Making Money by Watching Videos
There are several platforms that pay users to watch videos, ranging from advertisements and trailers to educational content. Here’s how you can get started:
1. Swagbucks
Swagbucks is one of the most popular rewards platforms that allows users to earn money by watching videos, among other activities like taking surveys and shopping online. Here’s how you can make money on Swagbucks:
- Watch Video Content: Swagbucks offers a variety of video content, including news, entertainment, and advertisements. By watching these videos, you earn Swagbucks points (SB), which can be redeemed for gift cards or cash via PayPal.
- Daily Earning Limit: You can watch videos daily, with a limit on how much you can earn per day. This encourages regular engagement with the platform.
- Bonuses and Extra Rewards: Swagbucks often runs promotions where you can earn extra points by completing specific video-watching tasks.
2. InboxDollars
InboxDollars is another reputable platform that pays users for watching videos, along with other activities like reading emails and completing surveys. Here’s how you can earn money on InboxDollars:
- Watch Paid Videos: InboxDollars provides a range of video content, including short clips, movie trailers, and advertisements. Each video watched earns you a small amount of money.
- Cash Out Options: Unlike points-based systems, InboxDollars pays in cash. Once you reach the minimum payout threshold, you can request a payment via check, PayPal, or gift cards.
- Referral Program: You can earn additional money by referring friends to InboxDollars. When they sign up and start earning, you receive a bonus.
3. MyPoints
MyPoints is similar to Swagbucks and InboxDollars, offering users the chance to earn points by watching videos, shopping, and taking surveys. Here’s how it works:
- Watch Videos and Earn Points: MyPoints features a wide array of video content, from advertisements to entertainment. Watching these videos earns you points, which can be redeemed for gift cards or cash.
- Daily Goals and Challenges: MyPoints often sets daily goals or challenges for watching a certain number of videos, offering bonus points as rewards.
- Cash-Out Options: Once you accumulate enough points, you can redeem them for gift cards to popular retailers or for cash via PayPal.
4. Perk TV
Perk TV is a mobile app that rewards users for watching videos and engaging with other content. Here’s how you can earn with Perk TV:
- Watch and Earn: Perk TV offers videos, movie trailers, app trailers, and more. You earn points, known as Perk Points, for each video you watch.
- Redeem for Rewards: Points can be redeemed for gift cards, merchandise, or even cash through PayPal.
- Mobile Convenience: Since Perk TV is a mobile app, you can watch videos and earn money anytime, anywhere, making it a convenient option for busy schedules.
5. Viggle
Viggle is another mobile app that rewards users for watching TV shows and streaming videos. Here’s how it works:
- Watch TV and Earn: Viggle allows you to earn points by simply watching TV shows or streaming content through popular platforms like Netflix or Hulu.
- Engage with Content: You can earn extra points by engaging with the content, such as answering trivia questions or checking in to specific shows.
- Redeem Points for Rewards: Points earned on Viggle can be redeemed for gift cards, prizes, or donations to charity.
Other Ways to Make Money by Watching Videos
In addition to the platforms mentioned above, there are several other ways to monetize your video-watching habits. Here are a few additional methods:
1. YouTube Partner Program
If you enjoy watching videos on YouTube, consider creating your channel and monetizing it through the YouTube Partner Program. Here’s how:
- Create Content: Start by creating and uploading videos that interest you. Your channel can cover various topics, from vlogs and tutorials to entertainment and reviews.
- Monetize with Ads: Once your channel meets the eligibility criteria (1,000 subscribers and 4,000 watch hours in the past 12 months), you can apply for the YouTube Partner Program. This allows you to earn money from ads displayed on your videos.
- Engage with Your Audience: The more views and engagement your videos receive, the more money you can earn. Consistency and quality content are key to growing your channel.
2. Review and Critique Videos
Some websites and companies pay users to review and critique videos. This could include anything from evaluating educational content to providing feedback on commercials or training videos. Here’s how you can get involved:
- Sign Up for Review Platforms: Platforms like UserTesting, Respondent, and TryMyUI sometimes require participants to watch and review videos as part of their usability testing process.
- Provide Constructive Feedback: Companies value detailed and constructive feedback. The better your reviews, the more likely you are to receive more assignments.
- Get Paid for Your Reviews: Payments for video reviews can vary but often range from $10 to $50 per review, depending on the platform and the length of the video.
3. Freelance Video Editing
If you have skills in video editing, you can earn money by offering your services as a freelance video editor. Here’s how you can get started:
- Offer Services on Freelance Platforms: Websites like Upwork, Fiverr, and Freelancer allow you to list your video editing services. You can edit everything from YouTube videos to promotional content for businesses.
- Create a Portfolio: Having a strong portfolio of past work can help you attract more clients. If you’re just starting, consider offering your services at a lower rate to build your portfolio.
- Set Your Rates: Freelance video editors can charge anywhere from $20 to $100 per hour, depending on experience and the complexity of the project.
4. Participate in Market Research Studies
Market research companies often seek participants to watch videos and provide feedback on advertisements, trailers, or pilot episodes. Here’s how you can participate:
- Sign Up with Research Companies: Websites like Swagbucks, Vindale Research, and Pinecone Research occasionally have opportunities to watch and review video content as part of their studies.
- Get Paid for Your Time: Compensation for participating in these studies varies, but it can be a quick and easy way to make money in your spare time.
5. Become a Mystery Shopper
Some mystery shopping assignments involve watching promotional videos or video ads and then evaluating the brand’s message or presentation. Here’s how you can get involved:
- Sign Up with Mystery Shopping Companies: Platforms like BestMark, Market Force, and IntelliShop offer various mystery shopping assignments, including video-related tasks.
- Complete Assignments and Get Paid: After completing the video-related tasks, you’ll typically fill out a survey or report and get paid for your time.
Conclusion
Making money by watching videos is a simple and enjoyable way to earn extra cash in your spare time. With platforms like Swagbucks, InboxDollars, and Perk TV, you can start earning rewards for something you already do—watching videos. While the income might not replace a full-time job, it’s a great way to supplement your earnings without much effort.
Beyond watching videos, there are numerous other ways to monetize your time spent with video content. Whether it’s creating your YouTube channel, providing video reviews, or offering freelance video editing services, the opportunities are diverse and growing.
The key to success in this field is consistency and finding the platforms or methods that work best for you. With a little time and effort, you can turn your video-watching habits into a steady stream of income, making your screen time more productive than ever before.
