Making Twitch Streaming your Full Time Job ‍

Alex Pickett

November 7, 2022

Making Twitch Streaming your Full Time Job

You have been streaming for some time now, have found a nice little groove, and maybe a small audience who enjoys your content, and you are ready to take that leap in content creation to make it your full-time job! Congrats! Here are some pointers to help you make that transition and to be successful as a creator in a very competitive industry. If you're still looking for ways to get started check out our streamer 101 guide!

Treat it Like a Job

If you are going to make streaming your full-time job you should treat it as such! To do this you should make a dedicated schedule that you stick to every day. This should include the time you spend on-stream and off-stream.

Setting up KPIs ( key performance indicators ) and metrics that you track will help you better understand how well you are performing on stream, and what areas of your stream need improvement. For example: if you know what games generate the largest viewer base, and the moments where people followed you the most, you can work to recreate those moments and build off of that knowledge! Understanding metrics is the best way to make informed decisions. Some of our favorite tools to help track and measure metrics are Stream Bee and Hootsuite.

Making Dollars Make Sense

Making streaming your full-time job means you will need to earn a full-time living! Monetization is a difficult obstacle that makes full-time content creation really difficult. Common sources of revenue for streamers are; Ads, Sponsorships, Subscriptions/donations, interaction sales, and merch.

It’s important to stand out from the crowd and give your viewers a reason to follow you and support you monetarily. One way to do this is to offer unique and interactive content that keeps them coming back for more.

One way to add excitement and interactivity to your stream is to use services like Catapult, Streamloots, and Tangia. Not only do these services add an element of fun to your stream, but they can also help you generate income. Tangia and Streamloots both offer ways for you to monetize your content, and Catapult.gg can help you connect with brands and sponsors who are looking to reach your audience. Standard sponsorships will be another solid stream of revenue, but it's important to look out for sponsorship red flags which you can read more about here!

The Business End of Things

Now that streaming will be your main source of income, there will be some business aspects that you will need to prepare for.

The first is taxes; taxes will vary greatly depending on the state/country you live in so it’s very important you understand your local and federal tax laws. If it seems a bit daunting, we recommend checking out tax services and getting a consultation to best see how you can file. If you strategize properly, you may be able to deduct things like your internet bill and computer purchases!

Second, you may want to consider setting up some type of corporate structure or an LLC for your content creation. This will allow you to create business accounts for finances such as bank accounts, PayPal, Shopify, and Stripe. This will help unlock a wide variety of tools and assets you can use to take your streaming even further. A corporate structure can also help in the even of legal issues as you will be able to separate out personal finances from business finances, thus reducing your liability! There are tons of services out there that can get you started with setting a business for only a few hundred dollars. It may be a worthy investment as you go along.

Finally, you will be dealing with brands, agents, and managers who will all be trying to sell you their services, sign you as talent, or have you represent their brand. These deals can be risky, especially if you are new. Businesses make and negotiate deals all of the time, while you may only negotiate a few in your career, which is something you should be aware of when dealing with other businesses.

When you are given a contract, make sure you read and understand it fully, the company issuing you a contract should be open and willing to explain all clauses. If you can, get as many trusted friends and family members to go over the contract. Finally, if the contract is worth a significant amount, have a lawyer review it and offer their feedback as well. Bad contracts can really hurt your career as not all businesses have your best interest in mind.

Invest in Your Stream Quality

A professional-looking and well-produced stream can make all the difference in keeping viewers engaged and coming back for more. Investing in your stream quality is essential to standing out from the competition. Make sure to have a good quality camera, microphone, and lighting setup to provide a visually and audibly pleasing experience for your viewers. You might also consider hiring a graphic designer or using design tools like Canva to create attractive overlays, banners, and alerts for your channel.

Engage and Grow Your Community

Your viewers are the backbone of your streaming career, and building a loyal community is crucial to your success as a full-time streamer. Engage with your audience both on and off-stream by responding to chat messages, hosting community events or game nights, and interacting on social media platforms. Use platforms like Discord to create a space where your community can hang out, discuss your content, and interact with each other. This will not only foster a sense of belonging but also create a dedicated fan base that will support your growth as a creator.

Stay Up-to-Date with Industry Trends

To remain competitive and relevant in the streaming industry, it's essential to stay informed about the latest trends, games, and platforms. Keep an eye on gaming news, announcements, and events, and consider incorporating popular or upcoming games into your content. Participating in industry events, such as game conventions and conferences, can also help you stay up-to-date and network with other professionals.

Prioritize Self-Care and Work-Life Balance

Streaming full-time can be physically and mentally demanding. Prioritizing self-care and maintaining a healthy work-life balance are vital to prevent burnout and ensure longevity in your streaming career. Take regular breaks, set boundaries, and make time for hobbies and activities outside of streaming. Don't forget to take care of your physical health by eating well, exercising, and getting enough sleep.

Continuously Evolve and Improve

Lastly, always be open to learning and evolving as a creator. Continuously improve your content by seeking feedback from your community, analyzing your stream data, and staying informed about industry trends. Experiment with new ideas, formats, and platforms to keep your content fresh and engaging. The streaming landscape is constantly changing, and your ability to adapt and grow will play a significant role in your long-term success.

Good luck on your journey to becoming a full-time streamer! Remember, persistence, hard work, and passion will be key to achieving your goals. If you have any questions or need more advice, feel free to reach out to us on twitter!

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