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On Twitch, you can never log off

every.to

81–90 of 235 posts

Re: On Twitch, you can never log off

#81

I think a more interesting story would be about the people that grind for years and years and never make it. You're left without a useful skill and no money, and probably a deficit on your mental health because you didn't go out and talk to people in real life for years. I think its not at all worth getting into as a career because making it big is like starting out as an actor, you have to know people. If you hit it…

Is Twitch earnings their primary source of income? They arent making income as a media personality outside in addition to the subscriptions and/or connections that could help them after?

I have a feeling the same warning could be given to actors going to LA trying to make it. A percentage become dish washers after washing out in a couple years but tons who don't find a reliable pay cheque via work in the thousands of related jobs that help run the movie business. The personable ones could use their media skills in the wider business world (marketing/pr/events/etc).

I guess you could say they are all in their parents house's bedrooms not touching grass 24/7 which is different than a failing actor, but being an internet personality is much more involved than just being a pro-gamer who falls off by 25.

Re: On Twitch, you can never log off

#82
post #35

I treat my media creation as a business. Hours in and ROI are important, especially since I have a family and also try to keep their lives out of my online presence. I looked at adding occasional Twitch livestreams to my output but quickly realized to make it return any kind of sustainable income, you have to practically "become a streamer". There's no slow on-ramp like with YouTube, where you could start earning inc…

A friend wants to start a channel. My instinct was that’s a very long shot (pointless even), but I told them I’d help if I could. Any advice for starting on YouTube?

Tell them to make the videos they're missing on Youtube. If there's already 100 people making that exact video, then there's no gap to fill. Anything else can bring in some money (if you play it right).

I personally made some videos showcasing specific products I used in my hobby. I made video's that showed them in a way I wanted to see on Youtube before buying, but couldn't find. I then added some affiliate links in the description. These video's brought in some money that I then spent on other stuff for the hobby.

Don't expect to earn a living wage off Youtube. You have to get very lucky (or be incredibly good, see 'Stuff Made Here') to do that. Earning some money is quite doable though, if you find the right niche.

Re: On Twitch, you can never log off

#83

Earlier quoted context omitted.

AUS, care for her diseases is pretty much covered. But paid days off of twitch are not a thing.

What's her name? I'd be curious to check out her stream

Content Warning: Strong and offensive language ;)

https://www.twitch.tv/kattskitchen

Re: On Twitch, you can never log off

#84
post #29

Surprised this doesn't mention Asmongold. He just took months off from streaming and just came back like last week, and already just hit over 50,000 paid subscribers again. (In those months off he was streaming on his non-monetized alt channel where he doesn't feel any pressure with streaming and earns nothing.) Streamers have to also be doing YouTube or creating alternate revenue streams because live streaming will…

He's an exception to the rule. Same with Shroud, Dr. Disrespect, etc. In fact there's a whole bunch of OG streamers who can play literally any game they want and they still have strong following (LIRIK, Soda, etc.) simply because they grinded out early on. Whereas for the middle of the road streamer (let's say 1-2k viewers at any given time), they can't take breaks or switch games without a huge dip in followers, and…

1-2k viewers by most metrics of subs/donations/sponsorships gives you a very very very comfortable life. Maybe even approaching millions a year. That's the 0.01% of twitch you're talking about. Anybody with over 500 consistent viewers is the exception.

Re: On Twitch, you can never log off

#85

Earlier quoted context omitted.

We, the community. If that bothers you, I’m sorry.

I disagree as well. The community didn't do what resulted in the raid. That was the streamer. Yeah you were there watching, but it's like saying "we won" when your favorite sports team wins.

> it's like saying "we won" when your favorite sports team wins.

Which is commonly said, yes.

Re: On Twitch, you can never log off

#87

I treat my media creation as a business. Hours in and ROI are important, especially since I have a family and also try to keep their lives out of my online presence. I looked at adding occasional Twitch livestreams to my output but quickly realized to make it return any kind of sustainable income, you have to practically "become a streamer". There's no slow on-ramp like with YouTube, where you could start earning inc…

I remember in another thread you mentioned that you're doing YouTube pretty much full time but you also said ad revenue isn't that much, so I'm still curious if it really is worth it financially and if so, what the best monetization is, especially for another techie looking to produce YouTube content. Is it worth it these days?

Re: On Twitch, you can never log off

#88
post #64
post #52

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I recognize that, but surely there could be overlap in some areas or problems unique to streamers who don't stream for a living. For example, I could see streamers who stream for a potential social benefit may feel the need to chase trends, play the more popular games, and other similar things in order to increase/maintain viewership for more socializing opportunities. However they may also have a unique set of probl…

> streamers who stream for a potential social benefit may feel the need to chase trends, play the more popular games, and other similar things in order to increase/maintain viewership for more socializing opportunities I've never heard of any streamers like this, but if any do exist, they are effectively no different than people who stream for profit because the intermediate goal of maximizing viewership is the same.

Maybe. Or maybe there are interesting differences. It merits being looked into rather than dismissed immediately.

Re: On Twitch, you can never log off

#89

I didn’t read the whole article. However, there have been a few articles about successful Twitch streamers that have made millions. They have all said that there is a ton of pressure to stream on a regular basis. Very little sleep. So, I do believe there is pressure to stream all the time. If you can make millions doing absolutely nothing and zero pressure, please tell everyone the secret. We would all appreciate the…

Honestly being a “streamer” sounds like a horrible job. You have to work very long days entertaining a large group of socially maladjusted watchers who think you’re “friends” because they watch you a lot.

Re: On Twitch, you can never log off

#90

I think a more interesting story would be about the people that grind for years and years and never make it. You're left without a useful skill and no money, and probably a deficit on your mental health because you didn't go out and talk to people in real life for years. I think its not at all worth getting into as a career because making it big is like starting out as an actor, you have to know people. If you hit it…

Your last paragraph seems to have the opposite sentiment to your the first half of your first?
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