“There’s no journey too long in good company” -Iain Ward, also known as the King of Chemo (KOC), on how he has built his following in aid of fighting cancer.
So, you want to become a Content Creator? Well, the good news is that starting out is easy, but the competition is fierce. Growing an audience takes more than just pressing the “go live” button and waiting for the views to rack up. If you’re dreaming of streaming and content creation, a cause might be the motivation you need to get yourself on camera for charity.
To show you how it’s done at CyberPowerPC, we interviewed the guy who’s done it all when it comes to content creation for charity, and we’ve broken down everything he had to say in this blog.
The King of Chemo has raised £750,000, plus a brand-new, battle-ready CyberPowerPC, gifted for his personal use and one to raffle to a lucky winner.
If you would like to enter our raffle for the King of Chemo’s PC in aid of multiple cancer charities, join our Discord community and follow our social channels today.
We also have a full guide on how to stream on Twitch and more.
Who is the King of Chemo?
CyberPowerPC: “So, Iain, introduce yourself”
Iain Ward (King of Chemo): He’s wearing his signature red cloak and gold crown.
“So, as my outfit suggests, my name is Iain Ward, but I go by the username of the King of Chemo because I’m trying to use my own cancer against itself for a change.”
“You can actually kind of see the scar a little bit where I had the surgery. I have short hair now because I was dressing up as Darth Vader; don’t worry, I don’t have to go into chemotherapy again.”
“I’m using my terminal brain cancer against itself to try and break a charity world record without asking people for donations, but to ask people to simply follow my accounts so that it gets huge and then we get sponsors to help us out breaking the world record instead of asking everyday people; we do love sponsors!”
CyberPowerPC: “It sounds like it was a very sudden decision for you to sort of go into streaming. How did you end up getting so much support and jumping into it?”
Iain: “When I started off many, many moons ago, it was just through Covid; I’d imagine so many streamers have come in through Covid.”
“My main goal is to break a charity world record, and then along the way I’m going to use every other asset of social media in order to kind of like big that up.”
With 9 million followers on Instagram and 6.4 million on TikTok, the King of Chemo, Iain Ward, is a true inspiration and perhaps the best example of getting started and building a real presence for a cause- though he’d never tell you that himself.
His main content centres around fitness, but he began by casually streaming games with friends, and he’s looking to jump back in by including his love of staying fit, using treadmills and VR.
Join Iain’s fight on YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram.
What is a content Creator?
The phrase “content creator” refers to an individual or a company/organisation that publishes media on the internet.
A digital content creator can use social media to create informative, fun, and engaging videos, clips, podcasts, streams, and shorts for platforms such as TikTok, Instagram, and X.
Some content creators also choose to make static content, such as artists, photographers and bloggers.
Iain chooses fitness, and now he attributes his outliving his diagnosis to exercise. He and his team have ambitions of bringing exercise into chemotherapy treatment plans.
The Requirements to become a live streamer on Social Media
Going live is the best way to connect with an audience. Here is a quick guide on how to meet the minimum standards per platform:
TikTok LIVE Minimum Requirements
Before you can stream on TikTok, you need to qualify for LIVE access.
Current requirements include:
- Be at least 16 years old
- Have at least 1,000 followers
- Be 18+ to receive gifts and monetisation features
Instagram Live Requirements
- Be at least 13 years old
- Comply with Instagram’s guidelines
To go live on Instagram, tap the plus button in the top left corner of your phone screen and swipe to the “live” option.
If you don’t have 1,000 followers yet, focus on short-form content first. Consistent posting is still the fastest way to unlock LIVE streaming.
For beginners, your phone is enough. As you grow, you can upgrade to tools like OBS for better production quality.
Do you need a content Niche to be a Successful Streamer/Influencer?
Having a niche is helpful for planning, but you shouldn’t have to stick to it religiously to build a following. However, you’ll need to consider your message and the brands that might be interested in what you’re offering.
Working for a cause can be a powerful motivator to keep going whilst fitting into a specific niche. Placing others’ needs above your own is worthwhile, and brands are drawn to charitable, unproblematic personalities.
Iain is a wonderful example, but there are also huge content creators out there, such as Markiplier, Jacksepticeye, and MrBeast, whose foundations were built on their generosity and participation in their respective communities.
Whatever your motives, the biggest mistake a streamer and creator could make is going live without a clear angle or intention. It may be helpful to focus on one category, 3 big ones are:
- Gaming
- IRL/chatting
- Fitness
Niches don’t have to be incredibly specific or unexplored. Iain has found the most success in his fitness content combined with challenges and skits. If you want to go the way Iain has, without asking for donations or sales, and instead gaining corporate sponsorship.
“I was gonna play Protect the President on a treadmill. Unfortunately, a few things fell through with that one, but I plan to try again on stream in the future.”
Successful creators are intuitive, understand their audience, and constantly look for outreach opportunities. Be consistent with what you know works, but never be afraid to try something new.
When trying something new, you can utilise Instagram trial reels to see how your content would perform before posting it to a live audience.
Consistency matters more than perfection. Streaming regularly trains both the algorithm and your audience to expect your content.
Meaning you will grow your channels much faster than if you weren’t posting consistently.
The hardest challenges and why you should overcome them on stream
“I did a 30-kilo weight vest for the London marathon for the Marie Curie Foundation; it was 2 hours longer than the other marathons I’d done, and every so often I’d have to find a step to stop for about 60 seconds“
Despite this being one of the most difficult challenges he’d ever done, TKOC began in increments and built up to walking marathons, which he is adamant anyone can do.
Setting yourself extraordinary challenges is not only a great draw in for an audience (e.g. the viral ice bucket challenge and the Harlem Shakes from the 2010s, which grew more and more absurd), but these huge achievements are self-affirming, fun, and you can get sponsored by anyone; work colleagues, neighbours and family.
No matter what, completing amazing fitness goals, overcoming long-term fears, and experiencing things you’d otherwise never have done can only be a net positive as long as you stay safe at the same time.
Building an income as an influencer
To build an income as any type of freelancer, you need to do your research into marketing and how to advertise yourself and your platform.
To build an income as an online influencer, you need:
- A product to sell- for many influencers, that’s their personal brand/ influence to be sold to companies in return for exposure and profit.
- A website, shop or a platform for purchases and donations
- A marketing strategy
- A reason for brands to sponsor you, such as a niche or hobby
Being obsessed with building an income is a huge pitfall for many creators. Whilst money might be a huge motive for many content creators, it should never be your sole purpose to stream, expecting money in return.
Instead, whilst streaming or content creating, you should aim to:
- Connect with fellow hobbyists
- Save memories in the form of clips for you and your friends
- Create awareness for things important to you
- Recreate content that resonates with your audience!
- Have fun
Iain’s advice on money and content creation is:
“It’s not necessarily about money, not that we should have to live with nothing, but once you’re not extremely stressed with bills and have a roof over your head, it becomes a lot about consumerism.
I understand where it comes from, but you don’t need the flashy watches and Ferraris to demonstrate your success. You can have the fun aspects, but you can also show your success through what you can give and making the world a better place.”
How to Run a Successful Stream Session
To have a successful stream, generating views, comments and shares, focus on audience Interaction; TikTok LIVE rewards engagement, as do most other platforms.
Reply to comments, ask questions, acknowledge viewers by name, and keep conversations moving. The more active your chat is, the more TikTok is likely to push your stream to new viewers. Good streamers feel interactive, not scripted.
Why are platforms like TikTok and Instagram important to streamers?
To grow as a streamer in 2026, you need to promote your content beyond your livestreams. Whether you stream on Twitch, TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, or YouTube, relying solely on live viewers can make growth extremely slow.
You could stream for hours every day and still struggle to get discovered if you’re not creating content elsewhere.
One of the best ways to grow is by clipping highlights from your streams and posting them on TikTok, Instagram Reels, YouTube Shorts, and Facebook Reels. Platforms like TikTok can expose your content to large audiences, even if you’re a new creator.
You can also use Threads, Instagram, and X to share updates, interact with your audience, and build a community between streams.
The most successful streamers treat their livestreams as content sources. Every stream can be turned into clips, posts, and conversations that help attract new viewers across multiple platforms.
How to Choose a Cause to Raise Money for
Stay true to yourself when choosing a cause. An issue you’ve personally been affected by through a friend or relative will keep you motivated in your goal.
To ensure your efforts aren’t going to waste, do your research carefully to find charities that genuinely need funding. Smaller local efforts are often the most productive with the least overhead for admin and staffing.
Helping individuals get the treatment or housing they need is also extremely worthwhile and the best way to see firsthand how your contributions make a difference in someone’s life.
Steps to Fundraising Online
Fundraising for charities involves
- creating a dedicated online page that can be easily shared, clearly explaining your fundraising goal
- Using social media to encourage direct donations and inform others about your cause.
- Use easily accessible platforms for donations. A quick button press is always best for adding to your video description, profile, comments, etc. This simple and efficient method ensures donations are securely transferred to registered charities.
Why Work with CyberPowerPC UK
We offer the most compatible gear to support streamers or people like KOC who want to start streaming. Check out our Streaming PCs for our ready-to-stream machines.
For our collaboration with the King of Chemo, we gifted a £2000+ PC, the AMD 9000-Series Ryzen Custom PC, including engraved glass.
| Core Components | |
| Case | CyberPowerPC V100R Gaming Case- Black |
| CPU (Processor) | AMD Ryzen™ 7 9700X |
| Graphics Card GPU | NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5070 Ti 16GB |
| Motherboard | MSI Pro B850-S: ATX |
| Memory (RAM) | 32 GB (2 x 16GB) DDR5 5600 MT/s |
| Storage | 2TB Kingston NV3 |
Build your AMD 9000 series PC– you too could have your own custom engraved case covered in your logo for any video or stream you want to put out there.
How to Prevent Streamer/Content Creator Burnout and Final Thoughts
Becoming a streamer is easier than ever, but building a loyal audience takes strategy and consistency. Set realistic expectations of performance goals and achievements. Breaking your goals down into smaller, more achievable wins will help you stay motivated and consistent.
Keep your cause in mind and choose a niche that you’re really passionate about to stay on track.
Content creation for most of us is a marathon and not a sprint; bring new ideas as often as you can to the table and be prepared to keep trying until you find what works for you.
“It’s not about running; it’s just about moving. Getting up and moving, not everyone can run a marathon, but certainly just about everyone can walk one.”
FAQ
How do I go live on Twitch?
Going live on Twitch is a straightforward process once you’ve set up your account and streaming software.
1. Create a Twitch Account
If you haven’t already, sign up for a Twitch account and enable two-factor authentication, which is required for streaming.
2. Download Streaming Software
Most streamers use software such as:
- OBS Studio
- Streamlabs Desktop
- Twitch Studio (if available in your region)
3. Connect Your Twitch Account
Open your streaming software and connect it to your Twitch account. Most apps allow you to sign in directly with Twitch, making setup quick and easy.
4. Set Up Your Stream
Many successful Twitch creators grow their audience through short-form content and social media, not just through streaming.
How do I go LIVE on TikTok?
To go live on TikTok, the simple steps are:
- Open TikTok
- Tap the “+” button
- Swipe to “LIVE”
- Add a title and thumbnail
- Choose your stream settings
- Tap “Go LIVE”
What Gear do I need to stream?
Thankfully, you don’t need an expensive setup to start streaming. A smartphone or laptop/computer fitted with a functional webcam. A good lighting setup and a high-quality microphone are essential; the highest-quality, most expensive model on the market isn’t necessary, but quality audio is best for a successful video. Finally, stable internet is an absolute must for streaming.