You have a Twitch account. Now what? If you have a computer or console and the right tools, you are basically ready to go. It isn’t rocket science. It is just a matter of connecting your hardware to their servers.
Twitch has a list of compatible software on their support pages. Use it. Don’t guess. Pick a program that fits your setup and follow their guides.
Connecting Your Software to Twitch
Most broadcasting apps let you choose Twitch from a dropdown menu. Simple.
You need credentials. Either your username and password or a stream key. The key is safer and more professional. Find it by logging into your dashboard, clicking “Stream Key,” and hitting “Show Key.” Copy that string. Paste it into your software.
Testing Before You Go Live
Don’t just hit “Go Live” and hope for the best.
Most software gives you a preview. Use it. Or start the broadcast and immediately check your channel page. Name your stream. Pick the game you are playing. This helps people find you in search results.
Check your stats. Look at previous recordings. You can add editors to help manage your channel, but they must follow you first.
“Twitch may refuse to accept your stream if it is rated Incompatible.”
Watch your stream configuration quality rating. It will say Excellent, Acceptable, or Incompatible. If it says Incompatible, Twitch might block you. Fix your settings.
Be careful with your screen. Some software broadcasts your entire desktop. Do you really want your private emails visible? Also, check your microphone. It is likely live unless you disable it.
The Twitch Partnership Program
Chatting with viewers is fun. Making money is better.
You can apply for Twitch’s partnership program. If you get in, you get perks. Ad revenue. Subscription revenue. Control over when commercials play. No awkward interruptions.
Partners get automatic transcoding. This means the site adjusts the stream quality for each viewer’s device. You stream at high quality. Viewers pick what works for them.
Partner Benefits and Requirements
Partners have more power. You can ban people. Set moderators. Edit archived videos into clips. These clips can auto-upload to YouTube. Viewers can create their own highlight reels for YouTube too.
So, what does it take?
- Average of 500 concurrent viewers.
- Broadcast at least three times a week.
- Follow Terms of Service.
- Follow DMCA guidelines.
New users might need 15,000 views per video or 100,000 subscribers on another platform.
These aren’t hard rules. Twitch wants talent. Do you have social media clout? Competitive gaming creds? A unique angle? Apply.
But first, you need to start broadcasting. The next steps involve the technical nitty-gritty of hardware and software. Keep reading.
