Twitch just made a huge shift in how streamers can start earning. For years, monetization was locked behind Affiliate or Partner status. Now, even if you’re just starting out, you can activate key monetization tools right away. That means you can let viewers cheer with Bits, subscribe, or unlock emotes before you hit Affiliate.
In this guide, I’ll walk you step-by-step through how to set up monetization as a non-affiliate streamer and start building your revenue from day one.
Step 1: Enable Monetization in Your Creator Dashboard
- Go to your Twitch Creator Dashboard.
- On the left menu, select Settings > Monetization.
- After setting up, you’ll see options for activating tools like Bits & Cheering, Subs, Community, and more.
If you’re new to these, check out our Twitch Monetization Tools guide for a breakdown of each tool.
Step 2: Set Up Your Spendable Balance
Twitch recently introduced Spendable Balance, which means even as a non-affiliate, you can earn money in your account. The catch? You can’t cash it out until you hit Affiliate, but you can use it on Twitch itself, for gifting subs, cheering with Bits, or supporting other creators.
- In your Monetization settings, connect your payout method.
- Any revenue earned goes into your Spendable Balance.
- Learn how it works in detail in our Spendable Balance guide.
Step 3: Customize Your Subscriber Options
Even without Affiliate, you can:
- Set up subscriber badges and emotes for viewers.
- Offer different subscription tiers.
Head to Settings > Monetization > Subscriptions to upload your badges, emotes, and set your perks.
Step 4: Turn On Bits and Cheers
Bits are Twitch’s built-in tipping system. To enable them:
- Go to Monetization > Bits in your dashboard.
- Toggle Bits on and customize your Cheermotes if you want.
- Viewers can then support you with cheers directly in chat.
Step 5: Enable Channel Points
Channel Points are a fun, interactive currency viewers earn just by watching your stream. Even as a non-affiliate, you can:
- Set up custom rewards.
- Let viewers highlight messages or unlock emotes.
- Add unique, creative redemptions like shoutouts or on-stream actions.
You’ll find this under Viewer Rewards > Channel Points.
Step 6: Announce Monetization to Your Community
Once everything’s set up, let your audience know! A quick announcement on stream, in your panels, or on social media can encourage early supporters to start subscribing or cheering.
Final Thoughts
Twitch lowering the barrier to monetization is a massive win for new streamers. You no longer have to grind for months before earning your first dollar, or your first Bit. Set up these tools now, experiment with rewards and perks, and start building your income from day one.
Want a deeper dive into all the new tools? Check out our full monetization tools guide and learn how to make the most of your Spendable Balance.