Twitch. Edited photo of phone by Terje Sollie on Pexels.

Edited photo of phone by Terje Sollie on Pexels.com.

Twitch: 12 helpful steps for you to make money on platform

If you’re totally new to live-streaming video gameplay or podcasting, and you just want to broadcast some gameplay, then Twitch is probably the better site for you to start.

If you are the kind of creator who wants to upload on-demand content, as well as post live streams, and you already have a large following on social media that you could leverage, then you’ll certainly have to do YouTube also.

Due to the lower threshold for monetisation, Twitch pays more to the new content creators and offers more monetisation options. However, it is difficult to grow on Twitch compared to YouTube, which has a stronger user base.

Making money on Twitch involves building a community, attracting viewers, and leveraging various monetisation options. Here are some steps to help you get started.

12 Steps to help you make money on Twitch

1. Set up your Twitch account

2. Define your niche

Determine the type of content you want to create and the audience you want to attract. Focussing on a specific niche, such as gaming, cooking, or music, can help you stand out.

3. Stream regularly and engage with your audience

Consistency is key. Create a streaming schedule and stick to it. Interact with your viewers through chatting, answering questions, and building relationships with your community.

4. Improve your stream quality

Invest in a good microphone, webcam, and stable internet connection to provide high-quality streams. Consider adding overlays, alerts, and other visual elements to enhance your stream’s production value.

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5. Grow your audience

Promote your channel on other social media platforms, such as Twitter, Instagram, or YouTube, to attract new viewers. Collaborate with other streamers, join communities, and engage in networking to expand your reach.

6. Enable Twitch affiliate or partner programmes

Once you meet specific criteria, you can apply for the Twitch affiliate or partner programmes. These programmes provide additional monetisation features, such as subscriptions, Bits (Twitch’s virtual currency), and ad revenue sharing.

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7. Offer subscriptions

Viewers can subscribe to your channel for a monthly fee, unlocking benefits like custom emotes, subscriber-only chats, and ad-free viewing. Affiliates and partners receive a portion of the subscription revenue.

8. Earn revenue from Bits

Viewers can purchase Bits and cheer during your stream. You receive a percentage of the revenue generated by Bits used in your channel.

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9. Run advertisements

The platform offers the option to run ads during your stream. As an affiliate or partner, you can earn a share of the ad revenue. However, it’s important to strike a balance so that ads don’t disrupt the viewer experience.

10. Seek sponsorships and partnerships

As your channel grows, you can attract sponsorship from brands interested in reaching your audience. These collaborations might involve product promotions, affiliate marketing, or sponsored streams.

11. Donations

Viewers can donate directly to support your channel. Platforms like Streamlabs or PayPal provide tools to accept donations during your streams.

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12. Merchandise

Explore merchandise and brand extensions: Consider creating merchandise like t-shirts, mugs, or stickers featuring your logo or catchphrases. Additionally, you can explore opportunities to extend your brand beyond Twitch, such as YouTube content or live event appearances.

Remember that building a successful Twitch channel takes time, effort, and dedication. Consistently provide entertaining and engaging content while nurturing your community, and you’ll increase your chances of generating income.

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About Twitch Affiliate Program

Earn a 5% revenue share of the purchases that originate from your channel pages or by accepting subscriptions from your viewers.

Affiliates will have access to all subscription options: $4.99, $9.99, $24.99, and the Twitch Prime free subscription.

Affiliates also get one global subscriber emote for all subscribers, with the option of adding two additional for $9.99 and $24.99 subscribers.

Affiliates can also earn revenue from the sale of games or in-game items on Twitch. When streamers play any game on stream that is available for sale or has in-game items for sale on Twitch, a purchase offer appears on the channel page below the video window.

Affiliates earn a 5% revenue share of the purchases that originate from their channel pages. Viewers who buy not only help support Affiliates but will also be rewarded with a Twitch Crate for any purchase of $4.99 or more.

The Twitch Affiliate Program puts qualified streamers one step closer to the dream of making a living from their passions. Twitch affiliates can start earning income on Twitch while they build their audience and work toward the coveted status of Twitch Partner.

Source: Twitch Affiliate Program Review (July 2023)

How to become an affiliate

Once you have been invited and you have clicked “Get Started”, it will take you to the Preferences tab of your Creator Dashboard where you can complete a short process to begin monetising your channel with Bits. Two-factor authentication is required to complete the onboarding process.

Step 1: You will provide basic, general information to be registered into the programme.
Step 2: Sign the Twitch Affiliate Agreement, agreeing to the terms of the programme.
Step 3: Provide Amazon your tax information by completing both the Royalty and Service Tax Interviews (TIMS).
Step 4: State where to send your payments by completing the Tipalti form.

Payment methods:

Direct Deposit to bank account
Wire
PayPal
Check
Hold Payments (Held while waiting for affiliate to specify new payout information)

Once you have completed the above steps, you will be a Twitch Affiliate.

As soon as you become an affiliate, your viewers will automatically start earning Channel Points. You can edit your programme on the Creator Dashboard. Select the Hamburger menu icon, then Community, then Channel Points in your Dashboard Settings. You can read more about channel points here.

Source: https://help.twitch.tv/s/article/joining-the-affiliate-program?language=en_US

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