I get asked this question all the time.
Well, what exactly Twitch is a community of lovely people who enjoy video games and the social entertainment of talking to people live. It’s kind of like interactive TV. They are doing something, that might be interested in, and show you how they do it, via Chat. It is a great way to get to know new people and learn new things.
The wonderful community of Twitch, are a people who provide entertainment in many ways. Some people live stream, things like Art, Programming, Just Chat, and video games. It has all types of entertainment for all kinds of people young or old. It is like hanging out watching tv, with your friends.
There are several things you can do by watching Twitch streams, an example is you can ask the streamers questions in real-time. Know of a game that you have been interested in buying? Why not log in to Twitch, and watch someone play it first? You can listen to a DJ live, and have a party at home. I sometimes enjoy just chatting with people just about anything and anything.
When I am streaming live, I am usually playing some sort of video game, and have a live video of my face. So people can see my expressions when I am talking to them, or just enjoying the game. Sometimes, people use channel points, to interact with me in different ways than just typing.
Channel points are a currency that you earn when watching my stream. It doesn’t cost anything but your time hanging out with me, you can get these points, passively and you don’t have to do anything. Somes, in a chat there is a green treasure box, that gives you extra points if you click on them.
I personally stream, live on Twitch to have a good time laughing learn how to play video games and meet new people. So far I’ve met people from other countries all over the world. My geography skills are not that great, so sometimes, I go to Google Maps and find out where they are, and learn a bit more about where they live. Sometimes wander around the city, with the street view feature. My viewers enjoy that too. The person can talk about their home too. It is a great way to get to know the people in chat.
I stream mostly video games like Oxygen Not Included, Prison Architect, Anno 1800, and Rimworld. They are known as management games. (Mostly solo, casual games) Where I am in charge of people, buildings, and finances. I also play games like 7 Days to Die, and Valheim, These games are called Crafting and Survival Games. I am not very good at it, but I get advice from my viewers and who laugh with me at my frustration with the games that I am playing. Sometimes, I occasionally stream ART.
I created my account Tuesday, 02 June 2015. Started streaming seriously in 2020, and I became an Affiliate on October 20, 2020.
Yes, sometimes people make a lot of money doing this. When you first start, you can’t earn anything. But after you get 50 followers, that is people who bookmark your channel to find it again. You become an affiliate. Once you achieve this then you are able to make an income in several ways.
- The most common way is a subscription. That is when someone buys one for your channel. They agree to pay a monthly fee to support the channel. The streamer gets 50% of this fee. You get to have a badge beside your name that tells chatters that you support the channel. As well, as access to personal channel emotes that you can use when visiting other streamers. They are cute little pictures that are put in chat to express yourself instead of typing. Also, you don’t have to watch commercials on your supported stream.
- Then there are donations, which is where someone can gift or donate money to the channel. This money is never expected and greatly appreciated by the streamer. This money is solely for the streamer, and Twitch does not take anything.
- A small way that you can show your appreciation is by giving something called Bits. This is purchased via the Twitch website, at different amounts in lots like 100, 500, 1500 and 5000 bits. It is a fun way to show your appreciation to the content creator.
- Some streamers, have something called Merchandise. A link to a place that is not associated with Twitch to buy sweaters, mugs, hats and other things for you to enjoy. Personally, I don’t do that. Some artists I have seen sell, the art you watched being created. I sometimes indulge in that.
- You don’t always have to spend money to support channels if you don’t want to subscribe. Just watch a few commercials on the channel and the stream earns passive money, from people watching them. ( subscribers can watch without the ads ) By even being in the channel boosts the channel in the browser pages so he/she/they can be found at the top of the list.
l personally have not made a lot of money streaming. But when I do. I use the money, to give back to the community by giving subs to people in my favourite streams. I sometimes, use the money to purchase video games, that I am interested in. When I do get money, I have used the money for a new computer desk, a new keyboard, and a computer chair. I am really looking forward to getting a new webcam and replacing a scratched monitor that bugs me.
Although the money is a really nice perk, it is really not what I am after. I am a bit of a hermit and hardly leave the house. Sometimes, my Anxiety, and depression periods can take over my life. Makes it difficult to hold down a job. Allows me to feel useful, and I can control when I do things, how long, and when I can.
Also, this is a great way for me to use all my talents, like my art, and my programming skills, ways to learn new programs like OBS Studio (streaming software ), and meet people. Twitch makes me happy, and I just want other people to enjoy this website. Like I do. Who knows maybe you will learn something new, find a new interest, and meet people. And the best part is 24hrs. So no matter when someone is always doing things for you to enjoy from the comfort of your home. I hope you join me one day and have as much fun as I am.
Yours truly,
MiaDevlin69 aka Rachel B
Grandmother, Friend, Artist, streamer and comedian.
