This is a difficult topic for me for various reasons. Probably the most glaring reason that it's difficult for me is that I, among others, have been going through motivational slumps in the past several months when it comes to twitch streaming. For others, their stream is entirely a business so the motivation isn't really a factor; if you don't stream, it affects your standard of living. For others, especially those that are trying to establish their selves by "doing the grind," motivation comes and goes. It's never an easy answer to the motivation question, but I think I've been able to whittle motivation when it comes to twitch streaming down to 3 methods. Here they are:
3 Methods to Motivate Yourself Streaming
A Quick Guide to Getting Back on the Twitch Track
So, as before, these are 3 methods or ways for those of us that are trying to push the envelope when it comes to streaming—not the ones that are well established and make a living from full-time broadcasting. The first and probably most apparent for me is this:
You're Not Learning Anything
I recently discovered that my love for a particular project is because I'm discovering something new. That's not to say I've learned all I can with Twitch—that in of itself is probably impossible—but that nothing that I've pursued as far as streaming is new. Chalk the latter part up to laziness or perhaps interests are going elsewhere (they are), but it could be that you're not learning anything either. Try picking up something challenging that you need to figure out for yourself. One of my newer projects is to connect the Twitch API to an Arduino chip and see if I can have an actual physical result when someone subscribes to my stream. I have yet to do that...but in order to motivate myself to stream more, I have to motivate myself to learn...and thus, the horrid cycle continues.
It's never an easy thing to get off the slump couch and find your new groove—that's often akin to finding a needle in a haystack—but I'd say this is the first go-to as far as finding how to stay motivated with twitch streaming.
You Focus on the Trend, but Not the Enjoyment
There's definitely a balance here, and one that I'd argue is difficult for me to discuss. A lot of strong streamers focus on the latest games, do giveaways, and ride the trending success. It's possible that stepping away from that trend for a bit could spell disaster for your stream, especially if you're known for trends in games. However, it's entirely possible to do both, as long as there's a steady influx of games that you enjoy that hit those trends.
That's not to say taking a chance is a bad thing; it could actually be more beneficial for your channel, letting others know that it isn't always about the hottest titles out that motivate you. I've seen some partnered broadcasters step off of the trend and into games they've wanted to finish without any dip in the numbers.
It comes down to a personal choice, but I'd prefer to stick to games I enjoy more than trends. With a little luck, that'll coincide. Remember to enjoy the ride as much as possible—if it's a standard of living for you, that definitely subtracts from the enjoyment factor, but remember you're playing video games for a living. Millions of others would love to do the same but can't.
You're Not Incorporating Something New
Twitch streaming isn't just about playing video games. It's about the culture of it. It's important to surround yourself in aspects of it that you enjoy, which may include something about your stream that you haven't considered. Try implementing a green screen—or perhaps even removing one. Change the way your camera is set up. Invite someone from your community to play something. Try a roleplay server for a popular game (GTA V comes to mind). Research something interesting that you haven't implemented yet. New, exciting implementations can definitely boost your motivation when it comes to twitch streaming, so look at what you can alter or improve on your stream.
Ultimately, it's your stream so whatever you do with it is your choice. These apply more towards broadcasters that are trying to push their selves towards building a strong community instead of those that rake in thousands of viewers in a single night. Take from it what you will and happy broadcasting.