Udemezue John
Introduction.
The digital economy has affected all sectors of society, changing how people interact and causing a cultural shift in this present generation.
Live content has always been valued over pre-recorded content. Listening to our favourite radio stations, watching live TV shows, and attending concerts are all things we like.
Today, live streaming has outgrown its role as cutting-edge technology and has become one of the most popular means of broadcasting.
Twitch’s rise to prominence was yet another watershed moment in the history of live streaming, making it the only platform to build a business around live streaming.
What is Twitch?
Twitch is a live streaming platform for content creators to play video games, esports, music, and more in real-time, often simultaneously talking to an audience.
Why do I need a Twitch account?
Twitch is also trying as much as possible to compete for head-on with YouTube and increase ad revenue.
Twitch is actively pursuing exclusive live streaming deals with everyone from popular media companies to raise revenue sharing on its platform.
Video gaming is the most popular content category on the platform—at any given time of day, over 3,000 unique games are simultaneously streamed.
Twitch has many advantages over other streaming platforms. For instance, streamers can earn from Ads and subscriptions. Here are some reasons why you need a Twitch account.
1. Streaming on Twitch help you earn commissions.
Twitch provided a lot of earning opportunities for streamers on its platform there are options for popular gamers and new gamers.
Streamers with a minimum of 50 followers are invited to join Affiliate and Partner Programs which have added advantages to earning level of the gamers.
Twitch also allows people to make money from ads that run during their streams and subscriptions from viewers. The more views and followers you have, the more chances of earning good money.
2. You get to interact with your audience.
Twitch is one easy-to-go platform that allows audiences to have direct conversations with their preferred streamers. Anyone can send a message through the chat room to the streamer and get an immediate reply.
Interaction between viewers and gamers creates a special bond between them. There is room to appreciate gamers’ content and skills.
3. You can sell your products on Twitch.
Twitch provides an avenue to make money across multiple streams of channels. As a streamer, you can have an online store to sell customized items such as branded clothing, coffee mugs, caps, sneakers, etc. Twitch allows streamers to advertise their products during live streams.
You can attach a directive link that leads your viewers to your online store. Having a huge audience can help improve your product customers since many people visit your online store to view your products.
4. Twitch allows you to acquire better gaming skills.
Most contents on Twitch are designed to help gamers improve their gaming skills. Streamers play every game available uniquely and expertly.
They answer questions posted on the chats on how to game to ensure viewers understand every little expression made while streaming. Viewers learn from the gaming pros and use the skills to improve their performances.
How do I Make Money Online With Twitch?
Like other social media platforms, Twitch is where like-minded users can communicate and commiserate.
Many streamers are highly skilled players and have engaging personalities or both. With the global e-sports audience expected to reach an estimated 380 million in 2018, it’s no wonder the Twitch community continues to grow.
Do you want to make money online with Twitch? Here is how to make that a reality.
1. Build an audience.
The first thing to do on Twitch before thinking about making money is to build an audience. If you’re just getting started, be prepared that it can take some time to figure out how to make money on Twitch.
Once you know your audience, it’s important to start building a community. The first step is connecting with like-minded people who’ll enjoy your live streams and be fun to hang around when you’re streaming.
Popular streamers are good entertainers whose commentary and conversation with the viewers keep it fun.
You should also have a set schedule of upload times for your Twitch streams that viewers can rely on and build their day around.
Finally, You have to be ready to constantly improve, be it a better quality video setup or increased streaming time. Think of the added value you bring to your viewers that makes them come back and tune in.
Once you have built a huge following and have an engaging audience, it’s time to move to the next stage which deals with how you monetize the audiences you acquired.
2. Ask your fans to support You.
Even more than on other platforms, Twitch users are active, engaged participants who are eager to show support for creators.
To start with, you can incentivize your viewers to support you with a monthly payment through Patreon, and offer exclusive content.
There are many third-party app integrations you can use to collect donations on a one-time basis. Having a Paypal donation button is a common and easy way to allow your fans to support you.
But keep in mind that PayPal will take a portion of the donation—2.9% of the total on each domestic transaction. An additional fixed fee of $0.49 will also be taken out.
Cryptocurrency remains a good alternative. Most streamers use Bitcoin, Dogecoin, or Ethereum linked directly to a digital wallet on their channel. That way you can bypass using a third-party app and paying their fees.
3. Start a Print-on-demand Business.
Starting a print-on-demand business is one way to make money on Twitch. Print-on-demand allows you to design a range of different products and sell them to fans.
Selling custom merch allows your devoted fans to show they’re a part of your community both online and offline and help you make a profit from the sale.
With on-demand printing and fulfilment services like Printful that offer free design tools, it’s easy to start selling your merch and build up hype around your brand.
I wrote a comprehensive guide on how anyone can start a print-on-demand business and become successful. Check out the link to the article below to learn more.
4. Integrate Affiliate marketing.
When a company or individual promotes someone else’s products, they are participating in affiliate marketing. In affiliate marketing, you generate revenue by promoting third-party products and services.
If a customer purchases through an affiliate link, the affiliate earns a commission. Many streamers, especially gamers, make money on Twitch by teaming up with brands and adding affiliate links for viewers to purchase with a discount.
I wrote a comprehensive guide on how to get started with affiliate marketing on this blog and become successful. Check out the link to the article to learn more.
5. Become a Twitch Influencer.
Today, there are over 3.7 billion social media users and the influencer marketing industry is worth an impressive $5 billion.
Influence marketing is the act of utilizing your social media audience for promotional purposes. You don’t have to be a top-tier content creator to start brand collaborations. Recently, brands have been eyeing micro-influencers to get their products in front of the right people.
There are tons of different ways you can collaborate with brands apart from offering product discounts. You can start earning by hosting unboxing streams, giveaways, brand shout-outs, product placement, or announcing new product launches.
If you have a larger following, getting a brand sponsorship can bring in big revenue. It’s possible to earn anywhere from $1,000 to $10,000 per hour if you average 10,000 viewers.
GIPHY App Key not set. Please check settings