First of all, don’t forget Twitch profile is only one page, with many options, but more online pages you have, the more way you could be found by people. On Twitch you are creating content and content has value itself, reuse it, never forget to record it and upload to Youtube, Facebook whatever sites you like (the more the better).
I would rather skip the obvious points, but for beginners, I would like to include these options too:
1. Subscribers (Subs)
There are three options for visitors $4.99, $9.99, and $24.99 per month (whereas default you get 50% of it $2.49, $4.99, $12.49) plus Twitch prime. You could increase your share to 60% when you become Twitch partner (see requirements and tips) also higher cut (70%) is available but only for popular streamers.
2. Emotes, cheers, bits
Twitch created an inner donation system, where streamers receive 71% from 100 bits, 74% from 500 bits, 74% from 1500 bits, 78% from 5000 bits, 79% from 10000, 81% from 25000 bits. 100 bits cost $1.4 (€2.11 in EU - 2019.02.27)
3. Direct donation via Paypal
Here Twitch is nothing to do, no share cut, for the time being, they simply allow it (but trust me they hate this). Use Streamlabs or Streamelements to get lovely popup alerts in your stream and the donated money is directly on your Paypal account.
4. Ads
You can setup ads (length, frequency) on your Twitch dashboard. It could generate a decent revenue if you are located in western countries (US, UK, Canada, France, Germany).
and now some fancier options, for advanced earners
5. Selling games with Twitch Affiliate program
An extra option available with Twitch Affiliate program is to get affiliate links to games, that could be purchased on your profile. You get 5% revenue from all purchases used your “Buy Now” link.
6. Selling goods with Amazon Affiliate program
Now, we have to depart from Twitch and register an affiliate account on Amazon (FYI Twitch is part of Amazon family).
After registration, submit your websites, social sites and Twitch channel link under “Account Settings” and “Edit Your Website And Mobile App List”.
Now install SiteStripe toolbar and basically you can get affiliate link to (almost) every Amazon product. You could put these links into your Twitch panels. To give some idea, you could help to buy the right configuration to your followers, by linking the products on Amazon, or simply if you found a nice esports book you saw on the weekend, get the affiliate link and post it out to your followers. You will earn 4% to 8.5% for each purchase.
7. Sell your merchandised products
This is popular in the US, but if you have a nice logo or/and brand you can simply put your design on items (T-shirts, mugs etc.) Streamlabs Merch or Merch by Amazon are two options for this purpose, you don’t have to worry about the products, just upload and prepare the product, and Streamlabs will handle the rest (producing, packaging, posting).
8. CJ Affiliate platform (not tested with Twitch)
Commission Junction is the “big brother” of Affiliate programs. Please note, Twitch doesn’t like any kind of affiliate links on your profile so maybe it won’t work. If you have your own homepage I would definitely advise to register here, and apply to several stores. Yes, here stores like Razer, Samsung, Dell, Verizon, Godaddy and you can get promotional likes and good commission after sales. It takes time till you will be accepted by stores but if you plan for long term it is a good solution to start.
If you find any parts of this article to be improved, just let me know! Comment if I forgot a revenue stream.
Read more about gaming and esports in book “A Newborn Business - Esports”, and follow, or simply follow here on Quora.