Many streamers dream of not only building an audience but also monetizing their content. The Twitch Affiliate program offers you the opportunity to turn your passion for streaming into a source of income. In this guide, you will learn what steps are necessary to become a Twitch Affiliate and the opportunities it opens up for you.
Key Takeaways:
To become a Twitch Affiliate, you must meet four main criteria: you must have streamed at least 500 total minutes, have streamed on at least seven different days in the last 30 days, have an average of three simultaneous viewers, and have at least 50 followers. Upon meeting these criteria, you will receive an invitation to participate in the affiliate program, where you can then utilize monetized features such as subscriptions, ads, and bits.
Step-by-Step Guide
Step 1: Meet the Criteria
To become part of the Twitch Affiliate program, you must first meet the basic criteria. You need:
- At least 500 minutes of total streaming time in the last 30 days, which equates to about 8 hours of streaming.
- At least 7 different days on which you streamed.
- An average of at least 3 simultaneous viewers during your streams.
- At least 50 followers on your channel.
If you meet these requirements, you are ready for the next step.
Step 2: Affiliate Program Invitation
Once you have met all the above criteria, you will receive an invitation via email within a few weeks. Additionally, you will see a notification on your Twitch dashboard informing you that you have been invited to the affiliate program.
Step 3: Register as an Affiliate
After receiving the invitation, you must register for the program. You will provide basic information such as your name and address. This step is crucial to verify your identity.
Step 4: Sign the Affiliate Agreement
After entering your information, you must sign Twitch's affiliate agreement, indicating your agreement to the program's terms. Make sure to read all terms thoroughly to ensure you understand the requirements.
Step 5: Provide Tax Information
An interesting step is submitting your tax information to Amazon, as Twitch is an American platform. You will complete both the Royalty and the Services Tax Interview. You should not be afraid as it is usually straightforward. If you are unsure, you can consult a tax advisor.
Step 6: Choose Payment Method
After submitting your tax information, it is important to indicate how you prefer to receive your payments. You will fill out the Tipalti form. Tipalti is a platform through which Twitch processes payments. Here you can choose between different payment methods, such as bank transfer or PayPal. I recommend choosing bank transfer as it generally incurs fewer fees.
Step 7: Activate Monetization
Once you have completed all the required steps, you will become a Twitch Affiliate and can use various monetization tools. These include subscriptions, ads, and the use of bits. Affiliates generate revenue through subscribers, ads, and bits, allowing you to increase your earnings further.
Step 8: Earn Money with Subscriptions
You can offer subscriptions where viewers can pay for exclusive content. This is a great way to generate regular income. Make sure to attract your viewers to promote subscriptions.
Step 9: Earn with Bits
Bits are another source of income for Twitch Affiliates. Viewers can purchase bits and use them in your stream to support you financially. You earn a certain amount for each bit used, further increasing your revenue.
Step 10: Incorporating Advertising
As an affiliate, you also have the option to display advertisements in your stream. You can control the frequency and duration of these ads in your dashboard. However, keep in mind that too many ads can cause viewers to tune out, so find the right balance.
Summary
To become a Twitch affiliate, you must meet certain requirements and follow some steps. Your initial steps include meeting the streaming criteria, registering for the program, submitting your tax information, and selecting a suitable payment method. Once you have obtained your affiliate status, you can explore various monetization options to generate income.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I be an affiliate and a partner at the same time?No, you must first become an affiliate before you can be considered for the partner program.
What monetization features do I have as an affiliate?Affiliates can generate income through subscriptions, advertising, and bits.
How much income can be generated through advertising?Advertising revenue is typically lower than other sources of income such as donations or subscriptions.
How long does it take to become an affiliate?The duration depends on how quickly you meet the necessary criteria; however, the steps after the invitation are straightforward.
Where can I find more information about the affiliate program?You can find more information directly in your Twitch dashboard as well as in Twitch's resources.