8:11 AM
I received this question in 2012 and its still relevant today, so Im re posting a column on the topic.
YouTube is the master of the universe when it comes to online videos. This includes targeted traffic, average time spent on the site and ad revenue.
But believe me….YouTube is NOT the only game in town.
I’ll show you some ways to make money with YouTube which is applicable for the other online video sites too.
So let’s get this party started!
I’ll give you three easy, proven ways to make money with YouTube.
I agree most of the stuff you read online regarding YouTube money makers is a joke!
I’ll set the record straight for you.
Tactic #1 --- YouTube for Business
This opportunity involves making short YouTube video for businesses,
Charitable organizations and special-interest groups (like local Red Cross chapter).
Most people realize they need a YouTube video, but almost no one knows how to make one.
Making YouTube videos for businesses is super easy!
In fact, it’s so easy a 15 year-old can do it! My daughter has started making YouTube videos for local restaurants. She got the idea from another girl on Twitter before she read my commentary or League of Power article!
Once of the easiest software apps for making (and editing) YouTube videos for businesses is Microsoft Movie Maker 2.6.
There are bunch of other programs available, including Sony’s
Movie Maker 10 and most programs are under $100 or free.
But almost anyone can use Microsoft Movie Maker 2.6…it’s that easy.
Combine this software with a video camcorder and you’re in business!
On top of that, in only takes a few minutes to shoot and edit a top quality video. Practice makes perfect!
Heck….video editing is a nice skill to master even if you don’t want to make money!
Here’s the key to making money with YouTube for Business…
My recommendation would be to offer a local business, restaurant, (charity or special interest group) a complete YouTube Video package.
The video package could include a domain name, a simple website or blog,
and Google search strategy for $500.
If a business owner doesn’t want a domain, website or Google strategy you could offer a simple video posted to YouTube for $69 (more or less depending on the market).
The actual price point may vary from town to town, and market. But these would be good starting points in most locations.
Businesses need YouTube videos….but your ideal prospect would be a business owner already spending money on Internet marketing or online advertising.
Tactic #2 “How To” Videos with Backend Sales
One of the fastest growing sectors on YouTube is the “How To” videos.
There are MILLIONS of How To videos in the YouTube database!
You’ve probably seen these online…it’s about learning how to do anything, like how to wash a car, how to make a paper airplane, how to open an overseas bank account, how to study for a test and so on.
But very few people know “How to Make Money” with “how to” videos!
I discovered a great way to do it. I’ve taught this method at a handful of seminars and conferences. Most of the entrepreneurs who’ve heard this can’t believe how easy it is.
I can’t take all of the credit though.
My oldest son was working my office recently and I was ranting and raving about YouTube videos with a “million” views.
He said, “That’s peanuts”! Have you seen the “guitar” video”?, he asked with a silly grin.
“No”….I said sheepishly.
The “guitar” video on YouTube has more than 79 MILLION VIEWS!
Simply enter the word “guitar” in the YouTube search box and you’ll see it.
But the value of 79 million views comes into play when you can monetize the traffic and views.
The guy who developed the “guitar” video uses a great technique called “backend sales”. You can do the same thing.
The “guitar” video posted on YouTube includes a URL and short description. The description is “How I learned to play like this…”.
The URL is GuitarMasterPro.net.
On the website GuitarMasterPro.net you can opt-in to receive a free guitar lesson.
But more importantly…..
They offer dozens of information products and videos….some free some pay.
This is back end sales at its best.
Granted, you’ve got to have video which goes nuts (viral)….most videos sit like a bump on a log!
But if you copy the essence of the most viewed videos on YouTube (like guitar) you begin see how to make it happen.
You can also build a “review” website of the “guitar” video and reap Internet wide traffic…then sell back end products.
Oh…by the way…you can also become an affiliate for GuitarMasterPro.net and make money this way too.
Tactic #3 Partner with YouTube and Grab a Slice of their Ad Revenue
Now you can partner with YouTube and grab a slice of the ad revenue pie. The ad revenue is the generated when someone clicks ad next to your video.
Granted, it takes a boatload of views…let alone clicks…to generate ad revenue on YouTube.
But if your videos receive respectable traffic….10k views per month and up….you will see some click thru and ad revenue.
What videos receive the most traffic you ask?
Well, videos like the “guitar” video I told you about do fairly well.
But all you have to do is search YouTube for the Most Viewed Videos, and you’ll find your answer.
You can advertise on YouTube too. This would be a type of YouTube arbitrage. You would advertise at one price point and split the ad revenue received in the partner program.
Marc Charles
***** Action Strategy *****
I’ve outlined three ways to make money with YouTube videos. Each of them is unique and can be very profitable.
Focus on the angle which best suites your objectives:
· YouTube for Business
· Develop “How To” Videos with Backend Sales
· YouTube Ad Revenue Share
******Valuable Resources *******
Other Top Online Video Sites
Veoh
Metacafe
uStream
Hulu
AOL Video
Vimeo
Viddler
Google Video
Yahoo! Video
Bing Video
MySpace Video
More Video Revenue Share Opportunities
Flixya
Metacafe
Blog TV
