When I first started streaming on Twitch, I was just another flat screen variety streamer trying to find my place in the vast VAST ocean of other content creators. Little did I know that a headset my husband bought me as a very expensive gift and a single game would change the trajectory of my career and lead me to where I am today – working for LIV and a member of the Meta Quest Creator program. It's a journey that's been filled with challenges, doubts, and ultimately, incredible rewards.
The Early Days: Just Another Variety Streamer
My world changed when I discovered Half-Life: Alyx. Suddenly, I was faced with a new challenge: how do you stream VR content? How do you take the experience of being in a headset and translate that to a flat screen for viewers? There weren't many tutorials available at the time, so I found myself piecing together information from various sources, experimenting, and dealing with every technical issue under the sun along the way.
This struggle sparked something in me. I realized that if I was having these difficulties, others must be too. So, I started creating YouTube tutorials to help other creators navigate the complexities of VR streaming and recording, including LIV tutorials. Little did I know, this was the beginning of finding my niche.
The Big VR Gamble
Deciding to focus solely on VR content wasn't easy. I worried it might be too niche. Would enough people care? I even had someone I was close to at the time tell me they wished I would stream flat screen games again. But concentrating on VR turned out to be one of the best decisions of my life.
The turning point came when I joined Stream Coach Academy (I don’t think it exists anymore, sadly). This program helped me develop skills to niche down and gave me the confidence that specializing in VR could be the right path. They taught me the value of having a clear focus - when people came to my channels, they knew exactly what to expect.
Shortly after, I was hired initially as a community manager for LIV. This role complemented the skills I was developing and allowed me to experiment with different marketing techniques on a larger scale. Suddenly, my efforts mattered not just for my personal brand, but for an entire company. This pushed me to do extensive research, read widely, and experiment with different audiences. I learned even more about marketing this way.
Sticking VR as my niche helped propel me forward. As I focused my content, I found myself connecting with others who shared my passion for VR. I found my community, and for the first time, I felt like I truly belonged.
Over time, I made strategic decisions about my content creation. While I don't stream anymore, I've found that video content on platforms like YouTube, TikTok, and Twitter work better for my schedule.
My content has also evolved in ways I never imagined. I've been invited to speak at and moderate panels at awesome events, I’ve been able to travel to other countries, and have had opportunities to try games and hardware before they're released. My social media channels have grown, and I've connected with amazing people in the VR industry.
This journey taught me the power of specialization and the importance of adapting to both your audience's needs and your own capabilities. It's been a challenging but rewarding path, one that's led me to where I am today.
Joining the Meta Quest Creator Program and Looking Forward
Now, I'm thrilled (and a bit nervous) to announce that I've been invited to join the Meta Quest Creator program. I'll admit, I'm battling some imposter syndrome. Looking at the other wonderful creators in the program, and thinking about those who might have been overlooked, I can't help but wonder, "Why me?"
But here's the thing – I'm committed to maintaining the authenticity and transparency that got me here. Being part of this program doesn't change who I am or what I stand for. The content I make is still the content I want to make.
This new role adds another layer to my already complex journey in VR. Balancing my work as a product marketing at LIV with my role as a content creator has been challenging but rewarding. My position at LIV gives me valuable insights into the VR industry and helps me learn (and practice) new things in marketing every day. On the flip side, my experience as a creator helps me understand content creators' needs, influencing our marketing strategies.
Of course, this duality comes with its challenges. There's always the risk of perceived bias, and time management can be a real struggle. But I believe this unique position allows me to serve the VR community better, pushing me to grow both professionally and creatively.
As I step into this new chapter, I'm excited about the opportunities ahead. I'm looking forward to having more resources to create better content, early access to new tech and games, and the chance to bring you even more tutorials and entertainment.
To the community – thank you for being part of this journey. Your support, engagement, and shared enthusiasm for VR have made all of this possible. I promise to continue creating content that's honest, helpful, and hopefully a little entertaining too. ;)
To those who might be skeptical about creators in programs like this – I hear you. I understand the concerns about bias and authenticity. But I assure you, my opinions remain my own. I'll continue to share my genuine thoughts on all VR – the good and the bad.
Whether I'm speaking as a LIV employee, an independent creator, or now as part of the Meta Creator program, my goal remains the same: to support and grow the VR community with honest, helpful, and engaging content.
As always, I'm here to chat, answer questions, and geek out about VR. Keep on creating and never lose that drive to improve!
-Atom
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