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How to Make Money on Twitch in 7 Easy Steps

Twitch streamers can earn six and seven figures per year. And, while Twitch is the most popular platform for gamers, you don't have to be a player to make money on it.

What exactly is Twitch?

Twitch, which is owned by Amazon, is the world's top live streaming network for gamers and other lifestyle casters. Twitch streamers broadcast their games or activity by sharing their live screens with fans and subscribers, forming communities around a shared and streamable interest.

Twitch is not only for gamers. There is a vast range of programming available, including live and recorded music, sports, travel, food, and conversation shows.

Twitch has free and paid tiers, with paid tiers removing adverts and providing more functionality.

From a minute to 8 hours or more, activity can be live-streamed. Users discover streams by searching through various categories. Following channels results in activity updates and notifications.

Consider social media live-streaming to get an idea.

How Do You Grow Your Twitch Audience?

In a nutshell... gradually. It takes time, just like any other platform, to build an audience. Successful channels are developed over over time by consistently producing content.

The first step is to identify your niche, which might be gaming, a chat show, food, music, or anything else that appeals to you.

The second step is to set oneself apart from the crowd. You may not be the best game player by any means, but if you're witty, helpful, or entertaining, you can gain an audience.

Make a consistent streaming schedule so that your viewers know when to check in and watch.

Promote your Twitch broadcasts using your existing social media accounts, such as Facebook, YouTube, and so on.

Engage with other Twitch users' streams to make yourself noticed.

Interact with your audience. Inquire about them, make jokes about them, respond to their chats, and so on.

The most important aspect of Twitch is to be entertaining. If you can pull this off, admirers will tune in again and again to see what you're up to.

Making Money as a Twitch Novice

You don't need a large following to start generating money on Twitch.

1: Accept Donations

Twitch fans frequently make donations to their favorite streamers. To accept donations, add a "give" button to your channel and use Paypal or a third-party tool like Streamlabs.

Don't be afraid to inquire. Gently remind people in your videos that you warmly accept donations and that those donations allow you to continue streaming.

2: Locate a Brand Partner

Companies employ Twitch streamers to promote their products in exchange for a monetary payment to the streamer. This is a partnership, not to be confused with Twitch's Partner and Affiliate Programs, which we'll discuss shortly.

If you're a gamer, for example, possible partners will sell hardware, software, headphones, chairs, and even energy drinks.

If you are not currently a well-known gamer or streamer, you will most likely have to seek out these partners yourself rather than waiting for them to find you. Look out who supports other Twitch Streamers in your genre with similar audience bases and approach those firms first.

3: Make a Merchandise Sale

You could sell your own t-shirts, mugs, and so on if you have a particularly devoted audience or simply a super-catchy name.

Set up business with any of the t-shirt manufacturers, create your own designs or hire a graphic artist, and then promote your wares on your Twitch channel.

How to Earn a Living as a Twitch Affiliate

You can become a Twitch Affiliate if you meet certain requirements. If you have met the following milestones in the last 30 days, you will be eligible for an invitation to become an Affiliate: 

  A total of 500 broadcast minutes is required. 

  Minimum of seven distinct broadcast days 

  Three or more concurrent viewers on average 

  A minimum of 50 followers

Once you've joined the Twitch Affiliate Program, you can make money on Twitch by doing the following:

4: Subscriptions

Subscribers can have access to unique chat rooms, emoticons, and goods discounts by subscribing to your channel. These monthly subscriptions start at $4.99, and you will earn a commission as an affiliate.

5: Virtual Greetings

Viewers can donate money in the form of virtual cheers known as "bits." Viewers purchase bits in various colors and sizes and then distribute them to their favorite broadcasters, who receive a portion.

6: Game Sales

When you play games that are available for purchase in the Twitch shop, a "buy now" button displays on your channel. When viewers buy the game and in-game add-ons directly from your channel, you get a 5% cut.

How to Earn a Living as a Twitch Partner

This is the highest earning tier on Twitch. A Twitch Partner is somebody who earns six or seven figures on Twitch.

7: Revenue Splitting

You must apply for partnership, and if accepted, you will receive a portion of the advertising money generated by your Twitch page.

Partnership requirements include the following:

  Streaming for 25 hours in the last 30 days

  Streaming for 12 unique days in the last 30 days

  Reaching 75 average viewers in the last 30 days

When you meet these conditions, a button on your dashboard will appear allowing you to apply for Partnership. Twitch normally responds with their decision within 7 business days.

It should be noted that not everyone gets granted Partnership Status the first time they apply. Continue to attempt if you are not approved. Make certain that you conduct yourself properly on your channel, that you have a content strategy that reflects who you are, and that you continue to grow your audience.

Furthermore, as a Partner, you are more likely to secure endorsement opportunities and lucrative brand sponsorships.