Gaming today is not just a hobby – it’s a massive industry where both professional e-sports teams and individual streamers or creators can make money. One of the most effective ways to monetize your passion is through merch: T-shirts, hoodies, mugs, or accessories related to your channel, team, or gaming style.
Creating merch is just the first step. The real challenge is how to promote it effectively. Three platforms play a key role here: Twitch, YouTube, and TikTok – the places where gaming communities and fans gather.
Why Twitch, YouTube, and TikTok?
- Twitch – the biggest live-streaming platform for gamers, where viewers often spend hours every day. Perfect for real-time promotion.
- YouTube – long-lasting video content. Your merch presentation video can keep gaining views months after upload.
- TikTok – short, dynamic content that thrives on creativity, trends, and viral potential.
How to promote merch on Twitch
Overlays and panels
Add a merch store link to your stream panels and overlays. A simple but effective way to keep it visible.
- Wearing merch during streams
Nothing works better than leading by example. Streaming in your hoodie or T-shirt naturally encourages fans to buy. - Engage your viewers
Host polls on new designs, ask about colors or slogans they’d like to see on shirts. Engagement boosts sales. - Special actions and giveaways
Reward active subscribers or donators with your merch. It’s a great way to promote and build loyalty.
How to promote merch on YouTube
- Unboxing and showcase
Record a video presenting your products, showing print quality, and telling the story behind the collection. - Call to action in descriptions
Every video should include a store link. Add a short plug in the first 10 seconds of your video. - Banners and end screens
Use your channel banner or video end screens to promote your merch visually. - Background placement
Make merch part of your setup – a mug on the desk, a hoodie on a chair, or a poster with your logo in the background.
How to promote merch on TikTok
Trending short videos
Use popular sounds and TikTok trends to creatively showcase your merch.
- Behind the scenes
Show how your T-shirt design was made, your first prototype, or the unboxing of your merch package. - Challenges and hashtags
Launch a hashtag challenge, e.g., #MyGamingHoodie, and encourage fans to post videos wearing your merch. - Flash promotions
TikTok is perfect for limited-time offers – e.g., “This T-shirt available for 48 hours only.”
Universal tips for all platforms
- Authenticity – merch should feel like a natural extension of your personal brand.
- Consistency – mention your products regularly, but avoid being overly pushy.
- Exclusivity – limited collections sell best, thanks to the “fear of missing out” effect.
- Fan engagement – involve your audience in the creative process through polls or design contests.
Promoting gaming merch requires strategy, creativity, and consistency. Twitch, YouTube, and TikTok are powerful tools that – when used correctly – can turn your merch into a real sales hit.
👉 Start small: wear your merch during streams, showcase it in a YouTube video, and post a dynamic TikTok short. Over time, expand with special campaigns, limited editions, and fan-driven content.
