5 Ways To Make Money With Online Video

Advertisers continue to look for ways to effectively monetize web video, a focus that will be key to integrating television and the web. One of the most exciting revelations this week came from Google who has opened Adsense for video in beta. While right now, only video publishers who meet some pretty impressive traffic standard can participate, eventually video Adsense will be available to everyone. And get this: rumors are rolling around the blogosphere that estimate that Google will pay $15 for every 1000 impressions. But how do you attract the traffic necessary to actually make money from video advertisers?

We've pulled 5 ways to ensure you make money from your online video from a Los Angeles Times article, Behave, the Video Vigilante is watching, an article that discusses the convergence of activism and the web.

1. Keep Your Upfront Costs Low

You don't need thousands of dollars worth of fancy electronics to make money in web video. A half decent camcorder and video editing program on your computer will do the trick. Content is key.

2. People Love Seeing Others Publicly Humiliated

While this may sound like a tip from a heartless bastard, some people should be publicly humiliated. John's that troll the streets looking for underaged prostitutes captured on video and plastered on YouTube attract all kinds of traffic. "If you get caught...you get a life sentence", says the Video Vigilante of Oklahoma City, Brian Bates.

3. Compromising Situations Involving Authorities Such As Cops And Pastors Attract Traffic

People love seeing those of legal and moral high-standing break the very laws and virtues they promote. Traffic cops breaking laws they're supposed to enforce, pastors trolling for hookers, and nightclub violence are guaranteed to attract traffic if you happen to catch them on tape.

4. Shamelessly Self-Promote

Give yourself a nickname, call local news stations and tell them what you're doing, leverage social networks on the web. Don't be shy and get the word out. We're sure that a Los Angeles Times piece will do wonders for Brian Bates.

5. When Looking For A Subject To Focus On, Choose Something A Tad Unethical

While I don't believe that taping john's taking advantaged of the disadvantaged is unethical, some people do. Because it's difficult to use online video to convict criminals, some civil libertarians say that people such as Brian Bates are serving as "as judge, jury, and executioner", all roles meant for the justice system. The key point to remember here is that negative publicity is still publicity and sometimes it's even better for attracting traffic than positive publicity.

Want some numbers to back these tips up? No problem. Brian Bates owns JohnTV, a website where he publicly airs his provocative footage. Videos like that of a Lowe's deliverman having sex with a prostitute on top of a washing machine have attracted many hundred of thousands of views. And with traffic like that, Bates will make $70, 000 this year from his website alone. He also licenses his footage to talk shows for $250 a clip, has been paid to appear on Maury Povich and signed a deal with YouTube to upload his videos to their video-sharing site and split the ad revenues. Convinced?

February 23, 2008

5 Ways To Make Money With Online Video