Engaging Viewers
Community members like it when creators interact with them. Whether it’s through chat, alerts, games or polls, creating opportunities for your community to get involved improves their investment in you and your channel.
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In fact, users who chat in their first visit are 50% more likely to come back to that channel.
Be WelcomingViewers come to Twitch looking to connect with others. Help your viewers feel like they’re an important part of your stream by welcoming them by name, engaging with chatters, and creating a place where they feel comfortable. | Be YourselfDiscover what makes your stream special to keep viewers coming back. Identify unique qualities, determine the value you add to your audience, and develop your own voice and streaming style. | Be ImmersiveCreate a world that viewers think about when they are gone, and are excited to come back to. Develop a consistent theme, incorporate interactive elements, and customize your stream to create an unforgettable experience! |
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Create Calls to Action
Broadcasters need to find opportunities throughout their show to remind viewers of ways they can show support. You can do this both verbally and with the use of a chat bot to help inform viewers.
Data has shown that viewers are most engaged in the first 15 and last 15 minutes of your stream. These are prime opportunities to use call to actions.
Go Live Notifications | Verbal Call to Action "Enjoying the stream? Turn on go live notifications!” | Text/Bot Call to Action !golive = "Turn on notifications to know when I go live!” |
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Follow | "If you’re enjoying my stream, hit the follow button!” | !follow = "Enjoying the stream? Don’t forget to follow!” |
Subscribe | "Did you know you can subscribe to my channel for free if you connect your Twitch account to Amazon Prime?” | !prime = "Connect your Twitch and Amazon prime accounts for a free subscription every month.” |
Schedule | "I’ll be live tomorrow at 5pm PT, so don’t forget to turn on notifications if you want to be automatically reminded” | !schedule = "I stream M-F at 5pm PT. Turn on notifications for a reminder when I go live” |
Twitch Recommended Tools
Twitch also offers a number of tools to help creators increase the engagement in their chat, and increase the likelihood that a first time visitor returns to a future stream.
Channel Points are a customizable and channel-specific point system that allows you to reward members of your community with a variety of perks.
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Extensions add interactive experiences to the video player, panels section, and mobile app. Extensions can help viewers become active participants.
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Hype Trains are a special celebration that occurs when communities come together to support a streamer with subscriptions, hype chats, or Bits. All viewers who participate will earn Emote rewards.
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Polls are created by streamers and voted on by viewers. Viewers can interact with the stream by voting on games, actions, or what’s next.
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Predictions allow viewers to use their channel points to predict the end result of an event on stream. Viewers who guess correctly win channel points. Creating friendly competition is a great way to increase chat engagement. |
Stream on Schedule
Viewers prefer watching content that is provided on a regular basis. Consistent timing creates anticipation and excitement for your content.
Set a regular streaming schedule - even if it's just a few hours a week. Foster community growth by encouraging viewing traditions and creating recurring segments. This way, your viewers will know when to find you online!
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You can set a schedule on your channel page that can link to Google Calendar!