Online users can help by reporting suspicious or malicious messages or websites to OTA. And, if they want to determine if a message or website is a threat or scam, they can use OTA's search engine to search for the website or parts of the message for information.
Help maintain Online Threat Alerts (OTA).