Got a Dance Livestream? Here’s How to Actually Make Money From It

9 Apr

Grandparents watch their young granddaughter dancing on a tv livestream

Turn Your Dance Livestream Into Real Revenue

If your dance competition already has a livestream set up—amazing. You’ve done the hard part. Dancers are dancing, parents are watching from hotel lobbies, grandparents are tuning in from another province, and now you’re thinking... how can we actually make money from this thing?

Good question. Because with a little strategy, your livestream can go from a "nice-to-have" to a serious revenue stream. Time to think about your competition livestream as a business opportunity (like

Here are some fun, effective (and totally doable) ways to turn your livestream into a money-maker:

1. Charge for Access – But Keep It Reasonable

A small fee goes a long way. Offer weekend passes, single-day passes, or even session-based pricing (because not everyone wants to watch every jazz solo in the Junior 10 & under category).

Pro tip: Offer a discount code—or even free stream access—for registered studios or those spending above a certain amount. It’s a simple way to build goodwill and reward loyal clients.

2. Offer Sponsored Stream Segments

Give sponsors some airtime. You can offer:

“This segment is brought to you by [local dancewear shop]”
A quick video ad between categories
Sponsor logos on-screen during breaks

Even better: let studios sponsor segments for shoutouts to their dancers. ("Up next: Team Spotlight from Rhythm Nation Dance Co!")

3. Create a VIP Livestream Experience

Make it feel exclusive. Offer a VIP upgrade that includes:

Commentary or shoutouts
Access to interviews or bonus footage
Option to rewatch for a limited time

You don’t need to go full Netflix—just enough extras to make it feel special.

4. Sell Shoutouts or Messages On-Screen

Parents, grandparents, siblings, and studio besties love a chance to say:

"You’ve got this, Ava! We’re so proud of you!"

Offer short text shoutouts or even video messages that pop up during breaks or intermissions. Set a price, set a limit, and watch the good vibes (and dollars) roll in.

5. Plug Your Merch

Got branded hoodies, T-shirts, or water bottles? Promote them right on the stream:

Add a merch banner at the bottom of the screen
Offer exclusive livestream-only discounts
Create limited-edition merch tied to the event weekend

Nothing says “I watched my grandkid dance from home” like a comp hoodie.

6. Sell Replay Access

Some families want to rewatch their dancer’s big moment a hundred times — and honestly, who can blame them? Offering 24-hour or weekend replay passes lets them relive the highlights without the stress.

Dancers will love it too. Let’s be real — missing your friend’s solo because you were scrambling to change costumes is the worst. And if they’re from another studio, their routine won’t even be included in the competition’s follow-up video.

Replay access makes it easy to catch up, cheer each other on, and feel part of the full competition experience.

Bonus: Your out-of-town Auntie can finally catch that perfect pirouette she missed the first time around - because she had to take her own kids to basketball practice.

7. Partner with Dance Brands

Reach out to companies that sell to dancers: dancewear, stretch tools, makeup, even food delivery apps for hangry competition days.

Offer ad spots or product placements during the livestream—stream and sponsor is the new dream team.

8. How to Start Today

Okay, we get it—this is a lot to take in. A simple place to start? Understand your numbers. Who’s watching your livestream? How many people? When are they tuning in? This is the first step to monetizing, because once you know your audience, you can use that data to pitch potential sponsors and partners with real value behind your offer.

What’s Streaming Next—and How to Make It Count

Curious whose livestream is coming up next? Make sure to check the Canada Dances Events section so you don’t miss a moment. Make Your Livestream Work Harder (So You Don’t Have To)

Your livestream isn’t just a nice feature anymore—it’s a powerful tool for engaging your community and bringing in extra revenue. With a few tweaks and creative offerings, your livestream could help fund your company's growth, support your team, and keep dancers in the spotlight where they belong.

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