ATLANTA, GEORGIA: Kai Cenat recently shed light on the process of making money on Twitch and dispelled misconceptions about becoming a star on the platform. In an interview with Speedy Morman for a special Complex Cover edition of 360, Cenat reflected on his journey and expressed deep gratitude for his early subscribers and long-time fans. He provided insights into the inner workings of the Twitch model, specifically discussing the significance of subscribers and followers in building a successful presence on the platform.
During the interview, Cenat delved into the intricate details of how Twitch creators earned money. He outlined the various revenue streams available to streamers, with subscribers and followers playing a crucial role. Subscribers, who chose to support a streamer with monthly payments, provided a stable and consistent source of income. On the other hand, followers signify the size and engagement of a streamer's audience, which could attract more opportunities for sponsorships and collaborations. Cenat's explanation helps demystify the financial aspects of being a Twitch star, providing valuable information for aspiring content creators.
'It’s 50/50'
Throughout the conversation, Cenat emphasized on the importance of his loyal fans, who had been with him since the early days of his Twitch journey. “Everybody usually confuses it,” the star, who currently has 6.2 million followers on Twitch, said, adding, “So followers is like, ‘Okay, let me follow you.’ When you subscribe, you’re paying to, like, [not] get any ads. So you can just watch the shows straight. You get, like, these fire emotes that I created. … It’s just a whole bunch of benefits that you get that somebody who follows doesn’t have.”
During the interview, Cenat shared that he had around 81,000 subscribers who paid $5 every month. Doing the math, his monthly earnings would surpass $400,000. When it came to splitting the revenue, Cenat explained that on Twitch, creators usually get a 50/50 share of the subscription fee.
"When it comes to money stuff, I don’t like talking about it," he said, adding, "But with Twitch it’s like, with a subscriber—with a sub—it’s originally, it’s 50/50. People in the Twitch space have different splits. I’m not gon’ say mine but people have different splits and that’s how it is. A lot of the other money comes from ad watching and all that other stuff."
'Anybody can give it a try for sure'
Cenat offered valuable advice for aspiring streamers, who might be considering entering the world of streaming. He asserted that streaming is was a quick path to easy money or instant fame. Instead, he encouraged individuals to approach streaming as a skill-based endeavor, requiring genuine passion and dedication. He warned against simply following a trend or solely aiming to make money, as such motivations may not lead to a fulfilling streaming experience.
According to Cenat, streaming was an open platform accessible to anyone. He expressed support for those who wanted to give it a shot, stating that everyone was welcome to explore the world of streaming. However, Cenat also pointed out that streaming was not for everyone.
Cenat concluded with, "Most people think streaming is easy. … Anybody can give it a try for sure. People that want to give it a try, 100 percent should give it a try," adding that he would not recommend the field for anyone who “doesn’t fall in love with it” or “doesn’t have an interest.”
