Stream alerts are provided by a number of free third-party services, which are largely similar. But don’t feel like you need to spend money to create great stream alerts - a simple image with audio can be just as effective as a professionally-designed alert, and can be catered more specifically to your stream. Some packages also provide instructions on how to implement them into your OBS software easily. If you’d rather find premade visual/audio alerts and are willing to spend some money, Nerd or Die has a strong collection of alerts and overlay packages that vary from around $10 to $30. Get creative with it, and choose audio and video that speaks to your stream’s personality. Maybe there’s a funny, four-second audio or video clip that captures the essence of your streaming persona that you can use. If you have custom overlays and a logo, it tends to look consistent if your alerts match the same color palette or aesthetic. If you haven’t already, think about how you want the alerts to add to your stream’s identity. Many streams use animated gifs for images, which gives the alert a more dynamic feel. Stream alerts typically consist of an image, a short audio clip, and a message that describes what a viewer did. And the visuals and sounds you use for alerts are easily customizable, and can match your stream’s aesthetic or sense of humor. Alerts are an easy addition to engage with your audience: Viewers get to feel like they’re a part of the show when their donations, follows, and subscriptions get recognized. If someone donates, for instance, an alert naming the viewer and donation amount will pop up, often with a sound effect and gif. Stream alerts are the onscreen notifications that appear when a viewer interacts with a stream in some way.

Luckily, there are a few easy options for streamers looking to make streams more engaging, and they require little to no prior experience. But turning your stream into an interactive show is another step that will invite your viewers to cheer, donate, and follow along with you.

A decent camera, mic, and working knowledge of OBS software is all you need to start a stream.

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