When people start streaming, one of the first hurtles new streamers face are getting consistent viewers. You may be asking yourself, "how can I get more viewers every stream"? You normally hear quick replies from other streamers saying something about networking, schedule, and content. This article is going to hone in on the schedule aspect as we cover a few points to take into account when building your schedule.
Why a Schedule
Schedules are needed to help give your viewers some expectations on when you are going to stream. In a way, it is a verbal contract with your viewers. You are setting up an expectation which you are planing to deliver your content as a good for their viewership in return. That can sound kind of weird at first, but live streams are events that you want people to see the second it happens, not in a video on demand (VOD).
Think like one of your favorite TV shows that you watch the second it comes out. You know ahead of time when the next episode will come out. You plan your day around the time of the new episode so that you can see it right away. You also know that the following episode is the same time next week, and can fit it into your schedule. This type of thinking can go on with your viewers around your stream schedule. Which helps them fit it into their lives and keep coming back for the next "episode".
To take it one step further, your VODs of your stream can still be useful too with having a schedule. Like your favorite TV shows, you can catch up on a show when you have to miss an episode, but more importantly new viewers may stumble on the 'show' and binge watch to the latest episode. They can then learn about your schedule from the VODs and know when the next 'episode' (aka your live stream) will be on next
Schedule That Works For You
When making a schedule for your streams, you need to go beyond the idea of "when I have free time". Look at your schedule and find pockets of free time that stay consistently open for a the month. Then try and see if anything would change for the whole year. This will help you start forming a schedule that you can maintain as you will need to commit yourself to the schedule. You want to avoid changing your schedule as it disrupts your viewers schedules. With a schedule in place your viewers can then conform to that schedule and plan on watching you live on a weekly basis that works for them. If you change it often, then you may be losing viewers as they can't plan for your streams as easily and possibly have conflicting events.
Once you have a basis of a schedule, ask yourself a few of these questions to see if you wouldn't be forced to cancel a stream or change the schedule completely.
A friend would like to hang out sometime next week, when would it work best for you?
You want to make videos, stream content, social media posts about your stream, when would you do that work?
Are there any other plans before stream that would make it hard to start on time?
Am I allowing myself to get enough sleep? Should I make sure I end streams around a specific time?
Do I have enough "me time" to do what ever I want instead of stream? Time for hobbies? Time for other ways to "recharge your batteries"?
Are these times going to interfere with any higher priority items (work, family, school, etc.)?
These questions are good to answer when making a schedule as they help keep your streaming in check with the rest of your life. A lot of new streamers start with a schedule that they cannot maintain and start to burnout, lose focus on life, and stop streaming all together. Others may learn a hard lesson in life because their schedule interfered with other aspects of their life that they cannot take back (loss of job, failing school, etc.).
Once you feel you have a schedule you can commit to and maintain with everything else in your life. Set it up in areas where viewers can easily see it. Talk about it at the end of your stream or when you get raided. Have it set in stone and talk about it as if it is your job. From there you will be able to see who are your regulars and get to bound with them that much more.
Second Look At The Schedule (Month+ Later)
It is always a good idea to revisit your schedule after a month or more time has passed. It can help you see if the schedule really does work for you. If you were able to keep to the schedule and feel that you can maintain it for the next 3 months, then keep at it! If you feel like you kept having to cancel or change your stream start times, then take some time to redo your schedule so that it works better for you. If you felt like you should stream more, then add to your schedule. The point is to reflect on your own schedule and rate yourself. You are your own boss when it comes to the schedule and you are going to be your hardest critic. Do what you think is right and commit to a schedule that is right for you. Lastly, always repeat this step as much as you need to until you find a schedule that you could do for a year or more.
Conclusion
Schedules are required to help your viewers plan for joining with you on streams. People are more likely to join your live streams by actively planning to watch your stream more than reactivity seeing an alert for your stream going live. The schedule you create should be one that you feel you can commit to for a long time and try not to change it. If the schedule really doesn't work for you at all, then recreate one that does. It is okay to take time off if you need it or change a schedule for the week because of a big event you are doing, but make sure your viewers are given a proper heads up! In the end, you are your own boss when it comes to the schedule and your viewers will appreciate knowing when you stream which will ultimately help increase your average viewer count.
TLDR:
A schedule is required for maintaining consistent live stream viewership
The schedule does not require you to be consistent every week, but extremely encourage. Main point is to give your viewers an idea of when you stream next.
You are never locked down to a schedule and can change it, but try not to change it often. Commit to a schedule!
Life happens and people understand, you can take a day off if needed just make sure to give your viewers a heads up.
When creating a schedule, plan for time off to live your life and do other things.
Just because you have a schedule, doesn't mean you can't do big events that may change the schedule for a week. Give your viewers a heads up at least a week in advance.
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