The internet among its many benefits has helped some people to craft online careers. Some have chosen to use their online careers as just a side hustle but others wholly depend on it. One of the most popular online careers is streaming. Some top streamers such as Rhinospiritx have managed to create a massive online community something which has in turn necessitated them to get thousands of subscriptions every month hence guaranteeing lots of revenue.
While the success of streamers such as Rhinospiritx is a great motivating tool, prospective streamers ought to note that reaching this level of success is not a walk in the park. Rather, lots of hard work, determination and a will to succeed are needed. In addition to this, initial investment in one’s streaming business in terms of equipment is also a necessity. In light of this, for all prospective streamers looking to get started, here is the basic and essential equipment to put in place.
Good Gaming Laptop
The first thing you need is a good gaming laptop. For a start, you don’t need to go over the top in looking for the most expensive laptop. Rather, you will do just fine if you go for a laptop which meets Twitch’s laptop minimum specs of Windows 7 or newer with at least an Intel Core i5-4670 processor and 8GB of RAM. If you are a fan of Mac, you are good to go.
For those who have access to a desktop computer, it’s recommended to use it instead of a laptop. A laptop even if it does have a good graphics card has everything hardware packed inside and near to each other. This may cause heating problems and possible streaming hitches. This often occurs for those streaming video games. Those who just want to stream themselves cooking or doing other stuff are good to go even with just a smartphone!
Stable and Reliable Internet Connection
Streaming entails that you stay connected to the internet. As such, an internet connection is an essential ingredient to one’s streaming adventure. It’s not just a case however of being connected. Rather, you need a fast, stable and reliable internet connection. This guarantees smooth streams which will undoubtedly endear you with millions of fans. An upload speed of at least 3 Mbits per second is recommended for good streams. This is achievable when using most internet connections be it at home, in public places or at work.
Microphone and Camera
To ensure your streams are at par with those of industry experts, it’s recommended to purchase some affordable gaming headsets. A decent pair of headphones won’t be bad either. Getting good headsets will ensure that your fans get a good feed with clearly audible sound. The most successful streamers are those who showcase their live reactions during streams. Owing to this, you will need to get a good camera also.
Streaming Software
Apart from the hardware, you will also need the software which allows you to broadcast your streams. There are various software to choose from which include both free (for example Open Broadcasting Software OBS) and premium (for example XSplit). Each to their own when choosing the broadcasting software but always remember to go for the one offering you the best and intuitive user experience.
Twitch Account
Lastly, you will need a Twitch account. You get this one for free. Just launch the official site and create your profile. Top streamers such as Rhinospiritx’s Twitch accounts enable their fans to record rhinospiritx broadcasts hence relieve all the action at a later time. If you like this functionality, from your profile, go to Settings and click Channel & Videos and proceed to click Archive Broadcasts.