I Created a New Income Stream By Writing YouTube Scripts
Increase your skillset for more earning opportunities
I’ve noticed these days that fewer and fewer people read. Instead, they love to watch YouTube videos and watch stuff on TikTok. So, as a writer, I realize now that I must adapt. I used to make a living off of writing blogs, articles, press releases, website copy, and podcast show notes. Now, there is more demand for YouTube scripts. So I’ve tried my hand at learning how to write YouTube scripts.
Our world is extremely visual nowadays, and YouTube is exploding. Is there any way for scripting on YouTube to become part of your freelance writing income?
YouTube Scripting: What does it pay?
Fulltime jobs on YouTube aren’t common, making these gigs open to freelancers. YouTube scriptwriting may pay on an hourly basis (average $30/hr.+), a per-word rate (think 7 cents/word), and a finished per min. rate (average $50/min.) or line item within a bigger package.
Your declination or acceptance of that rate depends on any of these:
· Success of your personal videos on YouTube
· Name recognition of the ones you have scripted for
· Testimonials
· History of creating scripts for other people
· History of income not just as a scriptwriter but as a freelancer
Top income earners can virtually double these rates, yet their client base is reputable, and their portfolios are strong. Do not accept low rates unless it is on a trial basis. There isn’t anything wrong with starting up at an average rate, particularly if you’ve been freelance writing in any capacity for a reasonable time period or are able to prove your success as a content creator.
Where can you find these gigs?
As with any type of freelance writing gig, there are options for discovering work.
Job Boards
It is possible to just look at job boards. Sign up for text or email notices once jobs become available. Some job boards include:
· Indeed.com
· LinkedIn and LinkedIn Pro
You should follow a list of possible customers, perhaps even a few dream customers, hoping that they will post job openings, or it’s possible to create a real relationship with them and pitch once the timing seems right. To do that, simply use Twitter’s advanced search engine and then enter keyword phrases such as:
· Freelance Writer
· Remote content writer
· YouTube writer
· Writer wanted
Begin to follow those entities and push Twitter’s heart icon so you can save and shortlist your favorites. Become even more organized by consolidating those new followers on Twitter in a private repository list.
That does not work as well on Facebook. You will locate job boards, yet they’re full of freelancers like you, and the sound of how-to-be-a-freelance-writer usually drowns out the real opportunities.
YouTube
Browse existing videos on YouTube and make a note of the kinds of businesses that are already using them, also meaning that they embrace YouTube freelance writers. Heavily rely on your niche to prove that you understand the subject matter.
However, it’s also possible to pitch their competitors who may not be so active on YouTube and offer them a need they may not know they had. Mention their competition’s YouTube channels as a measure to exceed.
Educational organizations
Not just will educational groups appreciate scripts for YouTube, but they additionally need videos for the classroom, webinars, and Zoom education. For instance, a nationwide public media literary initiative, Reading Rockets, and their website offer a long list of children’s illustrator and author interviews to give you an idea. Part of the American Library Association, I Love Libraries, is another. All organizations that have an educational arm love video material online.
Existing freelancers
There isn’t anything wrong with searching freelance scriptwriters’ portfolios on the internet to take note of whom they have written scripts for. Take some time to research their YouTube videos and assess what these writers did work well. Find those writers with a search of “freelance writer” AND “video script” or some variations of the same.
It’s possible to learn from the ones who’ve gone before you. You not just encounter copywriters offering scripts to businesses, yet they additionally post articles that justify to prospects how they might benefit from video . . . which you may learn from in pitching your very own work. TestyEdits.com is one example.
Also, you can pitch to those successful scriptwriters and ask if you can work for or with them. They frequently have more work arriving their way than they’re able to handle, and when you convince them of your value, they may toss a little work your way.
It’s who you know
Just as with any other type of profession, reach out to entities and people you already have a connection with. Does your sister-in-law work for an AC and heating company? Does your dental professional list a website but no videos? Would a candidate for the school board employ you for one of their campaigns? Who do the local companies use as their videographer, with whom it’s possible to collaborate?
Begin with the chamber of commerce. Make note of local ads. Especially target the ones you have conducted business with, starting with the lead you use and liking their service or product, displaying your familiarity with their work.
Authors
Authors also look for YouTube videos. Because they created, a book does not mean they want to write their very own marketing video, and the proper book trailer may be a critical sales catalyst. Authors’ YouTube videos consist of book reviews, interviews, how-to guides, classroom lessons, and trailers. Self-published authors usually hire for themselves but do not overlook libraries, literary groups, and traditional publishers, all of which use video options all the time.
Should you pitch it as a package or a solo deal?
Few writers solicit themselves as video scriptwriters to the corporate world. They instead fall under titles such as B2B writer, copywriter, SEO writer, or UX writer and offer an entire cadre of services like:
· Video scripting
· Newsletter campaigns
· Catalog copy
· Blog material
· Social media management and posts
· Marketing copy
· Website copy
In fact, Content Marketer is now becoming a common job announcement by those that seek material for hire. A better definition would be someone who makes valuable content that attracts and converts prospective customers into paying customers. A Content Marketer, at its widest interpretation, creates the material, researches data, as well as strategically coordinates the material that is produced. At its narrowest, the individual creates a copy.
But it’s also possible to hire yourself as a videography expert. In either hiring yourself to a production company or partnering with one who has production skills, you might opt to retain your tight-niche status. Film-14 is an example of a company that makes trailers.
However, the broader your reach, the higher the chances of landing work. The pandemic environment generated a huge embracement of remote work, which similarly created a greater necessity not only for freelancers, yet for content marketers. Diversifying your skill set maximizes potential.
Pitch from one of these angles
· Pitch to experienced — They already use videos, and it is up to you to show how you might offer them a different, better, or more profitable product at an affordable price.
· Pitch to inexperienced — They haven’t used videos in their education, marketing, etc., so you would like to provide them with your services so you can improve their promotional reach.
In summary
Our world revolves around computers, notepads, and phones. In our fast-paced lives, an increasing amount of material is introduced to viewers versus readers, and savvy freelancers learn how to integrate scripting into their skillset to provide prospects.
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