Wondering how to become a streamer in 2024? We give you an in-depth look into how hard it is, how much you can make, and costs to expect.
Do you spend hours playing League of Legends or watching someone play it on the edge of your seat?
This may compel you to consider wading into the streaming universe, but you might not know where to begin.
Don’t fret much! All the famous streamers were in your shoes before they started making hundreds to thousands of dollars each month!
Today, we explain how to become a streamer to help you approach your dream with more confidence.
Video game live streaming is when someone broadcasts a video of them playing a game to an audience that watches them live.
Usually, this stream includes two screens.
The first one focuses on what’s happening in the game itself and the other shows live footage of the streamer’s commentary and reactions.
Streamers use several online platforms to transmit their gaming experience to their audiences.
The most popular live-streaming site is Twitch, followed by YouTube Gaming and Facebook Gaming.
Streaming can be one of the best gig jobs, but making money on Twitch or other platforms requires some work.
Streamers don’t get paid by the site by playing games; they earn money through sponsorships, advertising, affiliate links, and subscriptions.
In turn, streamers make a larger or smaller profit based on how popular they are and the number of followers they have.
On average, small Twitch streamers can get $100–$500 a month, which can grow as they gain more following.
More experienced streamers may expect a Twitch streamer income of $3,000–$6,000 through subscriptions if they play for 40 hours a week.
Of course, these earnings can jump much higher once you enter the realm of sponsorships and affiliates.
For example, top-earning Twitch streamers make up to a few hundred thousand dollars per month!
If you think that live game streaming is up your alley, you should first think about the items you must have to turn your hobby into a cash machine.
Solid gaming PC
Your computer doesn’t have to be high-end, but it should tolerate hours of gaming and live streaming each day.
Because these two activities can take their toll on an average PC system, aim for a PC that handles gaming. ($800–$1,000)
Stable internet connection
No one likes to watch a live stream that gets interrupted with lags.
An internet connection suitable for streams (1 GB per hour) results in a smooth gaming experience and seamless live streaming.
High-quality camera
Browse a list of the top cameras for live streaming to ensure your audience gets clear video quality. ($800–$1,800)
Microphone
People need to hear your commentary and jokes loud and clear with no issues of latency or background noise. ($50–$250)
Headphones (not required but recommended)
Pick a pair of reliable headphones to get your head in the game and enjoy an immersive experience. ($100–$250)
Mouse and keyboard
Don’t underestimate the power of a sturdy mouse and keyboard in elevating your gameplay. In the gaming universe, every second counts! ($100–$200)
Streaming software
A streaming software transmits the video and audio input from your computer to your streaming sites of choice.
Two zero-cost examples are OBS Studio and Restream Studio.
Account on Twitch
Finally, you’ll need to set up an account on Twitch or another live streaming platform, which is also free!
If you have a tight budget that requires you to grab affordable hardware for streaming, you can expect to spend around $1,900.
However, buying high-end products will have you pay approximately $3,500.
Some other hidden costs will add up, like the electricity bill and your internet charges. These two can greatly vary based on your use and the time you spend live streaming.
Also, you couldn’t be streaming for a few hours without some snacks! Make sure to include the costs of these seemingly insignificant additions, too.
No. It isn’t hard to be a streamer because you can easily do it from the comfort of your home.
Plus, you don’t need any professional skills or certifications to start earning money through live streaming.
However, the challenge lies in getting enough exposure and building a wide base of followers to get more subscriptions and deals. This is why it can be slow in the beginning for small streamers.
If you put a good amount of work into your gameplay and content, you’ll have a higher chance of drawing in more viewers and making more money.
You can start streaming from day one, but you may achieve the status of a Twitch Affiliate in around two months.
You could get there faster if you up your streaming game to eight hours per day and a minimum of five days a week.
If you wish to go huge on Twitch, expect to go through several months or even years of consistent streaming. You’ll likely have to treat it as a full-time job before you can relax!
Your journey of going live on Twitch starts now; follow these four easy steps for a higher chance of success as a streamer.
A Twitch account is a breeze to sign up for. Visit twitch.tv, click on “Sign up” in the top right corner, then choose a username and password.
Follow the steps that show up to you until you’re done with the signup process.
Or, if you already have an account on Twitch, simply log into it.
Alternatively, you may think it’s better to establish a YouTube channel to go live from there.
If you like its familiarity, head over to youtube.com and sign up for a YouTube account.
Audiences favor famous games over lesser-known ones when it comes to watching live streams.
Based on which game you’re good at or you enjoy playing, you can choose from this list of the most-streamed games on Twitch:
Here are all the steps you’ll have to follow to use OBS Studio for streaming on Twitch or any other platform:
If you want to set up the Twitch chat option, it shouldn’t take you more than a few minutes!
Lastly, start your game, then go back to the broadcasting software and click “Start streaming.”
To stream on YouTube, you’ll have to follow the same steps above, logging into OBS with your YouTube credentials instead.
Once you’re done, press “Stop streaming” on OBS Studio.
Pursuing a career or a side hustle as a Twitch streamer has a few plus points that you can’t ignore, including:
Currently, Ninja (Richard Tyler Blevins) has the highest net worth as a result of streaming on Twitch. Reportedly, the successful streamer’s fortune is around $40 million!
As of today, Ninja has more than 17 million followers on Twitch and over 500 million views so far.
Being a streamer isn’t a job in the traditional sense of the word. It doesn’t have set hours, coworkers, a boss, etc.
Still, you can turn it into a job by dedicating yourself to hours of live streaming every day until you start earning money from it.
Look at the following tutorials if you want to make the most of your time online without having to leave your desk!
Learning how to become a streamer is a good way to turn your passion for gaming into a source of income.
After knowing how to venture into the streaming world, this new adventure shouldn’t look intimidating anymore!
Tell us what you think about this guide in the comments and share it with anyone interested in making a profit through streaming.
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