If you are a gamer, you probably want to learn how to earn money on Twitch.
You might have heard that Twitch streamers who are the most popular earn seven figures per year, like Tyler Blevins, AKA Ninja, who earned $1 million in just a few gaming hours as part of EA’s Apex Legends Launch.
It’s possible to make a few dollars from your streams.
You may still be wondering how Twitch streamers earn money. How can you make money on Twitch exactly?
This guide will teach you ten ways to earn money by streaming. Stay tuned to the end for tips on building an audience.
How do Twitch streamers make money?
They can also profit from advertising, brand sponsorships, affiliate marketing, merchandise, and game sales. Also, earn money through ads, sponsorships of brands, Affiliate Marketing, and merchandise sales. Some Twitch streamers generate income from YouTube videos, Patreon crowdfunding, and other sources.
How to make money on Twitch without being a partner
Honestly, Earning money on Twitch can be difficult if you are starting.
You can’t earn money through subscriptions, Twitch Bits, or game sales until you are a Twitch Partner or Affiliate. Making money through sponsorships and merchandise is also nearly impossible until you build a big following.
Donations
Twitch users often support their favorite streams by donating money. Although you won’t be able to accept Twitch bits until you become an Affiliate or Partner, you can still accept donations via a third-party service.
Add a “Donate button” to your channel using Paypal Streamlabs, Muxy, or Donorbox.
You can make it easy for your viewers to donate in two ways:
Add a donation panel to your profile’s “About Me” section.
Use a chat service like Nightbot or Moobot to promote your donation link.
You can also encourage viewers to donate by selling services in-stream.
You could, for example, accept song requests from donors if you are a musician. If you’re a first-person shooter gamer, you can offer to remove your armor temporarily to make the experience more exciting.
You can watch videos on YouTube
You can start earning money by uploading your best streams to YouTube.
You can upload new content, game compilations, funny or exciting clips from your streams, or other types of content.
You can make money on YouTube, but it’s not as easy as Twitch. Uploading videos to YouTube also has another benefit: It’s an excellent way to get new Twitch followers.
Twitch does not offer many options for streamers to get new viewers. YouTube provides a comprehensive search feature, related videos, and personal recommendations.
All top Twitch streams also regularly share on YouTube. Every day, Twitch streamer Ludwig Ahgren uploads a new video to YouTube.
Patreon
When you have few followers, figuring out how to earn money on Twitch is difficult. Twitch subscriptions are only available to Affiliates.
If you have regular viewers that love your streams, you can encourage them to give you monthly money via Patreon in exchange for the rewards you create.
You could, for example, offer your customers exclusive video content or top gaming tips.
Add a link to Patreon in your Twitch description. Promote your Patreon rewards during your streams.
Affiliate Marketing
Share affiliate links. This is not the same as becoming a Twitch affiliate.
Affiliate Marketing involves promoting online offers and earning a commission or fee for each sale you make.
Amazon Associates has to be the most popular way streamers can make money through affiliate marketing. You can link to Amazon products and earn a percentage of the sales made by your viewers.
LootCrate and Play Asia are also popular affiliate programs with Twitch streamers.
Install the Amazon Blacksmith Extension to Get Started with Amazon. Many Twitch streamers use this extension to promote the links they use to their gear:
Promote your affiliate links on your social media profiles. You can also use a chatbot to encourage them in the chat.
How to Earn Money with Twitch and a Regular Audience
After you have built an audience, the methods above will make earning money on Twitch easier. You can also earn a little bit extra in two other ways:
Brand Sponsorships
Being a Twitch Partner or Affiliate is unnecessary to get sponsorship deals. But it would certainly help. All you need is a large, engaged audience.
Twitch users can be promoted by various brands, from fashion and gaming brands to musical instruments and drinks.
You can pitch brands directly. Brands usually contact streamers to see if they’d like to work together.
Check out services like PowerSpike or HelloGamers that help set up sponsorship agreements between streamers and brands.
Merchandise
Some of your fans may purchase the merchandise you produce, like t-shirts and stickers. They might also buy mugs and laptop cases.
The popular streamer Ninja, for example, sells branded hoodies branded to his audience.
Set up a Shopify Store to sell brand merchandise. Use a Print-on-Demand App like Printerify or Printful. You can make money by dropshipping different items.
Hire a designer using a platform such as Fiverr, or Upwork.
How to Earn Money on Twitch Affiliate Program
You must meet specific criteria to become a Twitch affiliate.
Over the past 30 days, we have broadcasted a total of 500 minutes
Broadcast on a minimum of 7 different days
Three or more simultaneous viewers is considered a good average
You can earn money in 3 different ways when you become a Twitch affiliate:
Subscriptions
Twitch subscribers can subscribe to their favorite Affiliates to receive exclusive benefits for a small monthly fee.
Subscribers can enjoy exclusive chat rooms, streams available only to subscribers, unique emoticons, and discounts on merchandise.
Three subscription levels are available: $4.99 ($9.99) and $24.99 ($24.99).
What’s the best part? Twitch Affiliates receive 50% of the monthly revenue (while Twitch gets the other half). Subscriptions are the most important and stable source of income for streamers.
