Video Monetization: How to Monetize Videos Online?

Video is by far the most popular online media format. The rising demand for video content online means now is the right time to start thinking about video monetization. With the right video monetization model and platform, you can become a professional video content creator in no time.

Here is everything you need to know to get started with video content monetization.

What is Video Monetization?

Video monetization is a set of techniques for earning money with video content. Video monetization shares many similarities with livestream monetization but is more flexible thanks to a wider variety of video content genres, formats, and types.

Video Monetization Models

There are many ways to monetize video content, but most fall within one of three models:

• Advertising video on demand (AVOD)
• Subscription video on demand (SVOD)
• Transactional video on demand (TVOD)

1. Advertising Video on Demand

AVOD is a monetization model where advertisers pay you to run ads before, after, and during videos. This monetization model scales with the size of your audience. AVOD is widely used thanks to a low entry barrier and ease of setup. It is also the most viewer-friendly monetization model, as most viewers prefer to watch content for free. YouTube is the prime example of AVOD at work.

2. Subscription Video on Demand

SVOD is a monetization model where viewers pay a recurring fee to access your videos and livestreams. This monetization model is fairly flexible – you can make the fee as low or as high as you want, depending on the structure of your viewership. SVOD is typically implemented through a content monetization platform. Netflix is often credited for bringing the SVOD model into the mainstream.

3. Transactional Video on Demand

TVOD is a monetization model where viewers pay upfront to watch individual videos. In contrast to SVOD where frequent content updates are the norm, this model rewards content creators who take the time to produce polished, informative, long-form content. TVOD favors content specialization over mass appeal with more generic subject matter. Apple uses TVOD with iTunes to great success.

How to Monetize Videos?

Video monetization models are always implemented as concrete monetization strategies. Let’s go over some of the most widely used ones today.

1. Video Pay-walling

Video pay-walling is a monetization strategy that works by limiting access to video content with a payment barrier. Viewers can pay a fee (either one-time or recurring payment) to access the content in question. The most common form of pay-walling is the subscription paywall, where users pay a certain amount on regular basis (typically once a month) to access a collection of videos. Pay-walling can either be soft (some content can still be accessed for free) or hard (all content is locked behind a paywall).

2. Affiliate Marketing

Affiliate marketing is a video monetization strategy where you link to affiliate products and services in exchange for a commission on each sale. It is one of the easier monetization strategies to implement, but it provides less consistent earnings compared to other methods. Affiliate marketing is a stepping stone towards making sponsorship deals with brands, leading to more consistent earnings.

3. Ads

Ads are a tried and tested video monetization strategy. It is the primary monetization method on platforms such as YouTube, Facebook Live, and Twitch. Ads are a numbers game – the more viewers you have, the greater the odds that someone will click on an ad, earning you a share of the advertising revenue. Ads are by far the easiest monetization strategy to implement, but it can take a while before you start earning worthwhile sums.

Best Video Monetization Platforms

The easiest way to monetize video is by using a video monetization platform. Such platforms have built-in tools for implementing the monetization strategies we’ve described above. Here is a sample of the best video monetization platforms for different types of video content.

Gaming Videos

1. Facebook Gaming

Facebook Gaming offers a variety of content monetization methods to video content producers, including donations, subscriptions, and a token system called Facebook Gaming Stars. Supporters can pay to unlock badges, custom stickers, and exclusive content. Facebook Gaming also provides content creators with content coaching, branding and graphics, and troubleshooting assistance.

2. Glimpse

Our very own Glimpse platform provides multiple ways to monetize content. You can sell individual videos directly on your Glimpse My Store page. You can put your video content behind a custom paywall using the Sponsorship Level system. You can also receive donations in Glimpse Tokens while you livestream. And the best part is that you get to keep all of your earnings – Glimpse collects zero platform fees. Glimpse is specialized in eSports content monetization.

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Glimpse gives content creators multiple ways to monetize their work. Sign up as a Glimpse Creator and monetize your content with Glimpse’s tiered sponsorship system. You don’t have to worry about fees either – Glimpse has 0% platform fees for content creators.

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Tutorials and Educational Videos

1. Skillshare

Skillshare is an e-learning platform where video producers can sell lectures, guides, tutorials, and other forms of educational content. As a Skillshare teacher, you earn commissions based on the number of paid minutes watched in your classes each month. You must earn a minimum of 30 paid minutes watched per month to receive a payment for that month.

2. Udemy

Udemy is a platform for sharing and monetizing educational video content. Udemy teachers earn commissions through direct sales. Udemy offers educational content from all disciplines, but it’s easier to earn money if you’re teaching an in-demand skill such as programming or design.

Adult Videos

1. OnlyFans

OnlyFans is a content monetization service that specializes in adult content. Video makers can earn money from one-time transactions, as well as from monthly subscriptions. Some of the available monetization features include subscriptions, paid posts, tips, paid messages, and livestream pay-walling.

2. Fanvue

Fanvue is a monetization platform that seeks to challenge OnlyFans’ domination in the adult video space. Fanvue offers video content creators a revenue scheme where they get to keep 85% of their earnings, which is slightly better than the 80/20 split on OnlyFans. Other advantages include content encryption, as well as the option to instantly withdraw your earnings.

Webinars

1. ClickMeeting

ClickMeeting is a simple platform for monetizing webinars. You can set fees for individual events, manage payments from a unified user interface, and track webinar metrics to analyze your performance. Payments are made through PayPal, which makes it easier to deal with issues such as chargebacks. 

2. Podia

Podia helps you earn money from webinars and livestreams. You can host live video sessions with an unlimited number of participants, sell webinar access in advance, and even earn money from webinar replays. Podia never takes a cut from your earnings – you get to keep every dollar earned.

Vlogs

1. TikTok

TikTok is the hottest vlogging platform today. It offers a variety of monetization methods, including tips, video gifts, the TikTok Creator Marketplace, and advertising. Content creators who do well on TikTok typically produce content for a younger audience, the dominant userbase on the platform.

2. VlogBox

VlogBox is a video monetization service that specializes in both AVOD and SVOD monetization. VlogBox functions as a premium content monetization service – you sign up for the platform by purchasing a subscription, post links to your video content, and VlogBox takes it from there.

How to Choose a Video Monetization Platform?

There are several factors to consider when choosing a video monetization platform, including:

• Number of potential customers on the platform. More is not necessarily better, especially if you’re targeting a niche audience with your content.
• Platform user demographics. It pays better to monetize on a platform with an established viewership for your type of content.
• Ease of use. Some platforms are easier to use than others thanks to better UI, an up-to-date knowledge base, and multiple support options.
• Content restrictions. There’s no use in trying to monetize on a platform that prohibits you from posting your content.
• Earning potential. Some platforms simply pay better thanks to lower fees, multiple monetization options, or a bigger potential audience pool.

Conclusion

Video monetization is an important step in your career as a video content creator. Monetization allows you to turn your passion into a way of earning money, which in turn helps you make better content.

Getting started with video content monetization might seem like a daunting task but hopefully, our guide has shown that it’s not all that complicated. Give one of the platforms we’ve described a try, and see if it works for you. If you would like to learn about blog monetization, check out our article on how to monetize a blog.

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Glimpse makes it easy for you to sell access to your Minecraft, Steam, Terraria, Rust, 7 Days to Die, Starbound, and most other gaming servers. Using an esports webhooks option, you can connect your server directly to the platform and enable access to it within a sponsorship level.

• Sell access to your server within sponsorships
• Whitelist specific users for your gaming server
• Use webhooks to connect your server in several simple clicks
• Glimpse’s monetization system charges 0% commision so you get 100% of your earnings

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