“Streaming live video games is difficult at the beginning, but if you persist, the results will show.” This was what live streamer Miko believes is the winning formula for breaking into the streaming industry, which requires a wide fanbase before one can turn it into a full-time career.
Being a young and rebellious teenager, Miko chose to quit her schooling without second thoughts. Despite throwing herself into society unprepared, Miko persevered with her hardworking and resilient attitude.
She did not delve into gaming immediately after quitting school but instead worked for two restaurants as a waitress and attendant simultaneously to not burden her mother, whom she was living with in Kuala Lumpur.
“During that period, my entire life was revolved only around work and getting occasional rest on my leave days,” she said.
Tough beginnings
Her video game streaming began during the pandemic, where she lost both of her jobs and needed a stable income.
A friend later approached her and offered her the chance to be a gaming streamer. Despite knowing nothing about the industry, she decided to give it a try.
Miko started her streaming career playing Honor of Kings (王者荣耀) without revealing her face to the public. However, it wasn’t exactly smooth sailing, where she describes the first few months as “awful and challenging”. She also often cried after the stream ended, feeling discouraged and tired.
“Nobody knew who I was and were uninterested in watching my stream. Most of the time, I would be talking to an empty audience while still trying to make it into a show,” she recalled.
Not wanting to give up yet, Miko decided to increase viewership by revealing her face to those who would watch, and that was when the numbers began to climb, convincing her that this was the best way to retain her viewers.
According to Miko, more and more fans decided to stay on her stream and some even gave donations. She still clearly remembers the time when she reached 400 viewers in a single session.
“It was rather surprising as I don’t think I am attractive among other streamers in the scene. However, showing my face makes my brand more recognizable, and people love that sense of familiarity when they watch my stream.”
Although she has 20,000 followers on Facebook, Miko still considers herself a small-scale streamer. Nevertheless, she is grateful that she can make a living out of something she is passionate about.
“I am especially grateful to my friend Yong Tat for introducing me to the scene, along with my diehard fan Boss GK who supported me since the beginning.”
“Without their support, I would never make it this far,” she said.
Advice for wannabe streamers
“The livestream career is a game of perseverance and patience. You have to build your audience slowly.”
She also mentioned that aside from donations, there are many opportunities for partnerships with other networks and platforms which can provide a stable income and growth, as they would often approach young and upcoming streamers.
“You will never know unless you try. I hope more people will join the industry and make the streaming landscape in Malaysia more mature.”
You can catch her in action where she would usually stream late at night at her Facebook page: Miko-米可
Sources: FB/Miko-米可
Editor: Raymond Chen
Proofreader: Sarah Yeoh
