If you are trying to make a living on Twitch then you probably know all this. You are either trying to amass as many subs as possible, and/or diversifying your income so you aren't entirely dependent on Twitch. I hope the best for you, and this article isn't really about / against you. This is more for other small streamers, like myself, who have received an amazing amount of generosity ever since I started on Twitch, and who will always treat Twitch as a hobby.
So what's the deal?
I gave away my last bit and I'm about to subscribe my last subscription (though honestly, there might be exceptions. For example, I recently subscribed to a friend who recently became affiliate to claim the "Founders" badge... damn you Twitch!) I am done giving 50% of my money to Twitch and half to my friends in order to earn some shiny badges or emotes on the Twitch website.
I am thankful for the opportunity to stream for free on Twitch. I have met so many new friends and joined several online communities because this website exists. These relationships simply would not be possible without the dedication of their various teams; however, I no longer feel the need to give my money directly to them.
Instead, I plan on setting aside a budget of $25 a month which I will use to support my friends in other ways. Whether it's through direct donations, purchasing merch or maybe even buying them games. I would much rather my $25 actually go to them as $25 instead of $12.50 (or the fees paid through bits).
In order to do this, I will have to give up the badges, streaks, and ever increasing hype and money associated with Twitch. Instead, I will do my best to share and promote ALL of their creative projects through links, Discord, and yes, through donations and purchases. If possible, I would rather hold up something real, that they maybe even made themselves, rather than a "12-month subscriber" badge.
I'm sharing this information because I hope to motivate others to support their favorite streamers directly as well. Whether you do or not, I'll never know and don't really care to find out. I just want my thoughts to be out here for all to see and think about.
You're going to make your own decision regardless, and every Twitch streamer is thankful for your efforts whether they include monetary support or not.
