Have you ever captured incredible footage on your phone or camera and thought it could be newsworthy? Maybe you witnessed a dramatic event, an amazing natural phenomenon, or captured a funny moment that would be perfect for viral videos. Instead of just sharing it on social media, did you know you could actually sell those videos to news stations and media outlets and earn money from your content?
I’ll break down exactly how you can turn your videos into extra income by selling them to the news. We’ll cover what kind of footage news stations are looking for, where and how to submit your videos, how much you can expect to get paid, and some tips for increasing your chances of making a sale.
What Videos Do News Stations Want to Buy?
The first key to successfully selling videos to the news is understanding what kind of content they’re looking for. News stations and media sites are generally interested in footage that is:
- Newsworthy
- Timely and relevant
- Unique or exclusive
- Visually compelling
- Of good technical quality
Types of Videos News Stations Buy
Some specific types of videos that often get picked up by news stations include:
- Breaking news: Fires, accidents, crimes, protests, and similar major events are prime material.
- Severe weather and natural disasters: Hurricanes, tornadoes, floods, blizzards, and other extreme weather events often make headlines.
- Heartwarming human interest stories: Stories that make people smile or bring tears to their eyes can often attract attention.
- Amusing or quirky viral-type videos: Think of funny pet moments, quirky behavior, or something people would find entertaining.
- Celebrity encounters: A chance encounter with a celebrity can also get media attention, especially if it is caught in an interesting situation.
- Unique local events: Cultural events, spontaneous parades, or anything unique to your local area can also be valuable.
The best sellable videos are those related to stories that news outlets want to cover but don’t have footage for themselves. News stations especially love exclusive content that’s hard to get. While major events often grab the spotlight, simple yet entertaining clips like funny pet videos (think cat videos), cute kids, or athletic feats can also go viral and be of interest to different media outlets.
What Technical Specs Should Your Video Have?
Smartphones have made it easier than ever to capture high-quality video, but there are a few technical considerations to keep in mind to make your footage marketable:
- Shoot horizontally: Shooting horizontally makes your footage suitable for TV and other video formats. Vertical videos are harder to adapt for broadcasting.
- Ensure good quality: Aim for smooth, steady camera work. Video editing software can help remove shaky parts or refine the quality.
- Focus and lighting: Ensure the video is in focus and well-lit for a professional look.
- Clear audio: While not always necessary, clear audio makes videos more attractive, especially if you’re capturing someone speaking.
- Highest resolution available: Use the highest resolution setting possible. HD is typically preferred, but great footage is often more important than high resolution.
Avoid copyrighted material: Don’t use copyrighted music, logos, or other elements in your videos, as these could cause legal issues.
Where to Submit Your Videos
So you’ve captured an amazing video—now what? There are several options for submitting your content to news organizations.
1. Selling to Local News Stations
Most local news stations make it easy to submit video. They usually have a page on their website with instructions or an email address where you can send footage.
For instance, NBC, ABC, CBS, and FOX stations often have a “Share Your Videos/Photos” link in the navigation menu or footer. You can upload your video through their form and include your contact details. If they find it interesting, they’ll get in touch with you directly.
When submitting directly, it’s important to include a concise description of your video and explain why you think it’s newsworthy. Remember, newsrooms work fast, and clarity makes a big difference.
2. Using Online Video Marketplaces
Another option is to use online platforms that connect video creators with media buyers. These platforms serve as a marketplace for videos. Some popular platforms include:
- Newsflare
- Rumble
- Storyful
- Jukin Media
- Stringr
- ViralHog
These platforms allow you to create a profile and upload your videos. News organizations and other buyers can then browse the database to find clips to purchase. These sites work as video monetization services that help video creators license their content for passive income.
The benefit of these platforms is that your video can be seen by a larger pool of potential buyers, increasing your chances of making a sale. Additionally, you usually retain the rights to your video—you’re just licensing it to buyers.
3. Leveraging Social Media Platforms
Posting compelling videos on social media channels like Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok is another way to get noticed. Many newsrooms and journalists actively monitor social media for interesting content.
Use relevant hashtags and tag local news station accounts to increase the visibility of your video. If your video goes viral, news outlets may reach out to you through direct messages. However, bear in mind that using social media may lead to less control over the content. Some outlets may use your video without explicit permission, citing “fair use.”
To increase the likelihood of getting paid, always try to have an agreement in place for proper licensing.
How Much Can You Get Paid?
Let’s get to the part that excites every content creator—money! How much you can earn selling videos to the news depends on factors such as:
- The content and newsworthiness of the video
- Exclusivity: If the footage is exclusive and not widely available
- Demand: How many outlets want to purchase it
- Where it will be used: Whether it will be broadcast on TV, on a news website, or shared on social media
For an average video, you might expect to earn anywhere from $50 to a few hundred dollars. However, exclusive footage of a major event could fetch thousands of dollars. Below are some examples of payment ranges:
- Breaking news clip: $50-$150
- Weather or natural disaster footage: $100-$500
- Cute or funny viral video: $50-$250
- Exclusive footage of a major news event: $500-$5,000+
Some sites, like Rumble, have paid over $30,000 for a single viral video. Sometimes, news outlets offer a flat fee for your video, while other times, you may get a percentage of the ad revenue if it’s used online. This is similar to how ad-based video monetization works for YouTube Partners.
Keep in mind that this opportunity is often unpredictable and highly dependent on being in the right place at the right time with your camera. However, it can still be a nice way to make some extra cash when you capture something extraordinary.
Tips for Successfully Selling Videos
Here are some tips to improve your chances of making money from your videos:
1. Be Ready to Capture Footage
Always be prepared to capture footage if a newsworthy situation arises. Keep your phone or camera handy so you can start recording immediately. Some content creators make it a habit to bring a GoPro or camera with them in case they witness something noteworthy.
2. Aim for Longer Footage
Try to shoot for at least 30-60 seconds. Short clips are often less useful to news organizations, while longer footage offers more flexibility.
3. Capture Multiple Angles
If it’s safe to do so, capture the scene from multiple angles. News editors appreciate having options for their final cut. Video editing software can also help you combine multiple angles into a cohesive package.
4. Get Close (If Safe)
The closer you can get to the action, the better the footage will be. Of course, you should never compromise your safety or interfere with emergency personnel.
5. Capture Names and Interviews
If people are involved, try to capture their names or get a quick interview or quote if possible. Adding a human element increases the appeal of your footage.
6. Upload Videos Quickly
Timeliness is crucial. Upload your footage as soon as possible. The faster you submit your video, the more valuable it is. Media outlets want to cover news as it happens.
7. Submit to Multiple Outlets
Submit your videos to multiple outlets to increase your odds of making a sale. Unless a buyer pays for exclusive content, avoid granting exclusivity to a single outlet.
Leveraging Multiple Revenue Streams
Besides selling footage to news outlets, there are multiple ways for video creators to create revenue streams:
1. Affiliate Marketing
Place affiliate links in your video descriptions for products related to your content. You can join programs like Amazon Associates to earn commissions. For instance, if you use particular video editing software, you could share an affiliate link to promote it, thus creating passive income.
2. YouTube Channel Monetization
Activate monetization features like YouTube Partner Program, Super Chat, YouTube Shorts, and channel memberships to earn income. Using YouTube Studio, you can keep track of key channel analytics to measure the impact of your content.
3. Sell Digital Products
Offer video guides, tutorials, or video courses as part of a digital product offering. Video creators can tap into this market to provide specialized knowledge, from editing tips to creating viral content.
4. Video Subscriptions and Premium Revenue
Use platforms with premium video monetization solutions to generate subscription-based income. You can offer exclusive content for Premium subscribers and create membership offerings that give your audience more in-depth content than the average viewer receives.
5. Merchandise Sales
Sell e-commerce products like T-shirts, mugs, and other merchandise that aligns with your content. Platforms like YouTube Shopping allow content creators to display merchandise sales directly on their YouTube Channel.
Growing Your Video Business Beyond News Footage
If you want to expand your video business beyond selling footage to news stations, consider using a full-service video monetization platform. These platforms help content creators manage different aspects of their video business, from content creation to subscriber management and monetization.
For example, a premium video monetization platform might provide options for video subscriptions, video on demand (VOD), secure video upload, and deep analytics. They often offer detailed insights into audience demographics and channel analytics, allowing you to refine your marketing efforts and target the right target audience.
Video SEO is another critical area to consider. Optimizing your videos for search engines can make them more discoverable, driving traffic and increasing views. This can ultimately help with ad-based video monetization and attract more potential buyers if you are selling footage to media outlets.
Additionally, working with a video monetization platform provider can simplify the process of distributing content across multiple channels. A video delivery network can make it easy to manage streaming video content, whether you’re offering bite-sized videos for quick viewing or longer video series for in-depth engagement.
Conclusion
Media outlets are always hungry for fresh, compelling video content. If you find yourself capturing footage of newsworthy events or viral moments, you could very well have a side income opportunity on your hands.
By understanding what kind of videos news organizations want and how to submit them properly, you’ll greatly increase your odds of getting paid for your content. It costs nothing to try, and you never know – that quick clip you captured on the street could be worth hundreds or even thousands of dollars to the right buyer.
So keep your phone or camera ready as you go about your day. The next time you hit record, you might just capture a money-making moment!
ALSO READ: Where To Sell Car Parts For Cash
Frequently Asked Questions
In most cases, no. News organizations will want to verify that you are the owner of the video and have the rights to sell it. They’ll generally require a name and contact information. If you have concerns, you can try to set up an LLC business entity to submit through for some separation.
No, many successful news clips are shot on smartphones. The news cares more about the content than a polished look. However, better quality footage may command higher rates.
Sometimes, but not always. If you’d like to attach your name to the clip, make that clear upfront. The outlet should comply if they agree to purchase the video. But in some cases they may not be able to guarantee a credit.
Payment timelines vary by outlet. Some may pay immediately on acceptance of the video. Others may have a 30-60 day payment policy. If selling through an online platform, refer to their payment terms. Many pay out earnings monthly.
In general, you are giving the news organization a license to use your video in their broadcasts, on their websites, and across their social media channels. However, you retain the overall copyright to the video. Be sure to read the terms closely before agreeing to any license.
