Why and How to Support Small Streamers?

WHY AND HOW TO SUPPORT SMALL STREAMERS?

Streaming has become the new norm for watching great content. And it's not limited to platforms like Netflix, either. If you enjoy watching people play popular (and unpopular) video games, Twitch, YouTube and Facebook can give you that pleasure. By far, Twitch is the biggest and most popular platform for this type of live stream. Yes, LIVE! 

• You get to chat with the streamer - Often in larger streams, people get lost in the chat and therefore can't really form a relationship with the streamer. A lot of the time, the streamer prefers to chat, and playing games is just a bonus.
  
• You get to help them build a community - by being active in their chat, you're not only forming a relationship with the streamer, but also fellow viewers. Lots of great friendships have been made as a result of streams.
• Smaller streamers are usually streaming part-time - It's a dream to make streaming a full-time job that not everyone reaches. Most of the time, streamers, big or small, do it simply because it's fun. And if they're having fun, so will you! And if you're donating money in any form, you're giving them a chance to do what they want.
• Games are expensive! Not everyone can afford games, so the next best thing is to watch them. Not only do you get to enjoy them, but you can also decide whether you really like the game and save up for it.  

How you can support:

You've found a streamer and you want to support, but how? Some of the above points intertwine with supporting, but here are a few more tips:

• Leave a follow - if you enjoy the content, leave a follow, and make sure your notifications are on so you know when they stream again.
• Be there - even if you're lurking, or are a bit shy to chat, being there watching, adds to their viewership.
• Chat - if you're up to chatting, say hi! Having conversations in chat can make all the difference to a streamer.
• Share on social media - Most people are on social media, so share the stream link with your followers. You never know if someone sees the post and decides to pop in.
• Subscribe, donate, cheer bits* - This costs money and should only be done if you can afford it. But every cent counts and contributes to helping the streamer improve their stream and their lives. Some streamers even have their own merch, so if you can, buy some! That's also a great way to advertise! (*bits are a Twitch "currency" which you can purchase to support your favorite streamer. Bits are a safer form of donating, both for you and the streamer.)
• SUBTEMBER - This is something Twitch does every September where they reduce the cost of first-time subs. Click the link to find out more.

As a side note, one BIG no-no is to promote streams in another chat! It's considered rude unless the streamer asks for it. 

Feel free to leave a comment and add more tips!