Subathons not only give you a variety of methods to engage with your community, but they also build up a lot of buzz over time. In an attempt to achieve that, streamers have gone as far as holding a year-long subathon stream (also known as an uncapped subathon)!
Uncapped subathons are those live streaming sessions that do not have a time cap to them; they can go on for days, weeks, and even months. These long-hour subathons have piqued the interest of many small streamers.
This article will define an uncapped subathon in detail and explain the challenges a small streamer can face if they host one on their channel to pique viewers’ interest (and maybe get them to subscribe).
What Are the Different Types of Subathons?
A subathon can be categorized into different types depending on the stream’s time limit. Such as there are time-capped subathons, uncapped subathons, and goal-defined subathons.
Time-capped subathons are where the streamers set a time limit for their subathon streams because they are usually busy with their other everyday duties. These subathons usually last for about 24 to 48 hours.
Goal-defined subathons are where the streamers set a specific goal for their streams, and the subathon stream ends when they complete the goal. These can last for as short as a few hours and as long as a week.
The famous streamer Ludwig took 5 days to complete the game Elden ring which was the goal of his subathon.
Lastly, uncapped subathons are where the viewers usually decide or determine the stream’s time limit. The audience can keep adding time to the streams by donating or subscribing to the streamer’s Twitch channel.
» Read my blog post about: How to Do a Subathon on Twitch
What Does an Uncapped Subathon Mean?
Uncapped subathons on Twitch have no particular time restrictions. It is the best strategy to increase subscriptions and the number of viewers over time.
Other streamers are motivated by this endless live streaming, which enables them to earn money, get enough sleep, and carry out other daily activities.
Is Setting Up an Uncapped Subathon Easy?
Holding an uncapped subathon seems easy but it can be challenging in some aspects. This depends upon different streamers and their lifestyles.
After all the enigma surrounding Ludwig Ahgren, the well-known streamer who popularized the concept of unrestricted streaming, people are truly interested in learning more about uncapped subathon and how it functions in general.
In Ludwig’s instance, the broadcast lasted 31 days, and he gained almost 1.8 million followers as a result, which helped him sustain it.
» Read my blog post about: Can You Actually Get Banned for Buying Twitch Followers
Challenges During an Uncapped Subathon
Since there is usually a timer in a subathon that goes to zero. The live stream expires when the timer reaches zero. However, in a subathon without a cap, things are different.
Setting an uncapped subathon is not as easy as a capped one, so let’s talk about the challenges you’ll face during your venture:
#1 Infinite Supply of Incentives
If you’ve decided to amp up your streaming game, it’s time to start planning enjoyable activities for the subathon itself since a subathon should keep the audience engaged and hooked till the end of the stream.
Having said that, coming up with the ideal stream content ideas might be challenging, especially if it’s your first time.
When everyone uses the same techniques at their subathons, it’s easy to exhaust your brain trying to come up with novel innovations.
#2 Several Different Goals to Work Towards As a Community
Choose a goal that will appeal to your audience or the community you have built on your channel, including new viewers, and strive toward it.
It not only makes the subathon more participatory, and also draws in new viewers throughout the show, strengthening the streamer’s status on Twitch.
These objectives can include anything from aiming to defeat a high-ranking chess player to achieve a high rank in a competitive online game.
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#3 Separating From the Norm of Twitch
Being unique is always an excellent strategy for gaining a more organic audience. Several Twitch streamers consistently engage in activities that draw viewers, such as exploiting the “respond meta” or playing a certain game.
A subathon gives you the freedom to decide where you want your streaming career to go, which is one of its best features.
You can test out several live streaming meta during a subathon to see which ones suit you the best and which ones you can eventually adjust to.
#4 Standing Out While Also Staying Relevant
Of course, being different from the standard does not entitle you to engage in activities that the general public is unaware of. It implies that you can alter something from the standard to make it seem a little distinct.
Consider hot tub streamers as an example. These streamers spend the entire day thanking subscribers in their hot tubs and chatting online, but one might switch things up and experiment with various bath bombs, entertaining pool games, etc. Try to stand out while being pertinent.
#5 Having Backup Plans In Case Of Emergencies
An excellent streamer creates content without having the necessary resources. Emergencies like a power outage or issues involving a loved one might occasionally happen during a subathon.
In situations like these, having a backup plan is crucial. The subathon continues because streamers choose to hand off control of the stream to their moderators or friends if they need to handle a problem.
» Maybe this also could be of interest to you: Twitch Gifted Subs — The Complete Guide to Gifted Subs
FAQs
Does Any Timer Work with Uncapped Subathons?
Yes, from the marathon timer to the streamloots timer, a subathon timer can be set up in a way that works without a time limit. Most of the time subathons are set up with timers that have a maximum limit, maybe a week or two weeks. Uncapped subathons however have no particular limit and can keep on going for days on end.
Can an Uncapped Subathon Harm Mental Health?
An uncapped subathon means starting a live stream that has no expiration date. Neither you nor your viewers know when it’ll end and everyone’s there for the long ride. You’ll have to sacrifice several objectives in life to attain an uncapped subathon, which can have negative impacts on your mental health. This can cause burnout in streamers who aren’t used to having long hours or days in front of cameras.
What is the Longest Uncapped Subathon on Twitch?
Ludwig Ahgren organized the first subathon, which propelled him to the top rank from his previous position among Twitch’s top 11 streamers. It had 300,000 concurrent viewers throughout its entire 31-day run. In April 2020, he defeated Ninja to set a new record for the most subscribers among streamers. Since then, Emilycc, who has been streaming for about a year, has shattered the previous record. She has no plans to stop anytime soon.
Conclusion
For streamers, subathons have become a great source of gaining subscribers and engaging with their community. Uncapped subathons create more hype and possibly more subs for your channel.
Even though it sounds super fun, it seems to cause a subsequent amount of burnout for some streamers. So be sure to take baby steps towards building the time limit of your subathons before you attempt an uncapped subathon.
