The support of a streamer’s community is what makes them. Without a group of people who watch, talk, subscribe, donate, or engage in some way - streamers wouldn’t be the pseudo-celebrities they’ve become today.
There are a plethora of ways you as a viewer can support a broadcaster whether you’re feeling a little extra change jingling in your pocket or you prefer to support in non-monetary ways.
In this post, I’m going to provide a list of things you can do on both fronts.
Financial support:
Twitch Subscriptions
This one is pretty straightforward for anyone who has been around the streaming ecosystem for a bit. Viewers can subscribe to the channel of a streamer for $5/mo and receive benefits like a sub badge, emotes, and an ad-free experience in that channel. However, with subscriptions on Twitch, Twitch takes 50%. Many folks out there gifting subs don’t realize they’re dropping 10 gifted, spending $50, and the streamer is getting $25 BEFORE they pay taxes on it (yes - you need to pay taxes on your revenue). I often suggest folks donate or give bits rather than gift subs unless for a specific purpose.
Twitch bits
Speaking of bits! Bits are a great way to make sure the money you want the streamer to receive, they do. The way you’re able to do this is by paying an upcharge upfront. As an example, for 100 bits ($1 value), the purchaser would pay $1.40 to Twitch. This takes the burden of paying Twitch off of the viewer (the 50% they give up with subs) and puts it on the person sending the bits.
Tips (donations)
Pretty straightforward, tips are you sending money directly to the streamer via a platform like Paypal, Venmo, or SE.pay. While these platforms typically have some sort of fee, it’s not too much of a dent in what you get. For instance, I received a tip of $16.05 and Paypal took about $1.39 cents. That’s a much better rate than the 50% Twitch takes for subs and the upcharge they place on bits. I recommend those who want a streamer to receive the bulk of the money & aren’t as worried about perks (badges, emotes, etc.) just tip as it’s the most straightforward way to do it.
Buy Merch
Want to support a streamer but also feel like you’re getting something physical for your money? Grab some merch. Tons of streamers have merch shops on platforms like StreamElements, Spring, and others where you can buy their logo, emotes, etc. on t-shirts, hoodies, blankets, and more. The cut the streamers end up with varies pretty drastically on merch so mileage may vary, but it’s still a way to support and also get some fresh new fashion!
Patreon/Substack/etc.
Like the idea of a monthly subscription, but don’t enjoy Twitch taking 50% very much? (None of us do). Then you may want to look into subscribing on just about any other content creation platform because they basically ALL have a better cut for the creator. Substack, for instance, is 90/10, meaning the creator receives 90% of the subscription paid while Substack only takes 10% (+2.9% + 30 cents per payment to Stripe, the payment provider). Given most folks who open one of these provide separate content specific to it, you’re getting even more from the creator. If you want to support a streamer & they have one of these, it’s a great way to show support via a subscription without giving half your money to Amazon, especially if you enjoy the extra content they put out.
Affiliate links
Plenty of streamers have links sitting around their pages somewhere to the various gear they use ranging from their mouse & keyboard to their monitors, chairs, and more. If they have them set up for affiliate links, they will make a small percentage anytime someone clicks that link to purchase. Over time this could add up & it’s worth taking the 10 seconds to use their link if you plan on grabbing a dope new setup or just a piece on the way to one. You lose nothing, they gain a little, it’s a win-win.
Third-party integrations
There are TONS of third-party companies that have found ways to monetize live streamers via soundboards, stickers, cards, and more. An example of one would be Streamloots (affiliate link). Streamloots allows viewers to purchase packs of cards that can range from common, uncommon, rare, epic, and legendary for instance. The streamer can set these cards however they want and then the viewers can play these cards to whatever effect. It’s a fun way to engage while giving a little coin.
No money? Don’t wanna support that way? No problem. There are plenty of other ways to help.
Non-financial support:
Watch their content
Yeah, it’s that simple. I don’t just mean their live streams though, I mean if they post YouTube videos, TikToks, or whatever else. Tune in, give it a thumbs up, let it play the whole way through. All of these things help algorithms pick it up and let it fly. Oh, and this is also financial support too cause of y’know, ads.
Recommend them to your friends
Getting in new viewers can be tough, so every little bit helps. Letting your friends know about this streamer you’re really enjoying watching could help ignite and fuel the flames of a little community of supporters. So spread the word! (more on that coming)
Engage with their content/community
This goes back to the whole watch their stuff, thumbs up, etc. but a bit deeper. Leave comments, start conversations with other commenters or viewers when they join the stream. Let them know there’s a community there that’s happy to have them around. Hype up the big moments, laugh it up at the funny and embarrassing ones. Building that network within the community is huge - so greet the new folks & the old folks, spark up a conversation.
Welcome new viewers & interact with them
In the same vein, turning first-time or second-time viewers into regulars is huge. So when you see someone new, welcome them! Ask them questions & make them feel like they’re a great addition to what you have going on there in the stream. Help them understand things they might not and answer questions they might have if the streamer isn’t/can’t in a timely manner.
Keep them tabbed
Life happens, games happen. You can’t be sitting there actively watching them 24/7, however, you could always leave their stream open on your browser. You want to make sure you don’t mute the video player, however, or you won’t count as a viewer. Muting the tab on your browser is the way to get around that so you don’t have the audio, but you’re still supporting while you game on the other monitor. Respect.
Retweet/Share their content
You like the content, right? Then why not share it and try to spread the word. If they post something you like on Twitter, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, Substack (wink wink), or wherever - share it! Not only does it put them directly into contact with any followers you have, but it also increases the likelihood that the algorithm pushes them out to more folks.
There you have it. Money or not, there are some great ways to help support your favorite streamer(s) and I hope you put some of them to use. If you have some that I missed, let me know in the comments! Would love to hear them or add them to the list (with credit).
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Those are all great ideas for support. I personally think that twitch takes too much money for themselves from gifted subs and bits,etc. I think twitch should only take a twenty percent cut from the subs. Also, I’ve noticed and learned from streamers how helpful it is to keep a tab open, so I completely agree with that.