Kick: how to start stream and earn money using your PC?

Kick is an emerging streaming platform that's quickly gaining attention as it competes with industry giant Twitch. What sets Kick apart is its attractive offering to content creators, featuring generous revenue sharing, flexible rules, and an impressive payout structure where streamers can earn up to 95% of their subscription income. For those of you interested in diving into this fresh platform, Kick provides an opportunity to stream and earn money, but how exactly do you go about it, especially when using your PC? Let’s break it all down step-by-step.

What is Kick and Why Should You Stream There?

Kick is a new player in the streaming industry, designed to attract streamers with appealing features like a high share of subscription revenue (up to 95%), lower barriers for entry, and relaxed content restrictions. The platform is especially focused on providing an alternative for content creators who want better compensation and more flexibility compared to what’s offered by Twitch or YouTube. Though Kick is still in its early days, it’s already capturing attention for offering a more attractive deal for both streamers and viewers alike.

Getting Started: How to Stream on Kick Using Your PC

1. Get Streaming Software
   The first thing you’ll need to stream on Kick is a streaming software that can handle the video and audio encoding for your live streams. Popular choices include:

   • Streamlabs
   • OBS (Open Broadcaster Software)
   • XSplit

   These programs allow you to capture your screen, webcam feed, audio, and other inputs like game footage or external devices. Choose the one that feels most intuitive to you. OBS is the most widely used and open-source, but Streamlabs provides a more user-friendly interface for beginners.

2. Sign Up for a Kick Account
   To get started, you need to create an account on Kick. Simply visit the platform’s website and follow the registration process, which usually involves creating a username, password, and connecting your social accounts for additional credibility. You’ll also be asked to verify your email address to finalize your registration.

3. Get Your Stream Key and URL
   Once your account is ready, you need to obtain your Stream Key and Server URL, which will allow the streaming software to broadcast to Kick’s servers. To find these:

   • Go to Settings in your Kick account dashboard.
   • Locate the Stream Key section.
   • Copy both the stream key and the stream URL provided.

4. Set Up Your Streaming Software
   Open your chosen streaming software (OBS, Streamlabs, etc.), and configure it with the following details:

   • Paste the Stream URL and Stream Key into the relevant fields in your software's settings.
   • Adjust the video and audio settings according to your preferences (resolution, bit rate, FPS, etc.). Keep in mind that Kick may have specific settings or recommendations for optimal stream quality.

5. Configure Your Stream
   Before going live, you may want to configure your stream with overlays, alerts, and widgets that will enhance your viewers' experience. These tools can help make your stream more interactive and visually appealing. Many streamers use overlays that show their subscriber count, chat, and other stats to engage with viewers.

6. Go Live
   Once you’ve set everything up, hit the "Start Streaming" button in your software. Your stream will now be live on Kick, and viewers will be able to join in. Make sure to monitor your stream for any technical issues and interact with viewers through chat.

How Much Can You Earn by Streaming on Kick?

One of Kick’s most appealing features is its monetization model. Thanks to its generous payout system, streamers can earn up to 95% of the subscription revenue from viewers who subscribe to their channels. This is a stark contrast to platforms like Twitch, which typically offer creators around 50-60% of their earnings. But how much can you really expect to earn?

Kick has not officially released detailed salary information for streamers, but some reports suggest that active streamers could make between $2,250 per month or $16 per hour based on viewer counts and activity. As the platform continues to grow, it’s expected that the income potential could increase for top performers.

Eligibility for Kick's Streaming Payments

While there’s no official list of requirements yet, there are some rumors and speculations about what it takes to start earning on Kick:

• Join Kick’s Partner Program – This will be a future feature for creators and will likely be the key to earning significant revenue.
• 100 Average Viewers – Kick may require streamers to have at least 100 viewers on average per stream.
• Consistency – Streamers will need to be active and consistent, making sure they meet a minimum number of streaming hours each week (rumored to be around 32 hours).
• No Botting – Kick is strict about fraudulent viewer counts, so using bots to inflate your numbers can get you banned.

Essentially, if you can maintain an active and engaging stream with 100 average viewers, Kick’s platform could offer lucrative earning opportunities.

Is Earning on Kick Really Feasible?

It may sound too good to be true: earning hundreds, or even thousands of dollars by simply streaming with a relatively small audience. While the large payout percentage is enticing, it’s important to consider the platform’s long-term sustainability. Kick’s strategy of offering large sums to streamers is part of a marketing tactic aimed at building rapid momentum and gaining market share. The platform is essentially "burning cash" in the short-term to attract creators from Twitch and YouTube.

However, there are concerns about the sustainability of this model, especially since Kick’s main financial backing comes from Stake, an online casino platform. This means that Kick is benefiting from the highly profitable gambling sector, which might not be a long-term stable source of income for the streaming platform. It’s still unclear how Kick will manage its finances as it grows, and whether it can continue to offer high payouts to streamers in the future.

Can You Stream on Kick Using a PS5 or Xbox Console?

As of now, Kick does not support direct streaming from consoles like PS5 or Xbox. The platform currently requires streamers to use a PC for broadcasting. However, Kick has confirmed that console streaming capabilities will be introduced in the future. This will open up new opportunities for console gamers to join the Kick community and start streaming from their gaming consoles, so stay tuned for updates.

Final Thoughts: Is Kick the Right Platform for You?

Kick’s generous payout model and relaxed content restrictions make it an appealing option for streamers looking for an alternative to Twitch. However, it’s important to understand that Kick is still in its early stages, and while the platform offers attractive benefits now, its long-term success remains uncertain. If you’re looking for a place to start streaming and are okay with the challenges of building an audience from scratch, Kick could be a great platform to try. However, as with any new platform, it’s important to remain adaptable and keep an eye on the platform’s growth and changes over time.

In the meantime, setting up your PC for streaming on Kick is relatively easy, and with the right streaming software and a consistent, engaging presence, you can start earning a significant income through subscriptions and donations. Whether or not Kick will continue to offer these attractive benefits in the future remains to be seen, but for now, it’s an exciting time to get started on the platform!

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