Live streaming is one of the fastest-growing industries in the world. Its hyper-simulated growth is accelerating thanks to the fact that live streaming offers viewers more personalization, variety, and versatility. Statistics show that people watched around 7.2 billion hours of content in the third quarter of 2022. Additionally, experts project that the market will hit $4.29 billion by the end of 2028. About 17% of internet traffic comes from live streams and related activities.
Live streaming is a big business, and intelligent folks are tapping the industry’s growth and stability to earn a living. Read on to learn how to convert your live-streaming activities into money.
How Is Live Streaming Booming These Days?
Live streaming is the seamless process of broadcasting video content online in real time. This 2.8-decade-old activity gained more traction during the COVID-19 period. Almost everyone was streaming conferences, training sessions, church services, live sporting events, and more. With strict social-distancing rules in place, video conferencing and live streaming offered a safer and cost-effective alternative to keep things running while eliminating the need for physical contact.
The technology is harmonious with nearly every other industry you know of. Conferencing allows event organizers to telecast their activities to reach millions of global audiences. YouTube and Twitch game streaming has grown significantly over the last two years, with Twitch experiences reaching new highs. Similarly, live streaming has made it easier for fitness studios to connect with a larger audience globally while promoting the campaign to stay healthy and fit, thanks to the countless user-friendly and cost-effective fitness apps.
Religious leaders have joined the mix, with mosques, churches, and temples streaming most of their sermons through video-sharing platforms. Podcasters have taken center stage in the trend, too, as they present their ideas and discussions in a more exciting and immersive way online. The versatility and usefulness of live streaming know no bounds, and almost everyone has a reason to participate.
What Can You Stream to Make Money?
So many streaming platforms provide the chance for people to make money. From games to video conferences and podcasts, there are many ways one can stream and make money. You can create an engaging podcast and stream it to earn from referral programs, sponsorships, sales of products, or influencer deals. You can also become a YouTuber and make money by streaming product reviews, tutorials, educational content, and more. You can also stream your sermons and get endorsements, sponsorships, and donations from your target audience.
Fitness industry experts can offer live-streamed training sessions and earn money through program subscriptions, donations, and sponsorships. People in business can stream their meetings, conferences, and training programs to eliminate the costs of in-person meetings and training. Virtually everything streamable has a cash value attached to it. It’s a matter of discovering your niche and targeting the right audience to maximize your earnings.
How to Make Money From Live Streaming
Making money is on everyone’s mind these days. That’s why Pawns.app is gaining users by the second, with millions already earning from the platform by answering easy surveys and sharing their broadband.
The good news is that live streaming your content can earn you money in many unexpected ways. Let’s discuss some fun yet realistic ways to create wealth with this activity.
Receive Tips When Live Streaming
Accept tips as a way to monetize live streams. Everyone can get monetary gifts while live streaming on different platforms. However, you have to activate the tip-supporting feature on your specific live-streaming platform. Make sure you are delivering quality content as well. If you’re streaming on YouTube, monetize your channel. Try these tipping options to earn money as you live stream content:
- YouTube Super Thanks, Super Stickers, and Super Chat are the best tools for monetization of YouTube Live.
- You can monetize your Facebook live streams by accepting Stars, joining the Level Up Program, or asking for donations.
- Your audience at Twitch can cheer you with Bits to reward your quality content. You can also become a Twitch partner or affiliate to earn Bits. Each Bit equates to $0.01.
Join Affiliate Programs
As you live stream, share links to products, programs, and services you have active affiliate partnerships with. Provided you stick to all the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) guidelines and inform your clients about the programs, you won’t have anything to worry about.
- Amazon Live: One well-paying affiliate program you can tap into is Amazon Live. You can generate income by sharing tutorials and reviewing products while running your QVC-style show on Amazon using StreamYard.
- Other affiliate websites: As an affiliate partner of shopping centers, hotels, gaming stores, sportsbooks, and other platforms, you can earn a commission whenever a viewer clicks on your affiliate link or uses your code when signing up for a service or purchasing a product. Some programs let you earn up to 20% commission.
Sell Digital Products
In this digital world, there is much to create and sell that can reward you with money to finance your lifestyle. You can develop and sell websites, games, NFTs, online courses, tutorials, e-books, etc., on your live streams. Try these simple and fun ways to create and sell digital items:
- E-commerce stores: Partner with product manufacturers and dropshipping experts to start selling physical products on your streaming sessions. You can always share the links to your on-offer products for your audience to discover.
- Social media platforms: On your live stream, you can share the links to your social media pages where you sell your online courses, tutorials, e-books, and games.
- Live streaming shopping websites: There are many well-known dedicated live shopping platforms, including Popshop, TalkShopLive, Buywith, and Amazon Live, where you can live stream as you market your digital products.
Gain Sponsorships
Live streams are the most engaging way to showcase your prowess in a specific niche or industry. Through them, you can build a huge loyal following. You can convert your audience into income by sourcing for brand sponsorships or ambassadorships.
Thousands of brands and companies are searching for trustworthy and influential representatives. By signing deals with multiple brands, you earn a living by introducing your audience to products and generating more sales.
Generate Ad Revenue
Digital advertising revenue makes up the most significant percentage of the income generated by most digital-based businesses. You can use the advertising programs offered by different online streaming platforms, including YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, etc. There are many ways to generate income with ad revenue, including:
- Overlay and display ads: These are designed to pop up on your stream as small cards or banners.
- Pre-roll ads: Pre-roll ads are designed such that the viewer has to watch an advertisement before they can access your streaming content. They pop up immediately after a viewer clicks on your stream.
- Mid-roll ads: These often pop up in the middle of a live stream. They work so that your stream size reduces to pave the way for the ad window to pop up.
You can get all these ad revenue generation alternatives on various platforms, including YouTube, Twitch, and Facebook.
Final Thoughts
You’ve built a loyal following, and everyone is now happy with the content you stream on your YouTube channel or Facebook page. You have been getting sponsorship deals; some viewers have even tipped you for your work. However, you feel the amount you are getting isn’t equal to the efforts you put into creating and streaming content.
If that’s the case, it’s time to diversify. With the tips mentioned above, you can start earning money with every stream. One thing you must never forget when monetizing your streams is that your viewers follow you because you share quality content. If you stop doing that and shift your focus to maximizing earnings, you’ll lose followers and not earn the money you crave.
FAQ
What’s the best platform for live streaming?
There is no one-size-fits-all platform for everyone to stream content and earn money. The best program largely depends on your target audience and your niche. However, Twitch is currently the most populous on-demand video platform offering best-in-class live streaming services accessible on most devices, including PCs and consoles. YouTube Live next, followed by Facebook Live.
Where can I live stream for free?
Many of the live-streaming platforms you know are free, from Twitch and YouTube to Facebook.
How long can I live stream for?
The time you can live stream continuously depends on the platform and the device you use. The maximum can go from 8 to 48 hours.