Budgeting / Side Hustles

How to Monetize A Live Streaming Side Hustle

47% of people are streaming more live video than last year, according to research. Live streaming can be quite a lucrative side hustle. The post shares ideas on how to monetize a live streaming side hustle.

Live Video Streaming Can Be Monetized In 5 Ways and More!

  • Earn $5800+/month when you launch your own platform
  • Create items – earn about $2000+/month
  • Find a stream sponsor – Cost Per Mille (CPM) average
  • Earn $1 to $1,106/month from Patreon pledges

Earning from Video Streaming and Affiliate Marketing

Affiliate programs average 5% to 30% commission. If you are looking to start streaming videos on your own, you must have the proper hardware to make it possible.

A minimum requirement is an Nvidia 3650 card, a strong SSD and decent RAM. You should also have a 2.5ghz CPU with at least four cores and eight threads. You should be able to upgrade RAM easily, but a strong SSD is more important for streaming.

How To Start Streaming Games On A Budget

Zero-Dollar Streaming Software

You’ll need an application that can broadcast real-time device capture to your platform (such as Twitch). There are free solutions for the budget-conscious.

OBS is open-source for Windows, Linux, and macOS. Many streamers–even pros–love its flexibility, customizability, and plugins and features.

$4-$80 For Green Screen

Your room and setup may require a green screen. Chroma keying is a simple approach to hide clutter behind you on camera.

Room cleaning is free, however occasionally it’s not possible. Green cloth connected to curtain rods with $1 binder clips works great as a green screen. It’s ugly but works!

If you have extra cash? Lazada’s streaming stand and green backdrop cost $25.

Microphones for $25-299

If your voice is muffled by background noise, you can’t tell bad jokes. If money is tight, use the Zalman ZM Mic 1 (or any other $20 lapel mic). It’s not amazing, but it’s probably better than your computer or camera’s in-built microphone.

The HyperX Cloud line of gaming headphones, rated for comfort and quality, costs $79 to $239 on their website. Why not get a gaming headset with an excellent microphone?

Webcams For Streaming

If you are on a budget but still want to record quality content, webcams can help you achieve this. However, you may need to invest in some additional equipment in order to get the best results. These tools include a computer, streaming software, and capture card. You can also purchase a DSLR camera to improve the quality of your recordings.

There are many types of webcams available. You may want to choose one that supports HD and 4K up to 60 frames per second. The higher the resolution, the smoother the video will be. Most webcams have this capability, but it isn’t necessary to buy the most expensive one.

Consider the Quality of the Picture

You should also consider the quality of the picture. While most webcams can produce high-quality video in adequate lighting, some cameras have less than perfect results under dim or dimmer conditions.

If you’re planning to use the camera for streaming purposes, you should make sure it has an auto-adjusting sensor, so that you can adjust the settings in any conditions.

If you’re looking for a cheaper webcam, try the Aukey PC-LM1. It has a sleek black design and a built-in microphone on either side of the lens. It also has a 65-degree viewing angle. The downside is that it doesn’t have built-in color settings, but you can download apps that will adjust the colors.

Logitech StreamCam

A higher-end webcam made specifically for streaming is the Logitech StreamCam. While it is more expensive, it boasts higher resolution, adjustable FOV, and an adaptive light sensor. Logitech has been the leader in the PC webcam market for many years. Their C920 launched in 2012, and it has continued to dominate the market. It offers bang-for-your-buck performance and is ideal for first-time live streamers.

The Razer Kiyo is another good choice for streaming. It has a futuristic disc design and is perfect for streaming games or Zoom meetings. The video recording abilities are not as advanced as the Logitech BRIO, but it is decent for zoom calls and YouTube. If you need more features, you can also upgrade to the Razer Kiyo Pro.

Streaming Software

You may be wondering how to start streaming without breaking the bank. There are several inexpensive options that are suitable for beginners. Streamyard is one such option. It allows users to create and share live streaming streams on their YouTube channel and can be used on any device that has Chrome installed on it.

The Basic plan costs just $20 per month and will remove all the Streamyard branding from your videos. Another option is Vimeo. This video sharing service was founded by a group of filmmakers in 2004 and has grown to be one of the most popular video on demand platforms today.

It allows live streaming and auto-archiving of video content in 4K resolution. Vimeo also offers a Pro plan for $75 per month, but the Basic plan will do for most people.

OBS Studio

Another free streaming software option is OBS Studio. This is based on StreamLabs and Stream Elements and is open source. It is also supported by a vibrant community of coders.

However, OBS Studio has a steep learning curve and requires a lot of customization. Its downside is that it requires you to create all of your own overlays, alerts, and widgets.

Another free option is Melon, which offers a free version of streaming software that allows you to create a high-quality live stream without downloading any software.

Benefits of Using Melon Streaming Platform

It has a variety of features and is used by thousands of people every month. Restream Studio is another free streaming software option that is reliable and lightning-fast. Its features will make your live stream stand out from the crowd.

If you are not ready to invest in expensive software, you can opt for OBS Studio, an open source streaming software that works on both Macs and Windows computers. It supports multiple video inputs and features, including a live chat widget. It is also free, and you can download it for free if you choose the Streamlabs software.

Restream Studio

Restream Studio offers multiple plans with different capabilities, depending on your budget. It supports a number of social media platforms and helps you reach your audience. It also offers a feature that lets you record your live stream and manage your channels in real time.

In addition, it allows you to customize your streams by adding custom backgrounds and branding. It also supports streaming to various platforms, and you can use it on your Mac, Linux or Windows computer.

Choosing A Streaming Service

Streaming services have become increasingly popular, and they are a great alternative to cable TV. Although the on-demand space used to be dominated by a few niche players, most entertainment providers are eager to grab a bigger share of the market.

Because of this, choosing a TV streaming service isn’t as simple as it used to be. Here are a few things to keep in mind when making your decision.

First of all, it’s important to realize that the final price of a streaming service can vary based on your specific requirements. The indicated price includes any meetings and code documentation processing, but any added functionality could incur additional costs. Fortunately, you can choose a streaming service with features that are affordable and suitable for your needs.

Network Bandwidth

Network bandwidth is an important consideration for streaming. It determines how fast you can download data over the internet. Bandwidth is measured in bits per second. For example, one megabyte equals eight megabits. This means that it takes eight seconds for one megabyte to download.

In comparison, a one-gigabyte MP3 file will take 48 minutes to download. A five-gigabyte movie will take about 11 hours to download. Using a higher bandwidth can significantly increase the amount of data you can download in a certain period of time.