Teenagers have it pretty rough: bodies are changing, hormones are flaring and that allowance just doesn’t stretch as far as it used to. So what are you going to do, start working more hours while juggling school and a social life? No way!
There’s a better way to live the nerd baller lifestyle on a budget. Let me show you how you can stretch your dollar a little further, without flipping burgers.
If you can stream it, you can monetize it!
Ever wonder how a dude that calls himself PewDiePie became one of the world’s greatest influencers? He’s raking in millions because he realized that there’s a lot to gain if you can entertain.
The fun kind of homework…
If you want to get serious, it’s time to do a little homework. I know, but it’s the fun kind!
Make a list of your favorite streamers. Now it’s time to study their content. What are they doing to make their stream more entertaining than the other ones out there?
ProTip: Save some gigs on your mobile data plan. Download streaming video to view it on the way to school, or anytime you’re away from Wi-Fi without burning up your mobile data.
Hardware requirements for streaming:
This guide is an awesome resource for learning what you need in order to stream on Twitch, the world’s most popular streaming site (Amazon bought the platform in 2014 for $1.1 billion!).
- Processor: Intel Core i5-4670 or better
- RAM: 8Gb or more
- Graphics Card: Needs to support DirectX10 or newer.
- Free Streaming Software: Open Broadcaster Software (OBS Studio)
- Decent headset with a mic boom (blocks out noise).
Remember, when it comes to hardware, the more you can afford to spend the better your experience will be – and the longer you can go between upgrades to keep up with the latest and greatest titles.
The good news is you can absolutely build a custom rig for streaming for less than $1,000. If you catch some solid deals on Newegg or Amazon, you might be able to accomplish your goals for far less.
Monetizing your stream:
First, you need to gain a following. You do this by engaging with your fans and posting links to your stream. You’ll also want to save recordings of your stream so that you can upload them to YouTube and other popular video sharing sites.
Don’t forget to pick a memorable nickname. It should be easy to spell, easy to pronounce and 100% unique.
This guide is helpful for introducing some strategies for monetizing your Twitch stream – or virtually any other video content you create.
Monetization ranges from scoring donations from excited fans, to selling the gear and games you’re playing with on the stream. A few streamers I’ve worked with were able to upgrade their rig by asking for donations of software and hardware from their most enthusiastic fans.
A few more beginner tips to building a quality stream channel:
- Search for popular video games to stream that aren’t over-populated with other streamers. This can be a difficult balancing act, but you’ll have the most success if you can find the sweet spot.
- Find ways to discuss interesting topics while gaming. You need to provide the kind of entertainment a radio show offers, along with the action in the game.
- Use shout-outs to recognize new fans. A casual viewer that just stumbled into your channel will appreciate the recognition.
- Leverage social media to keep your audience engaged, even when you aren’t streaming. Ask your audience for interesting topics they’d like to see covered in upcoming streams.
If you’re genuine and provide real entertainment, your fans won’t have a problem supporting you. Will it be enough to live on? Probably not. But you’ll definitely be able to afford to nerd out like a baller without flipping burgers.
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