I’m not a YouTube star. I’m just a frugal, working mom who is always looking for ways to get free stuff and make a little side cash to help out the family. And while I’m not a professional YouTuber (yet), I do get lots of opportunities to try out neat products and actually make money doing YouTube product reviews!
So if you are looking into venturing into the world of YouTube, here are 6 easy tips for beginners to show you how to make a YouTube product review video and earn a little money while you’re at it!
Want to make money on YouTube, but don't know where to begin? Try these 6 easy ways even amateurs can make money doing by YouTube product reviews. You don't even need a lot of followers! Share on X
But let’s start at the beginning…
Start a YouTube channel
Obviously, you need to create a YouTube account. In order to do this, you need to have a Gmail address.
But before you create your YouTube channel, think about what types of products you would like to review and come up with a cool name.
If you already have a blog, you may want to use that so you can create consistency with your brand.
After your channel is created, be sure to include links to all of your social media and ensure that businesses have a way to contact you.
You can add these by editing your “About” section in your YouTube dashboard.
When starting a YouTube channel, make sure to Include all your social media links through your About section.
Find a niche
This can sometimes be harder than it sounds because chances are, there are probably already several hundreds of vloggers with the same niche, i.e. beauty, tech, toys.
As a product reviewer, I review a little of everything from gadgets, to make up, to products for the home and garden.
But I have found my own niche that sets me apart from some of the other beauty vloggers out there.
Eyebrows!
And since I have none, I am always looking for unique products to help with my problem.
I am not the only one with this problem, so this has actually resonated with viewers in the same boat which has exponentially increased my subscriber count and watch times.
This Wunderbrow review was my first big video to actually take off since posting it in 2016 and it is still getting lots of views and the product has been a huge seller.
From this video, you can tell that I am quite an amateur. But that’s okay!
Find out what you are passionate about and create a niche of your own. There are sure to be others who are into it too.
Once you have established that, it’s time to create your videos and make some money, honey!
How to make YouTube product reviews
IMO, the best product review videos feature the following things:
1. Unboxing
Hell, some people love to just watch people open boxes. In fact, unboxing alone is a popular niche.
Just make sure to hide your shipping address. You don’t need some crazed fan to pause your video to see where you live and come stalk you.
2. Demo The Product
Yes, this means you actually have to use it. But this is the most important and most helpful aspect of your video.
Here is a recent example of a demo and review for some Charcoal Toothpaste:
Lots of people turn to YouTube to learn how to do something. So make sure you show them how!
While you are demonstrating the product, describe it for your viewers.
Some things to discuss:
- What is the texture?
- What is it made of?
- How does it smell?
- Is it easy or hard to use? Give them tips and pointers!
- Who is the product best for and what problems can it solve?
- What do you like (or not like) about it?
3. Tell them where to get it
You’ve sold them with your video, now show them where they can buy it.
Always provide a link to where they can purchase the product in the description. This is where you actually make the cash! (Keep reading…)
Now that you know the basics, let’s talk about how to establish yourself as a YouTube vlogger.
Finding the right products to increase YouTube views
As a small YouTuber, it might be a little difficult in the beginning to get paid actual money to make your videos.
First, you have to increase your views, watch time, and subscribers.
And in order to do this, you should definitely take notice of the trends.
One way to do this is to pay attention to the ads that pop up on Facebook or social media and look at how many comments they get.
Also, do a little search on YouTube for a new product that you are interested in and see how well the videos are performing.
The best time to get in is when YouTube is not already saturated with videos of the same product. Try to be one of the first.
Even if you are a little late to the party, you can still review the product, but try to put a unique spin on it or cater to a specific demographic that has not been covered by the rest.
How to make money doing YouTube product reviews
Monetize your Videos
But this is easier said than done. In 2018, YouTube has made it incredibly difficult for new vloggers (and even existing ones) to monetize videos.
“On January 16, 2018, we announced new eligibility requirements for the YouTube Partner Program. Once a channel reaches 4,000 watch hours in the previous 12 months and 1,000 subscribers it will be reviewed to join the program.” – Google Support
So if you are just starting out on YouTube, it can take quite a while to become eligible for the YouTube program.
Here are the details in a nutshell:
- You will need to first meet the minimum eligibility requirements and have an account in good standing.
- You will need to have a (free) Google Adsense account – which also has requirements of its own.
- Once accepted into the program, they will run ads on your videos which can earn you a small amount of income when viewers watch them or click on them.
Here is an example of what YouTube monetization looks like on my Eyebrow Stamp review. You can watch the whole video here
Since this is a guide for beginners, I am not going to get into all the details. But here is a link to the YouTube monetization program guidelines.
When the new rules went into effect, I had just under 1000 subscribers but had a total of 630,923 watch time minutes for 2017. So while I had the watch time, I did not have the subscribers.
After begging and pleading with my friends, I managed to get the subscriber count to over 1k which kept me eligible for the program.
Now I’m close to 2500 subscribers and I currently make about $100 a month through YouTube monetization alone.
Become an Amazon Affiliate
Even if you are not eligible for the YouTube program, you can make money through affiliate links! In fact, this is really how I make money doing YouTube product reviews.
What is an Amazon affiliate?
“When website owners and bloggers who are Associates create links and customers click through those links and buy products from Amazon, they earn up to 10% referral fees.” – Amazon
In fact, I try to make product review videos for items specifically available on Amazon just so that I can use my affiliate link.
For example, I recently had the chance to try out this controversial Plasma Mole Remover Pen that I received free for review.
So I decided to film myself using it for the first time and it has become my most popular video to date thus far.
I did not realize at the time that this product is a huge trend right now all over the internet. It was even featured on the “The Doctors” TV show.
But through my Amazon affiliate link, I have actually sold a shit ton of these plasma mole remover pens. Score!
The Amazon affiliate program is a great way to make passive income because you can earn commission on any item the viewer purchases, even if it’s not the product you are selling!
They just need to click on your link and go shopping.
At this time, Amazon is not an approved seller on YouTube, so you can only put the link in the comments. As long as people can read, they should be able to find your link!
Sponsored videos
Companies are always looking for ways to spread the word about their products – and one of the best ways is through YouTube videos since views increase over time.
There are companies out there such as DealSpotr, Intellifluence, or Tomoson that can provide you with opportunities to get paid cash to shoot product review videos. You don’t even need a large following.
I have found that if you are open to “sensitive” topics, you can greatly increase your chances.
Here is a sponsored video that I got through a company called Gen Video for Depend Fit-Flex underwear.
On the downside, I got some pretty strange comments. But it opened my channel to a different type of audience and greatly increased my subscriber and viewer count.
Plus I made a little instant moolah and affiliate sales. Win-Win!
How to get free products to review on YouTube
Even if you are not established, you may have a good chance of getting the products for free. It doesn’t hurt to ask!
If there is a product out there that I have been wanting to try (being the cheapskate that I am) I always reach out to the company first and see if they would mind letting me try out the product for free in exchange for a video review.
They may also have their own affiliate program where you can earn a commission or gets discounts from them.
If I get rejected or sometimes just ignored, I will simply buy the product myself if I want it that badly.
Hell, you can even use products you already own. Bonus if you can make money on it with Amazon affiliate links!
When you’re starting out, you can look at it as an investment. You need products to review anyway, right?
So you see, you don’t have to be a YouTuber with millions of followers to make money doing YouTube product reviews.
As long as you are consistent, real, and helpful, your views and subscribers will grow over time and so will your income!
Disclosure: I was not compensated for writing this post, but it does contain affiliate links which means I may be compensated a small amount if you click through and purchase. Full disclosure policy here.**
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