Video game streaming is the future of content creation for many people, including myself (I'm a self-proclaimed "YouTube gamer"). But how easy or difficult is it to start your own channel from scratch? What are some tips to help get started in this exciting field? And what kind of income can you expect once you've got going? This article will answer all these questions...and more!
So let's jump right into it. Here we go.
Gaming has been around since before YouTube even existed. It wasn't until 2006 that Twitch launched as an online platform where users could watch other streamers live via chat. Since then, there have been countless channels dedicated to just one thing - watching others play games.
In fact, there was so much demand for such services that Google bought Twitch back in 2014. In 2015, Facebook purchased Oculus VR, makers of the popular Rift headset. If you're looking at making serious cash with gaming videos, look no further than platforms like YouTube, Twitch, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, etc.
But how exactly does monetizing work? Well, first off, if you want to earn any real money, you need viewers. Lots of them. The more subscribers you gain, the higher up you'll climb within the ranks of your favorite YouTubers. While most newbies may not be able to generate hundreds of thousands of views per week, those who consistently put out quality material will eventually attract enough attention to support themselves through subscriptions alone.
If you're starting out, don't worry too much about being seen by millions every day. Instead focus on building relationships with your audience, which leads me to my next point...
Yes, but only when done correctly. There are two main ways to make money on YouTube, either hosting giveaways/competitions or selling digital downloads. Let's tackle both methods separately.
1) Hosting Competitions & Giveaways
A great way to build a following is by running competitions and giveaways. This method works best on established networks already known for their high subscriber counts. Once you reach this threshold, you can leverage its popularity to boost traffic to your channel while increasing engagement among your followers. To host a competition, simply create a giveaway form, add relevant prizes, set dates and times, and upload the link to your account. For example, here's a simple giveaway form hosted on Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/announcements/comments/4kzj7x/i_will_be_givingaway_100000_dollars_in_amazon_credit/.
To run giveaways, simply take whatever product you'd like to give away and advertise it using social media. When someone clicks the link, they'll enter a raffle code provided by your company to redeem the item. By doing this regularly, you can offer free products without spending a dime.
2) Selling Digital Downloads
Another common practice amongst YouTuber creators is offering digital download codes for premium accounts, subscription plans, or additional purchases. Depending on the type of content you provide, you might also sell items related to your niche, such as apparel, stickers, posters, t-shirts, hats, mugs, phone cases, etc. The key is to always keep things fresh. Don't recycle old ideas over and over again. Find something unique. Think outside the box. That said, be sure to stick to reputable marketplaces like iTunes, Amazon, eBay, Rakuten, etc., because you never know whose eyes you'll catch along the way.
Also, remember that most companies won't pay unless your sales exceed $10,000. So try getting creative with marketing strategies to increase awareness for your brand.
Now that we covered hosting competitions and giving away digital goods, let's talk about how much money you can actually make. As mentioned above, it depends largely upon how well you promote yourself. However, here are some general estimates based on data collected from various sources.
According to Streamlabs' annual report published earlier this year, the average monthly revenue earned by top 100K US YouTubers ranges between $5,000-$50,000. Of course, these figures vary widely depending on factors such as number of subs, ad performance, etc.
Here's a breakdown of what different types of streams bring in annually according to StreamLabs:
Streams under 10K Subscribers -- Under $3,500
Streams under 5K Subscribers -- Between $3,501-$8,999
Streams under 1K Subscribers -- Over $9,000+
Let's say you decide to pursue a full-time career in gaming and become a part of our ever-growing community. According to statistics compiled by SocialBlade, the median salary for a person working in esports in 2018 was $22,086. Granted, this figure doesn't include bonuses, tournament winnings, sponsorship fees, merchandising deals, etc. Still, it gives us an idea of potential earnings.
As you can see, gaming isn't quite as lucrative as other forms of content production. Sure, there are exceptions to this rule, especially early adopters hoping to break into the industry quickly. But if you're willing to dedicate time and effort to grow your following, you should definitely consider starting a gaming channel on YouTube.
No, you cannot. Sorry to disappoint. However, you can use apps and programs designed specifically for streaming purposes. Many of today's leading software developers now produce tools aimed exclusively towards professional broadcasters. These devices come equipped with features such as motion detection, multi-channel recording capabilities, voice activation, background music playback, etc.
For example, OBS Studio allows users to record multiple cameras simultaneously, mix audio tracks together, broadcast directly to sites like Twitch, Mixer, Facebook Live, Periscope, etc., and utilize advanced editing functions to enhance visual effects. Other examples of streaming software include XSplit Broadcaster Pro, Geforce Now, GeForce Experience, ShadowPlay, GameReady Driver Manager, GameBar+, Steam Link, Windows Sonic, TeamViewer, Virtual DJ, Open Broadcaster Software, Broadcastify, Adobe Premiere Clip, ScreenLeap Motion Producer, BlueStacks App Player, MediaCredor MEncoder, VeedMe, Kaltura, etc.
And yes, there are several paid alternatives to these applications. Some cost upwards of $300 each, whereas others range anywhere between $20-$40. Regardless of price, you must find one that fits your budget. Remember, you don't need to buy everything at once. Keep experimenting until you land on a device that suits your needs. One tip: Be wary of trial versions. They usually contain limited functionality. Most importantly, ensure compatibility with your hardware.
So there you have it folks. We hope this information helps to clear up a few misconceptions surrounding this topic. After all, everyone wants to know what they stand to lose if they choose to forego opportunities available elsewhere. Good luck, and stay tuned for upcoming articles highlighting the latest trends in the world of gaming.
YouTube has become one of the best places for creators to monetize their content, whether it be music, comedy or other forms of entertainment. And as more people are turning to streaming platforms like Netflix and Disney+ instead of cable TV subscriptions, video game streaming channels have seen an explosion in popularity over the past few years. The platform already houses some of your favorite personalities from all different types of games, including PewDiePie (Fortnite), Boogie2988 (Call of Duty) and Jacksepticeye (Minecraft).
So how exactly can you get started making money on YouTube by becoming a professional streamer of video games? What's involved with being a "professional" YouTuber? Is there any kind of certification that proves success? In this article we'll discuss what makes some popular YouTubers so successful while others struggle to actually earn enough income to pay rent. We're also going to talk about who earns the most money per subscriber each year.
This question may seem easy at first but when you start digging into research, things get complicated quickly. There are many factors that go into determining which YouTuber is currently earning the most revenue. First, let's look at how much subscribers contribute to overall earnings. This will give us our baseline starting point because even if Joe Schmoe only gets 50K views per episode he still contributes something towards his channel's total monthly income.
According to data released by SocialBlade, the average subscription fee for every month was $0.75 per user. If Joe streams three times per week, then during those weeks where he doesn't upload anything, he would receive zero dollars. So his contribution to his channel's bottom line is not worth mentioning because it means nothing. However, if he streamed once a day and got 10 new subscribers each time, then his contributions could add up to hundreds of thousands of dollars annually. Here are just two examples of popular YouTubers whose numbers back these claims up.
JackSepticEye aka Septi - Over the course of 2019 and 2020, Septi earned roughly $1 million from Twitch alone. His channel had reached 100 thousand subscribers before his breakout hit Fortnight took off, but after its release in February 2018, he became the fastest growing creator ever on Twitch with 1.2 million viewers tuning in within 24 hours. He later broke 2 million subs on July 31st, 2019, and hasn't looked back since. According to socialblade, he brought $3,200,000 home in June 2020.
Pewdiepie aka Felix Kjellberg - During Q4 2019, Felix made approximately $10 million from sponsorships alone. That number dropped to around $5 million in 2020 due to COVID-19. But despite dropping down to 720k subscribers, his main channel continues to bring in millions in ad revenues. According to financial analysis site Statista, Felix pulled in almost $18 million in January 2020. While his viewership has been declining slightly in recent months, don't count him out yet. Even though he lost nearly half a million subscribers between March and April, Pewdiepie managed to pull in $12 million in May 2020!
Now lets take a closer look at how much money certain big name YouTubers actually MAKE.
While some YouTubers might end up earning tens of thousands of dollars per episode, others are lucky to break into the six figures range for any given year. For example, Leta Stojanovic, better known online as TotalBiscuit, was one of the biggest names in PC gaming until she retired in 2012. She now focuses her efforts on running ClassicGamingTV, a website dedicated to retro gaming coverage. On her own personal Twitter account, she states that she grossed close to $100,000 in 2016. Her official Reddit page shows that she made $69,741 in 2017, and another $50,871 in 2018.
In 2014, Justin Wong aka JDizzleDabbleJingles was living off donations and sponsorship deals. After releasing several videos, he eventually landed himself a major endorsement deal with Ubisoft Publishing. Later in 2015 he signed a contract with Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment to develop his career further. As of October 2016, he says he pulls in roughly $20,000 per month from Twitch and Youtube combined.
If you want to learn more about how to create a profitable vlogging business, check out my guide here.
To find out how much a typical YouTuber actually MAkes, we need to compare them against similar individuals. Unfortunately, it's difficult to determine exact figures based on data available online. Some sources claim that the median annual salary in America for computer system analysts is above $78,470, but that figure comes from Glassdoor, which itself cites Bureau of Labor Statistics statistics.
However, Forbes did publish an interesting list of the highest paying YouTubers in 2020. Their calculations were based on publicly available information such as public statements, sponsor contracts, previous salaries, and estimated audience size. They used an estimate of 5 cents per viewer per month for advertising purposes. Here's a breakdown of how they ranked various YouTubers by net worth.
The highest earner was Tyler Oakley with a whopping $15 million fortune. His show TYLT Family Business became very popular among millennials thanks to its focus on family dynamics rather than talking about random topics. Despite losing 4% of his audience last year, he brings in an impressive $9.6 million every single month.
Matt Chapman came in second place with $13 million. Matt hosts the weekly podcast called Game Chops, which features live gameplay commentary with friends. Like Tyler, he saw a massive decline in his audience last year but still manages to rake in $9.25 million every month.
Next up is John Oliver with $11.5 million. Like Tyler, John has quite the following thanks to Last Week Tonight. Although his show suffered significant losses in terms of audience growth last year, he still brought home $9.16 million per month.
Lastly, Logan Paul takes fourth place with $8.5 million. Unlike Tyler, John, and Matt, Logan's fortunes fell dramatically throughout 2020. He lost 3% of his audience in November and ended up pulling in less than half of his usual haul in December. Nevertheless, he rakes in 8.53 million every month.
Here are some additional notable figures. Jimmy Carr received £4.5 million ($6.3 million) in 2015 for hosting Russell Howard's Great British Comedy Awards Showcase. James Blunt made $6 million in 2010 thanks to his song Just Another Day, which peaked at #1 on Billboard Hot 100. David Dobrik earned somewhere near $2 million in 2019 due to TikTok stans' obsession with watching his dance tutorials.
We've covered some high profile YouTubers across multiple categories. Now it's time to see how far below the radar a typical gamer falls compared to them.
Unfortunately, the wealthiest gaming YouTuber isn't named on any Forbes lists. However, according to data collected by Streamlabs, Tom Scott Clark has accumulated over 735,000 subscribers over the course of his career thus far. With an estimated daily watchtime of 1 hour 36 minutes, Tom generates roughly $1,700 per day. Based on his current trends, this amount should increase drastically in 2021.
Based on these figures, Tom's yearly income is estimated to be anywhere between $14M-$21M. These estimates assume that his subscriber base remains constant, and that his daily watchtime increases proportionally. Given that Tom's subscriber base increased by nearly 40% between 2020 and 2021, there's reason to believe that his yearly income will continue to grow exponentially moving forward.
But if you'd prefer to keep tabs on your favorite YouTuber without having to sift through third party sites, then I highly recommend checking out Streamlabs. It provides comprehensive analytics for both individual users and entire channels. Subscribers can use this tool to track everything from traffic patterns, engagement rates, demographics, and more. Best of all, it offers a 30-day free trial period.
And if you want to know more about getting started creating quality content for YouTube, read this complete step-by-step guide detailing how to build a brand, attract fans, and generate passive profits.
YouTubers are making millions of dollars from playing video games, but how exactly do they manage that feat? And what if you want to start your own channel for gaming videos instead? We’re here to answer those questions and more as we explore how to become a YouTuber like PewDiePie.
YouTube has had its fair share of controversies recently over monetizing content creators' work without compensation or attribution, but there's an easy way around this problem—you can just use your YouTube account to create a new one called "Gaming," which will be tied exclusively to streaming game footage.
This means no ads will appear in any other part of YouTube, even if your original content happens elsewhere. This also allows you to promote whatever brand deals you have through whichever channels you're using and pay out whatever percentage of ad revenue they agree to. It doesn't matter where your audience comes from because it won't affect their ability to watch your streams. You'll still get credit for anything that appears across all parts of YouTube under your Gaming account, including comments, likes, subscriptions, and shares.
If you've been following our previous articles about starting your first YouTube channel, then you know that the best way to make money off of YouTube is via sponsorships, product placement, and affiliate marketing. But before beginning any kind of business venture, it's important to understand the basics of each type so that you know when you can expect payment.
Sponsorships mean paying someone else to advertise your stream while providing them with free advertising space (also known as CPM). Some companies offer higher rates than others based on factors such as views, subscribers, and demographic information. Sponsorship agreements usually last between six months and two years at a time but vary depending on your contract. The amount you receive per month will depend on several different variables, including overall viewership, reach, subscriber count, and geographic location.
Product placements are advertisements placed directly into your stream that relate specifically to something being streamed. For example, during my most recent playthrough of Persona 5 Royal, I noticed multiple instances where characters would comment on the screen or say things like “I love your earbuds!” These products were either provided by Sony Interactive Entertainment or another company whose name was never mentioned. Product placement contracts typically include a range of options, from smaller items like headphones to larger ones like cars and boats. As far as timing goes, these payments occur after completion of every broadcast rather than as installments throughout the year.
Affiliate marketing involves promoting brands in exchange for commissions on various types of sales. Most popular websites allow affiliates to sign up to their programs and receive unique links to sell certain merchandise via their own online storefronts. After purchasing said goods, customers simply click on your link to visit the site and purchase whatever item(s) you recommended. Affiliates are compensated a set fee per sale regardless of whether or not the customer actually makes a purchase. Payment occurs when people buy your recommended items.
While some advertisers prefer to deal directly with individuals who wish to run promotions, many choose to handle everything through affiliate managers. These middlemen take care of all correspondence, negotiations, and logistics associated with running campaigns, allowing you to focus solely on creating quality content. In fact, since they don't need to worry about shipping orders or collecting funds themselves, affiliate managers often charge less commission than vendors.
All of these methods require the user to generate clicks to bring potential buyers to vendor sites in order to complete a transaction. Once clicked, vendors deliver payments to affiliate marketers.
It should go without saying that you shouldn't rely on passive income alone to sustain yourself financially. If you plan on doing this full-time, you'll need to spend thousands upon thousands of hours building trust with viewers, cultivating relationships with fans, and acquiring followers. Fortunately, once you learn how to build a successful vlog/channel, you can put your knowledge to good use and begin earning residual income later down the road.
In terms of monetary value, however, none of these sources provide enough to live comfortably on unless you already possess a significant number of regular viewers. So although they may seem tempting now, keep in mind that sponsorship offers tend to decline over time due to competition from newer competitors. Likewise, though sometimes lucrative early on, affiliate marketing opportunities eventually fizzle out when competing platforms spring up overnight.
The average annual earnings for professional esports players hovers somewhere near $3 million. While YouTube isn't quite the same level yet, it seems reasonable to assume that casual gamers might pull away similar figures as well given their comparatively lower skill levels. However, it's worth noting that competitive gaming tournaments aren't held nearly as frequently as traditional sports leagues, meaning big cash prizes are awarded only sporadically.
So why haven't we seen bigger prize pools in general? Because most tournament organizers lack the infrastructure needed to properly support massive events. They simply don't have the manpower necessary to process hundreds of entrants, track results, verify credentials, organize travel arrangements, etc. Without reliable systems in place, the biggest payout amounts are reserved for exceptional winners.
That leaves the door open for anyone willing to step up and fill in. To give you an idea of how little difference skill level really matters, let me point out that I am terrible at Super Smash Bros., but I enjoy playing it immensely and intend to continue doing so until Nintendo stops supporting it. My favorite character is Roy Kishna and I absolutely adore his animations whenever he uses projectiles.
Of course, nothing guarantees success forever. There will always be somebody better than us ready to replace us, and it takes dedication, persistence, and hard work to stay relevant long-term. That being said, there are plenty of ways to maximize your chances of becoming a top player. One crucial tip is to avoid falling prey to the dreaded practice regimens. Don't waste countless hours trying to master minigames when you could be spending that time honing your craft. Instead, find simple fun games you can play right now and stick with them until you feel comfortable. Then move onto harder challenges as soon as possible.
There are also lots of great services available that help aspiring gamers improve skills quickly and easily. With the right guidance and motivation, you can drastically increase your speed and accuracy within minutes. The fastest route to growth is to follow proven strategies and models that guarantee consistent progress toward mastery.
For instance, you can subscribe to Twitch Prime, Amazon's premium membership program, to gain access to exclusive emotes, chat badges, and other perks. Alternatively, you can check out PlayVS, which lets users connect to servers located close to their current locations to test their mettle against opponents closer to their actual strength. Or you can try watching and learning from pro gamers themselves through livestreamed training sessions.
But remember, you can also achieve greatness outside of competitions too. Simply getting started can lead to greater rewards in the future. Consider starting small by documenting your daily routine, personal adventures, or otherwise engaging activities regularly on social media. People generally appreciate seeing behind-the-scenes glimpses of everyday life, especially considering that most celebrities rarely post anything besides glamorous photos nowadays. Just having a presence on social media can greatly boost your visibility among prospective employers and partners alike.
Unfortunately, yes...but maybe not immediately.
First of all, most major publishers have gotten wise to the power of influencers and have begun offering special deals aimed at boosting awareness. Many of these deals involve releasing high profile titles earlier than expected, giving away copies of upcoming releases to superfans, or otherwise incorporating hype surrounding specific releases into promotional efforts.
Second, consider the costs involved. Creating high-quality entertainment requires considerable resources. Not everyone can afford to invest large sums of money into equipment, software, or production teams. Even if you'd like to pursue a career path focused strictly on gaming, you must realize that you cannot compete with professionals without proper funding.
Third, think about licensing. Licensing entails selling intellectual property rights to third parties in return for royalties. Unfortunately, copyright law states that music producers and songwriters deserve sole ownership of compositions created through their labor, artists retain control over derivative works produced by others, and authorship rights remain vested in writers. Therefore, obtaining permission to reproduce copyrighted material can prove difficult.
Finally, if you're planning on uploading gameplay clips to YouTube, make sure to secure appropriate permissions beforehand. Otherwise, you risk legal retaliation by copyright holders and end up losing both your reputation and bank account simultaneously.
As previously stated, the easiest option is to establish a separate "gaming" YouTube channel specifically devoted to streaming content. Unlike standard accounts, gaming channels are entirely owned by their operators and therefore protected from liability. Furthermore, unlike non-gaming channels, gaming channels are exempt from YouTube's Community Guidelines altogether. Since gaming channels exist independently of the platform itself, these rules do not apply to them.
According to Forbes Magazine, PewDiePie earned approximately $7 million in 2015, followed closely by League Of Legends star PawN ($6.5 million), Fortnite king Ninja ($4.8 million), and Counter Strike GO player Håkan 'PewPew' Olsson ($3.1 million). Although impressive, these numbers hardly compare to the staggering $100 million figure claimed by Smosh creator Anthony Padilla.
Just follow our battle-tested guidelines and rake in the profits.