How to make money streaming games

The game streaming industry is booming, with platforms like Twitch, YouTube Gaming, and Kick offering multiple ways to monetize your content. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced streamer, this guide covers 10 proven strategies to turn your passion for gaming into a sustainable income—from donations and sponsorships to affiliate marketing and exclusive content.

Game Streaming Industry Stats (2024)

$2.8B

Estimated Twitch revenue in 2024

7.5M

Active streamers on Twitch & YouTube Gaming

$3K-$10K

Average monthly earnings for top 1% streamers

1. Platform Monetization (Subs, Ads, Donations)

Twitch vs. YouTube Gaming vs. Kick

Platform	Sub Revenue	Ad Revenue	Donations
Twitch	50-70% split	$3-$10 CPM	Bits ($0.01 each)
YouTube Gaming	70% split (Memberships)	$5-$20 CPM	Super Chats
Kick	95% split	Limited	Direct tips

How to Maximize Platform Earnings

Enable all monetization options (Affiliate/Partner programs)
Schedule consistent streams (3-5x weekly for algorithm favor)
Use loyalty badges to encourage recurring subs

2. Sponsorships & Brand Deals

Brands pay streamers $500-$50,000+ for promotions:

Types of Sponsorships

Game promotions (Early access keys)
Hardware sponsors (PCs, peripherals)
Energy drinks/snacks (GFuel, Monster)

How to Get Sponsors

Join influencer marketplaces (Stake, Collabstr)
Pitch brands with a media kit
Showcase analytics (Avg. viewers, engagement)

3. Affiliate Marketing

Earn commissions by promoting products:

Amazon Associates

4-10% commission

Gaming chairs
Streaming gear

Elgato/Logitech

5-15% commission

Capture cards
Microphones

Game Retailers

3-7% commission

Steam keys
Console games

4. Exclusive Content (Patreon, Discord)

Offer perks for paying fans:

Tiered Membership Ideas

$5/month Tier

Early access to VODs, custom emotes

$10/month Tier

Exclusive Discord channel, Q&A sessions

$25+/month Tier

1-on-1 coaching, name in stream credits

5. Coaching & Custom Content

Game Coaching

Charge $20-$100/hour for ranked gameplay help
Platforms: Metafy, Fiverr

Custom Videos

Shoutouts ($5-$50)
Gameplay dedications ($20-$200)

6. Selling Merchandise

Print-on-demand stores with no upfront costs:

Platform	Profit Margin	Best For
Streamlabs	15-25%	Basic t-shirts/mugs
TeeSpring	20-40%	Limited-edition drops
DesignByHumans	30-50%	Premium apparel

7. Crowdfunding (Donations, Tips)

StreamElements/Streamlabs for tip alerts
Ko-fi/Patreon for one-time support
Offer incentives (e.g., $5 = name on screen)

8. Tournament Winnings

Compete in sponsored esports events:

Battlefy – Amateur tournaments
ChallengerMode – Semi-pro leagues
Twitch Rivals – Invite-only competitions

9. Licensing & Clips

Sell your best moments:

Clip Marketplaces

Juked (Esports highlights)
Jellysmack (YouTube monetization)

Content Licensing

Game publishers (promotional use)
Media outlets (news segments)

10. Diversify Beyond Streaming

YouTube Ad Revenue – Post stream highlights
TikTok/Shorts – Viral clip farming
Podcasting – Discuss gaming news

FAQs

How many viewers do you need to make money?

You can start earning with 5-10 consistent viewers (via tips/subs). 50+ avg. viewers opens sponsorships.

What’s the best platform for beginners?

Twitch has the most monetization tools, but YouTube Gaming offers better discoverability.

Pro Tip:

Use Cross-Clip to automatically turn Twitch highlights into TikTok/Shorts content—top streamers get 30% of new viewers from short-form platforms.