Sponsorships for Gamers: How You Can Get Paid to Play

In the dynamic world of video gaming, becoming a successful influencer can open doors to lucrative sponsorships. Whether you’re a casual gamer with a modest following or a seasoned pro with a vast audience, understanding how to secure sponsorships is crucial for monetizing your passion. This guide will explore strategies for acquiring gaming sponsorships, providing actionable advice and real-world examples of successful gaming influencers.

Understanding Gaming Sponsorships

Gaming sponsorships involve companies paying influencers to promote their products, services, or brand. These sponsorships can take various forms, including:

• Product Placements: Featuring a sponsor’s product in your gaming content.
• Affiliate Programs: Earning a commission for sales generated through your referral links.
• Paid Collaborations: Creating exclusive content in partnership with a sponsor.
• Event Sponsorships: Being sponsored to attend or participate in gaming events.

Why Companies Sponsor Gamers

Companies sponsor gamers to tap into their engaged and loyal audiences. Influencers can drive brand awareness, boost sales, and enhance brand credibility. The gaming community is particularly appealing to brands because of its highly engaged and tech-savvy demographic.

Building Your Brand as a Gaming Influencer

Before seeking sponsorships, it’s essential to establish a strong personal brand. Here are some steps to build your brand:

1. Create High-Quality Content

Quality content is the foundation of a successful gaming influencer. Invest in good equipment, such as a high-definition camera, a quality microphone, and reliable editing software. Your content should be entertaining, informative, and visually appealing.

2. Choose Your Niche

Specializing in a particular gaming genre or style can help you attract a dedicated audience. Whether it’s first-person shooters, role-playing games, or strategy games, find your niche and excel in it. For example, Shroud, a former professional CS player, built his brand around first-person shooters and has amassed millions of followers.

3. Engage with Your Audience

Interacting with your audience builds loyalty and encourages engagement. Respond to comments, host Q&A sessions, and create content based on viewer requests. Influencers like Pokimane have built large, loyal followings by engaging with their audiences on platforms like Twitch and YouTube.

4. Consistency is Key

Posting regularly keeps your audience engaged and helps grow your following. Create a content schedule and stick to it. Consistency also signals to potential sponsors that you are reliable and committed.

5. Build a Presence Across Multiple Platforms

While you might have a primary platform, having a presence on multiple platforms can expand your reach. Many successful influencers use a combination of Twitch, YouTube, Instagram, and Twitter to connect with their audiences.

How to Get Gaming Sponsors

Once you’ve built a strong brand, it’s time to seek sponsorships. Here are steps to help you secure gaming sponsorships:

1. Identify Potential Sponsors

Research companies that align with your brand and content. Look for gaming hardware companies, game developers, energy drink brands, and other businesses within the gaming industry. For example, HyperX, a popular gaming peripherals brand, frequently sponsors gamers and esports teams.

2. Create a Media Kit

A media kit is a professional document that showcases your brand, audience demographics, and engagement metrics.

Featured Influencer: Montana Skylar
Born on camera! My career started young. From acting to modeling, being on camera is who I am. I’ve been featured in more than 20 magazines, multiple films, and music videos. Via multiple viral videos on all of my social media platforms, I have gained a large fan base.

Include details like your follower count, average views per video, engagement rate, and any previous sponsorships. A well-designed media kit can make a strong impression on potential sponsors.

3. Reach Out to Brands

When reaching out to potential sponsors, personalize your pitch. Explain why you love their products and how a partnership could benefit both parties. Be specific about what you can offer, whether it’s product reviews, unboxing videos, or shoutouts during your streams.

4. Utilize Influencer Marketing Platforms

Platforms like Intellifluence connect influencers with brands looking for sponsorship opportunities. These platforms can simplify the process of finding and securing sponsorships. For example, Intellifluence enables influencers to create custom offers with flat-rate pricing. Brands can purchase services directly from the influencer.

For example, Intellifluence Influencer and popular streamer Lauren Short created an Influencer Offer in which brands can have their games reviewed live on Twitch starting at $70. With a total reach of over 13,000 people, Lauren offers visibility for brands looking to generate buzz related to their games.

5. Attend Gaming Events and Conventions

Networking at gaming events and conventions can help you meet potential sponsors face-to-face. Events like E3, PAX, and TwitchCon are excellent opportunities to connect with industry professionals.

6. Leverage Your Community

Encourage your followers to tag and mention potential sponsors in your posts. A strong community endorsement can catch a brand’s attention and demonstrate your influence.

Examples of Successful Gaming Influencers

PewDiePie

Felix Kjellberg, known as PewDiePie, is one of the most successful gaming influencers in the world. With over 110 million subscribers on YouTube, he has secured sponsorships from numerous brands, including Razer and G Fuel. PewDiePie’s success can be attributed to his engaging personality, consistent content, and diverse gaming coverage.

Ninja

Tyler Blevins, better known as Ninja, gained fame through his Fortnite streams on Twitch and later on YouTube. With millions of followers, Ninja has partnered with brands like Red Bull, Adidas, and Samsung. His energetic streaming style and strategic branding have made him a household name in the gaming community.

Valkyrae

Rachel Hofstetter, aka Valkyrae, is a popular gaming influencer and co-owner of the esports organization 100 Thieves. Hofstetter streams a variety of games, including Among Us and Fortnite, and has collaborated with brands like HyperX and Mavix. Valkyrae’s approachable personality and interactive streams have helped her build a dedicated fanbase.

Smaller Influencers Making Big Moves

Not all successful gaming influencers have millions of followers. Smaller influencers can also secure valuable sponsorships by building a loyal community and delivering high-quality content.

Example: BreezyLive

BreezyLive, a Twitch streamer with around 50,000 followers, has secured sponsorships from gaming chair companies and energy drink brands. By focusing on building a strong community and engaging with her audience, BreezyLive demonstrates that you don’t need millions of followers to attract sponsors.

Example: GlitchyGamer

GlitchyGamer, a YouTube content creator with 30,000 subscribers, creates in-depth game reviews and tutorials. His high-quality videos and consistent posting schedule have helped him land sponsorships from gaming peripheral companies and indie game developers.

In Summary

Securing gaming sponsorships requires dedication, creativity, and strategic planning. By building a strong personal brand, creating high-quality content, and actively seeking out sponsorship opportunities, both small and large influencers can attract the attention of companies in the video game industry. Remember, success doesn’t happen overnight, but with persistence and passion, you can turn your gaming hobby into a profitable career.

Whether you’re just starting or looking to take your gaming influence to the next level, the key to getting gaming sponsors lies in understanding your audience, delivering valuable content, and actively engaging with potential sponsors. Happy gaming and good luck on your journey to becoming a sponsored gaming influencer!