Introduction
Cat videos are wildly popular on the internet. According to https://blog.purestorage.com/perspectives/how-much-of-the-worlds-data-is-cat-content/, more than 2 million cat videos were posted on YouTube in 2014 alone, accounting for more than 26 billion views. Eight years later, the popularity of cat videos shows no signs of waning. What is it about these fuzzy felines that makes them the darlings of the digital world?
Monetization Options
One of the most popular ways to earn money from cat videos is through ad revenue on platforms like YouTube and Facebook. Once your channel reaches the view thresholds, you can enroll in their partner programs to begin monetizing your content through ads placed before, during, or after your videos (source). The money you earn depends on factors like number of views, audience demographics, content type, and seasonality of demand. Though ad rates fluctuate, popular animal channels can earn anywhere from a few cents to a couple dollars per thousand ad views. This revenue can add up over time, especially if you are consistently producing viral content that gets millions of views.
Sponsorships
One of the most lucrative ways for cat video creators to monetize their content is through sponsorships and brand partnerships. As your cat gains a following on social media, brands may reach out asking to sponsor a video or post in exchange for a fee and free products 1. Relevant brands for cat videos include pet food, treats, toys, litter, and pet care companies. When your cat has thousands of engaged followers, you can charge several hundred dollars per sponsored post or video.
To land sponsorships, proactively reach out to brands your cat already loves and uses. Offer to create custom branded content featuring their products. But don’t randomly tag or mention brands without permission, as this could upset them. Partnerships work best when there is an authentic connection between your cat and the brand. With compelling content and a sizable engaged audience, you can turn your feline into a paid influencer.
Merchandising
Selling branded cat merchandise is one way to monetize a popular cat channel (Quora). You can create and sell merchandise like t-shirts, mugs, phone cases, stickers, etc. with your cat branding or catchphrases from your videos. Services like Teespring allow you to easily set up an online merch store integrated with your YouTube channel.
Successful cat channels like Cole and Marmalade have leveraged their brand to create merchandise stores selling branded products like plush toys, shirts, mugs, and more. They cite merchandising as a significant revenue stream from their cat videos (YouTube).
When getting started with merchandising, focus on creating high-quality designs and products that your audience would be excited about. Engage your audience to determine what kind of merch they would be most interested in buying. You can even crowdsource design ideas from them. Stay on top of managing inventory, fulfillment, and shipping to ensure a seamless customer experience (YouTube).
Crowdfunding
Crowdfunding platforms like Patreon, Kickstarter, and GoFundMe can be great ways for pet video creators to monetize their content. With Patreon, fans can pledge monthly donations to support their favorite pet influencers. This provides a steady stream of income. Creators often provide subscribers with exclusive behind-the-scenes content as a reward. On Kickstarter, influencers can raise funds for specific creative projects or goals, like producing a documentary or pet product. GoFundMe allows supporters to donate to pet-related causes or help with unexpected veterinary bills. Sites like Waggle specifically focus on pet medical fundraisers.
The key to successful crowdfunding campaigns is having an established audience who is invested in your pet content. Pet influencers should build their following across multiple platforms before launching public fundraising drives. Clear communication on how funds will be used and consistent updates showing supporters the impact of donations is important. Crowdfunding works best when there is a compelling story behind the campaign that pulls at people’s heartstrings.
Licensing Content
One way to monetize cat videos is by licensing your content to third parties. You can sell the rights for others to use your videos in their commercial projects, like TV shows, movies, advertisements, etc. According to Can I use videos from Youtube for commercial use without …, if your video is not public domain or stock footage, you own the copyright and can license it out.
When uploading to YouTube, you can mark your videos with a Creative Commons CC BY license to explicitly allow commercial use while retaining your copyright, as noted on YouTube’s Creative Commons page. This makes it easy for companies to find and license your viral cat videos. You can set your own pricing and terms for different uses. Selling licenses can provide an ongoing revenue stream from your popular cat video content.
Paid Subscriptions
One monetization option is offering premium content for a fee through paid subscriptions. Popular YouTubers can offer special perks and exclusive videos to paying members. For example, in May 2013, Google announced the launch of paid subscriptions for select YouTube channels as part of a pilot program [1]. This allowed channel owners to offer exclusive content and experiences to subscribers who pay a monthly fee.
Paid subscriptions can provide a steady revenue stream for content creators, especially those with a loyal following who are willing to pay for extra content. However, managing subscriptions requires additional work, and creators need to ensure subscribers feel they are getting value for their money with access to unique content.
Case Studies
There are several successful examples of YouTube channels that have effectively monetized cat videos and built a profitable business:
Maru Tube is one of the most popular cat channels on YouTube with over 377 million views. Created in 2007 by the owner, the videos feature Maru, a Scottish Fold cat, performing humorous antics. By enabling ads, selling merchandise, and offering paid channel memberships, the owner has earned a full-time income from the videos according to this Quora post.
Cole and Marmalade is another successful channel featuring a pair of cats owned by Chris Poole. With over 2 million subscribers, Poole has built a business around the cat videos through YouTube ads, brand sponsorships, a pet food line, books, and online training courses according to this YouTube video.
Lil BUB cat videos charmed millions of viewers. The owner, Mike Bridavsky, monetized the content through ads, merchandise sales, licensing deals, and even a documentary film. The income allowed Bridavsky to donate over $700,000 to animal charities according to this Medium article.
Challenges
While becoming a successful pet influencer may seem like an easy way to make money, there are some unique challenges that come with monetizing cute animal content online. According to an article on Mashable, one major issue is animal welfare and making sure pets are not being exploited or overworked just for social media fame and money (Why you should be wary of the rise of ‘pet influencers’ and … , 2023). Setting proper boundaries and protecting animal wellbeing is paramount.
In an interview with Vox, pet influencer expert Loni Edwards highlighted the difficulties of getting animals to consistently produce quality content and work the long hours required for social media success (How pet influencers make money on Instagram, according … , 2018). Animals can be unpredictable and have short attention spans, making it hard to capture the perfect viral moment. There are also challenges around properly training pets and ensuring they are safe and comfortable during photo shoots and brand partnerships.
As outlined in a guide on Medium, building a personal brand around pets poses difficulties with consistency, authenticity, and standing out in a crowded space (The Ultimate Guide: How Pet Influencers Can Earn $10k …). Pet influencers need creative strategies to keep content fresh while also ensuring it aligns with their personal brand identity. Maintaining a balance between monetization and artistry can also be a struggle.
Conclusion
In summary, there are a variety of ways to potentially monetize cat videos and make money, from sponsorships and merchandising to licensing, subscriptions and crowdfunding. However, it requires creativity, persistence and understanding your audience. Success is never guaranteed, so manage expectations appropriately. With strategic planning and high-quality, engaging content, cat videos can provide supplemental income. But pursuing this solely as a get-rich strategy often leads to disappointment. The most profitable creators are those who are truly passionate about making videos, not just making money. Stay authentic, keep experimenting, leverage your existing audience, and don’t be afraid to try new approaches. With persistence, creativity and some luck, cat videos can generate revenue. But pursue this path for the love of cats first, and the potential profits second.
The next steps are to start creating quality cat videos, build your audience, and explore potential monetization options that feel like a good fit. Remember to always keep your viewers’ interests and entertainment as the top priority. Best of luck in your cat video endeavors!