Monetizing your video is the way to earn revenue for your effort. It is a way to get paid when your viewers stream the content you upload. Today video monetization has become one of the methods to create digital content and earn. With the OTTs and VODs blooming, more and more platforms are adding up to the list and more entrepreneurs want to create their own channels.
There are many platforms today that let you monetize your videos, YouTube being one of the popular ones. Let’s discuss more how monetization works to earn you money and how as a creator you too can become a part of it.
Different Video Monetization Methods
There are many VOD platforms like YouTube today and creators are not dependent on just one platform. These streaming platforms provide different ways to earn money by uploading your videos online. Let’s see the different ways in which you can earn money through monetization.
SVOD: Subscription Video-on-Demand
When you sign up for this kind of revenue model or monetization method, you charge your viewers weekly, monthly, or yearly. This can be compared with Netflix’s subscription program where users pay the subscription fee and get to stream the content. Some platforms also allow you to charge as per the device of your users and how many users can view the same content at a time.
However, this kind of method works only if you are able to upload trending content that is not readily available anywhere else, such as premium content. This also works when you already have your fan base ready rather than being a completely new creator.
So viewers pay for the subscription fee because they get access to premium content which they can watch without having to see any advertisements. Such platforms also allow users to stream the content with their friends and watch simultaneously.
Different subscription-based platforms provide different facilities as compared to free streaming platforms, and hence when users feel that a channel or platform is worth spending their money on, they sign up for such subscription-based platforms.
TVOD: Transactional Video-on-Demand
The second one is transactional video-on-demand which requires the viewers to make a one-time payment and gives them access to the content. Now, it depends on the platform whether the users get permanent access to the content or not. If the platform lets them download the content for a one-time fee, it can be more of a permanent ownership. However, the platform might also have a rental plan where users can only rent the file for a specific time such as for a week or 2 weeks.
Users pay for this kind of platform when there is a wide array of content. For example, Amazon Prime allows their users to use their video content on a subscription as well as on rental basis. Since they have a wide range of content, they provide some part of it on subscription and some part of it on rental.
It depends on the users whether they want the subscription or rental or both. Exclusive shows and live sporting events are some of the examples that can be included in the TVOD monetization methods. For such content, users agree to pay and stream since these events do not happen daily and are time-sensitive.
AVOD: Advertising Video-on-Demand
Advertising video-on-demand is also the most common kind of monetization method. The creators or the platforms do not charge anything from their users. Instead, they display ads in their videos which the users have to watch in order to stream their content. This way, the creators earn from running ads every time the streamers watch them.
This works best when you have a huge fan base and you upload regular kind of content that is not so exclusive or trending. For example, YouTube and Hulu utilize this revenue-making method and they earn via running ads on their platform. This method attracts a wide variety of traffic since users often prefer to stream free of cost and no one wants to pay for every single streaming platform they use.
AVOD is not a huge profit-oriented technique, but it is enough for new creators who are just starting with streaming platforms and monetization techniques.
Are You Allowed To Monetize Any Kind Of Video?
New creators should know that there are some rules that need to be followed before they upload videos and expect them to monetize. Not every kind of video can be monetized such as:
Copyrighted content that is someone else’s property and not originally created by you can’t be monetized. In fact, you can face legal repercussions for uploading plagiarized content.
Adult content that falls in the category of being erotic can’t be monetized. Content that has no educational value might not be allowed by the platform in most cases.
Controversial content that is about spreading hate or self-harm is not allowed to upload or monetize. However different platforms have different rules and guidelines, these are general points that are followed by most streaming platforms.
Next What? How To Get Started?
Once you have an idea about the monetization methods, you should choose which one goes well with the kind of content you upload. Afterward, below are the steps that will help you get started.
Create Your Own VOD Channel On GudSho
GudSho is a VOD platform that allows premium content creators to upload and monetize their content. The platform presents you with several monetization options like TVOD, AVOD, and SVOD. Creators can monetize their content either with subscriptions, giving content on rent, or running advertisements in their videos. Additionally, GudSho allows creators to earn from donations.
The platform serves very well as an alternative to YouTube where YouTubers can upload their content with minimum restrictions. It also allows creators to monetize film festivals, fitness videos, and education courses. Creators can set prices and manage their video library while keeping controls as per their preferences.
Create The Monetization Plans
You can sign up for the SVOD plan since it is the most common method nowadays and it is also result-oriented when it comes to earning revenue from your creations. However, you need to upload premium content that your viewers can’t find anywhere else which will motivate them to keep taking your subscription plans and keep streaming.
If you will upload more usual content then you can go for an ad-based monetization method and earn from running ads on your videos. If you are a new creator and you want to build the fan base first, you can allure your audience by giving them free-trial periods such as for 14 days or 30 days.
While selecting the price, keep the following points in mind:
- Determine your financial goal
- Research the industry standards
- Get to know your audience
To begin with, you can charge lower than the alternatives as this will give you an edge over your competitors and help you attract traffic.
Wrapping It Up
Video monetization lets you earn money by uploading your videos and getting them streamed. There are many revenue models that different platforms follow: SVOD, TVOD, and AVOD are some of the most common ones. Some platforms also allow you to earn via donations, merchandise, and sponsorships.
As a creator, you should explore all the options available and make yourself familiar with the streaming platforms before finalizing one. While ending this article here, we hope that you receive some assistance from this article regarding choosing different monetization methods and making the right decision for your streaming channel.
As the editor of the blog, She curate insightful content that sparks curiosity and fosters learning. With a passion for storytelling and a keen eye for detail, she strive to bring diverse perspectives and engaging narratives to readers, ensuring every piece informs, inspires, and enriches.
