How to make money on Steam in 2024
Steam is a giant in the world of digital video game distribution, where users can not only buy and play official versions of games, but also have the opportunity to generate thousands of dollars in revenue.
Experienced players can immediately start exploring the monetization methods below. However, if you’re new to the platform, it’s recommended that you take the time to learn a few important aspects that every beginner should be familiar with. Let’s start with the basics – the process of downloading and creating an account on Steam.
How to install Steam and create an account
Steam is available in two formats: web version and desktop application. For full functionality and faster operation it is recommended to use the desktop version, we will consider all the ways of monetization taking it as on example. To download Steam, you need to go to the official page at store.steampowered.com and select the appropriate option to download.
Download the installation file and install the program on your computer.
Please note! The main directory where the program will be placed must have a name in English, for example, Games, Programs or Soft. Installing Steam in a folder with a non-English language name may cause launch errors. When you first start the program, you will be presented with the option to log in to an existing account or register a new one. To create a new profile, click on “Create a new account”.
In the window that opens, you need to fill in all the required fields, pass the captcha check and accept the terms of the user agreement. Then you will receive a registration confirmation e-mail to the specified e-mail address.
In this email, click on the green button to confirm account creation and return to the app. Enter your username and password to log in to your new profile.
After completing registration, you will be able to deposit your balance and start earning on the platform.
How to start earning in Steam
To start earning money on Steam requires not only a created account, but also:
- A starting budget that will allow you to purchase in-game items such as skins, or games for resale.
- Understanding current trends in the gaming world to determine what games and items will be in demand among players.
- Game skills that help you successfully progress through games to obtain valuable in-game items or provide services to level up other players’ accounts.
To make money effectively, you should meet at least two of these criteria, which will increase your chances of earning a significant income.
Ways to make money on Steam
Experienced users can generate income of several thousand dollars every month through the gaming platform using various methods: trading accounts, reselling game assets, participating in in-game betting, as well as performing paid tasks on specialized resources. Streaming we do not include in this list, because it is not exclusively associated with Steam.
Nevertheless, it is possible to earn a substantial amount of money without live broadcasts of the gameplay. Let’s take a closer look at each of the available methods and determine the most profitable.
Selling game accounts
One of the most accessible methods of earning money on Steam is the creation, promotion and subsequent sale of game accounts. This is done through specialized platforms.
Marketplace account requirements
Players, both new and experienced, are willing to invest in Steam accounts that contain games. The key is to have games in your library that are popular or have a fanbase. Profiles with unclaimed or budget games are unlikely to bring the desired income.
Another way to make money from accounts is by booing them. Some players are willing to pay for accounts with high stats in certain games. However, this requires high skills in games to improve the stats of the account. Both of these approaches can be profitable if approached wisely.
Ways to accumulate games for the account
To form an attractive for sale account with games, initially you need to purchase these games at a favorable price. This is possible thanks to: sales in Steam; sites selling game keys. During sales you can buy games with discounts of up to 90%, including new products. It is important to track and purchase the most attractive offers to form a library of top games.
Determining the value of an account
When selling an account, it is critical not to overprice it. Too high a price will scare away potential buyers, while too low a price will not allow you to make a profit. Therefore, it is important to keep a record of the cost of each purchase of games in Steam or use a specialized service to estimate the value of the account. To do this, you will need:
- Open your Steam profile.
- Copy SteamID (usually a set of numbers in the address bar).
- Go to the appraisal service’s website.
- Enter the ID in the designated field and read the result of the assessment.
Trading skins and collectible cards
Another way to make money on Steam is by buying up and reselling game items. Some of them may be available at a relatively low price, which creates earning opportunities.
Items in demand include: character and weapon skins; rare lootboxes that are no longer for sale; and collectible game cards. The value of an item varies from game to game – some may value passes, others may value skins. It is recommended to choose one direction and delve into its study. For successful trading, it is important to be able to analyze the Steam market, assess the value of each item and sell it effectively.
How to generate income from the sale of game cards
To start trading cards and other items on the Steam trading platform, you must wait 30 days after activating your account (or replenishing your balance). This time can be used to accumulate cards. To find out their value in a particular game, you should go to steam.tools/cards and pay attention to the “Card Avg” column, as well as the arrow of the “Games” column, which should be pointing down.
How to earn on skins in Steam
Selling skins is one of the most lucrative methods of making money in Steam. Although it is difficult to get valuable skins for free, their value can reach thousands of dollars.
To successfully make money from skins, the key is to buy them at lower prices. Beginners sometimes do not realize the real value of expensive items and may put them on sale at an undervalued price. You can use such moments to earn thousands of hryvnias in just a few seconds. It is difficult to constantly monitor price changes on the trading platform manually, so it is recommended to use a special bot, for example, Steam Trader Helper. This tool is available as an extension for Chrome and Opera browsers. To install it, you should:
- Go to the official website of the extension.
- Follow the developers’ instructions.
After installing the extension, you need to log in to its website. To do this, click on the “login” button, then go to the website and register.
Next, select an item to resell on the Steam marketplace, such as the “AK-47 | Red Line” skin in CS2. Use the chart on the item page to determine its average market price.
Then add the skin to Steam Trader by clicking on the green “Add in STH” button. It is important to perform all operations in the browser and not through the Steam app.
Go to the extension menu to customize your purchase. Your item will appear in the table, where you will see four columns: the current sale price on the site, the purchase price by other players, the number of items you want to buy, and the unit price at which the bot will automatically make the purchase.
After configuring the settings, start the bot by clicking the start button.
You can add up to 30 items for automatic purchasing. This method allows you to quickly and efficiently purchase expensive items for resale at a more favorable price.
It is important to remember that using such a program violates Steam rules and can lead to the blocking of your account.
Trading capsules and cases in Steam
Another way how to earn in styme is to sell capsules in Steam. They are kits with stickers for weapons, available during CS2 championships. Usually their price drops a week after the competition ends. However, given that the capsules are only released a few times a year, their value can increase over time. To successfully trade capsules, it is important to stay up to date with the tournament schedule. By investing as little as $2, you can make up to $500 in profit.
Cases, or chests, contain various game items, skins and games. To open them, you need keys corresponding to the series of the case. Keys can be purchased on the official Steam trading site. There are also sites where you can buy cases for real money.
Sellers upload game items, skins, and games to such sites, customizing the conditions for dropping items from cases. The buyer deposits funds, opens the case and, in case of winning, authorizes in Steam to receive the item with the help of a bot.
To create your own site for selling cases will require a significant budget of about $2000. These funds will be used for the development and promotion of the site, the purchase of goods and the realization of the project.
Two unconventional methods of how to earn on Steam
- Publishing unique games through Steam Direct: This method offers the opportunity to earn significant sums by distributing original games through Steam Direct. Unlike bidding on the Steam Market, there is an initial investment required. Developers must take the time to create the game and pay approximately $100 to have it listed on Steam. However, Steam Direct promises to reimburse the costs if the game is successfully published and sold.
- Participating in game development through design and programming: Those with design and programming skills can earn by helping developers with their projects on Steam Direct. This provides an opportunity for professional game developers to participate in the creation and sale of games, increasing their income through this platform.
Withdrawal from Steam
Since the direct withdrawal of money from Steam is not provided by the terms of service, you will need alternative ways. It is important to adhere to the following recommendations:
- Use only trusted services, actively researching user reviews and verifying their authenticity.
- Choose to buy skins that can be sold profitably in the future, especially in games such as CS2 and Dota 2, where skins tend to increase in value.
Services for withdrawing money from Steam include Dota 2 Market and CS2 Market. These sites are popular among players. After registering on the platform, the user can sell skins and withdraw the funds received to a bank card or other wallets.
