Uploading videos to platforms like YouTube and TikTok can be more than just a hobby. When done strategically, this content creation can serve as reliable income generation for creators.
Through monetization avenues such as ad revenue, sponsorship deals, and cash-redeemable fan gifts, creators can access multiple income streams by uploading videos alone on their preferred websites.
This article covers the top websites to earn money by uploading videos this year, including the different ways you can earn money on YouTube, the biggest video-sharing platform.
Key Takeaways
- The most popular websites that pay users to upload videos include YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, Twitch, and Patreon.
- By uploading videos on the YouTube app alone, creators can earn money in eight different ways through sponsorships, ad revenue, affiliate links, and crowdfunding.
- YouTube pays the most money to video content creators. However, it is also currently one of the most competitive video-sharing platforms.
Best Websites to Upload Videos and Earn Money
1. YouTube
YouTube is one of the OGs when it comes to paying people to upload videos. It’s been paying creators who meet specific metrics to upload videos as early as 2007. Currently, there are at least 8 ways to earn money from this platform, which we’ll cover in more detail later.
2. TikTok
TikTok, a platform that primarily hosts short-form, vertical videos, offers multiple earning opportunities for users.
You can receive cash-redeemable “tips” from your supporters in the form of stickers, receive money directly from the platform through the Creator Fund (selected countries only), start affiliate marketing, or publish sponsored posts.
There’s also the TikTok shop, which allows you to sell your own products directly or promote others’ goods to earn referral fees.
3. Instagram
Eligible Instagram users can earn money using the app by sharing branded content (posts featuring paid partnerships) and encouraging followers to subscribe to exclusive content. When you host live videos, you’ll also earn money when people buy Badges to support you.
4. Twitch
Twitch is a streaming platform that’s most popular among gamers who want to livestream their gaming sessions. Once you reach specific metrics in the platform, such as having at least 50 followers, you can monetize your account and earn through ads, donations, and paid subscriptions.
5. Patreon
Best for creators with an already established following, Patreon allows you to offer a subscription service or sell products directly to your supporters.
You can use this site to make it extra easy for the people who appreciate you or your content to support you through monetary means, whether by paying a monthly subscription, per-post fee, or direct donation.
6. Facebook
Facebook, one of the biggest social media platforms, also lets creators monetize their content.
The platform will pay you if you run in-stream ads, and you can also earn money directly from your supporters by adding a paid subscription shortcut to your profile/page and receiving cash-redeemable stars from your live streams.
7. Amazon Video Direct
Independent filmmakers, distributors, and studios can release their films on Amazon Video Direct and earn royalties proportionate to how long and how many people streamed your content. You’ll receive 50% of the net revenue the platform generates.
8. Teachable
As an online course platform, Teachable allows you to create “courses” in the form of videos, text, and other types of files that you can then sell to others. After setting the prices of your products, Teachable can handle all the order fulfillment processes of your courses on your behalf.
9. Udemy
Udemy is another great platform that allows instructors to sell online courses. Once you become one of Udemy’s premium instructors, you may list paid courses on the platform’s marketplace.
You can earn anywhere from 37% to 97% of the revenue your courses generate, depending on how buyers find your content.
Apply to teach on Skillshare, create classes, and get paid every time a student watches one of your videos. Since you’ll get paid per view, your content can generate long-term, passive income instead of a one-time lump sum payment.
11. Vimeo
Vimeo is a video streaming platform that primarily caters to hosting movies and films by independent filmmakers.
Since Vimeo’s free plan for creators and viewers has very limited features, most Vimeo users actively pay to use the platform, resulting in a more curated pool of high-quality videos.
Like other streaming platforms, you can earn from Vimeo through paid ads, subscriptions, and pay-per-view transactions.
12. Muvi
Instead of simply hosting your uploaded videos, Muvi takes the content creation game a step further by helping you create your own video-sharing platform that’s similar to YouTube or Netflix.
Once you’ve created your own site and managed its content library, you can earn money by launching membership programs, receiving donations, running ads, and selling products.
13. Dacast
Dacast is best known to be a live streaming platform, perfect for creators who always want or need to go live.
As a creator on this platform, you can monetize your content by setting up a subscription-based model for your supporters, setting up pay-per-view fees, or generating revenue from ads.
14. VlogBox
VlogBox is a video content distribution company that helps creators get their content across CTV (Connected TV) channels.
This platform is more of a service rather than a hosting website, but it can help you gain access to a CTV audience, which can open higher earning opportunities if you’re sharing sponsored content, selling products, or trying to grow your fanbase.
15. Dailymotion
Dailymotion is a video hosting and sharing platform similar to YouTube but with more emphasis on professionally produced content.
Once you become a Partner of the platform, you can earn from the revenue generated by the ads you allow to be inserted in your videos.
16. Brightcove
Brightcove is another streaming technology company that helps video content creators engage with their audience, sell products, and monetize content. Generate earnings from ads, subscription fees, and one-time payment for your best pieces of content.
How to Get Paid to Upload Videos to YouTube
YouTube still stands as the biggest platform for getting paid by simply uploading videos, so let’s cover the different ways you can earn money from this platform.
Google AdSense
Once you reach the channel thresholds to join the YouTube Partner Program, you can accept the Watch Page Monetization Module, which will allow you to earn money as advertisements reach more people through your content.
Sponsorships
Work with brands willing to pay you to get a “sponsor shoutout” for a portion or the entire duration of your videos.
As you grow your channel, brands aligning with your niche will likely contact you to offer a sponsorship deal, but you may also take the initiative and personally contact brands you want to collaborate with.
Affiliate Links
Generate affiliate links of businesses and brands and include them in your video, its caption, or comments. When people purchase products through the link or code you shared, you’ll earn a percentage of the sales the business makes
Channel Memberships
Creators in the YouTube Partner Program can create paid channel memberships that’ll allow them to earn money through their supporter’s subscription fees.
In return for their supporter’s monetary support, creators may create better or exclusive content, communicate with supporters more often, or hold members-only online or offline events.
Super Thanks
Viewers can purchase and send “Super Thanks” animation to eligible creators who are part of the YouTube Partner Program. This feature allows viewers to post a distinct, colourful comment under the creator’s video while providing another income stream for creators.
Super Chat
With a monetized channel, you may also turn ON the Super Chat feature for your channel’s live or premiere videos. This feature allows your watchers to pay money to make their messages stand out from the crowd of the live chat through vibrant colours and stickers.
The more a watcher pays, the easier it’ll be for their messages to stand out.
Crowdfunding
Crowdfunding is the process of directly asking supporters to fund or support the production of your content through platforms outside YouTube like Patreon, GoFundMe, or Kickstarter.
It’s ideal to offer at least a little something to viewers who contribute to your crowdfunding campaign, may that be exclusive access to a video or a free digital product relevant to your niche.
Write Scripts for Other People’s YouTube Channels
Another way to earn money from YouTube is to work for other content creators as a scriptwriter. If you have a knack for developing viral-worthy ideas, trendy dialogues, and storytelling, you can easily excel in this role.
To apply, consider finding active job listings on sites like Upwork, listing your skills on platforms like Fiverr, or directly contacting YouTube content creators you want to work for.
How to Make Money With Videos on Facebook
There are multiple ways to make money with videos on Facebook. Currently, the social media platform allows creators to earn through avenues such as adding ads to their content, offering a paid subscription shortcut for watchers, collaborating with brands, and receiving cash-redeemable gifts from live videos.
Not to mention, creators can also leverage indirect opportunities to earn money on Facebook, such as promoting affiliate links to products or services relevant to their audience.
How to Make Money As a Content Creator
These are the most common ways to earn as a content creator, regardless of the platform you use.
Affiliate Links
Post links that direct your supporters to specific products and earn a portion of the sales your referral generates. This referral system is ideal for both small and big influencers alike, as your following count doesn’t always matter to qualify as a brand affiliate.
Sponsorships
Get financially sponsored by brands to give their company and/or products a shoutout as you continue your video. Sponsorship deals can often last long-term, depending on the specific terms negotiated by both parties.
Make Videos for Brands
Sometimes, brands prefer their products to be organically used and advertised by content creators instead of being mentioned throughout a video.
Making videos for brands typically generates the most money for content creators, as it usually involves dedicating an entire video to reviewing their products or services.
FAQs
Do people get paid for posting videos?
Yes, people can get paid to post videos on platforms that allow content monetization. Video creators typically earn from ad revenue, sponsorship deals, and subscription fees from their supporters.
Does TikTok pay for posting videos?
Yes, TikTok is one of the many platforms that pay for posting videos. The primary earning method on this app is to join the TikTok Creator Fund, which allows creators to earn per video, depending on how many views they generate.
What platform pays the most?
YouTube pays the most to its video creators. MrBeast, the most followed creator on the app, earns a couple of million dollars in ad revenue alone per video he posts on YouTube.
No social media platform is notably easier to monetize than other applications. If you’re starting from scratch, though, TikTok is one of the best platforms you can start using, as its algorithm makes it easy for new accounts to reach their ideal target market from scratch.
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