What is vlogging?
Vlogging is just one of the many ways to earn while at home. It’s the act of recording video content for an online audience. The term vlog or video blog generally refers to both the format and the content, while the term vlogger is for the person who has ownership of the vlog. A vlogger isn’t always the subject of the video nor are they always the person behind the camera.
How do I become a vlogger?
Anyone with a camera, a computer, and an Internet connection can vlog. Aside from creating content, however, you also need a platform on which your audience can access said content. YouTube is the most popular platform for vloggers at the moment, but you can also sign up at other channels like Vimeo and Dailymotion.
What kind of vlogs should I make?
You can choose from a wide variety of topics, subject to the guidelines of your chosen platform, but it’s recommended that you vlog about something that you’re genuinely interested in. Some vloggers choose to focus on a single interest, such as fitness or parenting, but more and more vloggers are expanding their repertoire, combining multiple interests for broader appeal. If your main goal is to earn from vlogging, you can also base your content on the kind of advertisers you want to attract. Whatever you decide, keep in mind that vlogging is a responsibility, and that your words and actions can greatly influence your audience.
How long do I need to wait before I can monetize my vlog?
It depends on which revenue stream you’re interested to tap, and even then, the requirements vary. On YouTube, for example, you can start earning from ads if you join the YouTube Partner Program, have more than 4,000 public valid watch hours in the last 12 months, have more than 1,000 subscribers, and are linked to a Google Adsense account. Meanwhile, the parameters for brand sponsorships are relative to each brand. The bigger the brand, the more they’ll want to work with vloggers who have more subscribers and whose videos get more views. Numbers aren’t the only factors they consider though. The vlogger’s personality, language, and character also determine whether they’re a good fit for the brand or not.
How can I earn from vlogging?
There are several ways you can earn from vlogging. You can allow advertisers to run ads on your channel, collaborate with brands to create brand-sponsored content, share affiliate links, and offer exclusive content. Before you can tap into these revenue streams, however, your vlog needs to meet the requirements set by either the platform, the advertiser, and ad or affiliate network. These may include, but are not limited to, the number of views and subscribers your vlog generates.
How do vlogs make money from ads?
Vloggers earn from ads when they allow advertisers to run ads on their channel. These ads can appear in a variety of ways—from skippable ads within the video to transparent overlay ads that only appear at the bottom 20% of the video. To unlock this revenue stream, however, you need to meet the minimum requirements of your chosen platform (e.g. YouTube) and ad network (e.g. Good Adsense). As stated above, for example, YouTube requires that you become a member of the YouTube Partner Program, have more than 4,000 public valid watch hours in the last 12 months, have more than 1,000 subscribers, and are linked to a Google Adsense account before you can earn from ads.
It’s also important to note that you’re not going to earn much from one video and one ad alone. According to Influencer Marketing Hub, a YouTube channel earns an average of $3 to $5 per 1,000 views. Some platforms also don’t allow you to cash out your earnings until you reach a certain amount or payment threshold. Avoid confusion by making sure you’ve read and understood the terms of use and policies clearly.
What is brand sponsorship?
Brand sponsorship is when brands contract vloggers to talk about their product or service in their vlog in one way or another. While different advertisers have different minimum requirements in terms of views and subscribers, checking out the stats of vloggers who have scored brand sponsorship deals can give you an idea of what advertisers are used to working with. Don’t just look at the high-profile vloggers; see if you can find vloggers who have stats that are closer to your current profile.
While the terms of the sponsorship are between you and the advertiser, you still have to respect the guidelines your video platform has set up regarding paid promotions. Some of these include informing them that you’re uploading a video with paid content. Make sure you review your chosen platform’s guidelines properly to avoid being penalized.
What is affiliate marketing?
Affiliate marketing is basically a revenue-sharing agreement between you and an advertiser. Every time you recommend a product or service on your vlog that leads to a sale, you earn a commission. Using affiliate links, which vloggers usually put in their video’s description, advertisers can trace which sales can be attributed to you.
To get into affiliate marketing, you can join affiliate networks like Involve Asia or scout around for advertisers who have existing affiliate programs. Zalora and Lazada both have affiliate programs that you can explore.
What is exclusive content?
Creating content allows vloggers to earn from a variety of revenue streams like ads and brand sponsorships, but content by itself can also be a source of income. Once you feel that you have amassed a relatively loyal following, you can choose to create exclusive content or content for viewers who are willing to pay extra or make a donation. On YouTube, you can activate this by applying for a channel membership, which allows you to offer members-only perks to your viewers. Take note that these perks aren’t just limited to exclusive videos; they also extend to custom badges and emojis, among others. Interested in applying for channel membership on YouTube? Go through their eligibility requirements and policies here.
Vlogging is just one of the ways you can make the wealth generation cycle work for you. Once you start monetizing your videos, think about how you can best utilize your earnings. Do you save it, invest it back in the vlog, or explore a new venture?
SCREENCAP: YouTube
