If you have a knack for gaming and spend a lot of time in front of the computer or television, you may wonder whether there’s a way to monetize your achievements. Believe it or not, there are many people already making great money off of playing video games. With platforms like Twitch and YouTube, there’s no better time than right now to make money from your favorite hobby. You can make a living off of gaming, but like any other profession, it takes a lot of work. Wondering how you can start monetizing your hobby? Check out these ways to make a living off of gaming:
Create a YouTube Channel
YouTube is the perfect platform for gamers to connect and share their experiences, cheat codes, and reviews. Many professional gamers make money recording their gameplay and sharing it on YouTube. With the platform, you can run live streams or record and edit your videos for others to watch. You can also post a variety of content, from tutorials to reviews and more. When you post videos on YouTube, you can earn a percentage of ad revenue when viewers watch or click ads.
Of course, if you plan to live stream or show yourself on camera while playing, you should also have a cool setup, including accessories with AIMO lighting, a quality headset and microphone, and high-quality equipment that won’t lag.
Try Video Game Coaching
Video game coaching allows you to coach others on how to play advanced video games. You can teach others through tutorials, screen-sharing, and group classes, allowing you to share your best tips and tricks while earning money. Gaming coaches set their own rates and availability, and you can find some quality gigs on a variety of sites like Gamer Sensei or even post your services on Upwork or Fiver.
Gaming Apps
Several apps on your smartphone allow you to earn money as you play. While you may not be able to earn a living off of these earnings, you can still earn a good amount of money on the side.
Many casino games also allow you to place bets as you would in a regular casino, so if you’re good at gambling, you may be able to earn top dollar on those apps.
Do your research when looking for a gaming app that pays while you play. You should never give your personal information to apps just because they promise something in return.
Journalism
If you love video games and writing, you can combine both passions to become a video game reporter.
As a video game journalist, you’ll report on upcoming news and games and write reviews.
Many gaming sites out there pay for quality articles, so you don’t have to write for one of the major publications to earn big money. Instead, you can write for a blog or start your own website and monetize it with ads.
Unfortunately, it can be quite difficult to make a living writing about gaming because it’s competitive.
Many avid gamers want to write about games for a living, especially if they don’t make much money playing.
If you write for a website, you may have to write for low pay until you can find a higher-paying gig and prove your skills.
Meanwhile, if you start your own website, it can take years to build your audience enough to make a living from ad revenue.
Testing
By becoming a videogame tester, you can get the first look at new video games while earning a paycheck.
Before games get released to the public, they’re tested quite a bit by regular gamers just like you.
This testing reduces the number of bugs and helps developers create better games, so you must know how a game should work and be able to provide valuable feedback.
Many game development companies hire testers to find bugs and other issues, so if you love playing games and want to experience something new, you can become a tester as your career or a side gig.
Tournaments and Sponsorships
Gaming is similar to regular sports in that you can earn money by playing in tournaments and getting brand sponsorships.
Tournaments are most common with PvP games, but the more popular the game, the bigger the prize.
If you’re great at a few games, you can join an esports organization and play to earn a livable salary through tournament winnings and sponsorship.
Unfortunately, not everyone is cut out for this type of gaming, and many of the best players still don’t win tournaments.
Development
If you’ve always wanted to design and develop your own video game, a career as a videogame designer might be right for you.
First, of course, you’ll need to take some classes to learn how to code video games.
However, once you have the necessary skills, you can work with game companies to create new games and become a part of the growing industry while you earn a living.
Game developers can have rewarding careers without worrying about being their own bosses.
You can browse job sites to learn more about what it takes to become a developer at the top companies.
Create Guides
Video guides can help new players navigate games, allowing them to learn how to do certain functions like building, fighting, or choosing the right weapons.
Making your own guides is easy as long as you have some writing skills. You can self-publish your own guides on Amazon and sell them for as much as you want, as long as you stay competitive.
These guides are helpful for players and can help you turn your expertise into hard cash.
Gaming for Money
As you can see, there are many ways you can make a living off of gaming. However, while you may be able to monetize your hobby, it still requires hard work. If you enjoy gaming as a hobby, you may not want to turn it into a job because it may take away from the relaxing experience. However, if gaming is a huge part of your life, it might be time to turn it into a career.
Ashley Nielsen earned a B.S. degree in Business Administration Marketing at Point Loma Nazarene University. She is a freelance writer who loves to share knowledge about general business, marketing, lifestyle, wellness, and financial tips. During her free time, she enjoys being outside, staying active, reading a book, or diving deep into her favorite music.
