With the invention of the internet, people were able to get a taste of freedom that they have never really known. One of the biggest benefits of the internet is that it provided individuals the ability to watch videos online. Thanks to companies like YouTube, anyone with a smartphone, computer, or tablet can now view online videos and even make money from them. Although YouTube is most well-known for its video content, it is much more than that. Through their Google Affiliate Network, they are able to connect advertisers with consumers, allowing content creators to make money from video views. In this article, we will discuss how you can make money from online videos, both now and in the future.
The Growth Of YouTube
Since its founding in 2010, YouTube has grown from a simple video sharing platform to a full-fledged media conglomerate. Now, with over 1 billion monthly active users, the platform is a familiar sight on the internet. Thanks to its sophisticated algorithm, YouTube is able to recommend content that its users will enjoy. Additionally, creators can leverage the platform’s tools for advertising, live-streaming, and video publishing to build a sustainable business.
A Brief History Of YouTube
In case you’re wondering, YouTube is one of the most popular destinations online. As a matter of fact, it is one of the first websites that pops up whenever you enter the Google search bar. If you ever wondered how YouTube grew to such a large audience, here’s a short history of the platform.
In 2007, three Stanford students — Ryan Toy, Steve Chen, and Chris Darden — built a website aimed at helping people discover content that they would enjoy. They called it ‘Youthful, Driven, Creative’, or YDC for short. One of the biggest barriers to entry at the time was the fact that most websites were geared toward older audiences. With YDC, the creators wanted to make sure that their content was relevant to the generation of people using the platform.
In 2009, after a one-year trial run, YDC was renamed to ‘YouTube’. The creators originally wanted to call it ‘Instagram’, since that is what they had in mind when they first launched. However, they settled on ‘YouTube’ because it represented a place where people could come together to share and discover content.
Here’s a quick video to reintroduce you to YouTube:
In the years since its founding, YouTube has continued to grow, adding features and functionality that further differentiated it from traditional media sites. In 2018, the platform launched a ‘YouTube Music Library’ aimed at providing users with a safe and reliable place to discover and consume music. Additionally, the following year the platform rolled out a redesigned profile page, as well as an upgraded video player — both of which are geared toward enhancing users’ experience.
Why Are People On YouTube?
Thanks to YouTube, media consumers have access to a wealth of content — whether they want to watch a movie, catch up on the latest episode of their favorite show, or just learn something new. Additionally, since the platform is algorithmically curated, users can rest assured that what they see on YouTube will be relevant and interesting. Furthermore, since YouTube is operated by Google, it benefits from the company’s deep data-gathering capabilities.
So, as you can see, there is plenty of reason for people to be on YouTube. However, the platform is more than just a one-stop-shop for content — it is a vibrant community where creators can come together to share and discuss content that they create.
How Do I Make Money On YouTube?
Now that you’re all caught up on the history of YouTube, let’s discuss how you can actually make money from the platform.
While YouTube is a valuable traffic source, monetizing the traffic is a whole different animal. Fortunately, the platform has evolved significantly since its inception and now offers numerous ways for content creators to earn money. Here’s a brief overview of how you can start and grow a successful YouTube channel.
The first step is to build a decent-sized audience. To do this, you must create relevant, entertaining content that will keep your audience engaged. When choosing your content, make sure that you are passionate about what you are showcasing. Additionally, you must find a way to engage with your audience through interactive elements — like polls, question and answer sessions, or even just showing your personality.
After you’ve built your audience, you can integrate Google Ads into your content. When someone clicks on an ad, they are taken to an external site where they can make a purchase. You get a commission for each purchase that is made from an ad on your channel.
Additionally, the more you engage with your audience, the more you will establish yourself as a trustworthy source of information and the more valuable you will become to advertisers.
YouTube And The Future Of Online Video
Thanks to the increasing integration of video into our news feeds and social media platforms, more and more people are accessing video content online. Additionally, according to HubSpot Blogs research, people in the United States are likely to spend 4 hours and 45 minutes of their day consuming media (including video content).
With the way that video is growing in importance, it is crucial that you position yourself as a thought leader in your industry. By establishing yourself as an expert in your field, you will be able to position your content as valuable academic material or even just as information to further your career.
Since the advent of YouTube, we’ve seen a seismic shift in the way that people experience video and the content that they consume. In this ever-changing world, establishing yourself as a thought leader is the key to creating a lasting impact.
Bottom Line
Establishing yourself as a thought leader in your industry can be a challenge; however, the payoffs can be invaluable. By understanding how much value people place on your expert opinion, you will be able to effectively position yourself as an authoritative voice in your industry, thus strengthening your brand and positively impacting your bottom line.