Dream Job: How to Earn Money by Video-Reviewing What You Love!

November 21, 2012 · 101 comments

Dream Job
This is a guest post from Ann Smarty @SEOSmarty.

A couple of years ago I realized something that would change my life: my opinions mattered. Not just in a general sense, but they mattered to other people who I noticed came to me very often. Mainly this was on products in the technology, personal care and beauty industries. Sometimes they would base their buying habits on what I told them about my own experiences, what I had heard or what I knew about the company from former products by the brand.

Over time, these same people convinced me to start writing my opinions on a Facebook page, and a Twitter account. I did, and that eventually led to a blog. I went from text posts with photos to video reviews of every new thing I would buy in the tech industry. This included phones, MP# and media players, tablets, computers, streamers, game consoles, and even apps.

GET PAID FOR VIDEO REVIEWS

It was when I had established a fair number of fans who would read my blog that I began to get offers. These offers came from marketers and company PR people who had products about to be released and wanted someone to review it. Since that review would have a wide reach on the blog, YouTube, Facebook and Twitter, it was a valuable tool they could exploit in a simple way.

I would usually get two different types of offers: free products samples and paid reviews. Both were excellent ways to make my passion into a genuine income generating job.

But that is not the only way to go about earning cash and getting free stuff as a video reviewer. Here are a couple of other methods to check out.

Become An Amazon Vine Reviewer

Amazon

If you spend any time in the Amazon community pages, you know that there is a certain amount of trust earned between frequent reviewers and the rest of the users. Showing that you are an insightful, honest and well spoken review writer will go far in putting some weight behind your opinion. Plus, it gives users good feelings towards you since you have spent the time to warn them about bad products, or point them to good ones.

When you look at prolific or popular reviewers on the site, you might come across a little sign that states they are ‘Vine’ reviewers. This means they have been invited by Amazon to be like a member of staff. They get free stuff, like electronics, books, accessories and more. Then they write honest, well thought out reviews about what they have tried without having any connection to the company that they have to honor.

Sadly, there is no application or request process available for this job. What you have to do is get noticed by the site, which is best done through frequently reviewing things. These reviews must be informative, helpful, and high quality, with consistent ratings from other users. It also helps if you communicate with users on the forums, and are a customer on a semi-regular basis.

Become A YouTube Partner

The easiest way to make money on video reviews is by signing up to become a YouTube partner and affiliate. This will make you a certain amount of money for the clicks on your video ads. These are driven by likes, shares and views you get. If you have a high number of subscribers, that is even better because you will be able to tap into a recurring profit pool.

The amount of money you can get depends on the rate for Google’s AdSense at any given time. I have heard a lot of people say the average is $3 – $5 per 1,000 clicks. But I have heard it go as high as $9 – $10 for the same number of clicks, with higher traffic videos. My guess is that you are able to work up to higher amounts over time, depending on your visibility.

ExpoTV

ExpoTV

You probably know all about survey sites that pay you pennies on the dollar towards gift cards and small items. There are many popular ones, some that even I would swear by. But this is a program you might not have heard of before, and that you should definitely learn about now.

You basically upload video clips of you doing product reviews on anything you might have an interest in and experience with. Get access to new products you want to try out using samples and even full retail items from the site. Then you participate in research programs and surveys based around similar products to the ones you liked.

It is all based on an easy to keep track of point system. Points add up really fast, so you may be surprised by how much you can earn for such a little amount of work.

TekSocial

TekSocial

This is a great blog featuring an entirely user-based format. Users of different products in the tech industry do video reviews or written reviews. These are then posted on both the blog and the Tech Social YouTube page. All contributors are paid for their work, which is a great way to both earn some money and get your name out there.

I would suggest anyone with an interest in doing reviews contact TekSocial through the blog and get started.

Conclusion

My life has changed a great deal since I started doing this for a living. I am in love with writing product reviews, and the many ways that you can earn a real income doing it. Do you know of any other ways? Let us know in the comments.

Image Credit: 1, 2.



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{ 101 comments… read them below or add one }

Sam December 6, 2012 at 5:15 pm

It seems interesting & entertaining, I hope practically it is also interesting & funny. It is a great way to earn some bucks.Thanks for sharing light on this topic because this is an awesome way to make money.The Amazon Vine reviewer idea is a superb technique to implement. Good post, thanks for sharing.

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Sandra who writes about drupal project management module December 5, 2012 at 7:12 pm

I’ve always dreamed of being a movie critique, looks like video reviews is the next best thing. I’ll be sure to look into that soon
Sandra would love you to read ..Multi tasking is in anyone’s reach thanks to SuiteDashMy Profile

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Kelly who writes about Geelong Triathlon Coaching December 4, 2012 at 9:14 pm

You know how they say to make a job out of your passion and you’ll never work a day in your life? This is exactly one of those jobs! I really want to be a part of a review team or a videographer. It’s definitely something I look forward to doing.

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Calra who writes about Executive Search Firms Australia December 4, 2012 at 9:12 pm

I was searching for ‘dream jobs’ and landed on your post. This is something I’d like to look into. I mean watching videos then writing reviews PLUS getting paid for it? Sounds like a big time movie critique.

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Jennifer G who writes about DUI Lawyers December 4, 2012 at 2:24 pm

There are so many interesting ways to make a living these days. Thanks for the ideas. They will be very helpful to myself and many others I know…
Jennifer G would love you to read ..Kentucky Man Pleads Guilty to Fatal DUI, What are the Consequences for Intoxicated Driving in the State?My Profile

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Aroon SEO December 3, 2012 at 11:30 pm

dear

It is just like a part time jobs that any person can follow it your life and build your career easily ,your title DREAM MORE WORK LESS are really poi nt out to the need of present time status of a person.

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Phoebe Kemp December 3, 2012 at 10:06 pm

I agree with Veronica in one of the comments. Writing video reviews can actually be great. This is actually quite an amaizing post with amazing and useful info. Thanks again for sharing!

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Magento extensions December 3, 2012 at 9:28 pm

This is probably the most interesting and enjoyable way to make money online and I would definitely look at any opportunity to review products and get paid Thanks for telling us more about how it works! Very informative!

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erwin who writes about fitness-degree.com
Twitter:
December 3, 2012 at 9:16 pm

In other words, being an Internet marketer. This is a great idea and my dream. However it is difficult to realize in this year.
erwin would love you to read ..Garmin Forerunner 405 CxMy Profile

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Roger December 3, 2012 at 7:49 pm

Very interesting & fun to hear, this is probably the most lucrative and enjoyable way to make an income online and I would definitely jump at any opportunity to review products and get paid. Good post, thanks for sharing.

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Oliver Bennett December 3, 2012 at 6:50 pm

informative post.. really interesting and useful information.. thanks for a sharing it..

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omegle
Twitter:
December 3, 2012 at 5:25 pm

Really informative post, Recently I have started some video on Youtube. But, I don’t have enough views on my videos. After reading your post, i am thinking to apply your way of earning methods.
omegle would love you to read ..Hotmail: Login and Sign up InstructionsMy Profile

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Stacey who writes about 24 hour emergency veterinarian December 3, 2012 at 1:12 pm

The title definitely caught my attention! Good job on that. As of the moment I own a lifestyle blog and run my company’s technical blog. With the information on this post, I’m seeing new prospective in money-earning. Hopefully it’ll work out.

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Janmejai December 3, 2012 at 2:38 am

It’s one of the best way to earn online but it’s also one of the most difficult task,and specially in case you are using Youtube for that.
Janmejai would love you to read ..Top 10 Dangerous Dog Breeds in the WorldMy Profile

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ribice December 3, 2012 at 2:25 am

I’ve thought for few months to open a localized review site for various products. There are many ways to earn money by doing that, but it takes lot of time and effort to get to position where you earn money. And doing affiliate here is quite hard.

Also YouTube earning depends on loads of things, but the most important is the region where the visitor comes from.
ribice would love you to read ..Be safe from keylogger, encrypt your keyboardMy Profile

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GrowMap
Twitter:
December 3, 2012 at 9:31 am

Hello ribice,

We have to pull together and make specific sites our choice – not have everyone create their own review sites – because eventually we will not be able to find them in search engines. I encourage you to support Wikireviews instead of creating your own site.

There is no easy way to make money online or off and the sooner people realize that the sooner they will find a method that does work and stick to it.
GrowMap would love you to read ..Deals or Duds? How to Save Big and Avoid Getting BurntMy Profile

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Peter December 2, 2012 at 6:02 pm

There are many ways to earn money by video reviewing.It is a great way to earn some bucks.Thanks for sharing light on this topic because this is an awesome way to make money.The Amazon Vine reviewer idea is a superb technique to implement.Thanks again.

Reply

Kristine who writes about New years eve cruise sydney December 2, 2012 at 8:11 am

I’m currently maintaining a beauty and lifestyle blog and the perks are truly amazing. I specifically enjoy coming up with product reviews and attending events. Thanks for sharing your thoughts and suggestions!

Reply

Justin
Twitter:
December 2, 2012 at 4:46 am

Hi Joy,
When I first started my blog I thought the only way to earn online was through affiliate products and adsense. There are tons of ways to earn online these days, we just have to keep our eyes open for the opportunities.

I would love to become an Amazon reviewer btw. :)
Justin would love you to read ..The Personal Growth Handbook – Personal Development 101My Profile

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Emilia who writes about portable building December 2, 2012 at 2:59 am

This is probably the most lucrative and enjoyable way to make an income online and I would definitely jump at any opportunity to review products and get paid :) Thanks for telling us more about how it works! Very informative!

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Joy who writes about Landscape design sydney December 1, 2012 at 3:15 am

It’s like everybody’s dream job to be seen on camera and make reviews about the products that they love. however, you have to make sure that it is something that’s worthy of your viewers’ time. Make it simple. Yet make it informative and special compared to the other video reviews as well. Good luck!
Joy would love you to read ..Architecture and nature co-existing happily together – is it possible?My Profile

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GrowMap
Twitter:
December 3, 2012 at 9:33 am

Hi Joy,

No, actually not everyone loves to be seen on camera, but those who do could make a nice living if they monetize their video reviews.
GrowMap would love you to read ..Why Your Geographic Location is Your BEST NicheMy Profile

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