How to Grow from 0 to 100+ Viewers, Sponsorships and More

Hey Streamers,

Here’s what you’ll find in this week’s newsletter:

• 2 New Sponsorships: GameFly and Fanatical — check them out!

• From 0 to 100 Viewers: a case study featuring Yamakiller’s growth on Twitch.

2 New Sponsorships

Case Study: From 0 to 100 Viewers

Four years ago, Yamakiller shared his growth story.

He discussed how he grew his stream from 0 to 100+ average viewers.

Here’s how he did it.

Choosing a Niche and Time Slot
Yamakiller grew his audience by exclusively streaming Magic: The Gathering (MTG) and choosing an under-served time slot for streaming: 12am to 6am EST. He did this while working a full-time job.

Community Engagement and Becoming an Authority
Yamakiller became an active member of other streamers' communities within the MTG space. By engaging in other channels and sharing their own stream, they were able to receive hosts and grow their viewer base.

Content Focus and Expertise
Yamakiller focused on the Modern format of MTG, which helped in building a reputation as an authority in that space. This drew viewers who are interested in that specific content.

Consistency and Schedule
Yamakiller attributed a consistent streaming schedule was crucial for growth. This commitment helped in building a regular viewer base.

Utilizing Other Platforms for Growth
Yamakiller used YouTube as a growth tool. He uploaded clips from his stream and guides that allowed him to reach a wider audience beyond Twitch, taking advantage of YouTube’s discoverability features and evergreen videos.

Viewer Engagement and Content Quality
Yamakiller discussed how creating a welcoming and engaging environment for viewers led to a more loyal and active community. He also said the quality of the stream (visual and audio experience) plays a significant role in retaining viewers.

Eventually he went full-time with streaming (but has since retired).

Yamakiller’s Growth Visualized

Yamakiller started streaming part-time around June 2018.

He averaged 14 viewers.

A year later, he averaged 65 viewers.

1½ years later, he averaged 116 viewers.

////

MTG averaged 6,872 viewers in June 2019.

MTG’s average viewer rank was 22 (compared to other games).

Lesson: you don’t need to play the most popular games to grow.

////

While the dedication and strategic approach to growth yielded impressive results, be mindful. Streaming into the early hours, while working a full-time job, is not a blueprint we advocate for everyone.

Be proactive in finding your lane. Understand your audience. Carve out a niche.

Success on platforms like Twitch doesn't come from merely following the crowd or adhering to the most convenient schedule.

It requires innovative thinking, an understanding of your own capabilities and limitations, and, most importantly, a commitment to growth that respects your health and personal life.

That’s it for this week. Thanks for reading and we’ll see you next time!