Why should you become a Twitch 5Head?
First of all, Twitch is an online service used for watching or broadcasting live or prerecorded videos of gameplays. The broadcasting player usually includes audio commentary. The broadcaster’s video may optionally appear on the corner of the screen via a webcam, and there is also a chat feature where viewers can comment or ask questions. It is important to say that Twitch is owned by Amazon.com.
Countless Possibilities
Twitch allows a wide specter of possibilities. Almost any video game of any genre can be broadcast and viewed on Twitch. It regularly hosts E-tournaments where various players fight for millions of other viewers to watch with live commentary and news. Twitch also hosts events and demos of new upcoming games.
Completely Free and Accessible
Viewing games on Twitch is registration-free. Broadcasting and chatting require free-of-cost registration. The real-time interactive chatting makes Twitch a real-life social experience in the virtual world. This interaction is how many broadcasters develop a personal connection with their audience.
Twitch content is accessible through multiple devices and mediums including PCs, gaming consoles, and mobile devices. Twitch offers access through a web browser and dedicated Twitch apps, also offering dedicated software for improved streaming of videos.
How do Twitch streamers make money?
Broadcasters can apply for the Twitch partnership program, which enables them to get a cut from the advertisement and subscription revenue received by Twitch. Acceptance into the program requires approval which is based on certain requirements like having a minimum number of viewers, and a minimum of broadcasts per week. Twitch also allows users to accept PayPal donations from other users, which are received for sharing game-tips, cheats, and hacks. (That is where the most money comes from)
Twitch has also partnered with game development companies that offer rewards to outstanding gamers, including scholarships. E-tournaments are regularly conducted on the Twitch platform, which allows reward opportunities for winning players.
Pros & Cons
Pros
The benefits of being a twitch streamer are the opportunity to generate revenue through Twitch’s built-in tools. Not only are these features built into the application, but viewers are most familiar with how they work and are more likely to use them. Twitch Prime is a blessing for all involved, as it allows viewers to purchase a sub for free and the streamer still gets paid.
The ability to offer viewers benefits such as custom emotes and ad-free viewing is very important. Nowadays, everything is about ads, and being able to watch something without any interruption is a huge deal. Another benefit is the ability to stream elsewhere. Twitch Affiliate does not bar streamers from streaming on other platforms. Lastly, access to transcoding, which allows viewers to set the resolution for the stream they’re watching. Every Partner stream gets access to transcoding, while some Affiliates will gain access to whatever transcoding slots are left.
Cons
Twitch takes a cut on all purchases of subscriptions and Bits. When you subscribe to a streamer for $10 US, the streamer gets $5 and Twitch gets $5. $5 helps and is greatly appreciated, but you can tip a streamer $10 through other means and have the streamer receive a much larger percentage of that donation. When you purchase bits, there’s an upfront cost that you cover that goes to Twitch. Both ways might be easier and more trustworthy, but Twitch still functions in the middle, taking their cut one way or another. The most efficient way for a viewer to support a streamer is through a donation. There is a nominal fee that PayPal charges, but the streamer will get most of it. One of the cons is that you’ll have to do extra work to file revenue as part of your taxes. Just like any revenue stream, you’re going to have to file it in your taxes. The process will vary by country, but it is extra work you’ll have to account for come tax season.
One of the biggest cons is that any live streaming content you create on Twitch is exclusive to Twitch for 24 hours after the broadcast ends. While you are free to make content elsewhere, any content that appears on Twitch can only appear on Twitch in the first 24 hours of its existence. You can directly share the Twitch link to that content on Twitter, but a unique upload of the clip to Instagram, Facebook, or any other platform can get you into problems.
To sum all up:
- You need to understand what the title of this article means (keeping up with memes)
- You must play video games that are worthy of streaming (find out what people like and will like in the future)
- Make sure your content is always original, new and fresh
- Be up to date
- Do not disregard the cons
Simple as that, Good luck!
