Last Updated on July 24, 2024

Twitch has evolved from a niche gaming platform to a sprawling live-streaming universe where creators share content ranging from video games to music, talk shows, and even everyday life activities. For many, Twitch offers not just a platform to share passions but also a viable income source. This guide explores how to start getting paid on Twitch, covering strategies applicable to both new and established streamers, and highlights how streamers get paid through various revenue streams.

Getting Started: Building Your Twitch Presence

  1. Establish Your Niche: To stand out on Twitch, you need a clear focus. Whether it’s gaming, cooking, music, or tutorials, choose a niche that you’re passionate about. This focus makes content creation more enjoyable and authentic, which resonates well with viewers.
  2. Consistent Streaming Schedule: Consistency is key in building an audience. Set a realistic schedule that you can adhere to, and make sure your audience knows when to tune in. Regular streaming helps build a loyal viewership.
  3. Engage with Your Audience: Interaction is a cornerstone of Twitch streaming. Engage with your chat, answer questions, and create an inclusive community. Viewer engagement increases the chances of viewers returning and subscribing.
  4. High-Quality Stream Setup: Invest in good quality streaming equipment. Clear video and audio can significantly enhance the viewer experience and increase the professionalism of your streams.

Monetization: How to Get Paid on Twitch

  1. Twitch Affiliate and Partner Programs: These programs are the first steps toward making money directly from Twitch. Affiliates can earn through subscriptions, Bits (Twitch’s virtual goods), and ad revenue. To qualify as an affiliate, you need at least 50 followers and 500 total minutes broadcast in the last 30 days over 7 unique broadcast days, among other requirements. Partners have more perks and are selected based on consistent, higher viewership and stream frequency.
  2. Donations and Tips: Setting up donations through third-party services like PayPal, Patreon, or a service like Streamlabs can be a direct way to earn from viewers who wish to support your stream. Always thank your donors; showing appreciation can encourage others to donate.
  3. Sponsorships and Brand Partnerships: Both small and large influencers can attract sponsorships. Smaller streamers might target local or niche companies whose products align closely with their content (e.g., a gaming streamer partnering with a new gaming chair brand). Larger influencers have the pull to attract big names in gaming and tech, leveraging their larger audience for bigger deals. As a Twitch streamer you may be wondering how to start getting paid on Twitch and we have the answer for you. Once you’re registered as an influencer on Intellifluence and link your Twitch profile, you’ll be eligible for the “Intellifluence Trusted Twitch Influencer badge,” which you can then connect to your Twitch account. This badge informs brands that you’re using Intellifluence, signaling to them that they can send you collaboration pitches for their Twitch campaigns. Moreover, linking your Twitch profile to Intellifluence allows you to view and apply to Twitch campaigns where you would be a good fit. This way, you don’t have to wait for brands to reach out to you. Just remember to stay authentic and promote products that you genuinely like or use.


Featured Influencer: Michael Johnston
I am LucidFaith – a family-friendly content creator who mainly plays Role Playing Games and reminds you that You Matter. I have been streaming on Twitch for almost two years now and have recently started creating YouTube videos that correlate to the games I am playing. I am interested in partnering with brands that have quality products that I can use myself and, in turn, recommend to my viewers 

Best Practices for Growth and Engagement

  1. Leverage Social Media: Use platforms like Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube to grow your audience. Post highlights of your streams, schedule updates, and engage with followers off Twitch to build a community.
  2. Collaborate with Other Streamers: Collaborations can introduce you to the audiences of other streamers. This cross-pollination of viewers can significantly boost your follower count and increase exposure.
  3. Participate in Twitch Events and Challenges: Engage in community events, challenges, and respond to trends. This not only keeps your content fresh but also increases visibility when participating in popular activities.

Successful Twitch Influencers and Campaigns

  1. Ninja (Richard Tyler Blevins): Perhaps the most famous Twitch streamer, known for streaming Fortnite and his engaging personality. Ninja has leveraged brand partnerships with companies like Red Bull and Adidas.
  2. Pokimane (Imane Anys): Known for her gaming and just chatting streams, Pokimane has built a massive following and has secured sponsorships with brands like NZXT.
  3. DrLupo (Benjamin Lupo): Famous for his skill in various games and his charitable efforts, DrLupo has partnered with companies like State Farm and Secret Lab.

Successful Campaign Example: Ninja’s New Year’s Eve live stream from Times Square showed how big events could attract massive audiences and create buzz around the Twitch platform.

You have now learned about some successful campaigns that Twitch users partook in and may be interested in learning how you can participate in a campaign on Intellifluence. Furthermore, you may be asking yourself: how do Twitch streamers get paid when they use Intellifluence? There are various brands running Twitch campaigns on Intellifluence that are looking to collaborate with streamers. When registering as an influencer on Intellifluence users are encouraged to link all their social media channels and indicate what type of products they are interested in reviewing. After your profile is complete,  you will have the ability to apply for campaigns that you qualify for or accept an offer directly from a brand. As a streamer, once you receive and accept  an offer from a brand the collaboration between you two begins. After the content you’ve created is provided to the brand via Intellifluence, then the brand will mark the transaction as completed and the payment process will commence.

Once you know how to take part in a campaign, it’s important to understand the payment process. Intellifluence requires brands to fund cash compensation campaigns prior to any collaboration occurring on the platform. When the brand sends an offer to collaborate the funds are held in a type of escrow until the transaction is marked as completed. The reason for this is to ensure all influencers are being compensated for their hard work and to prevent brands from over pitching. 15 days after the transaction has been marked as completed the funds are released to the content creators account to be paid out. Collaborating with brands on Intellifluence, partaking in twitch challenges, and building your presence on twitch are a handful of steps you can take when addressing the question of how to get get paid on twitch.

Making money on Twitch is about combining your passion for streaming with smart growth strategies and monetization techniques. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to expand your revenue streams, Twitch offers numerous opportunities for enterprising streamers. With dedication and strategic planning, anyone can turn their streaming hobby into a profitable endeavor.