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Hey everyone, remember how Amazon hates unions? I'm going to go out on a limb here and drop a few simple facts and statistics about Twitch. This is a thread for other content creators and I hope you'll read it.
CW. I TALK ABOUT MY TWITCH "SALARY" :O
CW. I TALK ABOUT MY TWITCH "SALARY" :O
If you're a Twitch content creator, or are thinking about becoming one, you can use this calculator to find out how many subscribers you need to get a certain amount more or less each month: http://twitchsubcalculator.com/
I'm sorry in advance
I'm sorry in advance
I used the above calculator with my own Twitch subscribers and income to test that it was based on current algorithms. It is.
Currently I get 35-40 subs/month & make juuust enough to actually get sent money each month (you need to have accumulated $100 to even be paid)
Currently I get 35-40 subs/month & make juuust enough to actually get sent money each month (you need to have accumulated $100 to even be paid)
In order to become a Twitch Partner, you need to have an average of 75 viewers every stream. Let's imagine that you have the same 75 viewers every stream & they are all subscribers.
Even with all the work it takes to become Partner, you will still be making less than $200/month.
Even with all the work it takes to become Partner, you will still be making less than $200/month.
I'm a very frugal person. I don't spend much money & can generally live off $1,000 US/month wherever I live (yes, I know it's ridiculous). In order for me to make that much on Twitch, I'd need *400* regular subscribers.
$1,000/month is $3,000 under federal minimum wage in the US
$1,000/month is $3,000 under federal minimum wage in the US
Kazuma is 100% correct here. Anyone who meets the criteria to even earn money on Twitch to begin with who doesn't already have a massive following from elsewhere knows how difficult it is just to get 75 average viewers, but even that's often not enough! https://twitter.com/JusticeKazzy_/status/1391002859097968643
In order for me personally to even get the 35-40 regular subscribers that I do currently, I have a few friends with large followings who sometimes stream with me, bringing their audiences with them. Most people don't have the luxury of nepotism to support their income on Twitch!
If you need 400 regular subscribers just to make $1,000 US per month on Twitch, you need ANOTHER 100 subscribers just to make what the CURRENT federal minimum wage in the US, i.e. $7.25/hour!!!!!!
You need **500 Twitch subscribers** to make the current US minimum wage.
You need **500 Twitch subscribers** to make the current US minimum wage.
Of course, the meager amounts most Twitch creators make does not include any money to be put aside for superannuation, health insurance, etc. Twitch are making a killing through their talented, eager income stream which they don't protect or look after, taking 50% of all earnings
100% agree. I have seen so many streamers do this, inc. those with huge audiences & alternative income streams. I have had 1-2 big streamers go travelling w/me & have to time their <7-day vacation around their streaming dates, terrified of losing income https://twitter.com/ausgoth/status/1391005473495674889
It's disgusting when you think of the revenue Twitch rakes in & how exploited streamers are, but they often don't even realise it bc they're working so hard to be "known" & too distracted by "fun games" to think about it. The lack of competitive alternatives doesn't help, either.
Keep in mind also that streamers from marginalised demographics often also have to work twice as hard to get half of the recognition (including viewership & subscriptions)
"Ha ha what about titty streamers"
Look at the top earners for Twitch & tell me how many of them are women
"Ha ha what about titty streamers"
Look at the top earners for Twitch & tell me how many of them are women
Effectively through their methods of promotion and their algorithms, Twitch very readily contributes to pay and wealth gaps between all the usual suspects. And then there is the harassment.
Streamers targeted for abuse are essentially given the option to put up with it or leave.
Streamers targeted for abuse are essentially given the option to put up with it or leave.
Look how much labour it takes just for a creator to approach anything resembling a regular wage on Twitch, let alone a regular audience. Look how much Twitch makes from them by doing jackshit to support them, both financially & spiritually.
If Amazon needs a union so does Twitch
If Amazon needs a union so does Twitch
If you're a Twitch content creator, I encourage you to talk about your own earnings & labour on the platform. It's only through transparency about concepts that COMPANIES have deemed "taboo" that some ppl can see their privileges while others can realise they are being exploited
Don't get me wrong - I really WANT to like Twitch.
But I need Twitch to care about me too.
But I need Twitch to care about me too.
Another addendum: I've noticed ppl taking away from this thread that this proves why Twitch should only be a hobby
No, like all labour issues this has nothing to do with the workers. It's Twitch that needs to change. The only acceptable reaction for streamers here is to UNIONIZE
No, like all labour issues this has nothing to do with the workers. It's Twitch that needs to change. The only acceptable reaction for streamers here is to UNIONIZE
If people are profiting off your labor, your labour is VALUABLE. Period.
And you ought to be compensated in kind.
And you ought to be compensated in kind.
