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As someone who earns a living with this blog, I must acknowledge that videos are currently the most captivating form of content.
It’s widely known that video has been the favored content format for several years now. In fact, 91% of consumers crave more videos from brands, which is evident through the popularity of YouTube, TikTok, Facebook videos, and Instagram reels.
If you love watching videos every day, wouldn’t it be amazing to get paid while watching them? Too good to be true? Probably a scam?
That’s what I thought as well until I encountered the activities below. It turns out that there are apps that incentivize you to watch videos, with some companies even giving you the chance to get paid to review movies. You can even create your website based on the movies you’ve watched and earn money from it!
If this has gotten your attention and you’re intrigued about how to do this, then you’re in for a treat. Listen up, video addicts: It’s time to monetize your love for watching these types of content.
PIN (OR BOOKMARK) THIS PAGE: I’ll be updating this post so make sure to pin this image here and save it to your Pinterest board. That way you’ll be able to come back to this page and learn how you can get paid to watch videos!
1. Swagbucks
My long-time readers know how much I love Swagbucks! I’ve been using it since 2009 and to say that I’ve greatly benefitted from the company is an understatement.
For those who don’t know, Swagbucks is a website and application that offers its users reward points for doing different tasks. You can watch videos or answer surveys for money and you’ll be given Swagbuck points in return. These points are what allow you to redeem free gift cards or cash.
Personally, I use surveys more often than watching videos since they’re quite easy to answer and fast to finish. In all my years of using Swagbucks, I have never encountered a problem when redeeming my favorite gift cards like Amazon, Starbucks, and a few of my go-to local restaurants. I’m sure my friends would say the same thing since they’re active users as well.
The types of videos you could be watching for Swagbucks include:
- Hulu clips
- Food videos
- Music videos
- Movie trailers
- Celebrity clips
- Advertisements
- Behind-the-scenes clips
You could earn an extra $300 to $1,000 every year just by being active on Swagbucks. The users who earn big through this platform are the ones who spend most of their time on the app. So, if you have a lot of free time on your hands, you can explore and make money on the application!
I’ve also written an honest Swagbucks review for you to know more about how to make money on it.
2. Start A TV Show Review Blog
The benefit of writing online goes beyond making money, as it’s also finding like-minded people who have the same interests as you. When I started this blog, not only was I able to monetize it, but I found people who also love to make money online!
Many entertaining blogs talk about TV shows or movies. An example of this would be TV Fanatic. She talks about different shows and just categorizes them for easy navigation. Her content is simple yet effective.
To help you decide what kind of blog to start with, below are some ideas that you can ponder upon:
- Movie recommendations – Write about a movie you like and who it is for. You can write along the lines of “If you want to be motivated and be inspired in life, I highly recommend The Pursuit Of Happyness…” Then explain why it’s a must-watch without giving any spoilers.
- Niche-focused blog – If you don’t want to be all over the place, you can focus on one genre of movies. Choose from drama, thriller, comedy, romcom, etc., after which you can go on to write about the different movies in that niche.
- Netflix movies/shows – Want to be on top of movie or TV show culture? You can create a blog that’s solely about what’s upcoming on Netflix.
Once you start blogging, you’ll realize how freeing it is for your creative side. You don’t have to follow strict rules or guidelines for your content. You can write about anything you like and in any way you prefer.
That’s one of the main reasons why I’m consistent at posting blogs even after all these years. I like the feeling of having full control over what I write and put out online. No boss to follow and no coworkers to listen to. Plus, I get to help my readers with their financial situation as well.
If you’re quite unsure of how to start a blog, you can read my beginner’s guide on how to create one. After that, you can learn how to monetize your blog so you make money while talking about the movies you like.
3. Create A YouTube Channel About Movies
One of the best things to do on YouTube is to show your creative side to the world. You don’t have to be like the other channels in your niche, you could be doing a completely different thing and people would still watch your videos.
If you’re planning to create a YouTube channel about various movies, there are different routes that you can take here.
- Movie reviews – This is the most common one on this list. Through such a channel, you get to share your opinions and thoughts on the different movies you’ve watched. A good example of this type of content is Interpreting Everything.
- Movie Facts – Everybody loves to know different facts about a movie they’ve watched. They want to know whether a scene was CGI or if it was based on a true story. Your channel could be the go-to for this need. The channel, Fun Fact Films, publishes these types of videos.
- Reacts channel – Reaction videos usually get a ton of buzz, regardless of what the niche is. It seems like people are genuinely curious to see the reaction of others when it comes to scenes in a movie or television show. REACT is a great example of this.
As you can see, the route of your YouTube channel depends on you. What’s important is that you have fun and keep entertaining your viewers.
When trying to monetize your channel, the most common way to do so would be to become a part of the YouTube Partner Program. It opens up your channel for having revenue on ads.
Other ways to make money on YouTube would include creating your own merch, having a paid subscription, or through sponsorships.
4. Host Podcasts For Shows
Starting a podcast show with your friends is another creative pursuit worth considering. You might think that you’re late to the podcast train, given that almost everyone you know already has one. However, the podcasting industry is still on the rise, and it’s definitely not too late to join in on the fun.
If you’re thinking of whether you should start your own show, I highly suggest that you do. What’s the worst that can come out of it? Are you afraid that no one will listen to your show? At least you’ll be able to say you gave it a try. Give it a year of dedication and posting weekly and you will surely build an audience around your podcast.
Treat it like you’re just having a normal conversation with your friends. Talk naturally and let the topic flow. That’s how you can keep the show as authentic as possible.
In terms of monetization, you can do that through sponsors or brand placements in your podcast. They usually come when you’ve amassed thousands of listeners and watchers on a monthly basis. Again, this comes with time and requires consistency.
Still on the fence? Here are some podcast examples for you to take inspiration from:
- How Did This Get Made? – The show talks about bad movies that are still good enough to watch once.
- The Rewatchables – It’s a roundtable of interesting individuals discussing the best movies shown to the public.
- Denzel Washington Is The Greatest Actor Of All Time Period – Just by reading the title you’ll already have an idea of whom the show is about. The hosts review every Denzel Washington movie in alphabetical order.
Aside from having a great time talking with your friends, you also get the chance to monetize your platform through brand partnerships or affiliate links. I would say this is a great way to make money while also having fun!
5. Do Closed Captioning for TV Shows
Did you ever think you could get paid to watch Netflix? Luckily, that’s the world we live in today.
Closed captioning means writing down the dialogue along with the sound description in a TV show, movie, or video. It’s called “closed caption” because viewers have the option to keep the subtitles off or on as per their preference.
This one’s a fun job since you can caption videos remotely. You could be at your house with your home clothes on and still get paid to watch these shows.
Given that this job is quite foreign to some, here are the different things that a closed captioner does:
- Reviews captions and spell checks
- Makes sure that the captions are correct
- Checks if captions are in-sync with the audio
- Quality assures the location of the captions
- Writes captions for audio and pre-recorded videos
Aspiring closed captioners can also get certifications to make their applications stronger. There’s a certification called Certified Realtime Captioner by the National Court Reporters Association. It’s for entry-level captioners who would like to start a career in this field.
If you’re looking to apply for this job position, here are some websites to explore:
6. Work As A Netflix Tagger
I know what you’re thinking: Is being a Netflix Tagger a real job or a myth?
People ask this because they rarely see a job posting for this position, but have read that it exists somewhere.
The answer to that is yes, it is a real job and Netflix does pay a person to watch shows and tag them with specific keywords. These tags make it easier for you when searching for things to watch.
When you search for “Netflix tagger” on their website, you won’t see that position pop up. Instead, it’ll display the job title as “Content Editorial Analyst”. That’s the position you should be aiming for if you want to get paid to watch as many shows as you like from anywhere and at any time. This is yet another job on this list where you could get paid to watch Netflix.
Below are some of the responsibilities of a Netflix Tagger or Content Editorial Analyst:
- Be up to date with current affairs and cultural moments
- Meet tight deadlines while assuring a high-quality output
- Properly analyze, tag, and write about movies and TV shows
- Understand the underlying creative intent behind the shows
I haven’t seen a technical qualification for this role when I was browsing for this job position. Netflix just states the general qualifications required for this role, such as being passionate about movies and TV shows, having knowledge of pop culture, strong leadership skills, and time management. If you embody these qualities, try searching if there’s an open position in your area.
7. Mystery Shopper
You may have heard of mystery shoppers who get paid to shop or dine at a restaurant, but did you know that mystery shoppers are employed by movie theatres as well? Oh yes, it’s true.
The mystery shoppers hired by theatres are responsible for taking detailed notes and creating reports that can be used by the establishment to make the necessary improvements.
Let me walk you through the various aspects that you will be asked to check as a mystery shopper at a movie theatre:
- External environment: The client will ask you if the theatre looks safe and welcoming enough from the outside. Observe the parking situation and the appearance of the facilities.
- Tickets: Evaluate the process of booking the movie tickets. See if the movie timings are displayed clearly and if the customers are made aware of the discounted rates, if any.
- Staff: Monitoring the staff members at a movie theatre will be among your main duties as a mystery shopper. Polite and helpful staff members can often be the deciding factor as to whether a person makes a given establishment their go-to spot or just a one-time visit. Check how they deal with the customers, whether they help them in navigating their way to the movie halls, and how patient they are.
- Concession stands: Keep an eye on the cleanliness of the packaging in which the food is served. See if the food is stale and whether most of the food items being offered are in stock or not.
- Cleanliness: No one wants to visit a movie theatre where there are remnants of popcorn and candy still stuck to the seats. Survey the cleanliness of the surroundings thoroughly for your report.
- Comfort: Are the seats comfortable? Is the theatre too hot or too cold? All of these are questions you will have to answer as a mystery shopper.
Looking to be hired for this job? Here are some companies that you can apply for:
8. Babysitting
Wondering how babysitting is connected to getting paid to watch videos? Well, let me tell you that it’s quite a major part of your role as a babysitter. After all, it’s one of the easiest and most efficient ways to keep kids entertained.
Be it Marvel movies, Disney movies, or the beloved Lord of the Rings trilogy, you can choose to watch a wide array of entertaining videos with the little ones under your care, while also keeping their age in mind, of course.
You don’t just have to stay limited to movies and TV shows while picking your options as a babysitter. Playing educational videos depending on the likes and age range of the children is something you can do as well. With so many informative videos on YouTube these days, you can contribute to expanding the knowledge of the kids you babysit.
The highest average pay for babysitters is around $32.9. Even if you work for just four days every week, it amounts to about $2,500 per month. I would say that’s a decent amount since you’re basically getting paid to be at home and look after the kids.
You could look for a babysitting job on:
9. Become A Video Editor
Working as a video editor today is an in-demand job as people with businesses and personal brands want to publish more video content for their audience. They’d want to hire someone who can edit their podcasts, vlogs, reels, and other types of content.
If you want to start a career in video editing, you can do so with these steps:
- First, learn how to use a video editing software. Play around with it and watch free content on YouTube on how you can use it to the fullest extent. There are also free online courses that teach you the basics of more complex things.
- Second, do your research. Check out the market today and observe what types of videos are being posted. Watch YouTube videos and TikTok to see how the most viewed content is being edited.
- Third, follow the video styles you watch. Start building your portfolio and have your own edits.
- Fourth, look for job postings on different websites. You can also market your services on platforms like Fiverr.
- Fifth, as you apply for a position, include all your high-quality edits along with your portfolio. Impress your prospects and be so good that they won’t think twice before hiring you.
Being a video editor is a job to make you money while watching and editing videos. If you’re able to garner views for your clients’ videos, they’ll be more than happy to retain you as a part of their team.
10. Video Quality Assurance Specialist
The job of doing quality assurance can be present in multiple fields and niches, but it’s particularly important when it comes to published videos.
As a quality assurance specialist, you are the last line of defense for errors and misplacements seen in the video content.
Aside from checking the visible elements of the video, you’re in charge of thinking if the video is on-brand with the business or is in line with what the company stands for. If the business aims to be motivational, the video should be created that way for the viewers.
For other businesses, their video QA specialists also help in formulating strategies and pinpointing improvements for the team. This means you should be up to date on how the company can publish better and more engaging videos for their audience.
In terms of pay, these quality assurance specialists make an average of $51,000 per year, which is quite a lot considering that the majority of your time is just spent watching videos and making sure it meets all the company standards.
FAQs
1. How Do You Get Paid for Watching Videos?
There are different ways you can get paid to watch videos. You could join Swagbucks, be a Netflix tagger, do closed captioning, or be a quality assurance specialist for videos.
If you only want to make money watching videos on the side, Swagbucks is the application for you. No commitment and it’s easy to sign up. You can start earning as soon as you download the application or sign up on the website.
2. Can I watch videos to earn Swagbucks points?
Yes, you can indeed earn Swagbucks points by watching videos. This is exactly what I did when I was a broke student trying to earn a bit of extra money online.
I have watched Swagbucks grow from its inception, and today it has become a very popular rewards program. It allows users to earn points (known as SB) by performing various online activities, including watching short video clips. The Swagbucks platform features a wide variety of videos covering numerous topics, including entertainment, news, fitness, and more.
By watching these videos, you can accumulate points which can be redeemed for free gift cards, cash (via PayPal), and other rewards. The amount of SB you earn per video or playlist is generally small, so watching videos alone might not yield high earnings quickly.
Combining this with other activities on Swagbucks, such as taking surveys or using their search engine, can help you accumulate points more rapidly.
3. How Can I Make $100 A Day Online Watching Videos?
Out of all the choices above, I believe being a video editor is the best use of your time for two reasons.
If you’re working for the right client, you’ll get paid handsomely. On Indeed’s website, the higher end of the salary range is $40 per hour. In an 8-hour shift, you can earn $320 per day, which is around $83,000+ in a year.
The second reason would be that video editing can turn into a service-based business for you. An example of this would be creating a short-form video agency where you create TikTok videos, YouTube shorts, and Instagram reels for personal brands and online businesses.
4. How Much Can You Earn Watching Movies?
The potential earnings for watching a movie can vary depending on your job position. Let’s discuss the pay for each point above that pays you to watch a movie.
As a Content Editorial Analyst for Netflix, you could earn as high as $100,000 per year, but the estimated base pay is around $82,700 per year.
Being a Mystery Shopper, on the other hand, would only pay around $12 to $31 per hour, and take note that your duties go beyond watching movies. So, you’ll have to be in the building way before the movie even starts, and stay till it ends. This is only good as a part-time gig.
If you want to get paid to watch movies, the best route to take is being under Netflix.
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