Generating income while you sleep may seem like an impossible goal. However, for some “sleepfluencers” this dream is a reality. These social media influencers have found a source of income by doing “sleep streaming” or even live streaming while they sleep.
What is sleep streaming?
Sleep streaming is essentially a live stream where people broadcast themselves as they sleep. This might seem bizarre, but it can be an effective way for influencers to connect with their fans on a more personal level.
During sleep streams, viewers can watch their favorite influencers fall asleep. Viewers can listen to soothing music, ASMR, and even chat with other fans. Some influencers also use sleep streams to promote sleep-related products, such as B. pillows or sleeping aids.
How did sleep streaming start?
Sleep streaming is a relatively new phenomenon that has gained traction in recent years. It started with Twitch streamers filming themselves sleeping for hours, often receiving donations from viewers who wanted to wake them up with lights or loud noises. This trend quickly spread to other platforms, including TikTok.
The concept of sleep streaming is growing in popularity as it can help people with insomnia fall asleep. Sleepfluencers provide their viewers with a calming atmosphere by playing soothing music and images while they sleep. Some streamers have even enabled text-to-speech recognition so viewers can interact with them while they sleep. Viewers can donate to pay for the privilege of posting annoying messages or typing strings of letters that will make the text-to-speech voice make funny noises.
How much do sleep streamers make?
Sleep streaming has also become a way for influencers to make money, with some making thousands of dollars each month. While the idea of trading sleep for money may seem strange, it has become an effective way for influencers to monetize their content and engage with their audience in unique ways.
One of the most famous sleep streamers is known by the nickname Asian Andy. The 26-year-old from Los Angeles made a whopping $16,000 in just one night on his Twitch livestream, as detailed in the YouTube video below. However, to achieve this, he didn’t get much sleep.
Like other influencers, Andy has implemented text-to-speech recognition for his live stream. This meant that music was played for each donation while the accompanying messages were read out. As a result, many viewers used their messages to get Andy’s Alexa device to play loud music, simulate a dog barking, or set his alarm clock.
With over a million online followers, Jakey Boehm attracts followers with a consistent storyline. Every night the 28-year-old changes into his pajamas, climbs into bed and falls asleep as an international audience watches him on TikTok Live.
Viewers can purchase virtual gifts that activate sounds and lights in Boehm’s bedroom to wake him up. For example, a viewer can spend $380 to activate all of Boehm’s bedroom items for five minutes, creating a chaotic cacophony, as shown in the TikTok below.
@jakeyboehm Chrissy, wake up! I do not like it! Chrissy wake up and be there live. I think Chrissy’s wake up song has to be the most annoying song on the internet. #chrissywakeup #strangerthings4
♬ Original sound – Jakey Boehm
The viewing experience has a voyeuristic element reminiscent of a video game where anonymous viewers pay to shake Boehm awake like a character they control in a game.
He told The Wall Street Journal he makes an average of $35,000 a month from online fans.
While some sleepfluencers make up to $400,000 annually by allowing their audience to disrupt their sleep, others make very little from their peaceful streams.
For example, sleep streamers Eliza Diaz and Duane Olson both say they typically only make about $1 a night. However, you can generate more revenue through sponsorships with relevant companies or donations from viewers.
Why Follower Watch
The reasons people watch others sleep are varied and vary from person to person. According to Katherine Hall, a sleep psychologist at Somnus Therapy, people may watch someone sleep out of curiosity, fascination, or even comfort, alongside deeper psychological issues that require attention.
In the case of sleep streaming, it seems that Boehm’s millions of followers and Olson’s 13,000 are drawing something tangible from the experience.
“The majority of supporters love the idea of remotely controlling my room,” Boehm told Sleepopolis. “Some enjoy watching me get excited, while others feel that watching me sleep helps them fall asleep.”
Olson, who can be seen below in one of his sleepstream TikToks, revealed that his viewers tune in for two main reasons: half are looking for humor and absurdity, while the other half are looking for relaxation and coziness. He believes a significant portion of the latter group consists of individuals who live alone or struggle to sleep. He says that watching someone fall asleep can bring him a degree of comfort.
@duaneisbored Went professionally #sleepstream #fyp #paradise
♬ Let me show you what you’re missing – Ashley Clark Huffman
Risks of Sleep Streaming
While sleep streaming may seem strange, it speaks to the growing desire for more intimate and authentic connections between influencers and their fans. Influencers can build deeper relationships with their audience by broadcasting their most vulnerable moments and creating a sense of community.
However, it is crucial to recognize the potential dangers of sleep streaming.
Sharing personal information such as B. your sleeping habits and your surroundings, can make you vulnerable to cyber stalking and other online threats. So if you do decide to try sleep streaming, it’s important to take precautions – e.g. B. Using a false name and keeping your location private.
Another risk associated with sleep streaming is potential viewer annoyance. People streaming while they sleep may not know what is being said in their chat room or how their viewers are acting. This could result in inappropriate comments or behavior that could damage the streamer’s reputation or safety.
It’s no secret that getting enough sleep is vital to both physical and mental health. However, sleep streaming can disrupt your sleep schedule, which can ultimately lead to health problems. Sleep streamers may stay up later than usual to interact with their viewers, which can worsen sleep deprivation and associated health risks.
Becoming a sleep streamer can be immensely rewarding and a great way to connect with your audience, but it comes with a number of risks and considerations. Weigh the pros and cons carefully and make sure you consider your safety first before deciding whether or not this is the right path for you.
This story originally appeared on Don’t Waste Your Money. Check out Don’t Waste Your Money for product reviews and other great ideas for saving and making money.
