Smith 
Do you love playing video games and being part of the esports scene? Do you get along well with other gamers and enjoy discussing your favorite games with them? Are you searching for a fun hobby that might even help you earn some cash? If so, you’ve probably heard of Twitch. With some effort, you could turn it into a profitable side gig.
That’s exactly what attracted expert gamer Branden Westlund (StealthAssault7) to Twitch. “I started on Twitch over three years ago because I saw the opportunities,” he says. It worked out well—Westlund paid off all his student loans by streaming Fortnite games. Transforming gameplay into cash sounds like a dream, but being a great gamer and running a successful Twitch business are different things. If you’re good at gaming, you’ll also need to learn how to monetize your Twitch streams.
How Twitch Works
Twitch is a massive livestreaming platform, similar to the livestream options on Facebook or Periscope (RIP), but it’s all-live, all the time. Nearly four million people are watching at any given moment according to Twitch Tracker. In December 2020 alone, people watched 1.8 billion hours of livestreamed content. Anyone can join Twitch and start streaming on any topic they like, from cooking to book clubs, arts and crafts, and more. However, Twitch is best known for esports and gaming streams.
Twitch Affiliates and Twitch Partners
To make real money on Twitch, you need to become a Twitch Affiliate or Partner. Just like on YouTube, you unlock new earning options once you hit certain milestones.
To become a Twitch Affiliate, you need to:
- Have at least 50 followers
- Stream for at least 8 hours
- Stream on at least seven different days
- Have an average of three viewers per livestream
The highest level is Twitch Partner, which requires:
- Streaming for at least 25 hours
- Streaming on at least 12 different days
- Having an average of 75 viewers per livestream
Meeting these milestones allows you to apply for Twitch Partner, but it doesn’t guarantee acceptance. Twitch only approves certain streamers after a review.
How to Make Money on Twitch: Techniques and Options
While not everyone will make millions like Ninja (Richard Tyler Blevins), there are various ways to earn money on Twitch.
Regular Twitch Users
Even if you’re a regular user without access to the special tools bigger names use, here are some ways to make money:
- Donations: Ask for direct donations from followers via Paypal, Venmo, etc. You can also set up a Patreon account for recurring donations.
- Affiliate links: Since Twitch is owned by Amazon, you can easily add affiliate links for products you like on your channel, separate from being a Twitch Affiliate.
- Selling merchandise: Create and sell branded merch like t-shirts, mugs, and other items using print-and-ship sites.
- Sponsorships: Partner with companies offering gaming-related products. This form of partnership is different from affiliate links and involves direct collaboration.
To make significant money, you’ll need a decent following. For example, companies won’t sponsor you if no one is watching your channel.
Twitch Affiliate
Once you reach Affiliate status, you can earn money directly through Twitch via:
- Bits and Cheers: Viewers can buy “bits” to get special emotes and badges that highlight their comments. For each bit spent, you earn $0.01.
- Subscriptions: Viewers can subscribe to your channel at $4.99, $9.99, or $24.99 monthly, with Twitch splitting the cost 50/50 with you.
- Video ads: You can play video ads during your stream and earn a portion of the ad revenue based on views.
Twitch Partner
As a Partner, you get additional earning options:
- Ad-free viewing for subscribers: Offer ad-free viewing as a subscriber perk.
- Custom emotes for Cheers: Create unique emotes for bits, encouraging more spending.
- Special emotes for Subscribers: Offer up to 60 new emotes for subscribers to enhance their chat experience.
Partners also enjoy other benefits like priority customer service and no payout fees.
Strategies and Tips for Success
“I remember my first stream using the Twitch app on my Xbox, having zero views,” says Westlund. It’s essential to learn how to attract a loyal audience who enjoys and engages with your streams.
Here are some tips:
- Focus on your streaming game: Research what successful streamers like Ninja are doing and learn what makes their content engaging.
- Upgrade accordingly: Invest in equipment gradually to avoid financial stress that could affect your streaming quality.
- Treat streaming as a job: Be consistent. Many people start and stop, but maintaining a regular schedule is crucial.
Balancing fun and work is important. Streaming for profit might turn a fun hobby into a job, potentially leading to burnout. Even Westlund is taking a break from streaming now, possibly permanently.
How Much Can You Make on Twitch?
Westlund believes aiming to make money from the start sets you up for failure. Passion should come first, and the money will follow. Earnings depend on your dedication and skill, but the connections and friendships made along the way are equally valuable.
Bottom Line: Earning on Twitch
Twitch offers a potential side hustle for gamers to turn their passion into income. To monetize effectively, progress from a regular user to a Twitch Affiliate or Partner. Affiliates earn through bits, cheers, subscriptions, and ads, while Partners gain perks like custom emotes and ad-free viewing. Success requires more than gaming skills; engaging content, consistent schedules, equipment upgrades, and passion are key. While making money on Twitch is possible, enjoying the process and building a supportive community are just as important.
