Twitch is the premiere live streaming platform. As such, everyone who wants to be a live content creator should be using it for maximum exposure. Creating a Twitch account has never been easier these days. Anyone can sign up and go live in no time.
Here are all the steps you need to take to go from account creation to your first live session on Twitch.
How to make a Twitch account
Making a Twitch account is a snap. When you sign up on the platform, you effectively create a channel. This includes your own dedicated, customizable channel page . We won’t get into the nitty-gritty just yet. Rather, we’ll focus on just simply starting a channel and going live for the first time.
The first thing you need to do is go to Twitch. On the top right, you’ll notice two buttons, one of which says Sign Up. Hit that bad boy and you’ll be presented with a form. The first entry you make is your Username which will also be the name of your channel. Think about this carefully.
The rest of the form is pretty standard fare. Keep in mind that you’re not forced to use your phone number. Instead, you can opt to use your email for verification. Once that’s all done, you’ll be able to use the Log In button to access your account and channel.
Congratulations! You’re now ready to get ready for your first live stream.
How to setup OBS for your Twitch Account
In order to stream on Twitch, you’ll need a broadcasting app. The best in the business is OBS Studio. It’s considered the industry standard among streamers and, more importantly, it’s absolutely free.
After you install the software and go through the initial walkthrough (we recommend you do this if you’re new to the world of streaming), you’ll need to link your Twitch account. Go to the app’s settings and select the Stream section from the left.
From the Service dropdown, select Twitch, and then you have two options. Use Stream Key allows you to manually enter a secret string of characters that’s unique to your channel (never share this with anyone). To avoid any security issues, it’s best to use the other option.
Select the Connect Account button and you’ll get a pop-up with the Twitch login form. Use your Twitch credentials and your account will become linked to your OBS software. You’ll only ever need to do this once.
Huzzah! Your Twitch and OBS are now ready for you to go live for the first time. Of course, you’ll need to set up some sources in the software for your game and facecam. Once that’s done, you can proceed to the next step.
How to go live after you’ve created a Twitch account
You’ve set up your channel. You’ve got your OBS linked. Now, it’s time to show the world what you’ve got!
Going live on Twitch via OBS is a snap. After you’ve set up your stream the way you want it, all you need to do is hit the Start Streaming button on your main OBS window and you’re off to the races.
We highly recommend you run a few tests to ensure your mic audio is coming through, your game audio is well-balanced to not overpower your voice, and that generally everything is looking how you want. The best way to test is by making a recording. Instead of Start Streaming, hit the Start Recording button. This will record a file in your computer with the same output your live audience will receive. Speak into the mic and run around in your game for a bit before turning off the recording and inspecting the result.
Once you’re satisfied with your tests, go ahead and hit that live button. A good idea is to ask a friend to join the chat on Twitch. This will enable them to give you some quick feedback on things you can’t test for, such as lag. Remember, there’s always a delay between what you do and when your viewers see it.
Good job! You’ve managed to get started on Twitch and go live for the first time.
Related: 6 Ways To Monetize Your Twitch Account Stream Without Partner Achievement