I quit my job to pursue a career playing Football Manager full time and now I’m making twice as much as I did in my old salary

By Ethan Blake 6 min read

I quit my job to play Football Manager full time and sit in my room all day – now I make DOUBLE my old s…

The Spark That Ignited The Passion

Have you ever thought about turning your pastime into a full-time occupation? One that earns you a decent income, gives you immense satisfaction, and harnesses the power of something you genuinely adore doing. That’s precisely what we'll talk about today — converting your love for Football Manager into a profitable venture.

The world of gaming has seen many enthusiasts convert their passion into lucrative careers, thanks to channels like Twitch, YouTube, and Patreon. And if you're good enough at Football Manager — a thrilling football-themed business simulation game developed by Sports Interactive — you might be able to do just that.

Today, we'll look at how one person quit his 9-5 job, sat in his room all day playing Football Manager, and now makes double his old salary.

Consider Jack, an ex-salesperson turned successful Football Manager streamer. He used to work an orthodox job but found it unfulfilling. So, he decided to take the leap of faith towards his passion.

Jack saved enough to service his basic expenses for the next six months.
He invested heavily on equipment: a high-end computer, a reliable internet connection, and a quality microphone and camera setup.
Setting up his streaming station was a top priority.
He chose a consistent schedule and adhered to it religiously.
Jack engaged with his audience, addressing them directly in live chats.
Eventually, using Patreon for additional support, his channel began to grow.

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The Game Plan

Becoming successful in the gaming or streaming industry does not happen overnight, nor does it come easy. It requires meticulous planning, segmentation, and execution—an exhaustive investment of time and energy. However, operating strategically can accelerate your progress.

Set precise, measurable goals. Draft a well-structured, time-bound plan for what you intend to achieve in specific durations. Success at Football Manager streaming, similar to any other field, requires you to know your target audience well and pushes you to tailor your content according to their preferences.

Let's visualize this with another real-world narrative:

Meet Nancy, an operations manager who decided to transition into a full-time Football Manager content creator on Youtube.

Nancy compiled a list of topics that mattered most to her potential viewers.
She presented strategic analytics, shared successful tactics, and did player reviews — content that appealed to her audience.
To keep things engaging, she regularly played games with her viewers.
Nancy always listened to her viewers, requesting feedback, and implementing suggestions.
The unique combination of fun gameplay and useful insights started attracting attention.
As her subscriber base increased, so did her earnings, thanks to ads and sponsorships.

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Making Some Real Money

On establishing a following, it's time to generate revenue. Note, this won't happen rapidly. Monetization comes when you've successfully established a loyal viewer base willing to support you. Advertising through Google's AdSense is one way to earn money, but platforms like Patreon offer better financial stability.

Once you've grown your channel significantly, collaborations or sponsorships from gaming brands can be added to your income stream too. Lastly — merchandise. Enthusiastic fans might be interested in purchasing merchandise related to your channel like T-Shirts, posters, or mugs.

Scott, a die-hard football fan, was working as a bartender before launching his journey as a full-time Football Manager Twitch streamer.

Initially, Scott relied on donations and ad revenue.
After reaching 500 regular viewers, he introduced a Patreon account.
He later signed sponsorship deals with gaming equipment companies and sports merchandisers.
Scott started selling his merchandise – customised mouse pads, coffee mugs, T-shirts.
His diversified income sources made him more financially secure than his previous full-time job.
Now, Scott is earning double of what he used to make as a bartender.

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Overcoming Obstacles

Let's face it; the path won't be smooth. Facing low viewer counts initially, managing financial instability, handling technical glitches, coping with potential burnout — all these challenges can push you back. Remember why you started in the first place and fuel your motivation.

Build a strong support system that helps you cope during tough times. Surround yourself with people who inspire you, connect with other streamers for guidance, engage with your audience and remind yourself regularly about your passion for Football Manager that brought you here.

Emma’s story could provide some excellent motivational fuel.

Emma went full-time Twitch streamer from being a part-time retail employee.
She faced many sleepless nights due to lack of viewership and technical issues.
Persistent failures led her to consider quitting multiple times.
A chat with a fellow streamer provided her the needed emotional support and guidance.
Determined, Emma pushed through difficulties, progressively seeing an increase in her viewership and income.
Now, she makes thrice her old salary while doing what she loves the most.

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The Power of Collaboration

Teamwork makes the dream work! Collaborating with other creators within the community can massively boost your reach. Featuring on other channels, including guest stars on yours, or even working on unique projects with fellow creators can cultivate versatility, learning, and growth.

Not to mention, collaborations also establish strong relationships within the community, providing emotional support and guidance. They introduce you to different creative perspectives and promote shared learning—an opportunity for you and your collaborator to benefit from each other.

Our final story is about Tim:

Tim transitioned from a graphic designer to a full-time Football Manager Youtuber.
He began collaborating with other streamers in the community.
His collaborative projects attracted their fans, resulting in an influx of new subscribers.
Sessions featuring guest football analysts were a hit among viewers.
Leveraging these collaborations, Tim quickly grew his channel's popularity.
The revenue he earns now surpasses what he previously made as a graphic designer.

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Helpful Tips to Sustain

Switching from any stable job to freelancing — be it as a streamer or content creator isn’t easy. But here are some general precautions that can help smoothen this transition:

Maintain consistency in content creation and delivery to keep your audience involved.
Engage actively with your audience through live chats or comments.
Encourage them to participate, making them feel part of a community rather than just passive viewers.
Don't shy away from seeking assistance if necessary; there are numerous forums and communities which provide advice to aspiring streamers.
If possible, try to diversify your income sources to have financial stability.
And most importantly, ensure to maintain an adequate work-leisure balance to prevent burnout.

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Wrapping It Up

To conclude, yes, it is entirely possible to make a living out of your passion for Football Manager. It will test you, push you beyond your comfort zones and teach you things about yourself you weren't aware of. The journey can be tough, but with willpower, persistence, and clever strategies, you too can turn your gaming passion into a profitable full-time career.

Let's quote an old Latin phrase — Per aspera ad astra, meaning 'Through hardships to the stars.' Now go out there and conquer the world of Football Manager!

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Be Inspired: Success Stories at a Glance

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Remember, every streamer's journey is different, unique, tailored wholly to their circumstances. The step you're contemplating might seem fraught with risks and potential difficulties. But remember, risk often happens to be the price you pay for opportunity. Embrace it. You've got this!