Welcome to the Wealthy Nickel Side Hustle and Entrepreneur interview series, where I share inspiring stories of people pursuing financial freedom through entrepreneurship.
Today I had the opportunity to interview my friend and fellow blogger Melanie Allen of Partners in Fire.
She has a very interesting side fuss about she is paid to play video games. If this is not a dream job, I don’t know what it is! In particular, she makes money streaming on Twitch.
Depending on how involved you are with the player community, you may or may not know what it is. But fear not, we will cover that in an interview.
In this interview, Melanie talks about how to make money playing video games on Twitch… You will learn:
- How she overcame the initial hurdle most people get stuck on
- How much can you expect to make on Twitch
- How she juggles multiple side jobs and a full-time job
Tell us about your work and how you got started.
My side hustle is making money streaming on Twitch.
I love video games and I love watching people on Twitch, so I thought it would be fun.
I figured I could make enough money to maintain my gaming habit by playing games for the public.
Nickel wealth note: For those not in the know, Twitch is a live video streaming service that specializes in streaming video games. You can watch other people play video games, discuss strategy, or review gameplay.
Do you stream live on Twitch on a regular basis or do you have a day job?
I have a day job in addition to a few other side activities. It was incredibly difficult to juggle them all.
I set a streaming schedule for myself and tried my best to stick to it. I limited my streaming time to twice a week and only a few hours each time.
While this severely limited my income potential on the platform, it was the only way to manage everything I did.
If you have the time to devote to Twitch streaming, you can certainly increase your income if you want.
How and when did you start getting paid to play video games on Twitch?
I first tried streaming a few years ago, but I never really paid much attention to it. I started taking it seriously in July 2020 and became a Twitch partner in less than a month.
I started to take it seriously because I got stuck inside during a pandemic, so I thought, why not?
I thought it would be a fun way to make some money and get some much needed social interaction.
Did you have a mentor, coach, or coaching to help you get started?
No, although I created a Discord Server for him, which was able to bring a bunch of like-minded people together to help each other.
Some people I met through this server helped me set up my stream correctly, fix audio issues, and get the right branding for my channel.
How much money have you made from streaming on Twitch and what can you count on?
I’ve made a few hundred dollars from this, but I don’t stream regularly anymore.
It really depends on how much effort you put in. A lot of people think they can just connect their game to Twitch and start making money. It doesn’t work that way.
Twitch is a daunting task to start making money. But there are many non-monetary benefits, such as being part of the community and making new friends, that also make it worthwhile.
What are the costs of streaming video games on Twitch?
Most people interested in streaming already have the consoles and computer they need.
The biggest start-up cost for most will be a capture card, which is required to transfer the game image to a computer for streaming.
A microphone and webcam, although not required, will help you stand out and enhance your broadcast.
If you start with cheaper items, you can get all of these items for under $ 300.
What day in the life of a Twitch streamer?
Most people think that streaming life is all about plugging in a game and playing. However, this is only a small part.
If you want to be a successful streamer, you need to spend a lot of time online. That means spending time on Twitch, being active on Twitter, Instagram and other social media, and of course, Discord, where a lot of players hang out.
Nickel wealth note: One thing I’ve learned from everyone who successfully turns a hobby into a business is that they treat it like a business. While getting paid for video games sounds glamorous, what’s going on behind the scenes is where the real money is made.
Like a blogger or Instagram influencer, to grow your Twitch income, you must connect with others and build an audience.
How did you develop your side essence to where it is now, from where you started?
Network is the key to streaming on Twitch.
I could never have become a partner as quickly as I did without building a strong network of streaming friends who grew up with me.
What obstacles did you have to overcome to be successful?
It’s hard to be successful on Twitch. The first major obstacle to making money is becoming a partner.
There are certain requirements you need to fulfill before you can even start making money with Twitch. These include having at least three viewers per stream and streaming for a specified amount of time.
A lot of people stream on Twitch and give up before they even join.
What are your goals for the future of your video game hustle and bustle?
I have no goals to become a permanent streamer. My main goal is to be able to subsidize my streaming income a bit when I first leave my job.
If I can make about a hundred dollars a month playing video games a few nights a week, I will count it as a victory.
Nickel wealth note: Sounds like a great goal! Not all side hustle and bustle should bring you six figures a year. I call it a “lifestyle” where you can make extra money doing what you’ve already done and have fun with it.
What are the pros and cons of Twitch streaming?
The biggest plus is that you can make money by playing video games. Isn’t this the dream of many people? But community comes second – I absolutely adore all the friends I’ve made through streaming.
The biggest downside is that it takes so long to get started and it’s hard to make good money in a short amount of time. If you just want to make some quick money, you should consider looking after pets or delivering food.
Streaming is not a way to make money fast. It takes a lot of time and dedication. A lot of people leave without even starting to do anything because it’s so hard to build an audience.
What advice do you have for those looking to get started? Who is the perfect fit?
I truly believe that there is a niche for every personality, but for some it is easier than for others. I’m an introvert, so two hours of “on” streaming tires me out. Others find it energetic and love to be the center of attention.
You would be a good candidate if you like to talk and enjoy playing video games. Engaging with your audience is a hugely important component of streaming on Twitch, and those who are naturally quieter will have a harder time building followers (unless you’re professional at a certain game – most of us aren’t).
Anything you want to add?
Making money streaming is difficult. But that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t try.
Even if you don’t make money from it, you are likely to make great friends, and sometimes it’s even better than money.
Thanks for sharing your adventure on Twitch with us, Melanie!
As a serial entrepreneur, I am always interested in what others are doing to make extra money.
I think starting a side job playing video games on Twitch would be ideal for the avid gamer who wants to make some extra money every month doing what they enjoy doing.
There are so many options out there that they can be overwhelming, so my advice is, if you see something that piques your interest, give it a try! It may not work, and that’s okay. To the next idea.
If you’ve read this far, please leave me a comment about your entrepreneurial business or side job (even if it’s only at the idea stage). I’d love to hear what you do and how the Wealthy Nickel community can help!
Looking for other side effects for inspiration? Here are some articles on other ideas to help you get started:
Resale Side Hustle: How John Sells Over $ 100K a Year
45 Proven Ways To Earn An Extra $ 500 Per Month
How my family made $ 100,000 from side business in one year