Things I wish I knew before streaming
You will get taken advantage of - I went in blind after seeing someone else stream for the first time. I had no clue, no support, didn't know how to work twitter properly. -I was used for money, support, and to get to my community and then was dragged in lots of discords lol fun times
Find the right people FIRST - I wish I found the right support BEFORE I started. 98% of the ones that got me to affiliate on twitch got me there in 11 days and aren't with me now. Most of them left right after I hit it. - Once I got it so fast SO MANY PEOPLE WERE MAD AF and said I didn't deserve it and left
GROW THAT THICK SKIN!! -People are going to talk shit. They're going to be jealous. They are going to use you. DO NOT FALL FOR THAT SHIT!! -Can't cry every day over the bullshit, but in the beginning, it was really hard bc I was NOT prepped for what it meant to be a female streamer.
You won't have it all, at first -You won't have a complete set up from the jump. It's never REALLY complete -Don't fall victim to the hypes - meaning don't drop the money you don't have into this shit. It's not worth it to cripple yourself over this. Get what you can and allow yourself the room to grow knowing you're not any less of a streamer bc you don't have pretty lighting
Know your limits/take your breaks -Streaming is exhausting. So is social media. TAKE THOSE FUCKING BREAKS -I learned quickly what streamer burn out is like and wouldn't wish it on anyone. -The right community will still be there when you come back from how ever long your streaming/social media break is. The ones who leave shouldn't have been there anyways. Taking an extended break will prove who belongs. -If you hit the button and quickly realize you shouldn't have, that's ok. You can stop when you need to. Don't even have to address chat. Sometimes we don't realize we didn't really have it in us to stream until we try and go "oh shit, I don't think this was a good idea." You're not the only one it happens to
Find your support system -you have to have people to talk to that understand the game. Things are going to happen and you are going to need someone or some people to help you through the streamer drama moments. No one understands better than another streamer who has had something similar happen. DON'T VENT TO JUST ANYONE!! If they feel like a snake, they are.
CHOOSE THOSE MODS CAREFULLY!!! -Again, not everyone has your best interest at heart. People are going to find any way to sabotage. -Your mods have some serious access to your streams. Make sure you trust these people. They can change your stream info/block and ban people/and can tarnish your good name. -I have had mods who came in just to block and ban people they didn't like then block me. IF THEY FEEL LIKE THEY ARE A SNAKE, THEY ARE!!!!
Don't ever be scared to ask for help, on any level, from anyone you trust. Including me. -You're going to need help in every aspect. Tech support, mental health issues, everything. -Streaming has brought me some the most amazing people, but also some of the biggest pieces of shit. Don't let the bad ones keep the good ones away -Please don't be scared. I will always try to help. If I don't have the answer, I will find someone who does.
Don't follow all the fads -I mean, come on, common sense lol not everything "cool" is for everyone and just bc everyone else is doing it hahahaha doesn't mean it's for you
HAVE FUN, MOTHERFUCKER!! -WE ARE ENTERTAINERS!!! have a good time with it and make sure you are enjoying what you are streaming. -Don't give into the gaming pressures of this. Play what you want; stream the things you want (that are within TOS;) just do the things that make YOU happy. Your stream will be much more successful and less stressful.
BONUS!! If you have a significant other, better make sure they know what comes with streaming, esp if they don't stream or game like you do. If they are also a streamer lol trust is a huge thing and don't let the internet come between yall. If it does, prob wasn't meant to work out haha
