How did the likes of The Sidemen, Ninja, and Pokimane become successful with game streaming?
Game streaming has turned into a profitable career for many gamers. Whether you want to stream for fun or turn it into a full-time job, there are multiple ways to earn money from platforms like Twitch, YouTube Gaming, and Facebook Gaming. This guide will walk you through the best monetization strategies and important tips for growth
1. Streaming Platform
Understanding the different streaming platforms is important when starting out. Research the benefits of each considering audience and monetary maximization.
- Twitch– The most popular platform at the moment for live streaming and money making.
- Kick– Quick emerging platform that gives high revenues.
- YouTube– The OG of the lot. You can live stream and it offers pre-recording of games. Requires a bit more effort to see success but a good startup.
2. Gaming Equipment
Invest in quality equipment so that your content stands out to viewers. First impressions are everything. Get yourself a high-performance P.C. You do not want to be a streamer that streams always crash. This would also include software compatibility. Download software that works with the P.C.
Get clean, clear cameras and a crisp microphone. You want your viewers to see you and hear you properly as if you were with them in living flesh. They don’t have to be crazy expensive just functioning.
Let’s not forget the lighting and greenscreen. The greenscreen isn’t a necessity but it adds flavor and aesthetics to your background. Lighting you will definitely need. Once again, the fans need to see you to engage and have fun. Buy some light rings or stands.
3. Engagement
Now that you have everything together it’s time to get to the root of the revenue, YOUR FANS!!
Pick a community you wish to target whether it be the Sports Fanatics, the RPG renegades, or the Fantasy followers. Pick a main community to cater to and make sure you love it too. You can always try other games to try and stretch your fanbase.
A loyal fanbase will ensure you are paid every time so work hard to build one. Interact with your fans when streaming. Answer their questions, ask them questions, make them laugh. The more you entertain, the more clicks you get.
Stream on a schedule. Be consistent and pick times when you can produce your best work. As your audience grows they expect you to stream at a certain time on specific days; don’t disappoint.
Start communities outside of the streams. Social media has a wide reach, use it to your advantage. Create the Instagram, Snapchat and TikTok accounts and promote yourself on them. Promotion is key to growth in this business. You can use hashtags on your posts so that not only will your fans see it but also people who like that content. Furthermore, Discord is one of the largest community chat apps in the world. Utilize it and make a community for your followers to chat and share their thoughts.
4. Way to make Revenue
We have the equipment, the social media and the fans. But, what if I told you people watching you game isn’t the only way to make money streaming?
Ads, gifts, and clicks
Both Twitch and YouTube allow you to make money in many ways. You can earn revenue from fan subscriptions and displaying ads on stream. Furthermore, in your chats, fans can send you “gifts” or “donations”. These are just additional funds fans would send you as a sign of support.
Gamers can get brand deals?
Yes, you can actually. If companies and brands realize that you can engage a great number of people consistently then they will sponsor you. It could be to promote games and gaming equipment or help release highly anticipated games.
Self-Marketing
Create your own brand. You never want your fans to lose interest or forget about you. Create merchandise that can give fans a personal connection with you. It can be clothing, cups, and gaming accessories.
Being a streamer takes hard work, dedication, personality, consistency, and loads of other things so be prepared to give your all. We know getting started can be intimidating and a bit expensive. Here is our previous post about the effects of tariffs on gaming to keep you up-to-date, aware, and prepared. Be great gamers!
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