Streaming has become a trendy way for content creators to share their gaming, creative works, or personalities with the world. But as exciting as it is to start streaming, many streamers discover early on that there’s much more to it than simply going live. From choosing the right tools to managing overlays, audio, and branding, streamers often face a steep learning curve.
Looking back, many successful streamers agree that there are several things they wish they had known before they started their journey. These lessons could have saved them time, frustration, and missed growth opportunities. In this article, we’ll cover these key lessons, including why OBS Studio is often the better choice over Streamlabs OBS (SLOBS), how to create a professional stream setup, and the importance of consistency, branding, lighting, and game selection.
By learning from the experiences of those who’ve come before, new streamers can avoid common mistakes and set themselves up for long-term success.
1. Streamlabs vs. OBS Studio: Why OBS is the Better Choice for Serious Streamers
When new streamers first look for software to start streaming, Streamlabs OBS (SLOBS) often stands out because of its easy-to-use interface and built-in tools like themes, widgets, and integrated alerts. This seems like a great way for beginners to quickly get up and running. However, many streamers soon realize that while Streamlabs makes it simple to start, it becomes limiting as they grow and seek to customize their streams further.
The Affiliate Milestone and Why OBS Studio is Essential
One of the most significant milestones for any new streamer is achieving Twitch Affiliate status. This unlocks several key features, including the ability to monetize your channel through subscriptions and bits and access to Channel Points—an interactive feature that allows viewers to engage more deeply with your stream by redeeming points for special rewards or actions.
As streamers hit Affiliate, they start wanting to integrate more creative and complex interactions with Channel Points, such as triggering specific effects, changing scenes, or playing sounds. While Streamlabs supports basic Channel Point rewards, it’s here that OBS Studio truly shines. With OBS, you can use plugins and scripts to create intricate, highly customized interactions that SLOBS simply can’t match. Whether it’s adding third-party tools like Streamer.bot to integrate advanced Channel Point interactions or scripting custom alerts and effects, OBS Studio offers far more flexibility.
Many streamers realize this after they reach Affiliate, which is often a few weeks or months into their journey. By this point, they’ve become familiar with SLOBS, and switching to OBS Studio can feel like a hassle. They need to relearn how to set up scenes, transitions, and audio, which takes time away from streaming and creating content. For many, the realization comes too late, and they regret not starting with OBS Studio from day one. If you’re serious about streaming and want to grow long-term, skip Streamlabs and start with OBS Studio. It might take a bit longer to learn initially, but it will save you a lot of time and headaches later on.
Streamlabs’ False Economy: Why Switching Overlays is a Mistake
Streamlabs offers a built-in store where you can purchase overlays and themes, and the software makes it easy to switch between different designs. This seems appealing at first, especially if you’re looking to refresh the look of your stream regularly. However, many streamers quickly realize that constantly changing overlays is a branding mistake.
Consistency is key to building a recognizable stream. Viewers should be able to recognize your stream at a glance, even before they see your face or gameplay. If you’re constantly switching themes or overlays, you lose the ability to create that consistent identity. Worse, if you’re using a pre-built overlay from the Streamlabs store, you run the risk of another streamer using the same design, which can confuse viewers and make your stream blend in with others.
Experienced streamers recommend investing in a custom overlay or sticking to a design that is unique to you. This doesn’t have to be expensive—many overlay designers offer packages that are affordable and customizable. For the price of one month of Streamlabs Pro, you could purchase a unique overlay that no one else will have, giving your stream a professional, cohesive look. With OBS Studio, you can fully customize your overlay without restrictions, ensuring that your branding remains consistent and identifiable.
2. Audio: The Overlooked Key to Viewer Retention
If there’s one technical element that can make or break your stream, it’s audio. Many new streamers focus heavily on their visuals—getting the best camera, creating cool overlays, and streaming in high resolution—while overlooking the importance of good audio quality. However, poor audio is one of the fastest ways to lose viewers.
Why Audio Matters More Than You Think
Viewers will tolerate lower video quality or occasional frame drops, but if your audio is bad—whether it’s muffled, too quiet, or full of background noise—they will quickly leave your stream. Good audio can keep viewers engaged, even if your visuals are not perfect. Here are some critical lessons streamers wish they had known about audio:
- Invest in a quality microphone: Your microphone is the most important piece of audio equipment you’ll use. While you don’t need to break the bank, upgrading to a decent microphone early on will significantly improve the quality of your stream. USB microphones like the Blue Yeti or Audio-Technica AT2020 are popular, affordable choices that offer excellent sound quality.
- Use a pop filter and noise suppression: A pop filter helps eliminate harsh popping sounds (like “p” or “b” sounds) and smoothens your voice. Noise suppression is also crucial, as even in a quiet room, background noise like computer fans or ambient sounds can degrade the quality of your audio. OBS Studio offers built-in noise suppression filters, which many streamers don’t realize until later.
- Balance your audio: It’s essential to balance your microphone with game audio and other sound sources like music or alerts. If your voice is too quiet or the game is too loud, viewers will have trouble hearing you, and they may leave. Regularly check your audio levels during your stream to ensure everything is balanced.
Monitoring Your Audio
Many new streamers forget to monitor their audio during their stream. You should always listen to your stream from a separate device or have a trusted friend listen and give feedback. Small issues like static, echoes, or inconsistent volumes can be hard to notice while you’re live, but they are highly disruptive for viewers. Experienced streamers often set up a system where they can monitor their audio directly to catch issues early.
Good audio can elevate your stream’s production value and keep your viewers engaged for longer periods. It’s one of the most overlooked elements, but it’s also one of the most critical.
3. Overlays and Branding: Keep it Consistent, Clean, and Unique
As mentioned earlier, overlays are a critical part of your stream’s visual identity. They help make your stream look professional and polished while providing valuable information to your audience, such as recent followers, subscribers, or donation alerts. But here’s the catch: less is more.
Why Simplicity is Key
Many new streamers fall into the trap of overloading their stream with flashy overlays, thinking that more equals better. However, experienced streamers quickly learn that cluttered overlays can distract viewers from what they’re there for—your content.
Here are a few key principles to keep in mind when designing or choosing overlays:
- Keep it simple: The best overlays are clean, minimalistic, and don’t overwhelm the screen. Avoid using too many widgets, animations, or cluttered graphics that compete with your content. Instead, focus on a few key elements, like your webcam frame, recent activity alerts, and chat box.
- Use custom overlays: As mentioned earlier, pre-built overlays can be tempting, but they’re often overused by other streamers. Investing in a custom overlay helps you stand out from the crowd and gives your stream a unique look that viewers will recognize and associate with your brand.
- Consistency is critical: Your overlay should match the tone and branding of your stream. Choose colours, fonts, and layouts that reflect your personality or the type of content you create. If your stream is laid-back and casual, your overlay should reflect that. If your content is high-energy and competitive, opt for bolder designs.
Don’t Change Overlays Too Often
Some streamers fall into the habit of frequently changing their overlays in an attempt to keep their stream looking fresh. However, consistency is key to building a brand. Your viewers should be able to recognize your stream’s look even when they’re browsing through thumbnails on Twitch or YouTube. Constantly changing your overlays can make it harder for people to identify your stream, which can hurt your growth.
Instead, pick a design that you like and stick with it. Over time, your overlay will become part of your brand, and viewers will come to associate that look with your content.
4. Game Selection: The Importance of Choosing the Right Games
One of the most common mistakes new streamers make is playing the most popular games without considering how it affects their visibility and growth. Games like Fortnite, Call of Duty, and League of Legends are immensely popular, but they’re also oversaturated with streamers, many of whom already have established audiences. Competing against thousands of streamers in a popular category makes it harder for new streamers to stand out.
Play Games That Help You Grow
Many successful streamers wish they had known to focus on less saturated games or niche genres early in their journey. While popular games can be fun to stream, they’re not always the best choice for growing your channel, especially when you’re starting. Instead, consider the following strategies:
- Play niche games: Games with smaller, dedicated communities often have fewer streamers, which increases your chances of being discovered by new viewers. Niche games also tend to have more loyal followings, and viewers are more likely to engage with streamers who share their passion for these games.
- Look for trending games: New game releases or games that suddenly gain popularity are great opportunities to grow your channel. Streaming these games early gives you a better chance of attracting new viewers who are actively searching for content.
- Find your genre: Some streamers grow by focusing on a specific genre, such as strategy games, horror games, or indie titles. By becoming known for a particular type of content, you can build a dedicated audience that comes to your stream for that genre.
Using Scenes Effectively
In addition to choosing the right games, it’s important to use scenes effectively in OBS Studio to create a professional stream experience. Scenes are different layouts or configurations that you can switch between during your stream. For example, you might have a scene for your gameplay, another for chatting with your audience, and a “Be Right Back” scene for breaks.
Here are a few tips for using scenes effectively:
- Create dedicated scenes for each part of your stream: Have a scene for starting soon, one for gameplay, one for chatting, and a “BRB” scene for when you take breaks. This helps keep your stream organized and gives it a polished, professional look.
- Use hotkeys to switch scenes seamlessly: OBS Studio allows you to assign hotkeys to different scenes, making it easy to switch between them without interrupting your stream. This is especially useful for transitioning between gameplay and chat screens.
By using scenes effectively, you can create a more dynamic and engaging experience for your viewers.
5. Lighting: Enhancing Your Stream’s Visual Quality
Lighting is another often overlooked aspect of streaming, but it can make a huge difference in the quality of your video. If you’re using a webcam, good lighting is essential for creating a professional-looking stream.
Focus on face-lighting
The most important aspect of lighting is ensuring that your face is well-lit. Poor face lighting can make you look shadowed or grainy, and viewers will have a harder time connecting with you if they can’t see you. A simple ring light or softbox positioned in front of you can make a massive difference in your stream’s video quality.
Background Lighting: A Nice Touch, But Not Essential
While face lighting is crucial, background lighting is less important but can still enhance the overall aesthetics of your stream. If your background is visible, adding some subtle lighting—such as LED strips or coloured lights—can create a more visually appealing backdrop for your stream. This doesn’t have to be anything fancy, but a well-lit background can add a touch of professionalism and make your stream more inviting.
However, don’t go overboard with background lighting. The focus should always be on you, not on distracting lights or colours in the background. Think of it as an enhancement, not a centrepiece.
6. Bots and Automation: Simplify Your Workflow with One Good Bot
Many new streamers make the mistake of using multiple bots to handle different tasks. For example, you might use one bot for chat commands, another for shoutouts, and a third for managing Channel Points. Over time, this can become unwieldy and lead to technical issues or conflicts between the bots.
Find One Bot That Does It All
Instead of juggling multiple bots, many experienced streamers recommend finding one versatile bot that can handle everything you need. Streamer.bot, for example, is an excellent choice because it integrates with Twitch, OBS Studio, and other platforms to manage tasks like chat commands, Channel Points, and even advanced stream automation. By using one powerful bot, you can streamline your workflow, reduce the risk of technical problems, and focus more on creating content.
Bots like Streamer.bot also allow for more advanced features, such as creating custom alerts, managing giveaways, and even automating scene transitions in OBS Studio. This level of control and flexibility is something many streamers wish they had known about earlier in their streaming journey.
Conclusion: What Streamers Wish They Knew Before They Started
There’s a lot to learn when starting your streaming journey, and many streamers look back wishing they had done things differently. From choosing the right streaming software and creating consistent overlays to focusing on audio quality, lighting, and game selection, these lessons can help new streamers avoid common pitfalls and grow their channels more effectively.
OBS Studio is the better long-term choice over Streamlabs OBS for serious streamers, offering more flexibility and customization options that are essential once you hit milestones like Affiliate. Audio quality is often more important than visual quality, so invest in a good microphone and balance your sound. Keep your overlays simple and unique to build a recognizable brand, and choose games strategically to improve your chances of being discovered. Finally, use lighting to enhance your video quality, and simplify your stream’s management by using one versatile bot for automation.
By learning from the experiences of those who have come before, you can set yourself up for success early in your streaming career. Streaming is a marathon, not a sprint, so taking the time to get these elements right from the start will pay off in the long run.
