You probably feel totally lost on Twitch. You’ve tried everything and your stream isn’t growing. What the heck is going on?

Is there anyone out there that can help?

Sometimes you can get through these confusing periods on your own, but sometimes bringing in an expert is the better move. Here are some things to consider before you hire a stream coach.

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Why You Shouldn’t Hire A Stream Coach

All you have to do is hire a stream coach and all your dreams will come true, right? Wrong. There are a lot of reasons hiring a coach might be the wrong choice for you.
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1. You want someone to do the work for you.

A coach should be able to guide you, but they can’t control your every move. You are the only one who can take action and if you’re not ready to work, it’s not time for a coach.
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2. You want help with your mental health.
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Coaches want to help and be supportive, but most are not therapists. Your style, needs, and energy should be incorporated into your strategies. This is different from treatment that only a qualified professional can provide. For serious mental health issues please contact the appropriate professional, not a coach.

3. You just want someone to listen.
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Family and friends are often too close to a situation to give impartial advice, but they are a great resource for support. Sometimes we just need someone to listen. If you want affirmation without action, a coaching relationship shouldn’t be your first choice. 

4. You are skeptical that coaching is helpful.
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One of the important factors of the coaching relationship is being open to the process. Coaching will not work for you if you look for every opportunity to prove your coach wrong. If you aren’t open to trying new things, don’t hire a coach.

5. You expect immediate viewership growth.
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Immediate improvements can sometimes be made after working with a coach, but upgrading your content doesn’t always lead to instant growth. Results take time and consistent effort. If you are hoping for immediate results, don’t hire a coach.

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6. Money is super tight and you’re having trouble making ends meet.
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Streaming is a tough business. Even if you want to invest in a coach, always make sure you’re taking care of your basic needs. Money isn’t going to flow in the day after your coaching session. Coaching is a want. Survival is a need you don’t compromise.

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The Case For Coaching
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A great question many streamers ask is “Do I really need a coach when I can just Google the answer, watch a YouTube video, or talk to a free community?”

There are a lot of incredible free resources out there. We wouldn’t make free content on YouTube or our podcasts if we didn’t believe in it, but you need to know something about public content.

Free content is usually always generic because it was created to get views. This generic information isn’t always applicable to your unique situation. Even if you do find something that isn’t generic, it can be difficult to see how it applies to you.

It’s definitely possible to use free resources and see success with them, but there is a big difference between what is possible and what is ideal.

This is where a coach comes in. Your coach should optimize the streaming process for you. They should save you time on research and prevent failure.

Why You Should Hire A Stream Coach
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Now you know when it’s wrong to hire a coach, but when is the right time? How do you know if you’re ready to work with someone?

1. You feel stuck.
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You’re putting in a lot of effort, but you see no growth. If you feel like you’ve tried everything but nothing is working, it might be time to hire a coach.

2. Something great or awful happened.
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Did you get a big raid and want to keep up with the momentum? Have you experienced an increase in arguments between your community members? Is chat silent?  A coach can help.

3. You are willing to be coachable.
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You believe that there are multiple paths to success and you’re open to feedback. You’re willing to make changes and try new things to get back on track. If you are ready to take action, consider a stream coach. 

4. You work well when someone is guiding you.
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You enjoy having the direct attention of someone with more experience than you. If a mentor motivates you, hiring a stream coach may be the jumpstart you need.

5. Free content has confused or overwhelmed you.
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You’ve watched the videos. You’ve heard the conflicting advice. If you’re ready to finally figure out what applies to you, a coach can give you a tailored approach.

6. You want more advanced strategies.
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Free content is generic and you know there are better strategies out there. If you are looking for golden nuggets of wisdom, a stream coach can help you identify how the puzzle pieces fit together.

7. You don’t have time to figure it out on your own.

Sure, there’s a lot of free stuff. But that’s the problem: there’s a lot of it. If you don’t want to spend hours every week digging through all the information out there, consider hiring a coach.

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8. You are clear on the result you want.
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You’ve tried free stuff but nothing quite speaks to the result you want to see. If you know where you want to go but aren’t sure how to get there, it’s probably time to work with a coach.
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What To Look For In A Stream Coach‍

Not all coaches are created equal. Every coach has different strategies and experience. If you want great results, you need to work with a coach that is a good fit for you.

Ask your potential coach about their experience in the industry. Wins are great, but failures are even more important. If they have failed more than you and have learned from those failures, they can help you avoid the burn.

Your coach doesn’t necessarily need to be the largest streamer. In fact, there are a lot of reasons why massively successful streamers shouldn’t spend their time coaching. Time away from the stream is detrimental to their success and income. A good coach has the time to focus on your stream over their own.

The best coach for you will have knowledge in business, strategy, and community that are a fit for your needs. This means a marketer or branding expert with knowledge of the industry might actually be the most effective coach for you.

Whoever you choose to work with, make sure you trust them and will enjoy the work you both do together.

Last Thoughts

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Choosing to hire a coach or not is a deeply individual choice. Don’t let someone tell you whether or not you need one. They don’t have to live with the consequences of your decision. Weigh the options. List your unique needs and reasons for hiring a coach or pursuing another path.
 

Trust your gut and logic to give you the right answer. After reading this, you should have a good idea of what the next step will be. Our team is here to help if you need it.

- Stream Coach Staff

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