9 Best ways to make money playing Video Games? Best ways to earn as a Gamer

Updated: Sep 6, 2023

Gaming has become one of the fastest-growing industries in the world. Are you a gamer, and have considered how you can earn money from gaming? In this article, we will reveal some of the best ways to earn money as a gamer.

How to Earn Money from Gaming?

Here are the best ways you can create a side as well as a main income from gaming.

1. Streaming Games

Streaming is the most common and known way gamers can earn money. You can stream your gameplay on streaming services like Twitch, YouTube, Facebook, Kick and many more similar sites. To be a streamer you will require a powerful gaming setup and to attract and retain the viewers you either need to have top-tier gameplay or a cool enjoyable personality to engage with.

Streamers earn money in many different ways, here are some of them -

Ad revenue
Subscription
Brand Partnership
Donation
Sponsored streams
Merchandise

2. Competitive Gaming and Esports

Esports is the second most common way gamers earn money. But for this, the skill ceiling is very high to earn a decent amount of money. Competitive gaming is a very wide term it starts from local gaming cafes where the prize can be a gaming keyboard all the way to esports events in huge arenas with crowds. The Dota 2 International is the highest prize pool esports competition, in 2020 it has a prize pool of $40 million USD.

To become an esports player you need to achieve high ranks almost the top 100 in games to attract the attention of esports organizations. Then either you can approach teams or form your own squad to compete in tournaments through open qualifiers.

3. YouTube Content Creation

Gamers also earn money from YouTube by uploading their gameplay, game highlights, funny moments and many more things for their audience. YouTube and streaming go hand in hand and will grow each other over time. Gamers can earn from ad revenue, sponsors and paid partnerships from their YouTube channel.

A key to growing on YouTube is consistency and patience. To generate a decent following on YouTube it can take a long time but the eventual success is well worth the wait and hard work.

4. Blog - Writing game reviews and guides

Starting your own blog can also be a good way to earn money. You can start a blog and publish articles about new game reviews, gaming guides for specific games which you enjoy and you can also write about gaming products.

With the help of a blog, you can generate revenue through ads, sponsors, affiliate marketing and many other methods.

5. Social Media

Nowadays social media is becoming a very good way to earn money by creating content. You can start an online presence on Instagram, Twitter, Tiktok, Youtube and more for free. Start creating content and increasing your audience to monetise your social media presence.

With a decent enough following on social media, you can get sponsors and also generate money through affiliate marketing.

6. Affiliate Marketing

What is affiliate marketing? Affiliate marketing is a way to earn a commission when someone makes a purchase through your affiliate link. To get an affiliate link you need to sign up and become an affiliate partner of different brands you want to promote.

You need to generate traffic with social media or blog so that your audience can make purchases through your links and you will earn commission per sale.

7. Selling Virtual Items

Virtual items in games can be skins, weapons, items and many other things which can be unlocked in games for free or case openings. You can sell these items on official or third-party marketplaces for real-world money. This is a very unconventional way by which you can earn some money, but this way you will only be able to generate some side income. Trading virtual items will not become your main source of income.

8. Teaching others

Tutoring games are becoming more and more common over time. As gaming is becoming more mainstream newer players are looking to learn and improve. As an experienced and high-ranking player you can teach others. You can do this from freelancing websites like Fiverr or social media.

To be successful at it you will need to show that you yourself are a very good high rank player through social media so that you can funnel the clients towards you.

9. Play Games to earn real money

Do you know that there are many games that give you real-life money when you play them? Generally, these are mobile games and not require a good setup to run. Bingo, and Solitaire are some of the examples of these games. Here are some of the legit games that give you real money on winning.

Frequently Asked Questions?

What is the best way to earn money as a gamer?

Without a doubt, the best way to earn money by gaming is through streaming and content creation. Competing in esports is also a viable option but requires a lot of time and hard work.