Ellyblerp
If you’re still early in your streaming journey, converting lurkers into chatters is one of the fastest ways to build momentum. Many of these engagement tactics are especially effective when you’re just starting out. Lurkers aren’t a bad thing, they’re paying attention. But turning those silent viewers into active chatters is what helps your stream grow. In 2026, the easiest way to bridge that gap is through stream extensions that give viewers low-pressure ways to interact without needing to type full messages.
For more foundational advice, check out our guide on Tips for New Streamers in 2026, which covers setup, consistency, and early growth strategies.
Step 1: Give Lurkers a Zero-Pressure First Action
Typing in chat can feel intimidating, especially for first-time viewers. Extensions remove that barrier. Instead of asking viewers to talk, give them something they can click.
What works best:
- Sound alerts
- Walk-on sounds
- Visual or audio reactions
When a viewer clicks a sound alert, they’re participating anonymously at first. Once they hear the sound play live on stream, the psychological barrier is broken and they’re much more likely to chat afterward.
Why this works:
Lurkers want to engage, but they don’t want attention right away. Extensions let them test the waters safely.
Step 2: Use Channel Points as a Conversation Starter
Channel Points are one of the most powerful tools for activating lurkers, especially when paired with extensions. If you’re new to them, our Channel Points overview explains how they work and how viewers earn them.
Instead of generic redeems, use interactive rewards:
- Play a sound or meme
- Trigger a walk-on when they return
- Ask a TTS voice a question
- Force a reaction from you (emote, noise, stretch, spin wheel)
When a channel point redeem causes something to happen on screen, it naturally leads to conversation.
Pro tip:
Keep at least one cheap channel point redeem so new viewers don’t feel priced out.
Step 3: Let Bits Feel Fun (Not Like a Donation)
Bits don’t have to feel like tipping, they can feel like play.
Using extensions, bits can:
- Trigger premium sounds
- Unlock rare memes
- Stack audio chaos
- Activate limited-time effects
When bits cause instant, entertaining feedback, viewers are more willing to use them. Even lurkers who wouldn’t normally donate.
The key is immediacy. If they hear the result instantly, they feel involved, not transactional.
Step 4: Turn Sounds Into Inside Jokes
Inside jokes are what turn viewers into community members.
Once a sound or meme gets used a few times:
- Reference it verbally
- React consistently
- Let chat suggest when it should be used
Soon, viewers will start triggering sounds because they know how you’ll react.
Step 5: Acknowledge Interactions Without Calling People Out
Acknowledgment matters, but calling out usernames too aggressively can scare lurkers back into silence.
This keeps the interaction light and welcoming. Once they’re comfortable, they’ll speak up on their own.
Step 6: Use Chat Triggers to Encourage Natural Messages
Chat-based triggers reward viewers for typing specific words or phrases.
Examples:
- Typing “rip” plays a short sound
- Typing “gg” triggers a visual
- Typing a command reacts on stream
Lurkers are more likely to type one word than a full sentence. Once they do it once, chatting again feels easier.
This is a subtle but powerful way to ease people into active participation.
Step 7: Rotate Your Extensions to Keep Things Fresh
If everything stays the same forever, viewers stop noticing it.
Every few weeks:
- Swap out a few sounds
- Add a limited-time redeem
- Introduce a new meme or walk-on
- Retire unused buttons
This gives lurkers a reason to interact again, especially if they’ve been watching silently for a while.
Where Blerp Fits In
Blerp is built specifically for this kind of engagement.
With Blerp, you can:
- Add sound alerts and memes
- Connect channel points and bits
- Enable walk-on sounds
- Let viewers interact without typing
- Control ratings to keep your stream safe
Most importantly, Blerp turns passive viewers into participants and participants into regulars.
Final Thoughts
By lowering the effort required to interact, reacting consistently, and rewarding participation with fun audio moments, you create an environment where chatting feels natural and not forced.
Turn clicks into sounds.
Turn sounds into laughs.
Turn laughs into conversation.
Turning lurkers into chatters is only part of the growth equation. Once viewers discover you through clips on TikTok, YouTube Shorts, or Reels, you still need ways to pull them into your live stream and keep them engaged. If you’re working on that side of growth too, read How to Convert Clip Views Into Live Viewers to connect discovery with live engagement.