How Much Money Do You Get From 100 Subscribers on Twitch?
The short answer is: on average, a Twitch streamer with 100 subscribers can expect to earn around $250 per month from those subs alone, before taxes and excluding other revenue streams like ads, donations, and sponsorships. This is based on the standard $2.50 payout per subscriber at the Tier 1 level (more on tiers later). This foundational income provides stability, but understanding the nuances of Twitch monetization is crucial for aspiring and established streamers alike. Let’s delve deeper into how that figure is calculated and the various factors that influence a streamer’s earnings.
Understanding the Twitch Subscription Model
Twitch operates on a tiered subscription system. Viewers can support their favorite streamers by subscribing to their channel for a monthly fee. This subscription grants them benefits such as custom emotes, subscriber badges, and ad-free viewing (depending on the streamer’s settings).
The key to understanding how much you earn from subscribers is knowing the tier breakdown and how Twitch shares the revenue:
- Tier 1 Subscriptions: Cost $4.99 per month. Streamers typically receive 50% of this, resulting in about $2.50 per sub for many (but not all) partners. Affiliate streamers also receive 50% of this.
- Tier 2 Subscriptions: Cost $9.99 per month. The streamer’s share is roughly $5.00.
- Tier 3 Subscriptions: Cost $24.99 per month. The streamer’s share is around $12.50.
- Twitch Prime Subscriptions: Viewers with Amazon Prime can subscribe to one channel for free each month via Twitch Prime. The streamer receives the same amount as a Tier 1 subscription.
It is important to note that newer partnership agreements on Twitch may offer different revenue splits. Certain larger streamers have negotiated better rates than the standard 50/50 split. This incentive helps retain top talent and maintain a competitive platform.
Beyond Subscriptions: Diversifying Your Revenue Streams
While subscriptions are a core income source, relying solely on them isn’t sustainable. Savvy streamers diversify their revenue through several avenues:
- Advertising Revenue: Streamers earn money by running ads during their broadcasts. The payout varies based on CPM (cost per mille, or cost per 1,000 views) rates, which fluctuate depending on factors like viewer demographics, time of day, and ad type. As mentioned, Twitch is now working with certain partners to increase these payouts through various incentive programs.
- Donations: Viewers can directly donate to streamers using third-party services like PayPal or Streamlabs. These donations are a crucial income source, especially for smaller streamers.
- Bits: Twitch’s virtual currency. Viewers can buy Bits and use them to cheer in the chat, triggering on-screen animations and alerts. Streamers receive $0.01 for every Bit used in their channel.
- Sponsorships: Brands often partner with streamers to promote their products or services. Sponsorship deals can be incredibly lucrative but require a significant audience and engagement.
- Merchandise: Selling branded merchandise like t-shirts, hats, and mugs is another way to monetize your brand and engage with your community.
- Affiliate Marketing: Promoting products or services and earning a commission on sales made through your unique affiliate link.
- External Platforms: Creating content on other platforms like YouTube, TikTok, and Patreon can help you diversify your audience and income. Many Twitch streamers upload highlights or supplemental content to YouTube.
- Game Development Grants: For streamers focusing on game development, organizations like the Games Learning Society at GamesLearningSociety.org provide resources and potential grant opportunities.
Factors Affecting Your Twitch Earnings
Several factors influence how much you’ll actually earn with 100 subscribers (or any number, really):
- Subscription Tier Distribution: If a significant portion of your subscribers are Tier 2 or Tier 3, your income will be higher than the $250 average.
- Twitch Partnership Level: More established partners may have negotiated a better revenue split with Twitch.
- Geographical Location of Subscribers: Subscription prices and the streamer’s share can vary depending on the subscriber’s country.
- Subscriber Retention: The longer subscribers remain subscribed, the more consistent your income.
- Community Engagement: A highly engaged community is more likely to support you through subscriptions, donations, and other means.
- Content Quality and Consistency: High-quality, consistent content attracts and retains viewers, leading to more subscribers.
- Promotion and Marketing: Actively promoting your channel on social media and other platforms can attract new viewers and subscribers.
Tax Implications
It’s crucial to remember that income earned from Twitch is taxable. You’ll need to report your earnings to your relevant tax authority and pay taxes accordingly. Consult with a tax professional to understand your obligations and optimize your tax strategy.
Building a Sustainable Twitch Career
Building a successful Twitch career takes time, effort, and dedication. Focus on creating engaging content, building a strong community, and diversifying your income streams. Don’t be discouraged by slow progress. Consistent effort and a genuine connection with your audience are the keys to long-term success.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are some frequently asked questions to further clarify the nuances of earning money on Twitch:
How much money does 1,000 Twitch subs make?
With 1,000 Tier 1 subscribers, you can expect to earn approximately $2,500 per month before taxes. This excludes any additional income from ads, donations, sponsorships, or other sources. Remember that higher tier subscriptions will increase this amount.
What does it mean to gift 100 subs on Twitch?
Gifting 100 subs means purchasing 100 subscriptions for other viewers in your channel. It’s a way to support the streamer and spread the love within the community. Recipients receive the benefits of a subscription without having to pay for it themselves.
Do subscribers on Twitch pay?
Yes, viewers pay for subscriptions on Twitch. The subscription options are Tier 1 ($4.99), Tier 2 ($9.99), and Tier 3 ($24.99) per month. The streamer gets a percentage of this income, and the amount can depend on the country in which a subscriber lives, as well as the partner agreement between the streamer and Twitch.
How much MONEY Do Small Twitch Streamers Make?
Small Twitch streamers’ earnings can vary widely, depending on their average viewership and engagement. Some small streamers can make anywhere from $50 to $1500 per month. The more consistent the content and viewership are, the more stable the revenue becomes.
Do streamers get 100% of bits?
No, streamers don’t get 100% of bits. Eligible Partners and Affiliates typically receive 80% of 1 U.S. cent per Bit used within Bits-enabled Extensions on their channel pages, with the Extension developer receiving the remaining 20%. For basic cheering, the streamer typically receives the full $0.01 per Bit.
How much do streamers get on Kick?
Kick’s revenue split is 95% to the streamer and 5% to the platform, a highly favorable rate compared to Twitch’s standard 50:50 split. This has made it a compelling alternative for some creators.
How much does 1 gifted sub cost?
In the US, a Tier One gifted sub costs $4.99, Tier Two costs $9.99, and Tier Three costs $24.99. These prices can vary in different countries.
How much do small streamers make?
A streamer with 5-10 average viewers might earn $50-$200 per month. A streamer with 20 average viewers could potentially make $200-$400 per month. These numbers are estimates and depend on the monetization methods used.
Does Twitch pay by the hour?
No, Twitch doesn’t directly pay streamers by the hour. Streamers earn money through subscriptions, ads, donations, bits, and sponsorships, which are all tied to their content and audience engagement, not simply the time spent streaming.
How many subscribers do you need to make a living on Twitch?
While it depends on your living expenses and other income sources, around 1,000 subscribers is often cited as a benchmark for making a livable wage on Twitch. But remember that this is just one factor, and diversifying income is crucial.
Do you get paid for having subscribers on YouTube?
No, you don’t get paid for having subscribers. YouTube pays based on views, ad revenue, and other monetization methods tied to your content’s performance. Subscribers simply increase the likelihood of your videos being watched.
Why is Twitch not profitable?
Twitch faces profitability challenges due to high infrastructure costs (bandwidth, servers), content acquisition (partner deals), and operating expenses. While they generate significant revenue, their expenses often outweigh their income.
Is Twitch payout 50 or 100?
The minimum payout balance for Twitch is $50 for most methods (ACH/direct deposit, eCheck/local bank, PayPal, and check). Wire transfers require a $100 minimum due to higher processing fees.
How much money is 1 bit on Twitch?
Streamers receive $0.01 for each Bit used in their channel. Viewers purchase Bits in various bundles.
How much money do small 100 viewers Twitch streamers make?
A Twitch streamer with 100 average viewers might earn around $1,500 per month in 2021. This can vary considerably depending on the factors discussed above.
Earning money on Twitch is a marathon, not a sprint. By understanding the various monetization methods, building a strong community, and consistently creating engaging content, you can increase your chances of success and build a sustainable career as a streamer. Remember that creating value for your viewers and treating your community with respect is essential to long term success.