Category: Streaming

Being Positive on Twitch: “The Grind”

So why is using a simple word like “grind” worth all of this explanation? It’s the negativity that can be associated with the word. Not everyone will see it as positive and I’d much rather have my entire community in an agreed understanding than leave some wondering or assuming that I’m not genuinely enjoying what I do if I say I’m “grinding”.

ViceVersus

Grinding is tough. It’s difficult. IT can be painful.

The results. Are. Worth it.

If it was easy, everyone would do it, but it’s not, so people give up.

I enjoy the grind. When things get tough, I get tougher. I make mistakes. I get game overs, and I start again.

To me, if I’m not grinding, I’m not succeeding. That doesn’t mean I can’t take breaks. That doesn’t mean I can’t take it easy sometimes. What it means is that I won’t stop fighting to improve myself.

I had a real discussion with someone about the word “grind” on Twitter. We didn’t debate. We didn’t attack each other. We shared our ideas and we learned from them.

That’s how people grow. Not from others agreeing with them all the time. It takes challenges to grow. We don’t need enemies. We don’t need to attack people Online. We need honest individuals to speak honestly.

I enjoy competition. I want others to succeed. I want to be challenged because that is what pushes me to succeed. When I see someone succeed at something, I know it could be possible for me. I don’t have to do it their way either. As long as I have real passion and real drive, I can succeed on my own terms.

Another Perspective
Vice Versus

I definitely see where you’re coming from and have no issue with anyone using the word grind, with an exception; if you use the word in a positive way. The way you are using it is very positive and I love it. To you, the word means to put in hard work, day after day, to hit your goals. But to others it may not mean the same thing.

To me, or at least until we started this conversation, carried a negative vibe. I have primarily used the word to describe dreary, dull, never ending work, (the dictionary definition of the word).

I like to think of it from the viewer’s perspective and how they may take that word. If a viewer that thinks the word is negative and sees you saying “I’m grinding on twitch”, they could get a wrong impression, and that wrong impression could be that you may not be having fun, streaming is dull, or that you might be in it just for the numbers (followers, viewers, subs, etc.). This may leave that person with a bad taste in their mouth.

The negative thoughts, actions, and words you use can directly affect your entire viewership and community and bring everyone’s mood crashing down. Negativity is a drain and I don’t want that in my life when it is avoidable. This is the core reason I want to make sure that what I say and what I promote is positive from all angles.

So why is using a simple word like “grind” worth all of this explanation? It’s the negativity that can be associated with the word. Not everyone will see it as positive and I’d much rather have my entire community in an agreed understanding than leave some wondering or assuming that I’m not genuinely enjoying what I do if I say I’m “grinding.”

Join the discussion in the comments or check out our social media links.

Why Stream?

I’m going to be completely honest, and possibly harsh, but I think this is something that everyone needs to hear and I believe absolutely every word.

DISCLAIMER: I am not partnered, but I do have over 600 hours streamed and have been focused on building my community since November 2017. I have been jealous, envious, angry, sad and every other emotion when it comes to my successes and failures on Twitch. It has taken me years to get to the point where I am now, and I am extremely excited for the future.

We (as small streamers) could post right now that we’re giving away a million dollars, and our viewer numbers won’t change. It’s 0? It will stay 0. 10? It will stay 10. Because in the big scheme of things, no one will see that message (on Twitch/Twitter etc.)

In the very beginning, what matters most is consistency. Sticking to the stream schedule. Then we work on the content/quality of your stream. Then we make every single person who watches feel like they belong to a brand new community.

There are no shortcuts. A giveaway isn’t going to build connection. An overlay isn’t going to build a connection. None of that works to “get new viewers” they are simply fluff and bonuses for those who are generous enough to support us..

REAL EXAMPLE: I was giving away 5 free games on Friday night (Fridays are generally my most popular streams). I wore an orange jumpsuit. Ate bean boozled. I created a “prison cell” and hid “games” in it and had viewers pick where to look to get the game. How many people actually showed up to get games?

3 (I had a few more viewers who showed up, but didn’t participate)

You know what though? I wasn’t doing it to get more viewers. I was doing it because it was fun as HELL. We, as streamers, need to remember why people watch us. Because they feel connected. Sure, there are other reasons/ways to stream. I, however, am not interested in anything else.

If someone is at my stream JUST for a giveaway, I don’t really need them there, because they will take the money/game etc and leave, but honestly I don’t really care if they do that because for what I do I don’t expect anything in return.

So what now?

1. No tricks. Just stream. Make every single person feel like they could be your closest friend one day.

2. Build real relationships with viewers/streamers, don’t just support them because you expect they will support you back (they probably won’t, but we should still support them).

3. Do what is fun for you.

4. Don’t expect anything. We are owed nothing. But we are worthy of so much more, if we’re willing to make it happen.

Please comment or DM me on any of my linked social platforms and I would love to continue to discuss any and all ideas and concepts related to streaming.