Have you ever thought about making money from your YouTube content or working with a sponsor? In this article, we will discuss five ways YouTubers can earn money with video sponsorships.
Plug or Mention the Sponsor in Your Video
Video plugs and mentions are the most common type of sponsorship integration on YouTube. As the channel host, you introduce the brand to your audience. Depending on the sponsorship agreement, you may also include additional details about the brand, share promotions, and talk about or show the product/service.
Plugs are usually included in timely content such as vlog (video log) posts. In this case, time-sensitive offers perform well in mentions. Although the bulk of the plug’s success will come up front, the content will remain indexed on YouTube and there will be audience members who watch it at a later time.
When it comes to plugs and mentions, there are also a number of subtypes, as detailed below.
#1: Reveal Products via Haul Inclusion
This type of mention is most popular among YouTubers in the fashion world. The video host will talk about all the items bought on their most recent shopping trip.
#2: Show Off Products via Routine Inclusion
This mention involves the host demonstrating how they do something, such as a morning or nightly skin care routine. The host will add in the sponsored product in the routine seamlessly and add positive talking points.
#3: Mention Products in Pre-Roll, Mid-Roll, or End-Roll Segments
These types of mentions are most common. This is when the channel host will cover a product or service in a separate segment from the video’s main content at the beginning (pre-roll), middle (mid-roll), or end (end-roll) of their video.
#4 Integrate the Sponsor Into Your Video
Dedicated videos are completely focused on the sponsor or intended to be evergreen by featuring creative input with the brand’s products.
#5: Provide Product Reviews
If the brand has a product that’s new to the market, sponsoring a review video is a great way to raise awareness. Technology-related brands facing fierce competition frequently use review videos. Consumers often base their purchasing decisions on the opinions of trusted YouTube channels.
Review videos are extremely effective in the long run because consumers who search for “[brand’s product] review” on Google or YouTube (the second-largest search engine) will come across the videos the brand sponsored.
Sponsoring your YouTube channel doesn’t purchase bias, however. If you try a product and don’t believe it earns your endorsement, you should give the brand the option not to have the video made. You should negotiate this arrangement up front.
For example, the brand might allow you to keep the product even if they decide not to publish the review. An unpublished review still outweighs the ramifications of a published negative review posted by a trusted source.
#6: Produce a Creative Dedicated Integration Series
If brands have the budget, they may want to invest in long-term branding with a dedicated video integration. In exchange for a higher fee, this option is more creative and integrated than a typical plug or review. In this situation, the creator often will give the brand more control over the video’s ideation and production process.
The fees for this sponsorship type are higher than a plug or mention, but the tone of the video should be very natural and avoid phrases that are too forceful or salesy. While this strategy isn’t always the best option to drive short-term sales, if executed properly, it will increase brand equity through YouTube search results for years to come.
To read more on tips for creators getting started with sponsorships, click here.
