Like any other social media platform, growing on Twitch is always a work in progress- a journey that takes dedication, consistency, and also a lot of creativity.
Regardless of what you stream about on the platform, you need a community of engaged followers- people who stick around and root for you. Here is how you can build that loyal following.
Be Real- Show Your True Self
Viewers are more drawn to personalities that feel real! They can easily tell when you are putting on an act, and it gets hard to maintain an inauthentic vibe over time.
Whatever your personality type is, just embrace it, and people looking for that genuine connection will automatically come to you.
Being authentic will help you attract a more dedicated following. As you stream, engage with your audience, share what is on your mind thoughtfully and share your true self. 
This will enable you to create a space where your followers feel more connected to you and will keep coming back for more, too.
Don’t Just Fixate on Numbers- Also Engage With Your Audience
If you want to thrive on Twitch, you must engage!
When you are live, take time to interact with your viewers- respond to their messages in your chat, acknowledge the new followers, and make people feel heard.
Also, encourage viewers to share their opinions and ideas, and when someone shares something, give them a good response.
If you want to make them feel special, give shoutouts. This is the kind of engagement that helps in building a loyal community. The more you connect, the higher the chances that people will stick around and become your long-term fans.
You Do Not Have to Do it Alone- Collaborate and Network
You do not always have to do it alone on Twitch. Networking with other streamers will help you grow your following as well.
Consider collaborating on streams, joining different community events, or even chatting in other streams to expose your channel to new audiences.
Explore opportunities to collaborate, even with the streamers that do not belong to your niche. This works like cross-pollination, where you are able to reach a broader audience, and who knows? Some of these new viewers may decide to stick around and follow you as well.
Don’t Stress About a Strict Schedule, But Be Consistent
You do not have to stream every single day, but consistency is important!
Find a balance that works well for you and stick to it as best as you can. Some streamers have great success streaming two to three times a week, while others like a more flexible schedule.
Consistency will help you build an audience who knows when to expect you online. This predictability in your streaming patterns will lead to more followers.
But as said earlier, do not let the pressure of a strict schedule stress you out. If you stream only when it feels right, it will come through in your energy and how you engage.
Use Twitch Features to Your Advantage
Twitch has a range of tools that help improve visibility. One such example is the use of relevant tags that can help your streams show up in searches.
Another such feature is clips. These small snippets from your streams can go viral and bring in new viewers who may decide to follow your channel.
Also, consider offering Twitch Prime subscriptions if you have Amazon Prime. An easy subscription is a convenient way for your existing viewers to support you at no extra cost to them.
Similarly, if you partner with game developers for Twitch drops, you can attract new viewers who are interested in earning rewards while watching your streams.
Promote Yourself Outside of Twitch
Social media can help you build your Twitch following. Share updates, stream schedules, and highlights from your streams on platforms like Twitter, TikTok, and Instagram.
If you engage with your followers on these platforms even before you go live, it will lead to more excitement and anticipation.
In this regard, you can also enlist the help of social media marketing services. These platforms can help boost your social media followers and engagement and make it easier to get your Twitch channel noticed by more potential viewers.
Final Thoughts
Building an audience requires a strategic approach, but the content you offer is the factor that holds it all together.
Regardless of what you stream about, try to provide something unique and enjoyable. Explore topics that you are passionate about, as it will all shine through in your streams.
Do not get discouraged if your growth is slow in the beginning. Keep improving your streams, engaging with your viewers, and promoting yourself. Over time, your community will grow stronger and more loyal!
Sources
https://ifttt.com/explore/how-to-get-a-following-twitch
https://lifehacker.com/how-to-build-a-bigger-following-on-twitch-1847434468