Income making strategies for gaming streamers. Check out which platforms, channels and networks are bringing the cookies in 2024!
It’s time to turn your gaming hobby into real money.
Are you ready to turn your gaming activities into serious cash? It's 2024, and gamers are now successful affiliates earning big bucks with live streaming.
It's more than just a game: it's a real business with high earning potential! 🎯
Many important events have taken place since live gaming streaming started.
Platforms like Justin.tv were pioneers in gaming streaming. Even if they weren't exclusively dedicated to gaming content, they set the stage for what was coming next.
Twitchcompletely changed the streaming landscape when founded in 2011. It offered a platform where gamers could share their live gameplay. Twitch's interactive chat feature and real-time engagement set new standards.
Amazon bought Twitch for almost $1 billion. This big move gave Twitch more power and a wider reach worldwide. It became a major player in the streaming world.
YouTube launched YouTube Gaming, trying to grab a piece of the growing gaming streaming market.
Microsoft jumped into the game by buying Beam, later renamed Mixer, which had to close down in 2020 because of having a tough time against Twitch.
As esports became more and more popular, streaming platforms became important for watching live esports events. This played a big part in making competitive gaming a global phenomenon.
Streaming platforms started integrating with social media, and Facebook Gamingis a great example. It offered gamers a smooth experience to connect and share gaming content with their fans.
Streamers started doing more than just playing games. They are actively interacting with their fans and finding new ways to make money on the platforms.
Some new platforms, like Trovoand Kick, came onto the scene. This gives streamers and viewers more options. More platforms also mean more competition.
Streaming platforms are trying out new features and technologies, so the landscape is always changing. Advances in AR (augmented reality) and VR (virtual reality) make the experience for viewers even better and blend the borders between gaming and real-world interaction.
Learn how streamers monetize on Twitch and YouTube Gaming. 💸
Twitch creators aim to gather loyal subscribers who contribute a few monthly bucks for exclusive perks like cool emotes and ad-free watching. There are three possible subscription tiers: $5, $10, or $25 per month - Twitch affiliates get a 50/50 split with the platform.
Viewers can send virtual tips via PayPal or Streamlabs during Twitch live streams. Fans can also use Twitch Bits(a virtual currency) to cheer on their favorite gamers: for every 100 Bits, the streamer earns a dollar. Additionally, there are Super Cheer coins, with 80% going to the Twitch creator after fees.
On YouTube, creators are also working hard to build subscriber loyalty. They rely on revenue from YouTube Premium and channel memberships and offer perks for their super fans. Creators can set membership tiers from $0.99 to $499.99 monthly, with pricing flexibility.
In live YouTube chats, streamers use Super Stickers and Super Chat for fans who want to donate money. YouTube takes a 70/30 split, meaning if someone donates $10, the creator gets $7, and YouTube takes $3.
Twitch streamers are setting up online stores right on Twitch. They've got a lineup of cool stuff for their devoted fanbase, from custom hats to T-shirts.
On YouTube, streamers link their merchandise stores in video descriptions or use YouTube's merchandise tab feature. It makes it easy for viewers to grab branded products from their favorite gaming channels.
As Twitch streamers grow their audience, there are new opportunities with brand deals and sponsorships. Streamers collaborate with different companies to promote their products or services. Streamers often partner with affiliate networkto earn commissions when someone joins via their affiliate links.
YouTube streamers can also jump on the sponsored content bandwagon. They team up with brands for sponsored videos or integrate products into their gaming content, significantly increasing their income. They usually put affiliate links into video descriptions to earn a revenue share from the gaming brands.
Twitch affiliates and partners can make extra money by showing ads during their streams. Only gamers who meet the platform's requirements get this opportunity. The longer viewers watch ads, the more money the streamer earns: ad breaks can last from 30 seconds to 3 minutes.
YouTube creators are all about promoting adson their videos and boosting watch time to increase ad revenue. With evergreen content, it can add up.
When choosing the ideal streaming platform, consider which games you will be playing, who your target audience is, and what your streaming preferences are.
Twitchis a global streaming platform for live gaming, entertainment, music, sports content, and much more. It attracts 31 million daily visitors and 140 million monthly users. It’s very popular among gamers, as they can interact in real-time with their fans. There are many good opportunities for content creators to connect with a wide audience.
YouTubeis growing constantly, providing both live streams and pre-recorded content. It represents a reliable income source and various income streams for content creators, with a range of tools and features for streamers to engage with their viewers. The platform focuses on how much time viewers spend watching - which makes it a good option for gamers who want to grow a loyal and active audience.
Facebook Gaminguses its extensive social network to connect gamers and viewers. It has a high priority on community building within the Facebook Gaming platform. Streamers interact directly with their followers via Facebook pages and groups. It provides features like Stars (virtual currency) and Level Up, which help streamers monetize their content.
On Trovoyou can explore games, share experiences, and connect with viewers and fellow gaming fans. The tiered paid subscription system offers personalized rewards based on subscription levels. Streamers earn virtual currency called Gems through elixir spells, paid subscriptions, events, and tasks. Gems can be converted into cash rewards. This is a gaming space for live streams, epic battles, and gaming adventures.
Launched in late 2022, Kickis a newcomer with a big impact. It attracted 200,000 sign-ups on its first day and reaching over 1 million users within 69 days of its launch. Kick's birth was influenced by controversy arising from Twitch's ban on gambling sites. Kick offers looser content moderation and higher revenue shares to streamers. iGamingstreamers should definitely explore this platform.
Meet some of the biggest gaming channels around the world!
Markiplier, real name Mark Edward Fischbach. This guy's a YouTube rockstar with a crazy 36,4 million subscribers. His channel's got all sorts of stuff: scary games, interactive movies, reactions, reviews, animations, and challenges.
DanTDM, or Daniel Middleton, is from the UK. Almost 28,5 million people are following him. He has been on the gaming scene as long as Markiplier and plays all kinds of games: Minecraft, Sonic the Hedgehog, and even some freaky ones like FNAF and Poppy Playtime.
Run by Canadian gamer Evan Fong, VanossGaming, with 25,9 million subscribers, is a popular channel that focuses on funny moments, Let’s Plays and collaborations with other YouTubers.
For the Spanish-speaking crowd, there's JuegaGerman, or Germán Garmendia, with 49.4 million fans. He makes great gaming content that clicks worldwide.
Another Spanish-speaking gaming channel is Fernanfloo, or Fernando Flores, with 46.9 million subscribers. This guy's got energy and jokes that make gaming a blast.
And for the Hindi-speaking world, Total Gaming, with 39,8 million subscribers, and TechnoGamerz, with 38,2 million subscribers, are the go-tos. These guys bring the excitement with gameplay, tips, and talks, drawing in millions of fans.
These 10 top Twitch streamersconsistently attract more followers, influencing their positions on the popularity charts; therefore, they can move up or down quickly. 🏆
With 19 million followers, Ninjais the top Twitch streamer. He originally left Twitch for Mixer but returned after Mixer shut down. Ninja got super famous on Twitch mainly because of Fortnite. Now, he plays different games and is still the top streamer with the most followers. Because of Twitch's new rules against co-streaming, he's thinking about leaving the platform again.
Raul 'AuronPlay' Alvarez Genes has experienced a surge in popularity since 2020. He is a prominent GTA V streamer and has become a key figure in the Among Us content creation scene. In a strange turn of events, he faced a Twitch ban in September 2021, but it was lifted just 20 minutes later.
Originally known for casting League of Legends, Spanish streamer IbaiLlanos has diversified his content today. He began with LoL in 2014 and was a content creator for G2 Esports. Now, he has his own organization, KOI, which he formed with FC Barcelona player Gerard Piqué.
Rubius, the second-most followed non-English speaking Twitch streamer, is widely recognized as a YouTuber as well. His enormous following on both platforms strongly supports his live streams. He is known for his lively and engaging presence, making his content enjoyable for viewers across different platforms.
Félix 'xQc' Lengyel consistently attracts the highest number of views among streamers. Although he primarily plays FPS games, his streams cover various titles, and even his 'Just Chatting' sessions draw over 60,000 viewers. He was the most-watched streamer in 2021 and 2022 but lost the streak to Kai Cenatin 2023.
TheGrefgis a YouTube superstar, and he is creating top-notch Spanish content on Twitch. Although he mainly streams Fortnite and Minecraft, his popularity has grown in the past year, which has led him to explore Fall Guys and Among Us as well.
Tfue, once a Fortnite rival to Ninja, gained even more viewership in 2019 after Ninja's move to Mixer. Although he's no longer dominating the charts, he made a comeback in November 2023 after retiring earlier in the year. He signed with Kick and now divides his streaming time between Kick and Twitch.
Juan 'juansguarnizo', South America's top streamer from Colombia, has gained a huge following in Mexico, where he currently resides. While he streams various games, his primary focus is Minecraft and Grand Theft Auto.
Michael ‘shroud’ Grzesiek gained fame for his impressive aiming skills in CS:GO and PUBG. He briefly switched to Mixer but returned to Twitch, attracting even more followers.
Pokimaneholds the title of the most followed female streamer, serving as an inspiration for many. As a member of Offline TV, she streams various games, initially focusing on League of Legends and later transitioning to Fortnite. Pokimane was among the top-watched female streamers on Twitch in 2021 and 2022. In 2023, she reduced her streaming frequency, resulting in minimal growth in her follower count.
Consider these do's and don'ts when planning your streaming strategy:
Focus on two platforms and automate the rest. Whether it's live streaming, short-form videos, or long-form content, choose two platforms and invest your energy. For instance, create short-form videos during non-live times on platforms like TikTok, Instagram Reels, or YouTube Shorts. Share Twitch streams or clips on your YouTube channel and promote them on X (formerly Twitter) chats with links.
Don’t Refuse to Make Short Content.
Use YouTube Shorts and TikTok to get noticed and grow. Short videos bring in new viewers and help you improve as a creator. It already happened that the streamer went from 5 to 100 viewers, based on a single TikTok that went viral. Try making short videos to become a better creator. Mix Twitch clips with popular content, be consistent, and involve your community with memes and hashtags. Create inside jokes to make viewers feel part of something special and keep them coming back.
Twitch used to be the main place where people went live. It was the majority of the live-streaming audience. Today, that audience is much more split. Going live in multiple places won’t get you more discoverability. But let's say someone sees your TikTok made from the stream, and they want to watch you live, but you stream on Twitch, and they like to watch on Kick. That might be a subscriber you never get because you are not live where they want to watch.
In the beginning, you should focus more on quality over quantity. Stream live only when you plan something fun and engaging for the people. But also make sure it can be potentially viral to cut clips for TikTok, Instagram Reels, or YouTube Shorts. You won't get many new subscribers if you just hit the go-live button and stream for 5 hours. Live is when you generate your revenue once you find the audience. So pull back the hours and play something specific when you go live.
Content is king and always will be, so don’t try to hack the algorithm or take what looks like an easy route. And don’t be spammy when you go live around Discords you don’t own. Instead, give viewers a good reason to click, and then when they come and watch, make it a good reason to come back next time: that is a true hack.
When you’re looking for the thing that makes you stand out on the internet, find something that brings value to your viewers. The internet, especially over the last few years, has taught us that the fastest way to get attention is to hurt others or be a nuisance to society. So be better than this and create a community that is a friendly place to hang out.
Now, let's talk about off-platform monetization because this is where you can make real money. The ones that really crushed it are the gamers who deliver products outside the channel.
Digital products are the way to go, but it takes time to create them. This is why gaming streamers are joining affiliate networks to promote other companies' products and earn commissions.
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