2/16/19, 4)04 PMCultivate a gaming community - YouTube

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Do you want to grow a community who loves to watch, comment, and subscribe toyour channel? Strengthen ties with your gaming audience today!

Treat your fans like friends

Lesson: Cultivate a gaming community

2/16/19, 4)04 PMCultivate a gaming community - YouTube

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YouTube is a platform where fans sometimes consider their favorite creators to belike friends. This often happens because videos make viewers feel like they’reincluded in what’s happening on-screen. One of the best ways to do this is to beconversational, or speak directly to your audience -- like they are present in theroom.

Try going beyond game play in videos to give your audience a slice of your real lifeand personality too! Successful creators have found the more you address youraudience, the more comfortable and confident you’ll feel and the easier it will be forthem to support and relate to you.

See it in action

Invite viewers to your livestream or game

OpticJ lets viewers know where he’splaying so they can join in the gamelive.

SSSniperWolf gets real with herfans

SSSniperWolf goes beyond the gameand produces “Ask Wolf” segmentswhere she talks about hot topicsrequested by her audience likedating, body image, and of course,gaming.

You can use built-in tools, like the comments section of each video or the chatstream during a live stream to interact one-on-one with your audience. Or, invitethem to play games with you!

During a live stream, if you have someone helping monitor your chat’s stream,ensure they have a strong presence -- after all, they’re managing yourcommunity while you stream. They can be an engaging (or off-putting) part ofyour live stream, so be choosy about who you get to help.

Review your YouTube Analytics to get a sense of what your audience enjoys.

2/16/19, 4)04 PMCultivate a gaming community - YouTube

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Use a common language

Sharing a secret language, phrase, gesture, or even hashtag (#) with your audiencecan make them feel like they’re part of an exclusive club. Many creators have foundthat using simple but specific keywords or catch phrases related to their channelcan help build audience engagement, inclusiveness and community.

Some creators have even gone beyond using insider language in their videos andcreated merchandise with their select phrases or slogans on it. You might considerthis when inventing your insider words or phrases -- can you see yourself reppingthis on a T-shirt or a hat?

See it in action

Kwebbelkop has a special namefor his subscribers

This creator, stemming from theNetherlands, refers to his fans as“Kops”.

You know you’ve succeededwhen your audience repeatsyour catchphrases

Jacksepticeye uses catch phrases“like a boss” throughout his channeland now his subscribers use thatphrase in their comments to him.

Give back to your community

It might take more than one use for your audience to recognize your “insider”lingo. So be sure to emphasize your special words or phrases throughout eachof your videos until your audience starts using them too.

Go beyond language and try using body language too. Creators have even usedunique hand gestures at the end of videos that their fans recognize and repeat.

2/16/19, 4)04 PMCultivate a gaming community - YouTube

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There are many opportunities for creators to go beyond the game and do somethingspecial for their community. Often YouTubers will upload something special torecognize their top fans or to say thank you when they’ve reached a milestone.Remember, you don’t always have to wait for the right numbers, if you’re inspired bya fan interaction or comment, respond to it! Consider ways that you can treat youraudience like making a commemorative video, hosting an exclusive live stream orinviting them to play on-screen with you.

Try it

Shoot a more conversational video where you talk to the audience like they’re inthe room with you. Check out vlogs for inspiration.

Invent a catch phrase or unique hashtag (#) for your channel. Add it to yourvideo description, state it several times in your latest video, encourage youraudience to use it and post it to social media when promoting your next video.

Research local gaming events in your area. Is it possible to attend? Ask youraudience if they’ll be there.

Sign in to save your answers.

You can research local in-person events like gaming conventions andconferences to connect one-on-one with your audience. Ask your subscribers ifthey’ll be attending and consider hosting a meetup to solidify your relationshipwith them and build meaningful connections.

Don’t forget about your gaming community and the other folks you play with.Can you dedicate a segment to highlight your besties on-screen?

Be on the lookout for creator to creator events where you can schmooze withother YouTube creators and set up collaborations!

2/16/19, 4)04 PMCultivate a gaming community - YouTube

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Which YouTube feature can help you build a strong community?

YouTube Analytics.

Comments.

Chat on livestream.

All of the above.

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2/16/19, 4)04 PMCultivate a gaming community - YouTube

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