Dumb Things Small Streamers and New YouTubers Focus on

For small streamers and new YouTubers, it's easy to fall into the trap of fixating on the wrong aspects of content creation. One common mistake is overly focusing on vanity metrics like the number of followers and subscribers. While these numbers might seem significant, they don't necessarily translate to meaningful engagement or success. Many creators obsess over reaching milestones like 50 followers for Twitch affiliate status or 1,000 subscribers for YouTube monetization, thinking that achieving these goals will bring instant growth. However, the reality is quite different. Obtaining affiliate status or partnership doesn't guarantee sudden success or a surge in viewership.

Another pitfall is the prevalence of growth hacks and shortcuts that promise to expedite the path to recognition. Some creators resort to artificial means such as logging into multiple accounts to watch their own streams, soliciting fake followers, or engaging in lurk-for-lurk schemes. These tactics provide an illusion of success but ultimately harm a creator's long-term prospects. They do little to foster genuine community engagement and may result in a false sense of accomplishment.

Furthermore, there's a pervasive fixation on average viewer numbers during live streams. Many creators attach undue importance to this metric, often altering their content or schedule to appease viewer counts. This can lead to compromising the quality of their work and sacrificing their creative integrity for fleeting validation. In reality, the overall impact of a streaming session transcends the average viewer count. It's crucial for small streamers and new YouTubers to redirect their focus towards creating quality, authentic, and sustainable content rather than fixating on superficial markers of success.

1.1 Vanity Metrics (Subscribers and Followers)

Vanity Metrics (Subscribers and Followers)

Focusing on vanity metrics such as subscribers and followers can be detrimental to the growth of small streamers and new YouTubers. These numbers may seem impressive, but they do not necessarily translate to actual engagement or success. These metrics are often viewed as a measure of popularity, but in reality, they hold little value if the audience's intent is not aligned with the content being created.

Subscribers and followers alone do not guarantee viewership or support. For example, having a large number of subscribers does not guarantee that all of them will engage with every piece of content. It is crucial for content creators to shift their focus from the sheer number of subscribers to understanding the intent behind those subscriptions. By analyzing the reasons why individuals choose to subscribe or follow, content creators can tailor their content to better match their audience's intent, leading to more meaningful engagement and sustainable growth.

1.2 Focusing on Affiliate or Partner Status

Focusing on Affiliate or Partner Status

Many small streamers and new YouTubers often fixate on achieving affiliate or partner status as their main goal, believing it to be the key to rapid growth and success. The truth is, while these milestones are important in their own right, they do not inherently lead to an immediate surge in viewership or financial gains. Instead of obsessing over these accolades, content creators should prioritize creating high-quality, engaging content that resonates with their intended audience.

Reaching affiliate status on Twitch, for example, does not guarantee a sudden influx of subscribers or donations. Similarly, attaining partner status does not necessarily transform the trajectory of a channel. The focus should shift towards consistently producing valuable and entertaining content, as this is what ultimately attracts and retains viewers. Rather than fixating on achieving a specific status, creators should concentrate on honing their skills, refining their content, and cultivating a loyal following through genuine engagement and meaningful interactions. This approach fosters long-term success and sustainability in the competitive world of content creation.

1.3 Growth Hacks and Shortcuts

One of the key areas discussed is the detrimental effects of certain growth hacks and shortcuts. These are often promoted as ways to fast-track success on platforms like Twitch and YouTube but can end up hindering long-term growth. The speaker highlights various problematic practices, such as artificially inflating viewership numbers or follower counts through methods like using multiple accounts or asking friends and random individuals to lurk in streams. These tactics, while appealing for those striving for affiliate status or partner recognition, ultimately do not contribute to authentic growth. Instead, they can actually impede genuine audience engagement and retention, as well as compromise the creator’s content quality. The emphasis is placed on the importance of building a community and viewer base organically, as opposed to resorting to unethical shortcuts that don't translate to sustainable success.

The speaker stresses the significance of creating content that resonates with the intended audience and can be discovered by potential viewers. Contrary to obsessing over arbitrary milestones such as affiliate or partner status, the focus should be on producing high-quality content that aligns with the audience's interests and is easily accessible. The potential downsides and consequences of fixating on superficial markers of success, such as average viewership numbers, are underscored. Ultimately, the message conveyed revolves around the idea that content creators should prioritize creating valuable and compelling content that resonates with their audience, rather than relying on shortcuts to artificially inflate their statistics.

1.4 Average Viewers: A Distracting Metric

Focusing on average viewers as a metric for success can be counterproductive for content creators, leading to unnecessary stress and potentially compromising the quality of their work. All too often, creators fixate on achieving a specific average viewer count during their live streams, equating it with their worth and the value of their content. However, this singular focus on numerical statistics can detract from the actual substance of the content being produced. The incessant monitoring of viewer counts during a stream can cause creators to alter their content in an attempt to retain or attract more viewers, leading to inauthentic or uninspired performances.

Moreover, the pressure to maintain a high average viewer count may lead creators to compromise their artistic integrity, choosing popular or clickbait content over their passions or authentic creative vision. This can result in a disconnection between the creator and their work, potentially alienating their core audience in pursuit of a broader, more transient viewership. By shifting the focus away from average viewers, creators can redirect their energy toward producing meaningful, high-quality content without the undue burden of catering solely to fluctuating viewer counts. Ultimately, it is the intrinsic value of the content itself, rather than arbitrary viewer metrics, that should take precedence in a creator's mindset.

Highlight

Are you a small streamer or a new YouTuber, eager to achieve success? In a recent video, Eljay from StreamScheme.com shed light on the common misconceptions and distractions that content creators often face when trying to grow their channels. Mentioning that focusing on the wrong aspects can hinder growth, Eljay offers valuable insight on what creators should prioritize instead.

One of the primary points emphasized is the insignificance of vanity metrics such as follower count and average viewers. According to Eljay, fixating on these numbers is counterproductive and does not necessarily equate to sustained growth. Instead, he encourages creators to concentrate on the intent of their audience, creating content that aligns with the interests of their subscribers and followers.

Eljay also addresses the obsession with achieving affiliate or partner status on platforms like Twitch. He seeks to debunk the misconception that attaining these statuses automatically translates to exponential growth. By redirecting focus from badges and subscriptions to the quality and longevity of their content, creators are more likely to attract genuine engagement and support.

Furthermore, Eljay advocates for the abandonment of short-term growth hacks and instead promotes a focus on long-term, sustainable content strategies. He believes that content creators should prioritize making content that they genuinely enjoy and that resonates with their audience, rather than resorting to superficial tactics aimed at inflating viewership numbers.

Eljay's emphasis on creating genuinely engaging and discoverable content as the cornerstone for success provides a refreshing perspective for aspiring content creators. His emphasis on long-term impact and authenticity serves as a valuable reminder in the competitive landscape of online content creation.

FAQ

Q: Can focusing on the wrong things hold back small streamers and new YouTubers?

A: Yes, focusing on vanity metrics like follower and subscriber counts can be detrimental. These numbers don't necessarily reflect the content's value or its potential impact on the audience.

Q: What are the implications of fixating on reaching affiliate or partner status?

A: While these statuses seem appealing, they don't guarantee instant growth. Overemphasizing them can create a misguided mindset and hinder long-term content sustainability.

Q: What are the dangers of relying too heavily on average viewership numbers?

A: Obsessing over viewership during live streams can lead to compromising content quality or authenticity for the sake of maintaining numbers. This can potentially detract from creating meaningful and engaging content.

Q: What should small streamers and new YouTubers focus on instead of vanity metrics and status symbols?

A: It's crucial to prioritize creating high-quality, discoverable content that resonates with the intended audience. Additionally, having a clear strategy for content discovery is paramount for sustainable growth.

Q: How does content quality and discoverability contribute to a creator's success?

A: Ultimately, the value and relevance of the content to the audience, along with effective strategies for discovery, are the primary factors that drive sustainable growth and success for content creators.

Q: What is the importance of setting authentic and meaningful goals as a content creator?

A: Setting goals that align with creating valuable, enjoyable content for the audience, rather than fixating on badges or monetization, can lead to more fulfilling and impactful outcomes.

Q: Can a creator's focus on specific metrics impact the quality of their content?

A: Yes, when creators prioritize metrics like followers, subscribers, or average viewers, it can shift the focus away from creating content that genuinely resonates with the audience, potentially diminishing its quality.

Conclusion

In conclusion, as a new streamer or content creator, it's important to shift focus from vanity metrics and immediate goals like becoming an affiliate or top partner. Instead, concentrate on creating high-quality, engaging content that resonates with your audience. By understanding the intent of your followers and subscribers, you can tailor your content to match their interests, ultimately leading to better performance and growth. Rather than obsessing over numbers and status, prioritize making enjoyable, discoverable content that stands the test of time and contributes to building a dedicated community. Remember, it's the substance of your content that truly matters in the long run.