In our conversations with dozens of streamers, we came to realize that information for streamers is either too generic to be useful, stuck behind a paywall, or simply not available. We've decided to summarize all of the helpful information that we discover through our conversations with content creators and in our own research.
We do our best to publish information that is accurate, up-to-date, and free of any outside incentive. We want this information to remain free and open to any creator that wants to use it.
If you have any questions or would like to request that we add or expand on a topic, please email us at hello@enshrine.io.
Disclaimer: The information contained in this blog post is for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to be legal advice. You should always consult with an attorney before making any legal decisions. The author of this blog post is not a lawyer and cannot provide legal advice.
The information in this blog post is not guaranteed to be accurate or up-to-date. The author(s) of this blog post is not responsible for any errors or omissions in the information.
The author(s) of this blog post is not liable for any damages that may arise from the use of the information in this blog post.
There are many streamers that actively publish content that address a wide range of questions that you might have.
Below is a list of the ones that we personally follow:
• katliente (Twitch, YouTube, TikTok) - puts out tons of helpful content for small/medium streamers
• flexandflora (Twitch, TikTok) - lots of great content specifically for Twitch streamers
• <We're working on getting more info here. Have something to add? Let us know!>
As you grow your earnings as a content creator, it is critical that you establish multiple sources of income. Relying too much on any one platform or source is very risky.
Below are the platforms that you can use to monetize for each category.
Subscriptions
Donations & One-time Payments
Merchandise
Sponsorships
Advertising
Alternatives
So, you want to work with brands to diversify your revenue streams? Fantastic! We think that's a great idea.
First things first, let's talk about why brands seek out partnerships and what you need before you start working with brands.
Why brands seek out partnerships
This may seem obvious, but let's talk about why brands want to partner with streamers and content creators in the first place.
Short answer: they want to sell more of whatever product and/or service that they offer.
Longer answer:
• Reach a large and engaged audience. Twitch streamers have a large and engaged audience. This means that brands can reach a lot of people with their message when they partner with a streamer.
• Build brand awareness. When a streamer talks about a brand on their stream, it can help to build brand awareness for that brand. This is because the streamer's audience is likely to be interested in the same things that the streamer is interested in.
• Generate leads. When a streamer talks about a brand on their stream, it can also help to generate leads for that brand. This is because the streamer's audience is likely to be interested in learning more about the brand and its products or services.
• Drive sales. If a streamer talks about a brand on their stream and their audience then goes on to buy that brand's products or services, the brand can generate sales. This is the ultimate goal of most brand partnerships.
What brands look for in a creator to partner with
Every company will have a different approach to sponsorships. Larger companies may have a more standardized process than smaller companies.
However, here are the most important things that you need to do/show to maximize the odds that a brand will sponsor you:
• Build an engaged (and ideally, large) audience. You don't need hundreds of thousands of followers to get a brand sponsorship (although having that many doesn't hurt). More importantly than that, brands want to see that you have an active and engaged audience.
• Create high-quality content. Brands want to be associated with streamers who produce high-quality content. Make sure your videos are well-edited and your streams are engaging.
• Be consistent. Stream regularly and at the same times each week. This will help you build a loyal audience and make it easier for brands to reach your viewers.
• Be professional. When you're working with brands, it's important to be professional. This means being on time for meetings, delivering what you promise, and following through on your commitments.
How to engage with brands
There is a lot to this last part, and listing everything out here would take up too much space. We highly recommend that you check out this sponsorship guide that katliente put together. She goes into A TON of detail on everything from how to price your sponsorships to some of the legal things you should consider before signing a contract.
We're actively working on a service that will help you get prepared for and land some brand sponsorships. If you're interested in working with us, please email us at hello@enshrine.io!
Working with other content creators that play the same games as you or have a similar community is a great way to get content that you can repurpose for other platforms get exposure to another set of fans that already enjoy watching content like yours.
Finding other streamers, well, that's a different story. Here are a places to check out if you're looking for streamers to collab with:
• Creatorland - great for finding brand deals and networking with other streamers. They also have a Discord server that has a bunch of active members.
• Twitch Streamers and Networking (TSAN) - active networking community with a Facebook group and Discord server.
• TwitchKittens Discord server - community for streamers with thousands of active members.
• <We're working on getting more info here. Have something to add? Let us know!>
Here are some great free resources to check out if you're looking to start networking:
• JRMATRIX's starter guide to networking with other streamers.
• <We're working on getting more info here. Have something to add? Let us know!>
Here are some tips for networking with other Twitch streamers:
• Be genuine and helpful. People are more likely to want to network with you if you're someone who is friendly and helpful.
• Be active in the community. Participate in discussions, answer questions, and offer support to other streamers.
• Be patient. Networking takes time and effort. Don't get discouraged if you don't see results immediately.
• Avoid follow-for-follow or self-promotion in other streams. This is a will get you a ban in most Twitch channels and is all around a bad idea.
* Just a reminder: The information contained in this blog post is for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to be legal advice. You should always consult with an attorney before making any legal decisions. The author of this blog post is not a lawyer and cannot provide legal advice.
Now that we've got that out of the way, here are some things to consider.
Copyright and Intellectual Property
Ensure you have the right to use all content in your streams or videos. Don't use copyrighted music, images, videos, or any other materials without permission or a license. Otherwise, you could face copyright infringement claims and takedown requests.
For a quick explanation of what constitutes copyright and intellectual property, we thought this article explained it well.
What Happens if I get a Copyright or Intellectual Property Strike Online?
This varies by platform. If you'd like us to add this section, please let us know!
Fair Use
Familiarize yourself with the concept of fair use, which allows limited use of copyrighted material without permission for purposes like commentary, criticism, news reporting, education, or parody. However, fair use can be subjective and might not protect you from legal challenges, so exercise caution. For a more detailed explanation, check out this article published by Stanford.
Trademark Issues
Avoid using trademarks or copyrighted logos without permission, especially for commercial purposes. Trademark holders may take legal action against unauthorized use of their marks. If you are a business who creates designs, merch, or design packages you could fall under a trademark issue if someone steals your designs.
Defamation and Libel
Avoid making false statements about individuals or other entities that could lead to defamation or libel claims.
Privacy and Data Protection
If you collect personal information from your viewers or users (e.g., through subscription forms or giveaways), you must comply with data protection laws like the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) in the European Union or other applicable regulations in your country.
Below is a list of the major privacy laws that you should be aware of if you plan on collecting personal information:
• California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) (California, United States) - The CCPA is a California law that gives consumers more control over their personal data. The CCPA requires businesses to disclose how they collect, use, and share personal data, and to give consumers the right to access, delete, and opt out of the sale of their personal data. Learn more here.
• California Privacy Rights Act (CPRA) (California, United States) - The CPRA is an amendment to the CCPA that expands the rights of California consumers and gives them more control over their personal data. The CPRA also creates new requirements for businesses, such as requiring them to obtain affirmative consent before selling personal data. Learn more here.
• General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) (European Union) - The GDPR is a regulation in EU law on data protection and privacy for all individuals within the European Union (EU) and the European Economic Area (EEA). The GDPR aims primarily to give control back to citizens and residents over their personal data and to simplify the regulatory environment for international business by unifying the regulation within the EU.
• Virginia Consumer Data Protection Act (VCDPA) (Virginia, United States) - The VCDPA is a Virginia law that gives consumers more control over their personal data. The VCDPA requires businesses to disclose how they collect, use, and share personal data, and to give consumers the right to access, delete, and opt out of the sale of their personal data. Learn more here.
• Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) (United States) - COPPA is a US law that protects the privacy of children online. COPPA applies to websites and online services that collect personal information from children under the age of 13. Learn more here.
DMCA Compliance
Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) in the United States and similar copyright laws in other countries. Implement a process for handling copyright infringement claims and promptly respond to valid takedown requests. You will mostly see this happen on Streaming platforms and all social media platforms like Facebook, and Twitch.
Age Restrictions and Content Ratings
Be mindful of the age-appropriateness of your content, and consider using content ratings or warnings for potentially sensitive material. This also goes for streaming on platforms such as twitch. The minimum age to stream on Twitch is 13 years old. This is following the same trend via social media count minimum age as well. Only platform that is under 13 is YouTube Kids, with parental consent.
Sponsorship and Endorsements
If you receive compensation or free products for promoting or reviewing items in your streams, you must disclose these relationships to your audience as per the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) guidelines in the U.S., or relevant advertising disclosure rules in your country.
Contracts and Agreements
If you collaborate with other creators, sponsors, or platforms, always have written agreements outlining the terms of the partnership to avoid misunderstandings later. If you'd like us to add to this section, please let us know!
Anything else you'd like us to add? Please let us know!
