The big question everyone wants to know is – Can you make money on Twitch? Twitch Streaming has seen a bloom in terms of the money industry. Having been around for quite a few years, the idea that you can actually make a full career from donations and subscribers seemed foreign not long ago. Many that get into Twitch streaming plan to stream specifically for that reason.
However, the truth is not always so easy. Many future streamers think ‘can you make money on Twitch?’ only to find that it is actually more difficult than originally thought. New streamers looking to make money on Twitch start struggling when they have to get a stream schedule, interact with chat, and get good streaming equipment. It also takes quite a bit of time before you can start truly reaping the benefits of streaming.
Because of this, there are a few key points that you need to know before you can make on Twitch and truly dive into streaming and quit your day job.
Can Anyone Start Streaming?
Yes, anyone can start streaming, you may actually want to check out our ebook “Path To Streaming” to save yourself HOURS of research when you are starting out as a streamer. Whether you start streaming on Twitch, Facebook, Youtube, or any other site that allows streaming, as long as you have an internet connection and a powerful gaming PC (or even a mobile phone) that allows you to stream, you can do it. There is no set requirement, and no level of entry that you have to pass. You just need a computer and streaming software of choice to get started.
Do I need to be the best gamer?
You do not need to exactly be the best gamer in the world, but it is always nice to be good at the game that you plan to play. This mostly holds true for competitive gaming, such as Dota 2, League of Legends, and CS:GO. Since you are constantly competing against other players, it makes sense that constantly dying or not knowing basic controls and concepts associated with the game itself can make your stream look a bit uninteresting.
However, that does not have to be the primary, or major, reason that people visit your stream. If you are decent at the game, and you combine that with a strong and engaging personality, many people will tend to stay instead of just watching for your skill.
This also doesn’t apply to IRL (In Real Life) streamers, or cosplay streamers that tend to stream them making equipment or gear, as well as just doing everyday things. There are plenty of niches and areas that do not require you to be the most amazing or overqualified gamer out there. However, it is nice to have in your back pocket, even if you are just a variety streamer.
How do I earn Money?
If you are still wondering ‘can you make money on Twitch?’ then there are plenty of ways for you to earn money on Twitch. Twitch has one of the best platforms, as they include the Twitch Affiliate Program and Twitch Partner Program. The Twitch Affiliate Program allows a streamer to start taking bits from cheers of viewers, which can be exchanged into currency. Not only that, they are allowed to have subscribers as well, who can subscribe to the channel, with subscriptions ranging from prices such as $4.99 to $24.99.
If you are able to get access to the Twitch Partner Program, you become an elevated Affiliate. Including all of the earning possibilities from Affiliate, you also have access to their priority support and Twitch Partner Teams. They basically have Twitch’s full support, which is helpful if things go wrong, and also makes it easier for you to pull in views, followers, and subscribers.
Lastly, you can also take donations from viewers. This is a bit trickier, and is usually set up outside of Twitch itself. Donations and tips can come in many various forms, and can sometimes be quite a bit. There have been incidents of streamers getting upwards of $100,000 dollars in donations in a single stream, although this is exceedingly rare. However, the opportunity is there if you are a strong streamer and bring great content to the table.
Will I become Rich Overnight?
The only answer to this question is no, unfortunately. Streaming is just like any other T.V. network and business building project: it takes time. Only 1% of streamers tend to strike it big at the beginning months of their streaming career, and those are usually short lived as well. They usually explode in views due to memeing or giveaways, and not from actual content, making their viewership inflated for a short period.
The only way to really get big with streaming is to take it one day at a time. You will start with practically nothing, and have to be content with that. If only one person comes to watch your stream, be thankful. If you stay under 5 viewers per stream for a month, be grateful that those 5 viewers constantly show up to watch your stream. As time goes on, those numbers will grow, and you will have a solid base of followers and viewers that come to watch your content. It takes hard work and dedication, but it can happen.
Why does Nobody Watch my Twitch Channel?
This can be due to numerous reasons, but the most basic one is that the market is large and saturated. Sometimes it’s difficult to stumble across an unknown streamer that doesn’t have much of the spotlight on them. As such, don’t feel discouraged if you do not have many people watching right away.
However, if you have been streaming for a few months, and you haven’t gotten any viewers at all, it may be because you are a bit too lackluster. Are you just following trends? Do you interact with your audience, or just play the game? Many people come to watch the games to be entertained, and not watch a walkthrough. Would you even watch your own stream? These are all questions that you can watch to see if you are falling into these pitfalls.
If you feel like you are falling into these problems, there are a few steps you can take. First, try not to follow trends too much. Hopping on every single little trend or game that comes out means you’ll be late to every party. Instead, find a niche that you fit, such as horror games, or shooter games, or competitive games. Stick with that niche, and don’t stray from it.
Also, interact heavily with your chat. Learn to play and talk at the same time, and make them feel like they are part of the experience as well. Lastly, rewatch your stream if you can. Rewatching your own stream can help you see what areas you are lacking, as well as see how your audience reacts to your gameplay. Seeing you own livestream can help immensely in learning and correcting mistakes.
A gaming lover from a very young age, Justin has always had a keen eye for building his own computers or racing sims so that he can race his identical twin (and usually lose at the actual race).
Justin in the founder of BeStreamer and sees it as a free resource to help all gamers around the world
