Restarting my streaming journey with a fresh approach—blending multiple genres into one dynamic stream. Discover my story and future plans for an all-encompassing streaming experience.
Introduction: A Fresh Start to My Streaming Journey
Starting a streaming journey is exciting, but restarting it is a unique challenge filled with reflection, growth, and new ambitions. After facing the ups and downs of streaming and moving between genres, I’ve realized the importance of embracing variety rather than sticking to a single niche.
This blog post is the first in a series dedicated to sharing my story, my plans, and how I’m building a platform that incorporates all the genres I love. Whether you’re a seasoned streamer, an aspiring creator, or simply curious, my journey might inspire you to rethink your approach to streaming.
Why Restarting Your Streaming Journey Can Be Liberating
Overcoming the Pressure of “Niche Streaming”
Streaming has evolved into a competitive space where many believe success depends on niche content. While specialization has its advantages, the downside is that it can feel limiting—especially for those of us with diverse interests.
Restarting my streaming journey allows me to reject this pressure and embrace a multi-genre approach. Instead of forcing myself to fit into one category, I’m creating a space where I can:
- Explore different genres, from gaming and music to lifestyle and creative content.
- Attract a broader audience with varied interests.
- Stay authentic to my passions, avoiding burnout.
Learning From Past Experiences
Reflecting on my previous journey, I can pinpoint areas where I fell short:
- Inconsistent branding: Constantly switching genres confused my audience.
- Burnout: Focusing on trending genres left little room for personal creativity.
- Missed opportunities: Ignoring genres I loved led to missed chances for growth.
Restarting is a chance to rebuild with these lessons in mind, creating a brand that’s versatile and true to who I am.
Who I Am: A Look at My Background
Before diving into what’s next, let me share a bit about myself. I am a 47 year old man, with 4 kids and a wife of 28 years. I started my life as a country boy. You know horses, cows, the farm / cowboy life. At 11 I discovered computers. At 13 I used my savings to buy out my hometowns bank computer network that they auctioned off. And started the local areas first and largest BBS network. At 15 I started work for the local Radio Shack. At 18 I worked as a customer service rep eventually moving to a systems admin for Sykes Enterprises. At 20 I became a IT admin for a ISP in Grand Junction Colorado. During this time, I started MegaTF.Net then InnerGamer.Net 2 of the largest gaming and chat networks of their time. Hosting Quake and Halflife based modded game servers for over 5 years. transitioning into Shoutcast streaming and online radio. Over the next 22 I headed up the IT department of 2 other ISP’s. Moving into wireless network engineering and creation as well, in 2003 I built North East Colorado’s largest fixed wireless network. In 2016 after the last ISP sold, I retired from the ISP industry. I opened a downtown brick and mortar Computer and cellphone repair shop in 2016 and it did very well until 2020 killed it, due to parts unavailability. To make matters worse my doctors medically retired me shortly after that in mid 2020 due to health issues that I’ve had all my life that just got worse.
On January 3rd 2022 my 21 year old daughter was murdered. I stopped streaming, stop caring, stopped living for nearly 2 years. 2024 has been my restart year. Getting me back to some semblance of normal.
So where am I today? Over the last 2 years, I have graduated with 2 degrees from Colorado State University, the first in Cybercrime and Cybersecurity, and most recently a degree in Digital Marketing. I still have many health issues, I try hard at the grind to make that $$, yet cannot hold a normal job due to disabilities. But I have a yearning to share my life with others, the good the bad the ugly. So here we go.. A restart on life..
My Early Love for Creativity
Growing up, I was always drawn to creative outlets—whether it was writing stories, ,drafting, engineering, playing video games, or making music. Streaming and content creation, felt like a natural extension of these passions, offering a way to connect with like-minded individuals while showcasing my skills.
My First Streaming Attempt
When I first started streaming, I focused heavily on gaming, particularly within popular genres like first-person shooters and RPGs. While this approach brought some early success, it didn’t feel sustainable, especially with my age and health issues. Over time, I started exploring other interests, like:
- Music streaming: Sharing my songwriting process and how I generate music.
- 3D Printing: I absolutely love the engineering and creativity aspect of this focus.
- News and Politics: I have a unique view on many subjects and love to share it. (not force it)
- Creative content: Tutorials, digital art, and behind-the-scenes looks.
- Lifestyle vlogging: Discussing productivity hacks and personal growth.
This experimentation taught me that my true strength lies in variety—and that’s a strength I’m bringing into this restart.
Where I’m Headed: My Vision for a Multi-Genre Streaming and VLog Channel
Incorporating All Genres Into My Content
The cornerstone of my restart is a multi-genre approach. Here’s how I plan to integrate various genres:
1. Gaming With a Twist
Instead of focusing on one game or genre, I’ll incorporate a mix:
- Story-driven games for their immersive narratives.
- Indie games to spotlight hidden gems.
- Multiplayer games for community interaction and collaborations.
2. Music and Performance
Music will play a significant role in my streams, offering a unique break from gaming:
- Hosting live music sessions and songwriting challenges.
- Sharing behind-the-scenes moments from my creative process.
- Collaborating with other musicians and streamers.
3. Creative Content
This includes everything from 3D Printing, digital art and tutorials to crafting unique projects live. Viewers will get to see the creative process in real time, fostering engagement and inspiring others to explore their talents.
4. Lifestyle and Personal Growth
Streaming isn’t just about entertainment; it’s also about connection. I’ll share personal growth journeys, tips for balancing content creation with life, and motivational content to encourage my audience.
Creating Series That Connect the Dots
One of my goals is to build a cohesive narrative across all genres through themed series. For example:
- A “Day in My Life” series that incorporates gaming, music, and creative projects.
- A “Challenge Accepted” series where I tackle challenges suggested by viewers.
- A “Journey to Mastery” series documenting my growth in a specific skill or genre.
Building a Strong Community
Streaming is nothing without community. To foster a vibrant and engaged audience, I’ll focus on:
Consistent Interaction
From responding to chat in real time to engaging with followers on social media, I aim to build genuine connections.
Hosting Community Events
Events like game nights, collaborative art projects, or music jam sessions will create opportunities for viewers to participate actively.
Encouraging Feedback
Viewers are integral to shaping the direction of my channel. Regular polls, Q&A sessions, and open forums will ensure their voices are heard.
That said I do have a growing discord community, please join us for great conversation, gaming, fun and more. https://discord.gg/4hZHZvn8x8
Tools and Strategies for Success
Optimizing My Setup
A smooth streaming experience requires the right tools:
- Hardware: Upgrading my PC, microphone, and camera for professional-quality streams. Over time as money comes in I will be updating all my hardware to make the viewers experience the best I can make it
- Software: For mutli-genre content creation I choose Streamlabs Desktop as my software platform, with its multi endpoint ability, and its versatile systems. It makes for an easy decision for me.
Scheduling for Variety
To keep my content organized and predictable, I’ll create a schedule that balances genres:
- Gaming streams: Weeknights for casual viewers.
- Creative content: Weekend mornings for deeper engagement.
- Music sessions: Monthly live performances.
Cross-Platform Content
Repurposing stream highlights into short-form videos and blogs will allow me to reach a wider audience across platforms like YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram. I am looking for help in editing and so forth for this, as time is a pain to manage.
Challenges and How I Plan to Overcome Them
Balancing Variety and Branding
One concern with multi-genre content is losing brand identity. To combat this, I’ll:
- Create a consistent aesthetic for my overlays, thumbnails, and social media.
- Develop a strong personal narrative that ties all genres together.
Time Management
Streaming multiple genres requires careful planning. I’ll use tools like Trello and Notion to organize ideas, track progress, and maintain consistency.
Growing a Diverse Audience
While variety can attract different viewers, it can also fragment the audience. My solution is to:
- Clearly communicate my vision to viewers, so they understand and embrace the multi-genre approach.
- Use analytics to identify which genres resonate most, ensuring each has its time in the spotlight.
FAQ: Addressing Common Questions
1. Why not stick to one genre?
Focusing on one genre may lead to quicker growth, but it also limits creative freedom. A multi-genre approach aligns better with my passions and long-term goals.
2. How will you manage time across genres?
By creating a well-organized schedule, using productivity tools, and prioritizing quality over quantity.
3. What makes this restart different from your first, 2nd and other attempts?
This time, I’m approaching streaming with a clearer vision, better tools, and a commitment to authenticity.
4. How can viewers participate?
Viewers can suggest content ideas, join community events, and interact with me through live chats and social media, and our discord community https://discord.gg/4hZHZvn8x8 .
5. What’s your ultimate goal?
To create a platform where people feel inspired, entertained, and connected through diverse content.
Conclusion: The Beginning of a New Era
Restarting my streaming journey feels like the beginning of a new era—one filled with possibilities, challenges, and growth. By embracing a multi-genre approach, I’m not only staying true to my passions but also creating a more dynamic and engaging experience for my audience.
This blog marks the first step in sharing my story and vision. Stay tuned for more updates, insights, and series as I embark on this exciting journey.
Let’s build something extraordinary together.
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