So you started streaming now what? You probably have got yourself started with a camera you already owned and have started with your laptop you might have had for a few years. These are going to be steps to help you get a full setup ready for professional grade streaming setup all while trying to keep under a starters budget. With streaming it is all about getting the most bang for your buck when you start because you do not need it to be a massive setup because that is not going to be bringing you the highest return on investment. These sections will be in order so you can prioritize what you need and if you can only afford a few items you can start from the top.
Getting a Good Camera
Getting a good streaming camera is going to be top priority. Having this camera is going to help viewers see you as well as interacting with you. Some cameras come with software which help with lighting, focus, and other important things that you will need on your stream. You do not need a huge expensive camera because it is not a huge need because most people have monitors mostly only are using 1080P so it fits just fine until you get a bigger following and can upgrade into a better camera.
Having a stand alone microphone
Having a stand alone microphone is the next big piece you will be needing for your setup. Having a stand alone microphone is going to enhance your stream tremendously because people value hearing a crystal clear voice. Having a stand alone microphone does not have to be expensive either and is probably the cheapest part you can do. Their are multiple types of microphones and the patterns they pick up but for streaming purposes you will want a cardioid mic. I use a microphone that has 4 pattern pickups and I find it to be the best way to use a microphone but that is where you would be paying around $100-$150 for the microphone. One that is very popular is the razer siren mini which when you attach to a boom arm on your desk you will have stellar voice quality and have it in front of your mouth to have even better volume.
Having a Good Computer for Streaming
This is going to be the powerhouse of the setup and will determine if your gameplay is going to be smooth enough to stream. If you keep your stream to a lower quality than you want your current computer may do the trick which is why this is not ranked as high but still is important. If you are streaming and gaming you should have a mid tier PC that can handle both at the same time. I use a custom built computer and with it I can do both pretty well but sometimes game play can get choppy due to my graphics card and CPU not being as good as they should be but it still works. You will need to see how your current stream goes with your computer and if it is lagging you should probably invest on getting a better computer.
Decor for your Studio
You can get by with not a lot of decor in the background but you will not be able to scale as much as you would want. Having a super interesting background is going to keep your viewers interested and not bored when gameplay gets slow. Neon lights, posters, and other items can help bring more life to your studio. You will want to make this space unique to you and help boost your stream by making it unique so that when people see your setup they will know who it belongs too. It is basically marketing yourself while being able to have a nice setup that you will enjoy streaming in.
Wrapping it all up
There are many other ways to help improve your streaming setup but the above items are going to be your best bet at growing your streaming the fastest and being the most cost effective. As someone who has done streaming for Twitch and work meetings I can promise these tips will help boost your viewing and bring a professional feel to your streaming studio.