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How to Make Money on Twitch? 8 Ways
Partner with Brands
(Unlimited earning potential)
One of the ways to earn money on Twitch is through brand partnerships. It is when Twitch streamers partner with companies to promote their products. In marketing terms, this is referred to as affiliate or partner relationship.
To promote their products or services, companies provide Twitch streamer links to promote on their channel. When subscribers click on the link and purchase products, the streamer will get a commission.
If you’re looking to try this option, watch out for companies that offer these products:
- Computer hardware and software
- Console, like ps4, accessories
- Energy drinks
- Gaming accessories like chairs and headsets
It might still depend on your niche and stream’s target audience, so be open-minded when looking for companies for partnership. Although, there are some companies that are popular options for Twitch streamers.
Affiliate programs for Twitch streamers.
Except for the G-Fuel, these affiliate programs are good options for small streamers. You can make between 3% to 10% from their links.
Become a Twitch Affiliate
(Earn a 5% revenue share)
The Twitch Affiliate Program offers qualified streamers the option to earn money on their channel. When you meet the following qualifications within the last 30 days Twitch might invite you to become their affiliate.
Twitch Affiliate Program requirements:
- At least 500 broadcast minutes
- At least seven unique broadcast days
- Three concurrent viewers or more average
- A minimum of 50 followers
You can easily check your progress on these milestones through the Creator Dashboard on your Twitch account. Just click on “Insights” then “Achievements.” Look for the “Path to Affiliate” achievement as it tracks your progress.
Twitch invites qualified streamers through email, push notifications, or announcements on their Creator Dashboard. Once you receive your invitation, you’ll see a new section on the Settings tab allowing you to register for the program.
As a Twitch affiliate, you’ll have access to other money-making options on the platform. These include adding a subscription fee, accepting donations through Bits, and selling games on your channel.
Charge a Subscription Fee
(Earn 50% of a monthly subscription fee)
Charging a subscription fee is one of the perks of being a Twitch affiliate. Your subscribers will get the following when they pay for a subscription to your channel:
- Unique chat emoticons
- Exclusive streams for subscribers
- Subscriber-only chat rooms
- Ad-free viewing
- Subscriber badges
Also, it helps with fan engagement if you encourage them to hit subs’ goals. For example, challenge your subscribers to get additional 1,000 subs before the end of the month.
In that scenario, you can take advantage of the Gift Subscription feature of Twitch. As the name implies, your subscribers can give subscriptions to other users on the platform.
Monthly subscription fees fall into three tiers: $4.99, $9.99, and $24.99. You can decide which perks fit these subscription plans. Twitch will pay you 50% of your channel’s subscription revenue, including the tiered and gift subscriptions.
This is typically a one-month subscription to your channel but is a great way for fans to increase your viewership.
While it can be a steady source of revenue, make sure to keep your focus on providing quality content. After all, viewers feel if streamers are overly monetizing their channel and can lose interest.
Get Virtual Cheers
(Earn 80% of each bit that’s worth $0.01)
Virtual cheers, also called “bits” in Twitch slang, are another way to earn money on the platform. These come in different designs, sizes, and colors viewers can purchase. Viewers can also get these for free by filling out surveys and watching ads.
Viewers use virtual cheers on chats, expressing their enjoyment and support to the streamer. For each Bit your viewers use, you get $0.01.
Besides your chatbox, viewers can also use these in some extensions for your channel. When they do, you get 80% of the $0.01 value of each Bit. Then, the extension developer receives the other 20%.
Compared to third-party platforms, virtual cheers may be a more reliable form of receiving donations. After all, Twitch manages the payout and you don’t have to worry about payment issues.
Take Donations
(Ask for donations of any amount)
Donations also help Twitch streamers make money on the platform. You don’t have to be a Twitch partner to use this option.
When you have a dedicated fanbase who wants to help you financially, you can use third-party sites to accept donations.
The following platforms could help you accept donations from your Twitch subscribers:
- Donorbox
- Muxy
- PayPal
- Streamlabs
Then, add a Donate button on your channel’s “About Me” section. Your fans can simply click on this to give you some money.
Another easy way for them to donate is by adding your donation link in the chat section. You can use third-party tools for this, like Moobot or Nightbot.
Pro Tip: To encourage donation, you can provide incentives to your top donors. Give them a “shout out,” dedicate a song (if you’re a musician), or do special in-game challenges for them.
Become a Twitch Partner
(Earn $250 per month per 100 subscribers)
Joining the Twitch Partner Program is the highest tier you can achieve as a Twitch streamer. It offers access to more benefits than being an affiliate. These include:
Ads
In addition to subscriptions, Bits, and emotes, you can make money by running ads on your streams. You can set the frequency and length of ads on your channel through the Creator Dashboard.
Check out these tips when running ads on your channel:
- Avoid placing all your ads before the start of your stream. Similarly, placing ads near the end also generates low viewership.
- Inform your viewers that an ad break is coming.
- Add 1 minute of ads per hour and gradually increase to 3 minutes to increase your revenue.
- Run your ad breaks at least 15 minutes in between.
Customize your channel
As a partner, you also receive features to help you grow your channel. After all, more viewers translate to better revenue. Indirectly, these can help you earn more.
You can customize chat badges, emoticons, Cheermotes, and Bit Badges. Additionally, you’ll receive up to three free lifetime subscriptions that you can gift to other users. Twitch also provides you priority support in case of unexpected issues on your channel.
Becoming a partner
Unlike becoming an affiliate where you receive an invitation, you need to apply to join the Partner Program. Then, Twitch will review your application and consider the following:
- Completion of Path to Partner achievement, or huge and engaged viewership
- Content conforming to Community and DMCA guidelines, and Terms of Service
- Able to meet the Path to Partner achievement criteria
You can check the Achievements Dashboard on your creator account to see if you have the Path to Partner achievement. If you do, apply for the program and Twitch will include your application in their priority list.
Sell a Game You’re Playing
(Get a 5% commission)
Another perk of being in the Affiliate Program is that you can sell a game or in-game items on the platform. Twitch initially offered this program to its Partners and finally included Affiliates in 2017.
If the game you’re playing and streaming is for sale on Twitch, a purchase button shows on your channel page. When viewers buy the game through that button, you get a 5% commission.
The same process works for in-game items. Although, you might need to create and use your account on these platforms:
Viewers with at least $4.99 worth of game or in-game purchases from your channel receive a Twitch Crate.
It includes random rewards, such as Bits, emotes, and badges. Items here range from common to extremely rare, an exciting surprise for your viewers.
Sell Merchandise on Shopify
(Price your own products and sell)
Shopify Summary
- Free 14 day trial period available
- Build a new website in under 2 hours
- Over 100 payment gateways supported
- Over 6000 apps to improve your store
Selling merchandise is another option to earn money, even if you’re not an affiliate or Twitch partner. It is also an excellent way to promote your channel.
And Shopify is one of the best platforms to set up your merchandise brand and run an e-commerce store.
Some of the merch you can sell to your dedicated fanbase include:
- Clothing, such as hoodies and t-shirts
- Accessories, such as caps and keychains
- Laptop cases
- Stationery
- Mugs and tumblers
Creativity is the limit here since you need to make these items unique to your channel. Fortunately, the internet offers free tools, such as Canva, that practically lets anybody make beautiful designs and logos.
How Much Money Do Twitch Streamers Make?
Twitch Streamers’ earnings may depend on how they monetize their channels. For example, ads revenue averages around $250 for every 100 subscribers according to CNBC.
Meanwhile, pro streamers earn around $3,000 to $5,000 monthly in a 40-hour weekly streaming time through subscriptions.
The top earner in the platform, Ninja, earned over $5.4 million in 2018. This includes all earnings from ads, subscriptions, Bits, sponsorships, and YouTube compensation.
How Many Followers Do You Need on Twitch to Make Money
You’ll need at least 50 followers to start earning money on Twitch even without being a partner. This is a requirement for the Affiliate program, where you can earn from subscriptions, Bits, and game sales.
Ultimately, you’ll need to increase your following to earn more. And, contrary to popular belief, online gaming looks like it’s working for female streamers, too.
Some gain considerable popularity as a girl on such a platform. To name a few, check out top streamers, Pokimane, LoserFruit, and Loeya.
