What To Do After Hitting Affiliate on Twitch: A Comprehensive Guide
Congratulations! You’ve put in the work, navigated the challenges, and finally hit that coveted Twitch Affiliate status. The email has landed, the confetti is virtual, and you’re officially part of the Twitch Partner Program. But now what? Becoming an affiliate is not the finish line, but a fantastic starting point. It’s a significant step toward building a sustainable streaming career. This article will guide you through the essential steps you need to take to maximize the benefits of your new status and keep growing your channel.
Setting Up Your Affiliate Features
The first thing you’ll want to do is dive into your settings and configure the features that come with being an Affiliate. This will enhance the viewer experience, build a stronger community, and help you earn income from your streams.
Uploading Emotes and Sub Badges
One of the biggest draws of subscribing to a channel is the access to exclusive emotes. As an affiliate, you can create and upload custom emotes for your subscribers. These emotes should be unique to your channel, reflective of your personality, and of high quality. Start with a few core emotes, and over time, you can add more. Sub badges, on the other hand, are the small icons next to a subscriber’s name in chat, indicating the length of their subscription. Offering a variety of badges that scale with the length of their subscription encourages long-term support.
Configuring Your Ads
As an Affiliate, you can start earning from advertisements. Don’t go overboard with ads early on; instead, start with some short pre-roll ads at the beginning of your stream and consider running mid-roll ads during natural breaks in your content. Experiment to see what works best for your audience without disrupting the flow of your stream.
Activating Bit Donations
Bits are Twitch’s virtual currency that viewers can buy and use to cheer during your streams. You earn revenue for every bit donated. Make sure bit donations are enabled in your settings, and don’t be afraid to acknowledge and thank viewers who use them!
Customizing Channel Points
Channel Points are a reward system that allows viewers to earn points by watching your stream, following your channel, and participating in chat. As an Affiliate, you can offer channel point rewards like custom alerts, playing a specific game, or even having you sing a song. This feature adds a layer of interaction and engagement that can really make your viewers feel a part of your stream.
Building Your Community and Content
Now that your affiliate features are set up, the next step is to focus on refining your content and cultivating a thriving community around your channel.
Consistent Streaming Schedule
Consistency is crucial for growth. Set a regular streaming schedule that your viewers can rely on. Announce it on your stream, profile, and social media, and stick to it as much as possible. Having a predictable schedule helps viewers plan and makes it more likely they will tune in consistently.
Engaging with Your Audience
Make sure to engage with your audience in chat, answer questions, and take feedback. Build a personal connection with your viewers and show them that their presence and support matter to you. This helps create a loyal and engaged community.
Content Variety and Experimentation
While sticking with what works is important, also make sure you’re not afraid to experiment with different types of content. Consider new games, categories, or formats, like just chatting sessions, Q&As, or collaborations. This can attract new viewers and keep your existing audience engaged.
Utilizing Social Media
Don’t rely solely on Twitch for promotion. Engage with your audience across other platforms like Twitter, Instagram, TikTok, and Discord. Share clips, updates, and behind-the-scenes content. Cross-promotion helps drive traffic and gives you more ways to connect with your community outside of live streams.
Strategic Growth and Development
Once you’ve established your foundations as a Twitch Affiliate, you’ll want to think about your long-term goals and strategies for continued growth.
Networking and Collaboration
Networking with other streamers can help expose your channel to a new audience. Look for streamers with similar content and similar-sized communities and consider collaborating on joint streams or events.
Setting Realistic Goals
Don’t expect overnight success. Set realistic goals for viewership, subscriptions, and earnings, and track your progress over time. Be prepared to adapt your strategy as you learn what works best for you.
Staying Up-To-Date with Twitch Trends
The Twitch platform is constantly evolving, so staying updated with the latest features, policies, and trends is vital. Follow the official Twitch channels, connect with other streamers, and keep an eye on the community to stay ahead.
Exploring Twitch’s Creator Camp and Resources
Twitch offers a wealth of resources for streamers. Explore the Creator Camp for live learning sessions, tutorials, and other valuable tools. Engage with the community, give feedback, and continue to learn and develop your streaming skills.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. How long does it take to get paid on Twitch as an Affiliate?
You’ll receive your payment on or around the 15th of each month if your status is payable and your balance exceeds $50 (most payout methods) or $100 (wire transfer).
2. What are the payment methods for Twitch Affiliates?
Twitch supports several payout methods including ACH (direct deposit), Local Bank Payout, PayPal, and Check. The fastest is usually ACH.
3. What are the requirements to become a Twitch Affiliate?
To become a Twitch Affiliate, you must meet the following criteria: Reach 50 Followers, Stream for 8 Hours, Stream on 7 Different Days, and Reach an Average of 3 Viewers.
4. Do I need 50 followers in 30 days to qualify for Twitch Affiliate?
The requirements don’t explicitly state you need to reach 50 followers in 30 days, but you do need to achieve the rest of the criteria within 30 days to get an invite.
5. Can you lose Twitch Affiliate status?
Yes, you can. Violating Twitch’s terms of service, inactivity for over 12 months, or dropping below the required viewership can lead to loss of your affiliate status.
6. How many sub badges do Affiliates get?
Affiliates get initial badge slots for up to 1 year of sub tenure. As your tenure with Twitch grows, you will unlock more badge slots.
7. How many followers do you need on Twitch to make money?
You can start making money with more than 50 followers once you become an Affiliate and begin earning through subscriptions, bits, and ads.
8. Do Twitch Affiliates pay taxes on their income?
Yes, you are required to pay taxes on your Twitch income. Consult a tax professional and make use of estimated payment calculators to manage this correctly.
9. How much money can a small streamer with 100 viewers make?
A small streamer with 100 average viewers can potentially earn around $1,500 per month through various revenue streams.
10. What are the main perks of being a Twitch Affiliate?
The main perks are access to subscriptions, Bits, and the ability to earn from ads, along with custom emotes and channel point features.
11. What are some common mistakes new Twitch Affiliates make?
Some common mistakes include overdoing ads, not interacting with the chat, having an inconsistent schedule, and not promoting themselves on social media.
12. How do I claim my first payout on Twitch?
Once your pre-taxed balance reaches $50 for most methods or $100 for wire transfer, you can claim a payout. Ensure you select your preferred payout method.
13. Is Twitch payout monthly?
Yes, payouts are made monthly, usually around the 15th, provided your balance meets the minimum threshold.
14. Why hasn’t Twitch paid me?
Payouts typically take 3-5 business days to process. Weekends and holidays can delay the process. Check your Payout History for status updates.
15. What’s the next step after becoming a Twitch Affiliate?
The next step after becoming an affiliate is to focus on improving your content, building a community, and aiming for the Twitch Partner Program, which offers additional perks and earning potential.
Hitting Affiliate on Twitch is an exciting achievement, but remember that it’s only the beginning. By understanding the available features, refining your content, and building a strong community, you’ll be well on your way to making the most of your journey as a Twitch Affiliate. Keep streaming, keep learning, and keep growing!