How this Machine Operator Started to Earn Extra Money Streaming on Twitch

I first heard about Twitch about five years ago and to be honest I thought it was the stupidest idea ever. I thought the idea of watching someone else play video cames sounded like the biggest waste of time. Then I learned that people actually pay others to watch people play. I mean, who honestly would have thought you could earn extra money streaming on Twitch? I would rather just play the video game myself.

About a year later in 2016 news came out that Amazon was going to buy the streaming service for almost one billion dollars. I couldn’t believe it. I finally decided to check out what all of the hype was about.

To my surprise, I was very amused. It was so fun to watch StarCraft videos and learn more about the game I thoroughly enjoyed. To this day I still enjoy watching people play games I enjoy playing. This still includes StarCraft and most recently Call of Duty: Warzone.

Personally, I have always wondered what it takes to get started on Twitch. So once I heard that today’s Side Hustle Spotlight, Tom Siegrist, streamed on Twitch, I knew I had to ask him about it. Luckily for all of us, he agreed to share his story with the Wallet Squirrel family as well.

Back in 2015, Tom and I worked together at one of the country’s major retailers. He might know this but he also gave me the courage to get my photographs into a small Colorado artist only consignment shop. Let’s read what he has to say.

1) Tell us a little about yourself. What do you do for your 9-5 job? What is your side hustle?

My name is Tom Siegrist. I am a machine operator at a mail-order food kit delivery service. I joke that it is for people that want to eat healthily but are too lazy to shop for everything themselves. My side hustle is that I stream video games on Twitch.

2) What motivated you to earn extra money streaming on Twitch?

I got into streaming when I walked into a gaming lounge and all the TVs on the walls had people playing video games and recording themselves. I had no idea how they did it or even what IT was they were doing so I asked the manager about it. He told me all about Twitch. From that moment it was a goal of mine to start streaming.

3) What did you do to get started with streaming?

As far as what I bought to stream and my start-up costs if you will, I bought an Xbox One X and a webcam. The new consoles come with the software needed to stream already installed. However, I wanted my stream to be nicer than what the consoles are capable of doing. For that, I needed an external video capture card ($160) and a laptop nice enough to handle the workload of streaming which, at the time, cost me $950 (cheaper options were available).

4) What platform do you stream on? Why did you choose this platform?

I have an Xbox One X, a Nintendo Switch, PS4, and a PC. I stream from them all. Initially, I owned just a PS4, but when I decided to start streaming it was when the Xbox One X was released so I decided I wanted the most current console to stream from.

As for why I got the other systems I decided that I want my stream to be as open as possible. All consoles are great and have really fun games, I want to play them ALL MUAHAHAHAHA!

5) What is your weekly time commitment to streaming? Do you have an overall estimate of how long it took to get where you are (follower/viewer wise)?

I stream for roughly 3 to 4 hours a day on days I work my day job. Then I stream roughly 7 – 10 hours on my days off. I have been doing this for the last two years.

6) What is your favorite part of streaming?

My favorite part of streaming is the relationships that I have been able to build with people from all over the world. I am by no means a big streamer, but I do have people that have been watching me for a long period of time. I have never met them in person but it doesn’t matter, they stop by and we get to hang out as long as they are there.

7) What challenges have you run into so far?

Challenges? Good lord too many to name, I have NO idea what I’m doing when it comes to computers and technology so this was/is an abrasive learning experience, to say the least. Every step I’ve taken to advance my stream has had obstacles. When I FIRST started streaming from my Xbox all I had was a capture card and a crappy laptop, only to find out that the laptop wasn’t compatible with the card so I needed to get a NEW laptop. Then when I started streaming my internet plan wasn’t NEARLY enough to stream on (streaming is a data MONSTER) so I had to upgrade my internet plan. Everything you see on my stream (Follow alerts, sound queues, scene transitions, overlay, etc) took COUNTLESS hours of watching how-to videos on YouTube, as well as A LOT of help from my more technologically savvy friends.

8) What games do you specialize in? Do you recommend any games for people to get started with?

I wouldn’t say I specialize in anything really. I do play a lot of 1st person shooters (Halo, Apex Legends, COD: MW) to name a few.

As far as what I would recommend getting started with, it’s easy to pick a popular game like Fortnite or League of Legends, but it’s more important that it be a game you have fun playing. After all, once you get a following it’s really not about the game as much as it’s about being in the streamers company while they are playing the game. Sure some of them may stop by to see you play, but they will come and go quickly, once you have a loyal fanbase they will come by simply to visit with you!

9) Do you have any games you are looking forward to?

The Last of Us Part 2 looks amazing (the first one was great).

10) Do you have any advice for anyone looking to get into streaming on Twitch?

Advice? Grind. This is going to take a while. Success will not come overnight. It’s going to take work. It’s going to take sacrifice. It’s going to have to be your top priority.

To find success to earn extra money streaming on Twitch, make sure you are playing a game that you love because you will have to do it for a long time to get anywhere. Also, take chances, your stream is only limited by your imagination. It’s like having your own tv show written, directed by, and starring YOU! Don’t be afraid to get crazy with it. For a long time, my hair was dyed pink and I wore a chicken on my head (I still have Mr. Cluckles).

How this machine operator earns extra money streaming on Twitch.

11) Shameless plug. Tell us where we can buy your book and where we can follow you. Feel free to brag why you are the best!

I go by Ryowashu. I am the strangest streamer on Twitch. You can find me at www.twitch.tv/ryowashu

Wallet Squirrel

Wallet Squirrel is a personal finance blog by best friends Andrew & Adam on how money works, building side-hustles, and the benefits of cleverly investing the profits. Featured on MSN Money, AOL Finance, and more!