In this “How to Get More Twitch Viewers” series, I’m breaking down everything you need to know to grow your viewership on Twitch, one topic at a time. And we’re starting with something that sounds obvious, but really isn’t: authenticity.
You’re trying to stand out in a crowded market. On platforms like Twitch, that matters even more. Think about it, someone can scroll through dozens of posts on TikTok, Instagram, or X in just a few minutes, but they can usually only watch one stream at a time. On social media, identical content can still get by because there’s so much of it and people consume it so fast. But on Twitch or Kick, looking too similar to everyone else can completely stall your growth.
When I say your channel needs something unique, I don’t mean you have to reinvent the universe. Your life, your experiences, the things you’ve lived through those already set you apart. As long as you’re not trying to imitate someone else, the natural flow of your life will make you authentic. The real challenge is keeping that authenticity alive.
Let me make this less abstract with a real example. Writing is one of my biggest joys, and a while back I started a totally different kind of blog series. Because of the topic, the tone started off very serious but after a certain length, I would get tired of being serious and suddenly slip into almost self mocking voice. Sometimes I’d even start poking fun at my own arguments before the reader had a chance to. And honestly, that little twist is what made people message me privately saying they were hooked. They started reading just to see at what point I would break character and go from serious to not serious.
Was I doing something wildly different? Not really. The only thing I was truly doing and maybe the most important thing was managing expectations. As someone outside that industry, I would start by following all the usual patterns of writing in that field, and then I’d let the piece evolve into something you wouldn’t expect from someone inside it. That contrast gave me an edge.
Chances are, you also have something that naturally sets you apart. We all do. Something that looks like a weakness might actually be your strongest trait. Andy Warhol used his introverted nature to his advantage in the art world. And, I think part of what made Seinfeld so charming was that Jerry couldn’t always keep a straight face, sometimes he broke character, sometimes he laughed too much, and that imperfection became part of the magic.
It can be hard to notice your own spark. When you feel stuck, try asking yourself: What feels easy to me but seems difficult for others? The answers to that question often reveal the areas where you naturally have a competitive advantage. If someone chooses your stream over dozens of others, there has to be at least one small thing that stands out. Maybe it’s your storytelling, your aesthetic, your sense of humor, the way you talk to people, maybe you do nine things just like every other streamer, but there’s that one thing that catches a viewer’s attention.
Find that one thing and shine a light on it.
