Video monetization: How to make money from videos like a pro

Ever wondered why some video creators are rolling in cash, while others can’t quite figure out how to make a dime?

If you fall into the second category, you need to learn the right video monetization techniques.

With people spending about 17 hours a week on average consuming video content, it’s time to get savvy about the smartest ways to cash in on this trend.

Whether you are just starting out or looking for ways to make money with video, you’re in luck.

This guide shares the secrets of how to make money with videos online. You’ll also learn what successful video creators do to generate their own success.

Let’s learn how to monetize videos like a pro!

What is video monetization?

Video monetization is the process of making money from videos shared on the Internet.

Mostly, revenue comes from video display ads, subscriptions or selling content.

There are many other ways of monetizing videos, but let’s take a look at three of the most common methods.

• AVOD (Advertising Video On Demand) monetizes videos through ads. You choose where the ads appear – at the beginning, middle, or end of your content – and earn based on views or clicks.
• SVOD (Subscription Video On Demand) gives viewers access to exclusive and top-notch content for a subscription fee.The likes of Netflix, Amazon Prime, and Hotstar are using this strategy.
• TVOD (Transactional Video On Demand) allows viewers to pay for individual videos. Streaming platforms share revenue with content creators in this model. Content creators can charge what they want and make their content available across platforms.

Video monetization in 2023 and beyond

In 2023 and beyond, it’s all about video.

It doesn’t matter which video platform you choose to engage with your audience, video is everywhere.

Did you know that every minute, over 500 hours of videos are uploaded to YouTube by users around the world?

The big shots such as T-Series, DanTDM, PewDiePie and Markiplier have billions of views between them.

And it’s not just YouTube, it’s everywhere.

As consumers spend more time watching videos online, creators and publishers have more opportunities to monetize.

What we are trying to say is:

You can play smart from day one, diversify your options and make serious money from your videos.

And you don’t need to worry about “not getting millions of views”.

How much do creators earn from videos?

A short answer is: it depends on the type of content, video streaming platform and so many other things.

But when we talk about the creators’ economy, YouTubers top the charts. The 10 top creators collectively make over $300 million a year.

That’s a lot of money!

At the other end of the scale, you’ll find a huge number of YouTubers who say they earn very little or nothing at all.

And then there are the ones who make a comfortable living off their videos.

You may have heard about MrBeast, Jake Paul, Markiplier or Nastya.

Let’s look at how much they earned from their videos last year

Creator	Earning (million)
MrBeast	$54
Jake Paul	$45
Markiplier	$38
Nastya	$28
Ryan Kaji	$27

You won’t believe how these digital celebs are making serious cash!

It’s not just ads; they’ve got a whole bunch of money-making tricks up their sleeves.

You’ll find them selling exclusive merchandise, teaming up with brands for endorsements, and even showing up on other social platforms like Twitch, Snap, and Facebook.

And guess what? There are so many other things video creators can do to increase earning potential.

Don’t worry, we will get to those shortly.🌟💰

How much do social media sites pay for videos?

Making money from your videos isn’t a one-size-fits-all deal. It’s a wild mix of various factors:

• First up, the platform you’re using makes a difference. Each has its own money-making policy.
• Number of views matters. More views, more profit!
• Video length and watch time are equally important.
• Your niche plays a role. Find your crowd and cater to their interests.
• Ad quality and clicks are like gold mines.
• Quality videos mean happier viewers, and that means more money in your pocket.
• Demographics also come into play. Know your audience like the back of your hand.

Lastly, ad blockers can mess with your earnings. The more users enable them, the less revenue you will generate.

So, keep all these factors in mind and work your way to maximize that revenue!

How much can 1,000 video views make?

As a starter, you should have an idea about what different video streaming sites pay you for a certain number of views.

With this basic knowledge you can create a lean business plan before you start putting effort into making videos.

Depending on the factors we mentioned earlier, 1,000 ad views on YouTube can generate between $1 – $15 per video.

The platform uses Adsense to display ads on your videos. If you’ve used Adsense before you know what to expect based on this Adsense calculator.

Influencer Marketing Hub has developed a video earning calculator that comes in handy for creators.

If you get 1000 views with a 50% engagement rate, your estimated earning can fall between $1.84 – $3.06.

Here is what other leading platforms pay:

Platform	Estimated earning / 1,000 views
Instagram	$0.10 – $0.50
TikTok	$0.02 – $0.04
Facebook Watch	$1 – $1.5

Why do creators fail to monetize videos?

Let’s talk about a common struggle for creators out there – monetizing videos.

It’s a tough nut to crack, and many folks expect cash to start rolling in as soon as they hit that upload button. But reality can be harsh!

Unless you’re pulling in loads of views, the money might just be a trickle, not a flood.

Those pennies won’t even cover your production costs!

• Sometimes, our expectations are way too high for the video’s success.
• Quality content is key! If it’s not up to par, it won’t hook viewers.
• Targeting is everything. You gotta know your audience and aim for the bullseye.
• Sloppy editing can ruin the whole show.

But don’t fret. We’ve got some great 2023 video monetization strategies to share.

Here’s a bonus tip: If you’re short on time or resources, consider using an AI text to video generator. These tools allow you to create videos based on a script or description, which can be a great way to quickly produce engaging content.

Best video monetization methods

Video creators have various money-making options, but it’s not a quick and easy process. It requires real work and dedication.

However, as you gain recognition, you can explore multiple ways to monetize your content.

Whether you choose one or a combination of options, it’s all about building a solid income stream.

Here are the proven ways successful creators use to make loads of money:

• Display ads
• Get sponsorship and sell merchandise
• Memberships / subscription site
• Social media influencing
• Live streaming on Twitch
• Monetize videos as a celebrity on Cameo

Let’s talk about each of them.

1- Display ads

Ads are more traditional and easy to implement revenue options for all content creators.

The process is simple: choose a platform, upload videos, get an audience, meet eligibility criteria and enable the monetization option to run ads through your videos.

As your videos gain views, your ad revenue will increase.

As simple as it looks, choosing the right streaming platform is a crucial decision for monetizing videos.

For beginners, YouTube with its over 2 billion monthly active users seems like an ideal platform.

Yes, it is for many creators!

Just look at the numbers: YouTube earned $29.24 billion revenue in 2022. It was $28.84 billion in 2021.

YouTube shares its revenue with content creators who are responsible for bringing viewers to their platform.

Ideally, the video platform should make it easy for content creators to get views on their top-of-the-line content.

In reality, creators struggle to get attention in the beginning.

They can easily get lost in the mix only to find a few hundred dollars in their income report or sometimes nothing at all.

The image shows monthly revenue which is just not what an ambitious video creator would want.

Sound familiar?

Don’t worry, a better way is to choose a streaming platform that is just right for your content. A platform where you have an audience that wants your content.

If YouTube doesn’t work out for you, try the next best streaming site.

Facebook is another promising platform for video creators that relies on advertising for revenue. It attracts 3 billion users monthly.

A good thing about Facebook is that you can reach a wider audience through its organic search mechanism.

Instagram’s IGTV, VEVO, BirdTV and several other platforms use ads as revenue models.

You are not short of options if you decide to rely on ads for your income.

Wondering how much revenue share you should expect from streaming sites?

Here’s a quick breakdown:

Platform	% share for creator
YouTube regular video	55%
YouTube shorts	45%
Facebook	55%
IGTV	55%
BirdTV	60%

2- Get sponsorship/Sell merchandise

There is more to making money from videos than running ads.

Ad revenue fluctuates and depends on a number of factors. A major obstacle is the use of ad blockers that can significantly reduce your income.

Look at this recent example where MrBeast fell short of revenue expectations.

One of his most expensive videos – Train Vs Giant Pit – made just over $167,000 in the first few days. The video cost him a whopping $3 million to create.

Jimmy Donaldson (MrBeast) shared this information with Muaaz who regularly posts about YouTube and content on X (formerly Twitter).

One revenue dip shouldn’t hurt the top YouTubers, but it proves that ad revenue isn’t just enough to keep the ball rolling.

So the secret to MrBeast’s success is to develop multiple revenue streams through a number of channels.

That includes running multiple channels, selling merchandise and getting sponsorships.

Ryan Kaji, another top YouTuber, makes most of his money from YouTube but also sells branded toys and clothes.

He has signed a number of multi million dollar deals with the world’s top brands who use Ryan’s influence over kids to promote their products.

So once you have the eyeballs waiting for your next video, it’s time to diversify your revenue with sponsorships and merch.

This strategy doesn’t only work for established channels. Smaller creators with a few thousand subscribers can do wonders.

There are infinite brands that want to target a specific audience or demographic.

Let’s assume you make videos on living a healthy life with organic food in Sweden and you have just over 5,000 subscribers.

An organic food brand targeting that audience will likely do a deal with you instead of partnering with a top YouTuber who has millions of followers in the US as the audience is more relevant.

Using this powerful video monetization strategy you can:

• Make sponsored videos
• Smartly place products in your content
• Make affiliate deals
• Sell merchandise

If you think you spend too much time making videos and reaching out to a brand isn’t your cup of tea, no worries.

You can use services like Air Media-Tech, Semaphore or Makrwatch that easily connect brands and channel owners.

3- Memberships/subscriptions site

On average, Americans spend around $219 on subscriptions every month. This includes payment for movie subscriptions, the internet, news, and other types of educational content.

That means there is a huge audience out there that understands the value of original content.

Patreon is an excellent example where patrons can consume videos and other interesting content from some of the best creators.

The content is so unique that you will not find it elsewhere.

For instance, Flagrant is a space of over 17,000 paid members who get weekly episodes of their favorite video shows and podcasts.

This profitable business allows creators to generate around $80,000 per month.

Great, huh?

The Flagrant team actually does more than producing content. They also sell merchandise in the same space.

This shows how a membership platform can help you build a promising business.

Take another example where Rob Young built a niche website (Prodigies) to teach music for kids to parents and teachers.

Rob knew his unique content needed a platform where he wouldn’t have to worry about getting lost in the woods.

He partnered with Vimeo OTT (Over The Top) and integrated videos on his website to deliver a top-notch experience to his subscribers.

The result: Rob and his team have complete control over every aspect of their website.

The benefits were immense, including:

• Complete control
• No wait to be eligible for video monetization
• Money started arriving from the very first subscriber
• Merchandise selling
• No huge revenue share to streaming platform
• Content accessible on iOS, Roku, FireTV, Apple TV, Android and web

Having your own website offers unmatched benefits you cannot find elsewhere.

Think websites are difficult to make or you don’t have the skills? That’s no longer the case.

For example, a beginner-friendly approach is to use WordPress to build your site. It takes less time than cooking ramen!

Fortunately, we now have themes and plugins, such as:

• Astra: World’s most trusted WordPress theme admired by over 2.3 million users
• SureMembers: An easy to use but powerful membership plugin loaded with tons of pro features
• SureCart: A robust eCommerce and payment solution to meet any business needs

These nifty tools let you build a professional looking membership site in just a few minutes.

No coding skills, no external help required!

As the trend evolves, membership sites are becoming increasingly popular. Many people are turning to more exclusive spaces for great content.

You have to be smart to get maximum benefits out of it.

Use these tips before you start:

• Let people know you are a pro, so name your membership levels professionally
• Set up a flexible membership pricing strategy to maximize your profits
• You’ll need a marketing funnel for maximum conversions
• Choosing the right payment gateway will boost your revenue

Take some time to plan ahead, and you will be off to a promising start.

4- Affiliate marketing

Who doesn’t know SuperSaf from the mobile phone world? He is one of the top YouTubers worldwide famous for gadget reviews.

He has made a 12 minutes long video which is like a sneak peak into his setup. He shows off all his fancy gear, the stuff he uses for work and fun.

He talks about all the awesome things these gadgets can do in a really engaging way that his followers totally love.

If you’re watching and you think, “Hey, I want that cool thing!” you can just click a link in the video description and buy it. And guess what? SuperSaf gets a commission for his efforts.

This whole setup is called affiliate marketing, and he’s got tons of videos like this where he talks about different stuff you can buy.

Loads of other video creators are raking in some serious money by doing this too.

This is an additional revenue stream you can build along with ads, sponsorships or selling merchandise.

Guess how much money is involved here?

US affiliate marketing spending hovered around $1.6 billion in 2010. Fast forward to 2022 and it has skyrocketed to $8.2 billion.

The global market is expected to reach $15.7 billion by 2024.

There is a huge potential for creators to get into the affiliate marketing business as a way to monetize their videos.

The real beauty of jumping into affiliate marketing is that you are free to start on any social media platform you want.

It could be TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Twitch, YouTube or even your own website.

Don’t worry about not having hundreds of thousands of followers. If you have any number of dedicated fans who trust your opinion, you are already in the game.

5- Social media influencing

Khabay Lame is the most popular influencer on TikTok, with over 166 million followers.

He even leaves behind the likes of MrBeast (85.7 million), Will Smith (73.6 million) or Selena Gomez (59 million).

Khabay lost his factory job during COVID-19 which gave him the opportunity to do what he always wanted.

He was inspired by Will Smith to pursue a comedy career and that just happened eventually.

Instead of looking for another job, he turned on his camera, recorded a video and posted it on TikTok.

It was his facial expressions and unique sarcastic way of mocking basic life hacks that made people fall in love with him.

Without saying a word in his videos he makes around $4 million annually from TikTok.

Being a social media influencer is a very satisfying experience.

If you have something unique to offer, video monetization could skyrocket.

TikTok, Instagram, Snapchat, Facebook, YouTube Short and so many other platforms have billions of people combined.

The top influencers on Instagram make millions for each post. For instance, Cristiano Ronaldo reportedly makes $1.64 million per post.

That is an insane amount of money and more than most of us can make in a lifetime.

But what if you have a few thousands followers? Can you still monetize videos?

Here is how much different influencer tiers earn on Instagram:

Followers	Average earning per month
1K – 10K	$1,420
Over 10K followers	$2,970
Over 1 million	$ 15,356

Being a social media influencer means a lot of work. You have to deliver something new every time you post.

If you are just starting out, here is how to make money with videos online as an influencer:

• Sponsored promotions – Brands pay you to promote their stuff
• Managing social media accounts – Offer your expertise and skills to handle others people’s social media
• Affiliate links – Share products you love and earn commission when your followers buy through your links
• Merchandise selling – Create your own merch
• Subscription and donations – Offer exclusive content and let your supporters show some love with subscriptions and donations
• Becoming brand ambassadors – Partner up with brands you adore and get rewarded for it

Social media is a place that can give you fame overnight, but it’s only a solid business strategy that can give you monetary benefits.

6- Live streaming on Twitch

If you have a gamer inside you or you are an entertainer who loves to perform live, Twitch is the platform for you.

Twitch is beautiful because you don’t need a huge fan following to monetize your streams. A handful of followers can help you get the status of an affiliate.

YouTube is well known for pre-recorded video content on social, politics, education, music, influencers’ hand picked stuff.

Twitch, in contrast, is a dedicated next-gen live streaming hub that attracts more than 31 million visitors every day.

The highly engaged audience makes it more valuable for its streamers and viewers than the rival Facebook and YouTube.

Twitch celebrities have followers in the millions where thousands of viewers show up as soon as streamers hit the “go live” button.

Some top streamers have been here for over a decade. For instance, Ninja tops the list with over 18 million followers on his channel.

Similarly, Auronplay stands behind Ninja with over 15 million followers who watch him gaming.

Well, what are the chances if you are starting out? Don’t worry you have equal chances to show your talent and grow.

Here are some valuable tips from the top streamer Anakin to build your community:

• Stream on a predefined schedule so your viewers know when to find you
• Interact with your viewers as much as you can to create a personal bond
• Ask viewers and subscribers for their feedback to learn which type of content they want you to make
• Cross post on social media platforms to let people know what you are doing live on Twitch
• Do your best and show your skills. For instance, if you are gamer, choose games that have less competition so you can stand out

Before you decide to jump in, you should know the earning potential.

Like every other social platform, there are top performers with big incomes and then there are streamers who can don’t manage to reach a level of success.

Some of the top tier streamers can make up to $500,000 a month.

Income varies across video streamers depending on multiple factors.

To give you an idea here is a monthly income estimate:

Avg. # of users	Avg. earning estimate
20	$200 – $400
50	$500 – $750
1000	$5,000
5000	$13,000
10,000	$30,000
50,000+	$100,000 – $200,000

Just like other platforms, you can make money in multiple ways such as donations, merchandise sales, brand deals and sponsorships, subscriptions and ad revenue.

Not to mention, Twitch bits is the virtual currency Twitch streamers are rewarded with by their fans who like their content.

7- Monetize videos as a celebrity on Cameo

If you have reached over 20,000 followers on Instagram, you can become a Cameo celebrity.

It’s a terrific way to earn money by making a few seconds of video.

The app allows people to pay for and book a personalized shout-out from their favorite celebrity for any occasion.

It could be a birthday wish, a get well soon message or something else that you want from your favorite celebrity.

Cameo celebrities include actors, athletes, comedians, musicians, or anyone who is famous and has a fan following.

It happens this way:

• A user creates an account on Cameo
• After logging in, they visit the marketplace to hunt for the celebrity
• On choosing the celebrity they wish to get a personalized message or shout out from, they fill in the request form
• They pay for the request through cards/PayPal or Cameo Credits
• And then they wait for the 7 days for the celebrity to accept their request

Users can send celebrities a 250 character message they wish celebrities to say in the video.

Upon getting the video from the desired celebrity, users can share it wherever they want on social media.

Celebrities can be contacted through direct message (DMs) for a fee, or you can set up a meeting with them through video conferencing along with your friends.

As a celebrity you’ll receive 75% of the booking price and the rest of the 25% will go to Cameo.

How much money can you charge?

It depends on your popularity. If you are a hugely popular figure, you can charge over $2,000 for a 30 second video.

For instance, you can request Larry Wilcox, the famous Chips actor, to wish for around $50. But Boosie Badazz, the rapper, will do the same for $1,500.

Similarly, Caitlyn Jenner has her price for a 30 sec video of around $2,300 and you can DM her for $20.

Depending on your fame, you can be as low as $1 to something over $2,000.

Imagine doing 15 Cameos in a month for $100 each in your free time!

Cameo is a wonderful way to make some extra money easily if you have a community on social networks and people recognize you for anything good.

Final thoughts

What type of video creator are you?

Your answer will determine which video monetization method best suits your needs.

Your creativity holds immense value and only you should control how to showcase your work and monetize it.

Rather than battling algorithms and spending money to boost your videos for greater visibility, it’s better to select your platform strategically.

This invaluable guide tells you a number of practical ways and real-life examples to help you make money with video like a pro.

Have you started monetizing your videos? Which method best suits you? We would like to hear about your experience in the comments below!