In the vast ocean of live streaming, where channels vary from calm streams to roaring waves of viewership, small streamers often find themselves grappling with the decision to raid popular counterparts. With an average of 10-30 viewers, the question arises: is it bad to raid popular streamers as a small streamer? This seemingly innocuous act has sparked debates within the streaming community, and we’re here to dive into the perspectives that swirl around this intriguing question.
Raiding Culture
One small streamer, who typically garners 10-30 viewers per stream, shared their perspective on the matter. They confessed to raiding larger channels, ranging from 500 to 1000 viewers, after their own streams. Their motivation? A casual “because I’m going there myself anyways.” However, a lingering concern emerged after a recent raid – the worry that such an act might be perceived as a “scummy self-advertisement method.”
Intentions, in the realm of streaming, are often as elusive as a gamer’s chance of surviving a jump into Tilted Towers. While the raiding small streamer insists that their intention isn’t self-promotion, the perception among viewers and fellow streamers can be a tricky tide to navigate.
A unique twist to the story comes from a streamer who speedruns a game, catching the attention of a prominent streamer with a quirky hot tub overlay. This larger streamer raided in with a substantial 5k viewers, reciprocating the gesture after being raided by the smaller streamer a few times. In this case, familiarity and mutual respect paved the way for a raid that didn’t raise eyebrows.
The Unspoken Rules of Raiding
One seasoned streamer suggested a strategic approach to raiding, emphasizing the importance of compatibility between communities. The “one up method” involves picking channels that align with where you aspire to be in a few months. This way, the user experience remains consistent across communities, and audiences are more likely to mesh well.
The method offers a loose guideline: raiding channels with 1-3 viewers when you have 5-15 viewers, progressing up the ladder as your own viewership grows. The rationale is clear – the viewers of a 5-person stream might not necessarily resonate with a 5000-viewer behemoth, and the act of raiding should ideally benefit both parties.
Growth vs Gratitude
One recurring sentiment among streamers is the perception that raiding popular channels might not yield significant benefits in terms of growth. A streamer, with a tone that echoes a note of caution, shared that while it may not be inherently bad, it’s unlikely to do any favors.
The argument here is rooted in the belief that larger streamers may not even acknowledge a raid due to various reasons – notifications turned off, chat moving too fast, or simply the overwhelming nature of their viewer count. The act of raiding, which is intended to be a supportive gesture, may get lost in the chaos of a bustling chat.
Tales from the Raid
Another streamer recounted a disheartening experience when raiding a more prominent channel. Their reaction, described as “dead pan and ungrateful,” left a bitter taste, dissuading the streamer from raiding larger channels in the future. This perspective adds a layer of realism to the discussion – not all raids are met with enthusiasm, and the emotional toll on the smaller streamer can be palpable.
Conclusion
In the turbulent seas of live streaming, the question of whether it’s bad for a small streamer to raid popular counterparts remains subjective. Intentions matter, yet the reception can be unpredictable. The advice of choosing raid targets strategically based on compatibility makes sense, but the streaming world is far from an exact science.
As a small streamer, the decision to raid a popular channel should be a thoughtful one, considering not only the potential for growth but also the emotional toll it might take. The uncharted waters of live streaming are ever-changing, and every raid, whether into calm streams or roaring waves, contributes to the complex narrative of this dynamic online community.