This post will cover each way and let you know what you need to do to start earning on YouTube Gaming.
In order to earn through crowdfunding opportunities on YouTube Gaming, you need to have reached the partnership status. At that point, you will be able to earn from memberships and super chat.
YouTube creators must meet the following requirement to allow their viewers to purchase channel memberships:
- A minimum of 1,000 subscribers.
- At least 4,000 hours of total watch time within the last year
- At least 18 years old.
- Have an AdSense account
- No community guideline strikes.
- Content must adhere to YouTube’s Terms of Service, YouTube Spam Policies, YouTube Partner Program policies, and Community Guidelines.
When you have met these metrics, you will need to sign the YPP (YouTube Partner Program) terms and your channel will be reviewed. It may take up to two months for you to hear back on whether or not you have been approved.
How Much Do YouTube Streamers Make?
The amount of money YouTube streamers make will vary depending on their following size and their overall monetization strategy. While traditional YouTubers typically make between $.10 – $.30 per ad view and sponsorships, streamers can also earn through channel memberships and superchat.
How to Make Money Streaming on YouTube
YouTube Gamers can earn money with crowdfunding opportunities like super chat and channel memberships. They can also earn through merchandising, ads, sponsorships, and providing services to other streamers. In order to monetize their channel, streamers must reach YouTube partner status.
The following are 8 different ways that YouTube streamers can make money:
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1. YouTube Super Chat
YouTube Super Chat allows viewers to pay a fee (between $1-$500) to have their chat displayed at the top of the chat feed for a time. Viewers have the chance to have their comments seen. This display is especially useful in channels where multiple viewers are typing at once. YouTube takes 30% of the fee, leaving 70% for the streamer.
Requirements Needed for YouTube Super Chat and Super Stickers
In order to begin earning from super chat and super stickers, you must meet the following requirements:
- Be a YouTube Partner
- Be 18 years old or older
- Live in a country where the feature is available
How YouTube Gaming Streamers Make Money 2 -
2. YouTube Gaming Memberships
YouTube Gaming allows influencers to provide exclusive perks (extra videos, YouTube emotes, etc.) for viewers who join their channel. YouTube streamers have the opportunity to decide what memberships they will offer (between $.99 and 99.99) and what perks will be given to members of each tier. Creators will also be able to name each tier that they offer. YouTube broadcasters receive 70% of membership fees to their channels.
Requirements Needed for YouTube Gaming Channel Memberships
In order to offer memberships on your channel, YouTube Gaming streamers must complete the following:
- Be a YouTube Partner
- 18 years old or over
- 30,000 subscribers or more
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3. Collect Donations
While YouTube doesn’t have an in-built donation system, you can set up a Streamlabs account for your channel. They allow you to set up a way to donate quickly and they don’t take a cut of the tips you receive. Influencers can also use Patreon to set up ways to donate for their viewers.
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4. Ads
YouTube Live allows its users to immediately begin earning from ads, so long as they meet the following requirements:
- They must be at least 18 years old (or have a guardian over the age willing to handle the revenue for them).
- They must have had at least 10,000 video views (if all viewers watched the ad, you could potentially make between 10-100 per 10,000 views).
- They must produce advertiser-friendly content.
Ad revenue varies from channel to channel, depending on its content and popularity.
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5. Channel Merchandise
YouTube’s Merch Shelf is a great way to showcase your branded merchandise. When you have a strong following, consider creating merch for your followers. While the shelf won’t appear on every one of your videos, it will be accessible from your channel.
You can choose up to 12 items to showcase on your merch shelf, but you have to source them from one of the following retailers:
Once you have set up an account with one of these vendors, you will need to turn on your merch shelf in the monetization tab of your YouTube studio page.
Requirements to Use YouTube Gaming Merchandise Shelf
The YouTube Live merchandise shelf is a unique display underneath the streamer’s video. For a broadcaster to qualify to use it, they must meet the following requirements:
- Must be from an approved country or region.
- Be in the Youtube Partner Program.
- Have at least 10,000 subscribers.
- No community guideline strikes.
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6. Affiliate Marketing
You can also earn on your YouTube Gaming channel by selling items through Affiliate programs. Many programs require you to sell the product within a set amount of time or have a decent following before you apply. Make sure to research each before you sign up and only work with products that you use and enjoy.
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7. Find Sponsors
Many sponsors are happy to support smaller streamers who post quality content and have active followings. That being said, be selective on who you work with as many sponsors will want you to work exclusively with them. Don’t just sign up with the first person who comes along. Instead, hold out for companies that you are passionate about.
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8. Special Services Offered to Other Streamers
You may also be able to earn funds by marketing channel-building services to other streamers. Here are a few common ways that people earn:
Conclusion
Many streamers have been able to earn some side income by streaming on platforms like YouTube Gaming. Some have even been able to earn a full-time living. While mastery of these monetization strategies can take some time, earning from your hobby can be very satisfying.
Luci
Luci is a novelist, freelance writer, and active blogger. A journalist at heart, she loves nothing more than interviewing the outliers of the gaming community who are blazing a trail with entertaining original content. When she’s not penning an article, coffee in hand, she can be found gearing her shieldmaiden or playing with her son at the beach.