Looking for a side hustle that doesn’t require any skills? You can watch videos online and earn money. Online platforms need people to watch videos for research or training purposes.
If you do it right, you may just be able to make a double-digit figure in an hour. It’s an easy, often interesting way to earn a little extra cash each month. This article will give you 8 platforms where you can take up this side hustle.
Takeaways
Video watching for money is a legit side hustle that can pay $2-$5 per hour.
Top platforms like Swagbucks and InboxDollars offer multiple ways to earn, including sign-up bonuses.
Maximizing earnings involves combining video watching with other tasks and leveraging referral programs.
Advanced opportunities include writing reviews and transcribing subtitles, with higher earning potential.
Consistency and time management are crucial for success in this side hustle
Understanding the Video Watching Side Hustle
You’ve probably read about this side hustle and thought maybe it’s a scam. But it’s quite legit. Companies are willing to pay for your attention. And that’s where video watching comes in. You’re essentially getting paid to consume content, which may include ads, trailers, product or game demos.
What is Video Watching for Money?
Video watching for money is pretty self-explanatory. You watch videos and earn money doing that. You watch, they pay. It’s that simple. Sometimes, it’s for research purposes like discovering ecommerce trends, and sometimes, just for views.
Watching videos online won’t pay a lot. Most places pay $2 to $5 per hour. It might not sound like much, but it adds up. If you do it often, you may get an extra $100 to $200 monthly. It’s a way to earn extra money before a big purchase or holiday.
A big pro of earning from video watching is flexibility. You can do it on your own schedule. It’s perfect for filling those odd moments in your day, like waiting for the bus or cooking dinner. It’s very much like watching YouTube videos to kill time, except you get paid.
The drawback is that the hourly rate is low compared to other side gigs. More importantly, there comes a point when this activity can get boring.
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ySense is a global platform that lets you earn money by watching videos, completing surveys, and doing small tasks. When it comes to watching videos, you can earn $5 to $40+ per month depending on your activity level. Cash out your earnings via PayPal or choose gift cards for popular retailers. You can also boost your income through their referral program, earning a percentage of your referrals’ earnings.
While KashKick focuses more on surveys, they do offer some video-watching opportunities. Earnings range from $0.25 to a few dollars per video. They also have a great referral program. You get 25% of what your referred friends earn.
Swagbucks is where most people go to earn money through surveys and videos. They’ve paid out over $700 million since their start. While you can watch video ads and earn money, plenty of other options exist. They even offer a $10 sign-up bonus to get you started. You’ll need a PayPal account to cash out, or you can turn your earnings into gift cards.
InboxDollars has been around since 2000 and has paid out $50 million to its members. Although popular for surveys, they also have videos. They offer a variety of video categories. You’ll easily find something interesting. Plus, you get a $5 sign-up bonus just for joining.
MyPoints operates on a points system. You earn points for watching videos. Then, you convert points to cash, gift cards, or even travel points. Unfortunately, there’s a daily cap of 500 points for video watching. New users get a $10 Amazon or Visa gift card bonus.
Ever heard of Nielsen TV ratings? Well, now you can be part of their research. Nielsen pays just for you to watch whatever you want online. They also run monthly sweepstakes with a whopping $10,000 prize pool. You must be 18 or older to join, though.
WeAre8 takes a unique approach. They allow users to donate their earnings to a social or environmental cause. The catch is that earnings are low. You’ll earn 10 to 20 cents per video watched. It’s worth doing it for the charity, especially if you’re not able to give charity yourself.
FusionCash is not as popular as Swagbucks or InboxDollars, but it’s older. It has given out over $3 million in awards. They offer a $5 sign-up bonus and an extra $3 monthly bonus for active contributors. What sets them apart is their variety of payout options – checks, direct deposit, or PayPal.
CreationsRewards uses a points-based system with no daily earning limit. They offer a 10% referral bonus and a shopping portal where you can earn cashback on your online purchases. It’s a great way to maximize your earnings beyond just watching videos.
Maximizing Your Earnings
If you want to make decent extra money with online videos, you’re going to have to work a little hard (and smart). Here’s how you can increase your earnings with this side hustle:
The more you watch, the more you make. You should incorporate video watching while doing other things. For instance, watch videos during TV commercial breaks, cooking, or on the bus or train. You may also watch videos on separate devices simultaneously (although that can be a bit much to handle).
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Leveraging Referral Programs and Sign-Up Bonuses
These platforms often offer cash rewards when you sign up or refer friends. These bonuses can range from $5 to $25. If you sign up on multiple platforms, you’re looking at a decent combined sign-up bonus. Similarly, bonuses from referring friends can also add up.
Time Management Strategies
Set daily goals for yourself and use reminders to check for new video opportunities. Balance your video-watching with other side hustles to avoid burnout. It shouldn’t interfere with your work or other duties in life. Learn to squeeze this activity in whenever you get a chance without overworking yourself.
Beyond Basic Video Watching
Watching ads for money may not be for everyone. Here are some alternatives to try:
Get Paid to Write Movie Reviews
If you love movies and are good with your words, this one’s for you. Platforms likeTaste of Cinema, Cineaste, and ScreenRant actually pay for well-written reviews. The payout is more than decent. You could earn between $36 and $90 per review. You’ll need to watch the movie or show to give an authentic review.
You can also get paid to watch Netflix. As a Netflix tagger, you’d assign metadata to their content. It’s typically a full-time, on-site position, so it’s more of a career move than a side hustle. While they don’t publicly disclose salaries, it’s safe to say it pays better than basic video watching.
Transcribing Subtitles for Video Content
Another job with video watching that pays is transcribing. If you’re a fast typist with an eye for detail, transcribing subtitles could be your thing. Platforms like Fiverr and Upwork often have these gigs available. You could earn between $1.50 and $3.50 per audio minute or get paid an hourly rate. Long videos can earn you a sizeable payday.
Tips for Success
If getting paid to watch videos online was that easy, everyone would be doing it. Here are some tips to help you maximize your earnings:
Not all platforms are created equal. Consider factors like payout rates, available opportunities, and user interface when choosing where to invest your time. It’s often worth trying multiple platforms to see which ones work best for you.
Don’t wait for spare moments to do this hustle. Set a regular schedule for your video watching and stick to it. Keep track of your earnings across different platforms to stay motivated and identify which ones are most profitable for you.
Watch out for scams that say they’ll pay a lot of money just for watching videos or ads. Avoid any platform that asks for money or any sensitive information. Before joining, do your homework. Make sure the website is genuine and registered. If it’s too good to be true, it probably isn’t a real thing.
Is Watching Videos for Money Right for You?
The big advantage of this side hustle is that it’s incredibly flexible. It also requires no special skills. It’s perfect for filling those moments you’d probably use to scroll social media. But let’s be real – the earnings are modest. You’ll still need a day job or business with this gig. It can also get tedious, as you might find yourself watching some pretty dull content sometimes.
This side hustle can be good for people with time to spare during their day. For example, if you’re a student looking to earn extra cash between classes or a stay at home parent with your kid sleeping, you may use your free time to get paid to watch videos.
Conclusion
You may get paid to watch videos on platforms like ySense, KashKick and more. Just keep your expectations realistic. It can only be an extra, not your primary source of income. And you may not necessarily watch exciting content, so brace for that.
That said, it’s a viable side hustle for someone with extra time on their hands or those good at multitasking. The best thing to do is to find what works for you to make a little extra money. You might be surprised at how those small earnings can add up over time.
If you love movies and are good with your words, writing movie reviews can be a lucrative activity, especially with a cool website to post them on. Pick one of the best website builders, create your site, and start showcasing your movie reviews to the world!
You may earn money by watching videos on various platforms. While the earnings are typically low, it’s a legitimate way to make some extra cash. Platforms like InboxDollars and MyPoints offer opportunities to earn by watching ads, trailers, and other short videos.
Which website is best for earning money by watching videos?
Swagbucks is hands-down the best website to watch videos and make money. It has a solid reputation and offers a variety of earning options with a $10 sign-up bonus. InboxDollars and MyPoints are also popular options. It’s worth trying a few different platforms to see which works best for you.
Can I get paid to watch Netflix?
You can’t get paid to watch Netflix. There’s a job called “Netflix Tagger” where you can potentially get paid to watch Netflix content. These positions are rare and typically full-time roles that involve categorizing and describing Netflix content.
How to earn watching YouTube videos?
There are a couple of ways to earn money by watching YouTube videos. Use platforms like Swagbucks that sometimes include YouTube videos in their paid-to-watch content. Alternatively, you may apply to become a YouTube content moderator for creators or companies.
If you want to make money with YouTube, you’ll have to make videos (not watch them). Start your own YouTube channel and monetize it with the YouTube Partner Program.
Can I earn money by watching Instagram reels?
No official program or third-party platform pays users to watch Insta Reels. If a platform offers such a thing, do your research. First, ensure that any such offer is legit and the website has a good reputation. Don’t fall for side hustle scams.
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