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Today, more than 300 million people around the world watch and stream esports. The industry is expected to grow by another billion viewers in the next few years. To join the party, all you need is a love of competition and video games. Even so, getting into esports as an individual or company is challenging. There are many established organizations and companies that have locked down exclusive access to players, teams, events, venues, streaming platforms and sponsorships. If you’re thinking about getting into esports in 2022 or later, here are 10 ideas to get started fast:

Build your audience now

The easiest way to get involved in esports is to follow the esports audience today. By building your audience today, you are demonstrating a level of commitment and investment that will be attractive to esports partners in the future. The best way to do this is to start a blog or vlog on any topic related to esports. Start by building a small but highly engaged audience. Then, gradually shift your content to focus on esports, esports events and personalities. Growing your own audience gives you a strong foundation to build partnerships with esports brands and make the most of the opportunities ahead.

Focus on a particular game

The best way to get involved in esports is to focus on a particular game. Esports games are a convergence of traditional sports, video gaming and technology. All three quickly change and evolve, making a static approach difficult to sustain. The best way to get into esports is to focus on one game to the exclusion of others. There are two main benefits to this approach. First, it allows you to create a deep understanding of the game and its ecosystem. Second, it makes it easy for major players in esports to identify you as a partner. Esports is a networked industry, and it’s important to have a clear and easy entry point for partners.

Establish partnerships with major players

Esports is a networked industry, and the best way to get into esports is through partnership with major players in the space. Start by identifying the organizations and brands that are most relevant to your interests and strengths. Then, carefully review the types of partnerships that are available in esports. There are many different types of partnerships, including event sponsorships, branding deals, equity partnerships, media and content partnerships, product partnerships and talent partnerships. Each type of partnership has a different set of terms, and each type opens different doors. For example, event and media partnerships often entitle partners to access to marketing rights and the ability to host their own events. Product partnerships are focused on offering branded products and services that are useful to esports fans.

Make your brand an authority in your niche

The best way to get into esports is to make your brand an authority in your niche. A focus on one game and one niche is a good start, but it’s only the beginning. The best way to get into esports is to become the go-to source for information about your niche. Every part of your organization should be designed to distribute and share information about your niche. Start by creating a regular editorial and publishing schedule for your website and social media channels. Regular content creates a regular content algorithm. That’s good news for your brand. It means that you are regularly showing up in search and social media results. It also gives your content a chance to go viral, which can help you get in front of new audiences.

Start a podcast or vlog

The best way to get into esports is to start a podcast or vlog about esports. Podcasts and vlogs have become some of the most popular forms of media. The good news is that it is easy to start a podcast or vlog. The even better news is that you don’t need to start from scratch. There are many podcast and vlog networks that will help you start your show. Each network has different terms and conditions. Most have a basic subscription model that helps support the network and pay the hosts. Some networks allow you to monetize your show and earn money based on ads and affiliate links in your content. Others offer a combination of paid subscriptions, memberships, crowdfunding and donations.

Run ad campaigns

The best way to get into esports is to run ad campaigns with relevant esports brands. Esports is a networked industry with many organizations and brands. The best way to get into esports is to partner with the right organizations. Start by identifying the brands relevant to your interests, strengths and strategy. Next, take a look at the campaigns these organizations are running. Esports organizations often partner with well-known brands in other industries to fund their efforts. A well-known brand is a good entry point for partnering with esports organizations and getting into esports.

Host events and tournaments

Hosting your own esports events is one of the best ways to get into esports. Esports events are a convergence of traditional sports, video gaming and technology. The best way to get into esports is to host events around a particular game. There are many benefits to hosting your own esports events, including the ability to invite top players and teams, customize the competition and stream the event online. There are many ways to host events, including partnering with existing organizations, creating your own league or event series, or staging one-off events. For example, you could run a tournament at a gaming convention, like Blizzcon or E3. Alternatively, you could find a game publisher or developer and reach out to them about hosting events.

Leverage influencers and Twitch streamers

The easiest way to get into esports is to leverage influencers and Twitch streamers. There are many ways to do this, including sponsoring content, running ads, collaborating with influencers and connecting with Twitch streamers. Sponsoring content is a good way to get your product or brand in front of an influencer or Twitch streamer. The best way to do this is to reach out to relevant Twitch streamers and influencers. Start by identifying the games that are most popular among your target audience. Then, find the biggest Twitch streamers and YouTube channels for those games. Reach out to these channels and offer to sponsor their content.

Host Your Own Events

Hosting your own esports events is one of the best ways to get into esports. The best way to get into esports is to host your own events. There are many ways to go about this, including partnering with existing organizations, creating your own league or event series, or staging one-off events. For example, you could run an esports tournament at a gaming convention, like Blizzcon or E3. Alternatively, you could find a game publisher or developer and reach out to them about hosting events. The best way to get into esports is to partner with the right organizations.

Bottom line

Hosting your own esports events is one of the best ways to get into esports. The best way to get into esports is to host your own events. There are many ways to go about this, including partnering with existing organizations, creating your own league or event series, or staging one-off events. For example, you could run an esports tournament at a gaming convention, like Blizzcon or E3. Alternatively, you could find a game publisher or developer and reach out to them about hosting events. The best way to get into esports is to partner with the right organizations.