There are multiple ways to make money with online video, depending on the types of video you create. Short-form and long-form video creators can monetize ads on Facebook and YouTube. Video streamers can earn revenue on Twitch, YouTube and Facebook Live with ads, tips and memberships.
You can also deliver exclusive content to paid subscribers on Facebook, YouTube or Patreon. With multiple revenue streams and an engaged audience, making money with online videos is not as difficult as it seems.
Keys to making money with video
Before you can make decent money with your online videos, you’ll need plenty of content and lots of viewers. Focus on the quality of your videos and building an audience, not on making a profit right away.
Audience engagement
How much money you make on each platform is largely determined by how many people watch, like and comment on your videos. Viewers are attracted by quality content that is consistently delivered.
Interaction with your viewers builds a loyal audience, offering more opportunities to generate profits. Audience loyalty is often more important than how many times a video is viewed, especially if that audience is sharing your videos and buying your merch.
Multiple revenue streams
You never know when a platform’s algorithms or policies will change, suddenly reducing or removing your income from that source. Luckily, there are many possible revenue sources for video creators.
Advertising
Advertisements are generally added to your video by the hosting platform. This is how platforms make a profit, and creators typically get a very small cut of the ad revenue.
Donations
Donations, or tips, are an easy way for fans to support their favorite video streamers. Twitch and YouTube let viewers tip creators during livestreams, and a PayPal donate button can be added to your website so fans may leave a tip or “buy a coffee” in appreciation for your videos.
Members and subscribers
Paid subscribers, also called members or patrons, provide regular monthly income for exclusive content or early access to your videos. Multiple tiers, or levels of access, are available on both YouTube and Patreon. The more a subscriber pays each month, the more perks and content they receive.
Merch
Merchandise spreads awareness of your brand while also generating income. There are many manufacturers who will make your merch and ship it directly to the buyer. Just upload your designs, and they can be available on t-shirts, stickers and a variety of other products.
Amazon and other online retailers offer another way to earn money from product sales. Affiliate programs give you a small percentage of purchases made using your unique affiliate links or a coupon code that you give to your viewers.
Brand partners and sponsors
Once you have enough followers, reach out to brands that may appeal to viewers. Partnerships with these brands generate revenue from sponsored videos and ads targeted to your audience.
How to make money on each video platform
Not every video or channel can be monetized. Each platform has specific requirements before you can start making money from ads on your videos or offering memberships/subscriptions.
Facebook In-Stream Ads: To earn money from ads in your Facebook Live streams or uploaded videos, your Facebook page must have:
- 10,000 followers
- 600,000 total eligible minutes viewed in the last 60 days
- Five active videos on your page
Facebook Fan Subscriptions: To offer subscriptions to your page, it will need at least 10,000 followers and:
- 50,000 post engagements
OR - 180,000 minutes viewed
TikTok
TikTok Creators Fund is money the company has set aside to reward popular creators. To apply, you must be at least 18 years old and:
- Based in the US, UK, France, Germany, Spain or Italy
- Have at least 100,000 followers
- Have at least 100,000 video views in the last 30 days
Twitch
While only the most popular streamers qualify to be a Twitch Partner, the Twitch Affiliate Program invites streamers who have:
- At least 500 total minutes broadcast in the last 30 days
- At least seven unique broadcast days in the last 30 days
- An average of three concurrent viewers or more over the last 30 days
- At least 50 Followers
YouTube
YouTube Partner Program has several money-making features, each with its own eligibility requirements:
Advertising
- Be at least 18 years old, or have an older legal guardian
- Create content that meets YouTube guidelines
Channel memberships
- Be at least 18 years old
- Have more than 1,000 subscribers
Merch shelf
- Be at least 18 years old
- Have more than 10,000 subscribers
Super Chat (YouTube’s tipping system)
- Be at least 18 years old
- Live in a country where Super Chat is available
Patreon and Vimeo
Although Patreon does not host videos natively, you can integrate a Vimeo account (Pro or higher) to offer your patrons exclusive access to video content.
Diversify your income stream
Try distributing your videos on multiple platforms. For example, a recorded Twitch stream or compilation of your funniest TikTok videos can be uploaded to your YouTube channel, where you can monetize ads and showcase your merch shelf. Practicing cross-platform distribution like this should present the best opportunity to begin making money with your video content.