If you’ve ever heard the saying “get paid to do what you love”, you might have wondered how to turn your gambling hobby into a profession. So how do you become a professional player and stand out in such a competitive industry?
Kevin Cochran has years of experience in the iGaming world and knows the ins and outs of professional gaming. From online platforms like Casiplay Casino to project management, Cochran is an expert in the process and is here to teach you what it means to become a professional gamer.
Find your passion
The first thing to know in order to become a professional gamer is to be passionate about what you do. It has to be more than a hobby – you will need to invest time, practice, and research to hone your skills.
Before continuing, ask yourself why you want to do it, what you hope to achieve, and what type of work you want to invest in. You do not know where to start ? Here are some common types of professional gamers: *
- Casual Gamers: relaxed and flexible style of play (comments, walkthroughs, etc.).
- Old School Gamers: focus on retro games (8-bit and 16-bit technology).
- Social Gamers: opt for interactive games and team building. Often multiplayer or competitive titles and style.
- Expert players: jack of all trades. Similar to casual gamers, except they have in-depth knowledge and skills of most titles.
- Pro Gamers: excels in one genre and participates in esports tournaments.
Choose a niche
Now that you know what excites you, it’s time to find your niche. This will help you stand out from other players in the same category. Think about your favorite professional players and identify their unique qualities for inspiration.
For example, there are many Let’s Play (LP) channels. A notable YouTube channel by the name of Let’s Game It Out takes LP content to a new level. Josh, the creator, plays the game incorrectly (until chaos occurs or it crashes the frame rate) for comedic effect. This has resulted in over 200 million views and referrals from many reputable companies. *
To be coherent
You will notice that your favorite players have a set timeline and create content consistently. The typical daily routine of professional gamers includes research, practice, marketing, and content creation. Not only does this help viewers know when you’ll be streaming, the algorithms are also more likely to push your content. *
Build a brand
Marketing and strengthening your online presence is essential in any industry. That’s why building a personal brand is so important – it helps viewers identify you across all platforms. *
Start by having an easy-to-remember name and a catchy icon across all platforms. Design a logo, stick to a color scheme, or use other visual factors you may be known for. Your personality and other unique characteristics will also be linked to your brand. Be creative to stand out from your competition.
Connect with others
Even if your content is all single player games, you will still need to be social and network with other professional gamers. If you play competitively, you will benefit from joining or building a team. The more you are noticed, the more doors open for your career with other players, exclusive communities and referrals.
Know your audience
Knowing your audience is essential for many retail and entertainment industries. Figuring out who your audience is and what they like about your game will help you understand how to grow your brand. Interact with viewers, get feedback, and tailor your content accordingly.
Have the right attitude
Professional players can be penalized for violating platform policies, hate speech or other forms of misconduct. To minimize censorship, platforms like Twitch allow your content to be tagged for mature audiences. This means that you don’t have to be 100% family-friendly to be successful, unless you want to appeal to a younger audience.
However, any controversy can cost you viewers, sponsorships, etc. Keep your file clean with the right attitude, avoid sensitive topics, and keep your generalized and somewhat SFW language.
Upgrade your equipment
What is a professional gamer without the right gaming equipment? At first, it is recommended that you start with what you have and upgrade later. A mistake many aspiring pro players make is to assume that they can only start their careers when they buy an expensive setup.
All you need is a good gaming mouse, headset, microphone, and mechanical keyboard. Keep in mind that you have to try out your gaming peripherals on many stage games. If you are using laptop or PC, it should work fine and avoid frame rate lags or bugs.
Get sponsored
When you gain enough ground in your playing career, you can be associated or sponsored to further fund your career. In addition to making a lot of money through live tournaments or financial support from your fans, companies can pay you to wear their products while you are on screen.
Make movements like a professional player
There is a lot more to being a professional player than what you see. Along with streaming, content creation, or competitive gaming, you also need to network and brand for yourself. The good news is, you don’t need much to get started. When you work, you too can become a big name in the gaming industry.