Make sure your computer can handle the demands of streaming. This is especially true if you plan on featuring fast paced games or those with hyper-realistic graphics.

Hook your computer up to a broadband Internet connection. Between each of the components needed to successfully broadcast a live gaming sessions, streamers deal with a lot of data.

The faster your Internet speeds are, therefore, the better your stream will run on both ends. For most users, an upload rate of at least 3MB per second will suffice.

This is about the same speed as most standard home connections. A shaky connection could result in irritating issues like freezing, lagging, or audio-visual interference.

Invest in a quality microphone and webcam. Your microphone will allow you to add your own commentary and chat with your viewers directly.

You can get by just fine using an ordinary gaming headset, though the audio quality may not be quite as crisp as a standalone mic.

Method 2 of Commit to a regular streaming schedule. Make it a point to go on at the same time every day, or whenever you have time to sit down at your PC.

If you usually snatch an hour or two before work, get in the habit of signing on first thing in the morning. Be sure to remind your audience what time you go live at the beginning or end of each and every broadcast.

That way, first-time viewers will know when they can expect to see you next. Focus on a single game or series until you pick up a consistent following.

Many casual gaming enthusiasts browse Twitch looking for content related to a specific game. As you get more eyes on your channel, you can begin venturing into other series or genres to mix things up and give your viewers something different.

Streaming gameplay of new and popular franchises like Fortnite, Forza Horizon 4, or Call of Duty is guaranteed to attract legions of viewers both young and old.

Otherwise, pick the title that will allow you to have the most fun. Oh, my — really? It's amazing, and everybody just responds. AnnieFuchsia: They started becoming suspicious because they're like, what, you have traveled to the U.

AnnieFuchsia: And he had a — like, he had a serious talk with me, like, sit down on the couch, let's talk about this. Paul Solman: That — and they were dumbfounded?

AnnieFuchsia: Well, he was confused still, but at least he wasn't worried, like, in a safety, legal way. Paul Solman: Now she streams upwards of 10 hours a day to build audience, playing a variety of video games.

But many play video games, most recently, threat hottest game in town, "Fortnite. Kristen Valnicek: After my very first stream, I'm like, wow, this can be a career.

Paul Solman: Really? Right away? Kristen Valnicek: Right away. Yes, I was like, this is big. Why is nobody treating this like a business yet?

Paul Solman: That was way back in Kristen Valnicek: It's kind of a learned art. Paul Solman: Like many pro streamers, Valnicek makes her living online, a very good one, up there with the streamers earning six-figure incomes.

But — and you have surely been wondering this since we began — how? Kristen Valnicek: So the foundation, I think, for Twitch streamers is from donations and subscriptions, and then like some sprinkling of ad revenue and sponsorships as well.

Kristen Valnicek: Thank you so much. Paul Solman: Then there are donations. In exchange, streamers give shout-outs, acknowledging donors by name.

Kristen Valnicek: I want them to feel appreciated and know how excited I am that, like, they want like my content enough and want to support it.

Paul Solman: Do you pay attention more to people who donate more? Kristen Valnicek: Yes and no. Paul Solman: Meaning sometimes.

But what prompts the donations? So, do you feel an obligation? Like, is it…. Paul Solman: And what do you get out of it?

Jacob Wiedower: It's like it's no different than paying to see a comedian or so — I, guess, more accurately, someone playing guitar on the street.

Paul Solman: Jacob Wiedower, another streaming devotee who also has a channel on Twitch. Jacob Wiedower: They're obviously trying to make a living doing what they love.

Paul Solman: OK, so far, so good, if also so inscrutable to many my age. Kristen Valnicek: They come in and they're like, you're trash at the game.

Paul Solman: That is, what are women doing playing a man's, or boy's, game? Kristen Valnicek: Each other, yes. Paul Solman: … neo-Nazis and now feel empowered because they're not alone?

Kristen Valnicek: Yes. Award Winning Software. Chris Manchin Durham, North Carolina. I use Streamer to chat with my boyfriend.

Romance saved. Bev Corwin St. Louis, Missouri. Jim Persal Boston, Massachusetts. Marc Taylor Frankfurt, Germany. This is exactly what I was hoping someone would do.

Thanks for being that someone. Jason Caron Capetown, South Africa. Contact Ask a Question. Need a new account? It wasn't until the popularity of streaming sites like Twitch that more and more people were able to stream themselves online and make even better money from it to become full-time streamers.

Today, there are many different platforms where people can stream and create a niche for themselves with their own unique content.

Let's Players have been the most popular streamers by far since the beginning of live streaming by having the biggest audience and fanbase online.

Today, the majority of streamers make their living from doing Let's Plays, live speedruns, and walkthroughs of video games. The most well known and biggest video game streamers are PewDiePie and Ninja who make millions of dollars each year just from streaming.

While the majority of professional and part-time streamers play video games, many often do IRL in real life streams where they broadcast themselves going about their daily life.

They often do various activities while reading tips and questions from their viewers. At first, many streaming sites prohibited non-gaming live streams as they thought it would harm the quality of the content on their sites but as the demand for more and more non-gaming related content grew, many streaming sites decided to offer IRL streams.

IRL streams have become more popular over the years as good alternatives to viewers who do not necessarily like to play video games. Pornographic streams have also been popular for viewers as a way to directly communicate with people and porn stars online.

Many pornographic streamers are often referred to as camgirls and will broadcast streams while nude or performing sexual acts often on demand from viewers.

It is not limited to just women as both men and couples stream themselves online.