Have you ever seen posts claiming you can get rich just by watching YouTube videos? It sounds like a dream, right? Some people even claim to make as much as $60 in just 10 minutes. But before you quit your day job, let’s take a closer look at what’s really going on.
It’s Not About Watching, It’s About Sharing
The truth is, you don’t actually get paid to watch the videos. The money-making method involves sharing trending videos with others. The idea is that if you direct people to popular videos with lots of viewers, you can earn a small payment.
How Does This Actually Work?
Here are the steps to try this method:
- Find Trending Videos
Use a tool like VidIQ to find popular videos that are gaining a lot of views per hour. The free version of VidIQ is sufficient for this. - Download the Thumbnail
Use a free tool like YouTube-thumbnail-grabber.com to download the video thumbnail. Thumbnails play a key role in attracting viewers. - Create an Attractive Image
Use Canva (free account) to design an image incorporating the thumbnail, a catchy headline, and a play button. - Share on Pinterest
Create a Pinterest account and upload your image, linking it to the video. - Shorten the Link
Use a link-shortening service, such as shrinkme.io, to generate a shortened link. This step is how you make money. - Get Paid for Clicks
When people click your shortened link and view the video, you earn a small payment. Payments can be received through PayPal or similar platforms.
The Reality Check: Is It Worth It?
While this process is straightforward and uses free tools, the money you make may not be significant. For example, one experiment resulted in earning only one cent after a single view of the shared link. Although it is possible to make more, the earnings may not be substantial enough to pay the bills. Additionally, users clicking on the links may encounter many ads before watching the video, which can feel somewhat “scammy.”
Why Do People Promote This Method?
You might wonder why this method is being promoted if it doesn’t pay well. The answer is simple: those promoting the method often make more money selling courses or guides on how to use it than they do by practicing it themselves.
The Influencer Marketing Bubble
This promotion style mirrors how influencers market products online. Many social media influencers have become wealthy by gaining the trust of their audiences, making them effective brand ambassadors. However, this trust is starting to erode, as influencers are often perceived as insincere about the products they endorse.
Passive Income is Not Really Passive
The allure of making money with no effort is tempting. However, many so-called passive income strategies, including YouTube video sharing, require more effort than they promise. A lot of upfront work and maintenance is usually necessary.
Young Millionaires and the Internet
Some young people are indeed making millions through online businesses, using the internet wisely and spotting opportunities. These individuals often share their journeys on YouTube, building credibility and inspiring others. However, their success stems from significant effort, not shortcuts.
Final Thoughts
While the idea of making money by watching YouTube videos is tempting, the reality is that the method focuses on sharing videos with others. While you may make some extra change, it is unlikely to be a reliable way to achieve financial independence. Remember, most online money-making strategies require real effort.
