File: Why you should use subscriptions on Twitch
Ah, the push for more revenue. Earning on Twitch is a day-to-day grind for streamers. Making partner or affiliate, and identifying ways to monetize your content are all stressors for streamers who often work as CEO, lead talent, marketing tech, and accountant. So what are the benefits of using subscriptions on Twitch? In this article, we’ll review why it’s important to offer subscriptions on Twitch and how streamers can use them to boost engagement.
Table of Contents
Why are subscriptions on Twitch important?
Subscriptions on Twitch are important for Twitch streamers for a variety of reasons. For one, they give viewers a way to support their favorite streamer financially and develop a closer bond as a viewer. Streamers often rely on donations and subscriptions to make a living because, well, ad revenue is hit or miss, and quite frankly, marketing agencies don’t offer a lot of wiggle room for creativity; which can make conversions all the more difficult for small-to-mid-sized streamers.
Subscriptions on Twitch also give viewers access to unique benefits and features, like custom emotes, subscriber-only chat, and ad-free viewing during a stream. This exclusive access gives viewers a more intimate connection to their favorite streamer and increases the likelihood that they’ll return to enjoy more of the channel’s content.
Furthermore, subscriptions on Twitch can help a streamer expand their brand. The more subscribers on Twitch one has, the more likely the channel is to appear on Twitch’s recommended channels and rank on Google’s SERP.
Beyond building a closer relationship between viewer and streamer, there are direct benefits to both.
Supporting a streamer
When viewers subscribe to a channel, the monthly donation helps content creators afford to improve the experience by purchasing new equipment, software, better internet speeds, newer games, and higher production content.
Viewers get exclusive emotes and badges
Depending on the streamer, subscriptions may include exclusive emotes and badges, which can be used to show support for the streamer and show off to other chatters and subscribers.
Ad-free viewing
Again, depending on how the streamer has set up his or her subscriptions, purchasing subscriptions on Twitch may include ad-free viewing, a big perk for streams that are competitive and include content that viewers just can’t miss.
A sense of community
When viewers purchase subscriptions on Twitch, it’s often because they enjoy your content and appreciate the community you’ve built. As a member of that community, subscribers get the opportunity to feel like they have a special connection to your stream and look forward to any special events you have to offer and channel giveaways. Just keep it fun!
Are subscriptions on Twitch beneficial for streamers? Why not just rely on ad revenue?
Subscriptions on Twitch can be a great revenue stream for streamers. When a viewer subscribes to a channel, the streamer receives a portion of the subscription fee. The amount of the fee that the streamer receives varies depending on the tier of subscription. For example, a streamer receives 50% of the fee for a Tier 1 subscription, 25% of the fee for a Tier 2 subscription, and 10% of the fee for a Tier 3 subscription.
Relying on advertisements alone is a dangerous game for small-mid-level streamers. In fact, Mr. Beast recently said it best in an interview with Lex Friedman recently:
You know, we get 100 million views a video now and I can confidently say I know how to entertain them and convert them better than these random brands. So yea, if they don’t give us that freedom, I just won’t work with them [but for new streamers] yea, it’s pretty brutal.
Mr. Beast on Lex Friedman’s podcast
And he’s right. Ads are highly dynamic in regard to what they pay, and what viewer interaction looks like; there really is no way to forecast accurately what ad dollars look like for most streamers. This is why subscriptions on Twitch are so important to all streamers, from the beginner level to the pros.
Final words
At the end of the day, subscriptions and advertisements are two of the best ways streamers can monetize their content on Twitch. What it comes down to for many streamers, however, is often what a subscription offers and the level of quality content they provide in their stream.
With a great subscription program though, one that offers exclusive features that make viewers feel like they are part of a community, streamers can build a loyal following and generate a significant amount of revenue doing what they love most.
Related: How To Avoid DCMA Takedowns On Your Twitch Channel 2023