Twitch Monetization: How to Make Money on Twitch

Twitch is one of the leading platforms for live streaming, connecting gamers, creators, and viewers worldwide. With its massive audience and interactive features, it’s no surprise that many aspiring creators wonder how to make money on Twitch. The platform provides many opportunities to turn your passion for streaming into a steady income.

Understanding Twitch’s monetization methods is crucial if you’re aiming to increase your earnings. So, how to earn money on Twitch as an Affiliate or Partner? This guide breaks down the essential ways to monetize your channel. Let’s dive in and unlock Twitch’s full earning potential!

Part 1. Twitch Affiliate vs. Partner – Key Differences

To start monetizing on Twitch, you need to achieve either Affiliate or Partner status. But, how can you make money on Twitch through these programs? Let’s discuss both of them!

The First Step: Become a Twitch Affiliate

The Twitch Affiliate program is the starting point for streamers who want to monetize their content. To qualify, you’ll need to meet these requirements:

• Stream for at least 8 hours in the last 30 days.
• Stream on at least 7 different days in the last 30 days.
• Maintain an average of 3 concurrent viewers.
• Reach 50 followers on your channel.

Once you meet these criteria, Twitch will reach you and you can join the Affiliate program. The monetization features you’ll get include:

• Subscriptions: Viewers can financially support your channel through monthly subscription tiers.
• Twitch Bits: Earn revenue from viewers cheering you on with Bits during your live streams.
• Ad Revenue: Monetize your streams with ads and earn a share based on viewer engagement.

The Next Level: Progress to Twitch Partner

The Twitch Partner program is the next step to level up your income in Twitch. To qualify as a Twitch Partner, you must first achieve the Affiliate status and then meet these additional requirements:

• Stream for at least 25 hours within 30 days.
• Stream on 12 different days within 30 days.
• Maintain an average of 75 concurrent viewers over the same period.

As a Twitch Partner, you unlock additional perks, including:

• Higher Revenue Shares: Partners often earn a larger percentage from subscriptions.
• Sponsorship Opportunities: A bigger audience makes your channel attractive to brands.
• Custom Rewards: Offer personalized emotes and badges to strengthen community engagement.

Part 2. Ways to Make Money Once You’re a Twitch Affiliate or Partner

Once you've achieved Affiliate or Partner status on Twitch, numerous monetization avenues become available to you. Understanding these options is crucial to maximizing your income. So, how much do streamers make on Twitch? Let's explore six primary revenue streams:

1.Twitch Bits

Viewers can buy Bits in various packages, with prices adjusted to include Twitch's share. For instance, purchasing 100 Bits might cost the viewer more than $1, as Twitch includes its margin in the sale price.

2.Subscriptions

Twitch offers three subscription levels: Tier 1 ($4.99), Tier 2 ($9.99), and Tier 3 ($24.99) per month. Subscribers gain perks such as exclusive emotes, badges, and ad-free viewing. You can also enhance the subscriber value by offering unique benefits. For instance, custom emotes, subscriber-only streams, or exclusive content.

As an Affiliate or Partner, you typically receive 50% of the subscription fee, with Twitch retaining the other half. This means a Tier 1 subscription nets you approximately $2.50. Notably, some Partners may negotiate a higher revenue share.

3.Ad Revenue

Streamers with Affiliate or Partner status can run ads during their broadcasts and earn revenue based on viewer engagement. While ads contribute to your income, they generally yield less than subscriptions and Bits. Balancing ad frequency is key to preserving a positive viewer experience.

4.Donations and Tips

Beyond Twitch's built-in monetization, you can receive direct donations through services like PayPal or Streamlabs. Unlike Bits and subscriptions, direct donations are not subject to Twitch's revenue share. You can display donation links on your channel and express gratitude during streams.

5.Sponsorships and Affiliate Marketing

As your channel grows, brands may approach you for sponsorships. These partnerships can involve promoting products during streams in exchange for compensation.

To attract sponsors, maintain consistent content, and engage with your audience. Promote products relevant to your audience and earn commissions on sales generated through your referral links.

6.Merchandise Sales

Twitch's community-driven nature means loyal fans often seek ways to show their support. Offering merchandise like apparel, accessories, or custom items allows fans to connect more deeply with your brand.

Understanding these revenue streams is essential for growing your Twitch income. But you may still wonder, how do you get paid from Twitch? Payments from Twitch are typically processed monthly, provided you meet the minimum payout threshold of $50 for Affiliates and $100 for Partners.

Bits, subscriptions, or ad revenue, add to your overall earnings. And to answer the question of how much money can you make on Twitch, the answer is it depends. It depends on factors like your audience size, engagement levels, and the variety of monetization you employ.

Bonus: Increase Your Twitch Income Even Further – Repurposing Your Twitch Streams

Repurposing your Twitch streams is an effective way to grow your audience and generate additional income streams. By expanding your content to other platforms, you can attract new viewers, diversify your revenue sources, and further answer the question of how to make money on Twitch beyond live streaming.

Here are some ways to repurpose your Twitch streams for maximum impact:

• Upload to YouTube

Turn your Twitch streams into YouTube videos by uploading full sessions, highlights, or tutorials. Not only can you reach a broader audience, but you can also earn money through YouTube ads.

• Create Short-Form Content

Also use platforms with short-form content like TikTok, Instagram Reels, and YouTube Shorts. You can share snippets from your streams for these platforms. These short videos can drive traffic back to your Twitch channel.

• Offer Exclusive Content for Subscribers

Reward your loyal subscribers by providing exclusive Video on Demand (VOD) content or premium perks. This approach not only incentivizes more subscriptions but also strengthens your connection with your community.

Save Time with Filmora’s Smart Short Clips Feature

Editing hours of Twitch streams into shareable content can be overwhelming, especially for busy streamers. Wondershare Filmora’s Smart Short Clips feature simplifies this process by using AI technology. The tool can identify key moments in your videos and compile them into bite-sized videos. It’s perfect for showcasing the best parts of your Twitch streams.

Try It Free >>

Here’s how to use it:

Step 1. Open Filmora and Access Smart Short Clips

Launch Filmora and click on the Smart Short Clips option located under the “New Project” button. Make sure you’ve updated to the latest version of Filmora on your desktop.

Step 2. Import Your Video Files

Click the Folder icon to upload videos directly from your device. Or, you can paste a YouTube link, ensure you’re using a video link from your channel.

Step 3. Customize Video Settings

After uploading, a settings panel will appear. Adjust preferences such as Language, Duration, and Theme to match your video’s purposes. Use the Advanced option to set the aspect ratio. Enable the Smart BGM Generation to add background music automatically. Once satisfied, click Generate to proceed.

Step 4. Select a Highlight Clip

Filmora will analyze your footage and generate suggested short clips. Choose the one that best suits your needs, or click Reset to explore other options. Before moving forward, enhance audio quality with the AI Speech Enhancement feature if needed, then click Edit.

Step 5. Refine Your Video

In the editing workspace, fine-tune your video by adding creative touches. Incorporate text overlays, titles, transitions, filters, or stickers to make your content more engaging. Adjust fonts and colors to align with your branding or style.

Step 6. Export Your Video

Once you’re happy with the edits, click Export to save your highlight reel. Navigate to the Local tab in the export settings, make any necessary adjustments, and Export the final file to your device.

Conclusion

Twitch offers countless opportunities for creators to turn their passion into profit. Have you just started Twitch? Or, are you already a Twitch Affiliate or Partner? Understanding how to make money on Twitch is the first step to maximizing your earnings. Twitch provides multiple ways to build a steady revenue stream.

To take your earnings further, consider repurposing your content to reach wider audiences and diversify your income sources. By following these strategies and tools like Filmora’s Smart Short Clips, you can explore how to earn money on Twitch. Let’s make your streaming journey more profitable!