Making money with your gaming PC is a viable option – and one that can be incredibly satisfying. With a few smart moves and some adjustments to your hardware and software, you can set yourself up to generate cash or even a steady passive income. Here’s a five step guide to getting started:
1. Evaluate Your Gaming PC. Before you start monetizing your PC, it’s important to determine whether it can handle the load. This means checking whether your graphics card, RAM, and processor are up-to-date, as well as ensuring that your gaming setup is good enough to run the programs you plan to use. Also consider whether any upgrades are in order – doing so can help you increase your gaming PC’s earning potential.
2. Research Your Options. There are plenty of ways to monetize your gaming PC, from hosting videos and entering gaming competitions to becoming a game tester or streaming your gaming sessions through popular social platforms. Make sure to look into the premise and rules involved with each option, as well as its earning potential, before committing to it.
3. Prepare the Necessary Hardware. Depending on your chosen money-making route, you may need to invest in new equipment or peripherals. For instance, a top-of-the-line gaming keyboard is an essential if you’re planning to enter online competitions, while a microphone and headset are must-haves if you plan to become a game tester.
4. Sign Up for Monetizing Programs. Signing up for websites that connect game creators and players, such as itch.io and Beat The Game, is a great way to make money. Through these services, you can earn commission on game sales and even get invited to exclusive game-testing sessions where you can cash in on rewards.
5. Promote Your Gaming Sessions. Posting regular updates and streams of your gaming escapades can increase your fan base and raise your profile. This process can take some time, so be sure to be patient. Once you start seeing followers, use those connections to become an affiliate for your favorite gaming companies to gain additional revenue – for example, you can link directly to their websites or products in your posts.
Using Online Services
Online services provide a great way to start earning additional income from your gaming PC. From setting up your own store page to selling game-related items and service packages, the internet is positively saturated with ways to make money. All you need to do is research the most popular gaming websites to find those that best suit your skills.
Don’t forget to keep an eye out for sponsored gaming contracts. You might be incentivised to play games a certain way or record your streams, and some of these offers can be quite lucrative. Just be sure to read the fine print to ensure that you’re getting a fair deal.
If you are already an accomplished gamer ready to take your platform to a more commercialised level, you could always look into Twitch Prime. This program allows you to earn a percentage of your Twitch ad revenue and grants select benefits, such as free in-game items.
You can also advertise either on your streaming platform or on your website/ on social media, but be aware that some networks put restrictions on how you display your ads. Others such as YouTube don’t even allow sponsored posts, so be sure to research the guidelines for the networks you’d like to join.
Finally, you could always join an esports tournament. Not only do some of these events offer prizes of up to $10,000, but the adrenaline rush and feelings of success you get from competing can be truly life-changing.
Expanding Your Reach
Once you’ve established your gaming PC as a viable money-making machine, it’s time to expand your reach. Consider setting up a small website or blog to showcase your achievements, videos and skills, as this can be a great way to attract potential sponsors and followers.
Likewise, you can join online forums and communities with similar interests, to make yourself known and better understand the game development industry. This can also open up opportunities to join game development teams or collaborate with other gamers.
Additionally, having a presence on social media such as Twitter, Instagram, YouTube and Twitch can greatly increase your reach and your fan base. Fans mean more followers, friends and viewers and, in turn, more money.
Another way to increase your reach is to take in a streaming partner or co-streamer. This is an individual who helps to create a tag-team-style show, where the idea is to attract a larger audience, share followers and collaborate to make more money.
Finally, you can look into setting up a Patreon account to gain additional support from fans. This is a great way to increase funds, as fans can pledge to support your channel, giving you extra visibility and independence.
Troubleshooting Issues & Tips
Once you’ve launched your gaming PC-generated income, you’ll want to keep it running smoothly. This means frequently monitoring your hardware and software for any issues, as well as taking basic troubleshooting steps such as clearing your browser history, closing unnecessary programs and updating your drivers.
In addition, you can always look for resources and advice from professionals in the field. Even experienced gamers may find themselves stumped now and then, so don’t hesitate to reach out for assistance if needed. There are plenty of forums and social media pages dedicated to answering gaming questions, so don’t forget to check there too.
Furthermore, it’s always a good idea to have a backup plan. Monetizing your gaming PC is no guarantee of success and there can be unforeseen barriers that can slow your progress or even derail your plans completely. So have a contingency plan ready in case things don’t go as well you had anticipated.
Finally, maintaining focus is key to success. You might be tempted to try and monetize your gaming PC in as many ways as possible, but it’s important to pick one strategy and stick to it. This will help you to become confident in the system and gradually perfect it, leading to more consistent results and earnings.
Launching Your Business
Once you’ve mastered the basics, it might be time to set your sights on launching a more serious gaming business. Starting a legit business can involve a lot of work, from figuring out initial costs and engaging in market research to coming up with a budget and setting up a legal structure. However, it can also be a great way to take your gaming career to a whole new level.
When creating a business plan, you’ll need to decide whether you want to operate as a sole proprietor, a limited liability company (LLC) or some other form of entity. There are pros and cons to each structure, so be sure to do your research before making a decision. It’s also a good idea to keep an eye out for different funding sources, as they can help make the business launch much easier.
Once you’ve established the business, you can then look into ways to market and promote it. This can include offering tutorials and writing ebooks, running video streaming sessions and setting up a merchandise store. The more creative you get, the better your chances of success.
When starting a gaming business, you should also remember to keep fan engagement top of mind. Your fans are the lifeblood of your business, so it pays to offer them incentives, rewards and exclusive access to VIP events and other exclusive opportunities. This will help to build a loyal following and ensure that you’re able to monetize your gaming PC in the long run.
