Representation matters. We’ve come a long way in granting legal rights to our LGBTQ+ community, but this does not always translate into acceptance (especially considering the number of anti-LGBTQ+ bills proposed in recent months). We need more LGBTQIA+ visibility, equity, and representation across all media and entertainment.  

The more queer representation we have in the media, the more normalized acceptance and celebration become.

The percentage of Americans who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or non-binary has more than doubled in the last decade. 7.1% of the US population now identify as part of the LGBTQIA+ community. That percentage is even higher among our Gen Z friends, 20.8% of whom identify as LGBTQIA+.

It’s time for the video content we consume to reflect the country’s diversity. Viewers should look to the media and see themselves reflected in the characters, narratives, topics, and stories covered regardless of the color of their skin, their gender, their identity, and who they love. In fact, it’s time we go beyond inclusivity and elevate our LGBTQIA+ community for the lessons they teach us on being fearless and steadfast in our identities. 

With that being said, below are some of the best LGBTQIA+ streaming services available as of writing. Keep reading to find out what each channel offers and why you should check them out.

1. Dekkoo

Source: Dekkoo

Dekkoo boasts the largest collection of gay entertainment anywhere. For just $9.99 a month after a 3-day free trial, you gain access to an unlimited gay streaming app stocked with a collection of gay films and shows tailored specifically to gay men. They even have a collection of frequently updated Dekkoo originals.

2. Outfest

Source: Outfest

Outfest on demand will get you access to the LGBTQIA+ film festival’s chosen movies from the safety and comfort of your couch. The organization is all about lifting LGBTQIA+ artists, communities, and filmmakers and giving visibility to their diverse stories. All you have to do to view a constant stream of new LGBTQIA+ films is buy a virtual ticket. Find a film you want to stream and follow the link to rent it (rental fees vary by film).

3. Tello Films

Source: Tello Films

Tello Films has a lovely library of queer women’s focused content. The majority of the subscription fee you pay goes straight to the filmmakers, meaning you can feel good about the $6.99 per month (or $59.99 per year) you pay to access the content. The library is filled with lesbian original series, shorts, and movies. In addition to unlimited streaming, they offer titles to rent and purchase.

4. World of Wonder (WOW Presents Plus)

Source: World of Wonder (WOW Presents Plus)

WOW Presents Plus touts itself as the only streaming service featuring “Drag Race”, “Painted with Raven”, “Werq The World”, “UNHhhh”, and hundreds of World of Wonder originals, documentaries, specials, and other drag entertainment. It’s super affordable at just $4.99 a month or $49.99 a year. 

One of WOW’s major selling points is its access to Drag Race content across the world. If you’re located in the US, you can view every episode of: 

• Canada’s Drag Race
• Drag Race Down Under
• Drag Race Espanã
• Drag Race France
• Drag Race Holland
• Drag Race Italia
• RuPaul’s Drag Race UK
• Drag Race Philippines

For our international readers, click here for an interactive chart outlining what Drag Race is content available in your country.

For a taste of what to expect from the WOW originals, check out this trailer for last Halloween’s “Jimbo vs. Peas” special and this trailer for the “Werq the World Season 2” docuseries. Really, how could you not subscribe for that alone? I’m tempted.

5. TysonPlus

Source: TysonPlus

TysonPlus takes an intersectional approach by producing BIPOC inclusive LGBTQ+ content. Tap into this streaming service to enjoy original series about drama, horror, coming of age, and the personal stories of BIPOC within the LGBTQ+ community. 

TysonPlus doesn’t just create content for the community– they support LGBTQ+ writers and other creatives in the process. Snag a subscription for $9.99 a month, $29.99 a quarter, or $99.99 a year.

6. Here TV

Source: Here TV

During the year 2022, subscribers can get a 2-year plan for $99. The membership is typically $7.99 a month or $67.99 for a yearly subscription. 

Watch “The Gaze”, a hilarious and heartfelt dramedy, “Crystal City”, a documentary on how crystal meth has infiltrated New York City’s LGBTQ+ community, or tap into “The PGW: Pro Gau Wrestling!” Much like the LGBTQ+ community itself, Here TV has a little something for everyone.

7. Logo

Source: Logo

Logo established itself in 2005 as the first commercial cable network designed for the LGBTQ+ community. The platform’s goal since has been to support the community with a diverse collection of queer content via scripted television and online exclusives.

The nostalgia of flipping through TV channels is great, but only if your TV provider actually has content you want to see. If you’re a die-hard channel surfer lacking queer content, this one’s for you.

There are a few ways to enjoy Logo content: 

• Some free full episodes can be found on the logo site. 
• Participating TV providers offer LogoTV. If your TV provider is included in that list, you can use your TV login to access all of Logo’s content on supported devices. 
• You can also purchase individual shows through marketplaces like Amazon, Google Play, and iTunes. 

Tap in to watch the “2022 LGBTQ State of the Union,” “Trans Youth Town Hall,” “Stonewall” (movie), “Gay Chorus Deep South” (documentary), and more.

8. OUTtv

Source: OUTtv

OUTtv is Canada’s only national LGBTQ+ TV network. They post popular, new, and original series that celebrate and champion the LGBTQ+ community. Click over to this page to view some of the shows, documentaries, and gay movie streaming they’re featuring this month. Since OUTtv is a tv network, this is another hot choice for viewers itching to click buttons on the channel changer. 

OUTtv is available to users in the United States and Canada without a cable subscription for only $3.99 a month. You can also get the channel with a Prime Video Channels subscription, AppleTV, and through cable providers in Canada.

9. Strong Voices Television (SVTV)

Source: SVTV

SVTV is a dedicated LGBTQ+ streaming service that uploads monthly content to entertain community members and allies, educate on relevant issues, and amplify Queer voices. Complete access is only $5.99 a month. For that price, you can access to LGBTQ+ community representation in TV series, movies, podcasts, documentaries, and live streams.

Stream sports live, series like “Theality TV”, movies like “Suicide Kale”, and documentaries like
“Raid of the Rainbow Lounge”. 

Save money by purchasing a 6-month subscription for $29.99 or an annual subscription for $49.99 a year.

10. Lesflicks VOD

Source: Lesflicks VOD

Lesflicks VOD is a subscription service providing shorts, features, and series designed for women-loving women. 50% of the subscription fee goes to support creators of authentic sapphic stories and a new title is added every single week. 

The streaming service offers a few different membership options:

• WATCH only for £8.99/month (10.70 USD)
• WATCH+DISCUSS for £12.99/month (15.47 USD)
• VIP WATCH+DISCUSS for £15.99/month (19.04 USD)
• WATCH+DISCUSS+DONATE for £19.99/month (23.80 USD)

All plans offer two months free for those who subscribe annually. If chatting about WLW films is your jam, this will be the streaming service for you. The DISCUSS add-on gives you bonus access to the Lesflicks Community Amplification Network (LesflicksCAN) where you can discuss the content and its impact with like-minded individuals to your heart’s content.

The LesflicksCAN discussion space has three tiers: a regional chat for film lovers, a sapphic film lover chat, and one for fanatics that connects viewers and content creators through direct chat.

Selecting the VIP WATCH option will get you access to new movies a week prior to standard subscribers. 

11. GayBingeTV

Source: GayBingeTV

GayBingeTV is a streaming service that caters specifically to a gay audience. Viewers can log on to stream gay movies and TV series from 12 genres. It’s probably the most affordable on this list, priced at just $3.99 a month. They have a 7-day free trial as well as a section of free movies in their catalog. 

12. Unicorns.live

Source: Unicorns.live

Get a monthly subscription for CA$9.99 a month ($7.68USD) or CA$89.99 a year ($69.18USD). The streaming service has all your favorite LGBTQ+ live events plus some on-demand content as well. A portion of all revenue is paid directly to the artists.

13. Fearless

Source: Fearless

Fearless is a unique streaming service in that it separates the content into 23 different perspectives. These content categories range from #LGBTQ+ to all the way to #DeafCommunity, #Autistic, #Immigrant, #SelfHarmAndSuicide, and more. The goal here is for every viewer to see themselves on screen and to provide a place for people to learn about perspectives different from their own.

After the 14-day free trial, you either pay $7.99 a month or $59.99 a year.

14. TrickleUP

Source: TrickleUP

TrickleUP is a grassroots subscription video platform designed by and for NYC artists. The streaming service is stocked with content created by artists suffering from lost income due to the pandemic. 

Created by performance artist/ playwright/drag queen Taylor Mac, the platform prioritizes equal representation for LGBTQ+ artists and performers. Revenue from bigger names goes toward providing $10,000 commissions for smaller, struggling artists.

Spotlight more LGBTQIA+ stories

Have stories of your own to share? Starting your Vimeo OTT platform is the only obstacle keeping you from sharing authentic content with an audience of supportive subscribers.

So, what are you waiting for? Explore ways to monetize your video content and seize the moment. 

Explore ways to create your content with OTT

A lasting online brand can only stand the test of time with a solid community. And when you’re a content creator investing in an online presence and video monetization strategy, the best membership platforms can help you attract and cultivate your community.

One easy way to cultivate a community is with a membership platform, where you can release content, offer subscriber perks, VIP discounts, and other exclusive offerings to build a community and create quality content. Membership platforms allow brands to control what content their subscribers see and how much they should pay for it.

But there are hundreds of membership platforms to consider. And while all of them offer great features for the right content creator, some can be too expensive for up and coming businesses, while others lack the necessary features to control what your members see and pay for.

In this article, we’ll take a look at some of the best membership platforms in 2022, how to create your own, and the details you need to start building your membership community.

What is a membership platform site?

A membership platform is a website that stores and hosts content so members can access it by subscribing or paying a fee.

Membership sites offer subscribers to pay a monthly, annual, or one-off fee to unlock content for a certain time. Some sites offer free memberships with limited content or features so subscribers can get a taste test before they sign up.  

There’s a reason why brands are jumping at the chance to get on the membership bandwagon — subscriptions have exploded in popularity. Projections show paid OTT subscriptions will grow by over 50% by 2025 to around 307 million in the US alone. 

That’s a big (revenue) pie, and it makes sense that your brand wants a piece.

How to create a membership site

If you’ve decided to take the plunge and create a membership site, you have several different options. 

Do you know how to code? Well, then you can develop a membership site yourself. 

Hiring developers is a quicker (and easier) route if you have the budget. A developer can build a membership site from scratch and customize it to suit your needs, like content portals and branding. You’ll also have total control over everything from the user interface to design and payment options to help the site feel like an extension of your brand. 

The third option is to use a specialized platform like Vimeo OTT to build a custom site that comes packed with everything you need to host members and share your content. This out-of-the-box solution allows you to launch a membership site overnight and covers all of the technical stuff, like migration, content storage, and analytics to hit the ground running. 

For the third option— a custom membership platform — research is key. Membership platforms come in all shapes and sizes with varying features and price points.

With all the options at hand, it’s important for content creates to find and invest in a platform that’s right for their business. So here are our picks for the nine best platforms to choose from in 2022.

2022 best membership platforms

1. Vimeo OTT

Over 200 individuals and brands now use Vimeo OTT to stream content and share it with subscribers. 

It’s easy to see why Vimeo is an ideal choice for video creators craving an easy-to-use membership site straight out of the box. Vimeo combines video sharing with features like an editing suite and post-production tools to help creators provide a world-class experience on their site without hiring full-time editors. 

Vimeo has everything you need to kickstart your own membership site: 

• Monetization options. Offer subscribers monthly subscriptions or exclusive access to live streams and pay-per-view events and collect the revenue from inside Vimeo.
• Content management. Store, stream and customize content inside Vimeo’s cloud.
• Faultless content delivery: Delivery content quickly and seamlessly thanks to Vimeo’s internal server network and adaptive bitrate streaming features.

Creating content to share on a Vimeo membership site is easy. Just upload and edit a video, and then add it to a collection that subscribers can access once they’re signed up. Thanks to the inbuilt API and SDKs, you can stream content straight to members’ mobile devices at 1080p and upload multiple pieces of content at a time using the batch upload feature.

As for monetizing memberships, Vimeo has multiple options: 

• Monthly memberships. Monthly set fee (minimum of $1.99)
• Yearly memberships. Annual set fee (minimum of $12)  
• Free memberships. A free trial to access content for 3, 7, 14, or 30 days
• Worldwide memberships. Priced depending on the member’s chosen currency

Members can even pause or cancel their memberships on their own, removing the need to talk to a customer service representative and giving them a better experience with your brand.

Integrations. Pinterest, Dropbox, Slack, Adobe, Google Drive, Shopify, Zoom, + many more.

Price: Launch a membership site with Vimeo from $1 per subscriber. For growing businesses, OTT packages start at $500/month. If you want to take it for a test drive, Vimeo also has a free 30-day30 day trial—sign up here!

2. CMS Hub

Next on our list is HubSpot’s answer to membership platforms—the CMS hub. 

CMS hub is a content management platform within HubSpot’s entire ecosystem. Teams already using the tool for marketing and sales can add on the hub to create a membership hub from scratch to host content. Once live, brands can customize content displayed to members and schedule classes and video uploads from a single dashboard. 

The real draw for brands using CMS hub is that all your membership data lives under one roof. By integrating the hub with your existing HubSpot sales and marketing database, you can customize what customers see and create groups that only specific members can access. This gives every member a truly personalized VIP experience every time they log on!

Price: CMS Hub starts at $25/month. If you want to add it to an Enterprise plan, this can cost over $1000/month.

3. Wix

If you’re looking for a simple membership platform with basic features, Wix’s Member’s Area is worth investigating looking into. 

The membership site gives content creators a space to integrate Wix apps like bookings and forums with a membership area that stores and shares exclusive content. Sites that pay for a premium plan can offer several types of memberships: the all-access passes allow subscribers to access entire content libraries. In contrast,, while drip-feed memberships unlock content based on timed releases (e.g., new videos released every day or week.)

Although Wix’s membership site has some great features, there are some setbacks for brands that are looking for a truly customizable platform. Two setbacks include the inability to personalize emails and the challenge of switching the platform’s membership model once chosen.
 
Price: Basic Wix plans start at around $14/month while Premium plans cost up to $500/month.

4. MemberSpace

If you have an existing Squarespace site, using MemberSpace is ideal for quickly integrating a membership platform into your site. 

As it’s a third-party tool, MemberSpace links to your existing site, creating locked pages that only members can access. Once the gated page is up and running, you can add in content like videos, courses, and tutorials for members to access and control what they have access to based on their membership level. 

MemberSpace handles payments depending on fee set up (either rolling memberships or one-off charges). If someone wants to pause or cancel their membership, they can do it using the self-service portal. 

However, MemberSpace can get pricey — especially if you have a lot of members. There’s a 4% transaction fee for every membership fee on top of monthly subscription costs. 

Price: The tool costs $29/month, not including the 4% transaction fee per member.

5. YourMembership

The following next tool on our list is YourMembership—an all-in-one membership platform offering tons of features for brands looking for a more advanced solution. 

The platform has all the features you need to create and manage memberships, like a database to store member information and dues management tools to help you collect fees. Thanks to advanced analytics tools, brands can also dive into granular data like how much your membership site is growing and what content your members are engaging with the most. 

The downside of YourMembership is lack of transparency around pricing. You’ll have to ask for a custom quote to get an idea of how much the platform will cost, but some estimates say the tool costs around $2,500 in set-up and onboarding fees alone. 

Price: Available on request here.

6. Morweb

Morweb is primarily a CRM tool for non-profits to manage their website, but it also has a custom portal for basic membership needs. 

You can use Morweb’s simple drag-and-drop editor to design the membership portal to match your non-profit’s branding. Once a membership is active, people can access password-protected pages and share internal information. Inside these gated pages, you can start forums and share resources so people can learn more about your mission. There’s even a space to create members-only events to help keep members engaged. 

Morweb definitely isn’t the most advanced tool on our list (or the most aesthetically appealing), but if you want a simple solution without learning to code—it could be a good fit!

Price: Morweb offers three plans: Start ($99 per month), Grow ($149 per month), and Engage ($199 per month).

7. MembershipWorks

If you host an existing site on a CMS like WordPress, Weebly, Wix, or HTML5, MembershipWorks is a great plug-and-play solution to integrate a membership platform. 

MembershipWorks is perfect for brands that host many lot of events and live streams, thanks to the built-in ticketing and calendar features. Members can register and pay for events on the site, with the added benefit of an automated calendar reminder and any important information they need sent before it kicks off. The platform also limits event capacity and controls ticket quantities so you’ll never overbook. 

The platform also keeps detailed records of every member that signs up. You’ll have a paper trail of past payments, records of what events they’ve attended, and an interactive map showing where they’re located. These details help you customize your content and events based on what’s been popular with your members to keep them engaged. 

Price: Plugging MembershipWorks into an existing site ranges anywhere from free to $200+ a month, depending on member numbers. If you need a hosted membership site, prices start at  $39/month.

8. Memberful

Memberful is a simple plug-in solution for content creators with an existing WordPress site. 

The platform is fully customizable—you can add your branding, build custom landing pages, create email templates, and even set up a white-label domain depending on your needs. Once your platform is up and running, choose from a range of subscription options like monthly memberships, VIP packages, and one-time fees, depending on what content you’re offering. 

If your budget is tight, a free plan is available—but it’ll cost you. Every membership will have a 10% transaction fee added, which is cut to 4.9% if you sign up for one of Memberful’s premium plans. 

Price: Memberful has three tiers: Starter (free), Pro ($25 per month), and Premium ($100 per month).

9. WildApricot

The last platform on our list is Wild Apricot — a site that aims to simplify the membership process for your subscribers. 

The tool’s dashboard allows you to set costs, schedule events, and manage memberships all under one roof. Here, you can also send out simple marketing emails and create multiple membership levels depending on the content you’re offering. The platform also grows with your brand—as your membership base grows, there are options to sell merch and exclusive VIP content to earn more revenue. 

Once again, the downside is Wild Apricot’s pricing. While the platform is free if you’ve got less than 50 members, it can cost you hundreds of dollars a month once your list grows. 

Price: Entry-level plans are free, with prices reaching $720/month for 50,000 members.

Which membership platform is right for your brand?

Membership sites are a great way to build a loyal community of engaged subscribers and get them more involved in your brand. 

Offering online tutorials or exclusive events is a perfect way to reach subscribers anywhere globally and monetize existing content to create an additional revenue stream for your business. 

Truthfully, there is no perfect membership platform out there. The one you invest in will depend on what features and customization options you’re looking for and what you can afford on your budget. 

So, which membership site is the right fit for you?

Learn how to cultivate a community with Vimeo OTT

Our workout habits have changed—more and more people are choosing to sweat it out at home rather than make the trek to the gym. 

A recent survey found that there has been a structural shift in how society gets fit, with 55% of people planning to ditch their gym memberships entirely and work out at home instead. Thanks to the rise of online fitness classes, we’ve been able to turn our homes into fitness studios.

If you are looking to workout at home or start teaching fitness classes online, an OTT platform might be the solution for you.

The best exciting part about OTT fitness classes is that you can access your fitness class from anywhere around the world without having to meet in person.

In this article, we’re going to break down our favorite online fitness classes, from yoga to boxing to cardio, and how they use Vimeo OTT to teach classes online.

Ready to get fit? 

Best overall: Hoypro.com

Classes offered: Workout challenges, total body workouts, cardio, upper-body strength.
Price: $19.99/month

Millionaire Hoy started his career as a fitness instructor running bootcamps to help mothers get fit. 

However, with Chicago’s brutal Winters, he knew that he would have to move online for his business to survive. After growing his YouTube channel to 288,000 subscribers, Millionaire felt that he wanted more freedom, creativity, and community over his fitness classes. 

So, he launched Hoypro.com

For $19.99/month, Hoy’s community has access to 70+ workout programs, including monthly challenges and yoga classes. They can also choose whatever fitness regime they like, as there are 1500 different workouts (totaling 800+ hours!) available at any time on the site’s content library. 

To ensure the fitness community he built on YouTube could get the best workout possible, he created a branded app available on iOS, Android, Apple TV, Android TV, Amazon Fire TV, Roku, and Chromecast. The reason for doing this was simple: he wanted to make his fitness classes as similar to his in-person bootcamps as possible. 

“For me, it’s really about, ‘How can I reach all of the people who are here, give them the most options, and have the best possible service for them?’”

Millionaire Hoy

Most popular: Corepower Yoga

Classes offered: Hot yoga, sculpt, meditation, and live classes.
Price: $19.99/month

Corepower Yoga is an excellent example of an online fitness class that truly puts its audience first. 

The online studio has 300+ classes available on various platforms like iPhone, Apple TV, Android, and Roku. Subscribers can choose from yoga, sculpt, or meditation classes, and the studio adds new classes every month to keep its content library fresh. 

The virtual classes are split up into several groups so subscribers can easily choose what class they want to take: 

For $19.99/month, subscribers not only get access to an entire library of classes but can also watch Corepower Live—the studio’s daily live stream. All they have to do is reserve a spot, check their internet connection, and an experienced instructor will guide their workout in real-time.

Best for yoga classes: Y7 Studio

Classes offered: Live flows, Vinyasa, meditation, and classes by length (60, 45, 30, and 15-minute sessions).
Price: $19.20/month

When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, Y7 Studio found itself in an interesting place: the online content they were experimenting with was suddenly the only way they could connect with their loyal following. 

So, the studio decided to jump in the deep end and go entirely online—basically overnight. 

A year later, the studio offers 200+ classes, and its thousands of subscribers can access 16,000 hours of content any time they want to get zen. However, the change wasn’t easy—as Y7 Studio’s owner Sarah Larson Levey explains.

“You should have seen us… Our CFO is editing videos. Our Ops Coordinator, who is now our Production Manager, she has fully switched roles, and we’re all editing videos. We’re uploading them to YouTube,” she remembers.

“I’m writing notes, like, ‘At 6:07 I hear a squeaking noise,’ and we’re figuring it out as we go, right?”

Sarah Larson Levey

Even though the studio didn’t have a tech team, they still wanted their classes to look professional. They turned to Vimeo OTT to turn their backlog of content into a channel that wasn’t just a good experience for their customers but also something they could monetize. 

Going online has allowed the studio to reach people that never had the chance of visiting in person.

“People who have never had the chance to really experience Y7 in the studio are loving it, and just so appreciative that they’re able to get these kinds of flows,” Sarah says. 

“That connection is helping us grow way beyond the four walls of our studio and allowing us to reach more people than we ever could.”

Best for boxing classes: BoxUnion

Classes offered: Boxing, cardio, sculpt, strength, yoga, meditation, and stretch.
Price: $29.99/month

The team behind BoxUnion launched the brand with one goal: to create a space that wasn’t intimidating where people could box for fitness. 

And over the past three years, that’s exactly what they did. By mixing beat-bumping music and an inclusive atmosphere, the brand now has many fitness studios across southern California. 
BoxUnion was already in the process of launching online classes when they had to shut in early 2020. They began testing their content on Instagram Live to see if their community would be interested in their online classes. And with the (hugely) popular response, the studio started building an OTT platform so its subscribers could access classes at any time.

The studio now has subscribers across five different continents, and its members are engaging online thanks to a private Facebook group for the BoxUnion Digital Community. The members directly message each other and take classes together.

“It’s motivating and fun for people to know they aren’t working out alone,”

Felicia Alexander / BoxUnion co-founder

Best for strength: System of Strength

Classes offered: Meditation, control, ebb+flow, restore+recover, and no equipment workouts.
Price: $24.99/month

Keri Croft and Gretchen Dusseau created the System of Strength to be more than just a place to work out. The founders think of it as something bigger—a lifestyle and an attitude. 

So how exactly did this larger-than-life brand channel its momentum from the studio to the screen?

Thankfully, the studio had stockpiled content into a library since it opened in 2012. When they had to shut their doors, they thought it would be easy to pivot to virtual classes as they had already invested in a customized digital platform.

“While it served the purpose at the time, it didn’t allow us to be as nimble with making changes without having a developer team for support,”

“That’s when we started looking into different platforms that were more user friendly and offered the flexibility to have more autonomy, and not require developers to do the work for us.”

Darcey Wion

The studio switched to Vimeo’s live streaming and OTT platforms so they could offer on-demand content as well as live stream classes. It also gave their members a chance to trial the online classes for free before paying for a full subscription. 

Best for quick workouts: Fit Fusion by Jillian Michaels

Classes offered: 10-minute workouts, bootcamps, cardio, pilates, body strengthening.
Price: $9.99/month

The fitness instructor that needs no introduction: Jillian Michaels. 

When Michaels launched her online classes to the world in 2017, she offered members a one-stop-shop for on-demand streaming workouts. People can subscribe to Fit Fusion and access a wide range of workouts, from cardio and yoga to pilates and even ballet body strengthening. 

As the fitness classes can be streamed on iOS, Android devices, AppleTV, AndroidTV, Roku, Chromecast, and Amazon FireTV, members can join from virtually anywhere as long as they have an internet connection. 

When a member wants to stream a workout, they can use the Fit Fusion site to search for the perfect class based on their preferred trainer, targeted areas, modality, and even the length of the class. The portal also has an entire library of educational documentaries for members who want to learn more about diet and lifestyle.

Best for cardio: Body Shoppe

Classes offered: Tempo Dance Cardio, Flex + Flow, HIIT, yoga, and cardio.
Price: $25/month

When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, Body Shoppe moved quickly to keep their fitness classes available to members—launching online 24 hours after they had to shut their doors. 

Although the studio didn’t have an existing content library, it built up its on-demand content to offer members over 130 classes within the first month. It now adds new classes every week to keep content fresh, as well as offering Livestream workouts. 

Owner Kelsey Greenfield says the key to launching the online portal was picking the right platform. She created a list of must-haves, like an interactive chat feature, high-quality video, and ease of use, and went from there.

“(We needed) a platform that would deliver clear video as we burpee across the screen, an easy interface for our customers to use, and features that would allow us to interact with our users in real-time,” she says. 

After picking the perfect platform, Body Shoppe now uses features like interactive chat to hold members accountable by taking “attendance” and encourage and give feedback to people in the class. 

“Our goal is to make it feel like you’re in the studio with us.”

And the studio’s plan post-COVID?

“We absolutely plan to keep virtual classes going, even after operations go back to normal(ish),” Kelsey says. 

“Our members are loving it, and we’ve engaged a broader market outside of New Orleans.”

Wrap up

This past year made significant impacts on the fitness industry, but we are thrilled to many fitness content creators and studios blossom in new ways with on-demand video content.

Starting an online fitness program is no easy feat but for these fitness entrepreneurs, their resilience and adaptability made fitness accessible to many of us. We are excited to see what they have in store for us next!

Thinking about launching an online fitness studio? Learn how you can get started today.

Every day the public learns of a new video or social media post by a content creator that’s gone viral. But who are these creators and what is inspiring them to create content that people want to engage with?

The creator economy is a new class of businesses made up of over 50 million independent content creators who are banishing the corporate gatekeepers and writing a new set of rules that allows anyone with a passion and a smartphone to share their message with the world. 

But before we get too deep into what these creators are doing to spread their message, let’s start to unpack what the creator economy means in its simplest terms.

What is the “creator economy?”

The creator economy consists of independent creatives who have found ways to use their knowledge and skills as a side hustle or full-time business. This community of creators includes social media influencers, bloggers, videographers, and the tech companies that fuel their ability to share their passions with the world. This unique community of creators utilizes technology to sell their knowledge as products that can include courses, books or ebooks, specialized services, and more. 

Content creator opportunities

There are a number of social media monetization opportunities available for all different types of creators. The key is matching your talent and skills with the media platform that best fits your offering. Let’s take a look at a few.

Video and live streaming

Platforms like YouTube, TikTok, Twitch, Instagram Live, Facebook Live, and OnlyFans allow creators to use live video to interact with their followers in real-time. Creators can share personal stories, a “day in the life” vlogs, tutorials, and more. If your followers miss a live video, there’s an opportunity for them to catch the replay at their convenience. Videos can be repurposed across platforms to create multiple income creation opportunities. 

Photography, painting, drawing, illustration, graphic design

If you gravitate towards the visual arts, then media platforms like Instagram, Snapchat, Pinterest, etc. allow you to share your work along with text that delves deeper into what your piece is about. You can invite followers to leave a comment or even tag you on some of their own work inspired by one of your own posts. You can direct followers to a link that allows them to buy original pieces or other products featuring your designs. Create a membership program that allows you to share special content with paying customers using Patreon.

Music and podcasts

Are you a singer or musician and want to skip the record labels to get your work directly in front of your target audience? Perhaps you’re a thought leader that has a strong message you want to share on your own radio show. Media platforms like iTunes, Spotify, Pandora, and Soundcloud may be just the tools you’re looking for. It has never been easier to create, record, and share your work with millions of people across the world. Make your sounds and other products and services available for sale using easy-to-use technologies that simplify the process of selling digital items.

Writing of all genres

Bloggers, essayists, humorists, consultants, authors, and more are able to write and share their own stories on a number of platforms including Twitter, Medium, Quora, and Substack. Create a community around your thoughts and ideas. Become known as the “go-to expert” in your field of expertise. Build a library of digital or printed books and other resources that your followers can refer to at any time.

How big is the creator economy?

If you want to know how much you can make as a content creator on YouTube and other platforms, the truth is that the answer can vary. It all depends on a number of factors including the number of followers, the type of content you produce, the almighty algorithm, and a host of other touchpoints that are not always under your control. But let’s take a look at how much some of YouTube’s most successful content creators are making in a year via ad revenue.

• Ten-year old, Ryan Kaji, creates videos for kids to help them learn more about the world. In January 2022, Ryan’s channel of about 31 million subscribers pulled in a whopping $26 million dollars in ad revenue alone.
• Gaming enthusiast, MrBeast, made $24 million dollars between June 2019 and June 2020 across several channels with 87 million subscribers.
• Boxer and social media personality, Logan Paul, has more than 23 million subscribers on his main channel and makes roughly $20 million dollars a year.

Creator platforms are growing quickly with one of social media’s newest darlings, TikTok. But are they as successful as creators on YouTube? While YouTube creators can make money directly with ad revenue, TikTok uses built-in monetization tools like virtual “gifts” that can be converted into cash and a Creator Fund that pays creators who have at least 10,000 followers and 100,000 views within a 30-day period. While Creator Fund payments don’t pay for all the bills, many creators have turned towards brand deals to make extra money.

So is it possible to be a success without millions of followers on YouTube and TikTok? The answer is yes, but only for those who create a business strategy that matches their intensity of the passions.

Start your own website to monetize content

If you’re a serious creator, then you want to know how to keep more of the money generated by your content in your own pocket. The secret is to be able to house your content on a website that you own. Vimeo OTT allows you to do just that using a subscription-based service for all your fans and followers.

What subscription model can work best for your creator business? Let’s take a look.

#1. Create exclusive content for paying subscribers.

Do you create specialized content you want to share with serious learners? Perhaps you teach something like watercolor painting, vegan cooking, or interior design. A membership-based subscription model will allow you to create content for people who are willing to pay for exclusive content that serves their needs. Your members can choose to interact with pre-made content at their own pace. You, the creator, can also add in live stream demonstrations and answer their questions in real-time.

#2 Become your own Netflix with original niche entertainment.

No, you don’t have to be a giant media company like Netflix to create a streaming service. All you have to do is focus on creating high-quality, original content that keeps people wanting more. 

With a niche entertainment monetization model, you get to do more of what you do best – create great content. Your subscribers will be able to stream your content on-demand. Furthermore, you’ll be able to predict your monthly or annual income and make plans to scale.

#3 Create a content library that’s available all year long.

If you’ve got a business that depends on seasonal or time-sensitive activities, you can create a content library that your fans can plug into on demand. So whether you’re doing a book tour, speaking appearances, or product line releases, your fans can go home and connect with you on their device of choice.

Why does this model work for creators? It allows you to stay connected to your fans and followers between appearances without having to skip out on an added income stream. Stay connected to your community while on the road or at home. 

#4 Hook subscribers with free content, then transition into paid.

Sometimes it makes sense for a creator to want to attract new subscribers with free content. It allows them an opportunity to get to know the creator and style of content before being asked to pay for more advanced content. These are called invested subscribers – or people who recognize the value of the content and choose to stay connected. This works well for fitness instructors or other creators who are teaching content that is highly focused on results. 

#5 Build community online and off.

Does your subscription-based business depend on income from in-person events? A subscription-based business model can be a boost to individual creators, companies, and organizations who want to stay connected to their followers at any time. The pandemic has shown us that in-person meetings, be they a mastermind, church service, or company meetings, can be interrupted at a moment’s notice. Rather than wait for the green light to meet again, why not engage your followers with content they can stream at their leisure? 

This content can be past sermons, classes, recordings of special guest speakers, and more. The price of the membership can offset the ticket prices of events that attracted lower than expected numbers of attendees or events that had to be canceled altogether.

Examples of brands/content creators monetizing with OTT

Who are the creators who are leading the way in the creator economy revolution? Let’s take a look at companies that’ve decided to make a subscription-based monetization model a part of their overall business strategy.

ISC Sports Network is Indiana’s premier sports streaming channel with live and on-demand sporting events for the state’s die-hard sports fans. How does it generate income? There’s an ongoing subscription available for those who never want to miss an event. In addition, there are ways to offer paid advertising and ticket sales for one-off events. The network is able to accept payment directly in-app while increasing opt-ins for pay-per-view events. 

Speed51 is the online home of grassroots and short-track racing for the U.S. This is the go-to network for editorial and live stream coverage of racing events. This company made their mark during the pandemic with pay-per-view live streams on top of their regular video-on-demand service. This allowed them to earn back some of the funds lost from live event ticket sales.

GazeboTV has produced some of Canada’s most beloved film classics such as, “Anne of Green Gables.” Rather than wait for limited television distribution, the company decided to take their creations from home video and DVD sales to a global live streaming service in 2015. Vimeo OTT allowed the company to offer a transactional video on demand (TVOD) service that allowed their customers to own digital copies of their most loved content. 

DIRTVision, World Racing Group’s live and on-demand streaming service, boasts over 7,000 hours of free dirt racing content from the U.S. The company found that they had outgrown their original platform and transitioned to Vimeo OTT for its simplicity. They needed one partner and a single reliable platform from which to run their programs. In addition to free content, the channel has hosted over 400 races bringing in income from live pay-per-view events and in-app purchases. 

Looking to add subscriptions to your creative business?

As the creator economy starts to produce more professional content and turn it into profitable businesses, they will need to have tools that allow them to have more control over their work. Vimeo OTT provides an ongoing subscription-based platform that allows creators to develop new content, as well as repurpose content that can be turned into multiple income streams. Creators can build community, create live streaming content, produce exclusive content, and more.

Ready to get started? Connect with Vimeo OTT today.

For yoga practitioners, there’s never been a better time to make money online.

According to predictions from Global Market Insights, the online fitness market will grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of over 30 percent through 2026.

That’s a fancy way of saying the market is huge — and the opportunity to build your own profitable yoga enterprise is well within reach for digitally-inclined instructors. 

To help your studio earn more revenue, this article outlines seven ways to make money as a yoga instructor online.

1. Open a virtual yoga studio

Moving your yoga studio online can supercharge your profits.

Unless you’re operating studios throughout the country, there’s a good chance that there are many people who would benefit from your classes that couldn’t previously attend in person.

That’s where the genius of an online yoga studio comes in. With a virtual studio, you can reach more people and make more money in the process.

If you already have an engaged online audience, your first step is choosing a streaming platform to host your video content. You’ll also need an OTT platform that enables you to:

• Live stream yoga sessions
• Put live and on-demand videos behind a paywall
• Sell subscriptions and one-off purchases

If you don’t have an engaged online audience, you’ll want to get strategic about marketing your new studio. The yoga community is a tightly woven group of people and word of mouth will get you far. Start by advertising on social media and guest teaching at your local yoga studio to build a following.

2. Monetize your videos

Video monetization can get tricky. On a platform like YouTube, content creators earn money through a complex monetization scheme that relies heavily on advertising and views.

This may not be a problem for hobbyists, but if you really want to make money teaching yoga online, you don’t necessarily want to leave your earning potential at the mercy of an algorithm.

How to make money with yoga with video monetization

Step 1: Pick a platform.

Choose an OTT platform to stream and host live and on-demand video content that also enables you to sell subscriptions and one-off purchases. Bonus points for choosing a platform that provides 24/7 support and branded website and app development.

Step 2: Decide on a business model.

There are three main business models to choose from when monetizing video content, each of which offers a slightly different viewing experience:

• Subscription Video On Demand (SVOD): With a subscription service like Netflix, customers pay a monthly fee to view and access your content.
• Transactional Video On Demand (TVOD): This model allows customers to rent or purchase content on a pay-per-video or pay-per-series basis.
• Ad-supported Video On Demand (AVOD): Whether you opt for programmatic advertising or direct-sold advertising, using this model means placing ads in your content.

Step 3: Don’t neglect the experience.

How do you make online yoga classes worth paying for? Get your clients’ favorite instructors on board, figure out filming and audio logistics, and produce the most polished and accessible work possible to attract subscribers.

3. Host live yoga classes

Adding live yoga sessions to your class offerings is one of the most effective ways to build awareness and increase revenue.

According to one study, live streaming earns 27 percent more minutes of watch time per viewing than on-demand content. For studio owners, this means the most well-produced on-demand yoga class may not perform as well as a live stream, even if there’s a hiccup or two. 

Beyond watch time, live streaming classes will enable online studio owners to:

• Attract potential clients: Free live classes are a great marketing tool. Non-subscribers who watch your live streams will be better positioned to become paying customers.
• Produce more content: On-demand content usually requires significant editing, which limits your output. With live classes, you can hire more instructors, fill content gaps, and spend less time editing videos.
• Let data inform future content: By using video performance metrics, you can continually refine the live and on-demand experience in ways that maximize engagement and attendance.

“With Vimeo Live classes, we can reach consumers anywhere. We already have subscribers across 5 different continents, and the numbers grow every day. Another benefit of live classes is that customers like showing up for a certain time. It creates a sense of accountability and routine. Our users are engaging with comments in real-time before and during the class. It’s motivating and fun for people to know they aren’t working out alone.”

Felicia Alexander, Co-founder, BoxUnion

4. Create a yoga app

Creating a branded app will make your yoga classes more accessible than a virtual studio on its own. With a Netflix-style yoga app, potential clients and existing customers alike can view videos and participate in classes from their preferred device.

To make the process as frictionless as possible, look for an end-to-end OTT platform that:

• Manages all the tech: Forget hiring or managing a costly development team.
• Includes payment systems: Leave mysterious algorithms behind. Set your price and sell subscriptions.
• Owns customer service: Customer support tickets are inevitable. Save time and money by outsourcing commonly asked questions.
• Supports all major devices: Vimeo OTT includes development for every device, including iOS, Android, Amazon Fire TV, Roku, Xbox, Apple TV, and Samsung Tizen.

By choosing an OTT platform that tackles back-end development and front-end support, studio owners can focus on what they do best — creating stellar yoga content.

5. Build a community

The best yoga teachers are experts at building communities, but pulling this off online usually involves trial and error. Unless you’ve produced online fitness content before, you’re likely to learn a lot (and improve a lot) as you go. 

The good news is, your journey to becoming an online community builder can become your customers’ journey too.

That’s how it worked for Afrocontigbo founder Korma Aguh-Stuckmayer. When she first launched online classes, she learned something new every week.

Most importantly, she used those learnings to improve the experience for students based on their feedback. Whether that meant upgrading her equipment, uploading on-demand videos, or creating weekly challenges, Korma’s audience had an active hand in making her content better.

That alone helped forge a sense of community. But the key factor was likely Korma’s commitment to providing a safe space for her clients to learn and dance.

If your content can meet every viewer where they are in their yoga practice, you can build an inclusive community that people want to join.

6. Sell merchandise

Selling merchandise isn’t just a way to make clients feel like members of an exclusive group; it’s also a viable way to make money online by building a yoga community.

This will be much easier if your studio already has branded merchandise, but there are still a few options for those who don’t:

• Become an affiliate marketer: Endorse the products you already use to earn a commission for every product sold.
• Repurpose studio equipment: Do you have unused mats and blocks collecting dust in a vacant studio? Take good photos of these items and offer them to your most loyal customers.

Create product bundles: Take a cue from the folks at Y7 Studio — group products into bundles that clients can use to re-create the in-studio experience in their own homes.

“It was important for us to translate the Y7 experience online. So, aside from working with the trainers they know and love, we’re also selling the Y7 candle, the signature scent when you enter a studio. We packaged things together for an at-home kit, and things have been selling so well.”

Lauren Roxborough, CMO, Y7 Studio

7. Think outside the box

In truth, there’s no silver bullet when it comes to making money online. The best thing any fitness professional can do is remain agile, learn from experience, and embrace experimentation.

Here are some examples of outside-the-box thinking that can help you make money with yoga:

Host classes that are yoga-related but not yoga.

Consider adding yoga-adjacent video content to your studio. This could include meditation sessions, stretching classes, core exercises, or even tarot readings. 

Create downloadable assets.

Turn your yoga expertise into passive income by creating and selling downloadable PDF content. Whether this includes checklists, workout plans, or guided journals, these assets will enable you to make money with minimal upkeep.

Amplify the power of your brand.

Yoga classes are often highly branded experiences. When creating video content, find ways to re-create the branded in-studio experience, whether that includes themed classes or teaching unique techniques, embrace experiences that are unique to you.

“Music is at the core of our brand and that’s why people come to a studio. But when we started our online studio, we didn’t even consider music licensing. I looked at different brands and fitness instructors and none of them had music. The best solution we found was having our instructors double as DJs. The teachers outline the sequence of a class and make a Spotify playlist that matches up with the class and instruct clients to press play at the right time.”

Lauren Roxborough, CMO, Y7 Studio

Download the essential guide to online fitness to start making money with yoga.

There are now more channels to publish content, grow your audience, and get paid. 

For content creators looking for social media platforms that pay the most, consider using the platform that suits your needs – content type, target audience, and market opportunity. 

While Instagram is the obvious choice for monetizing images, Pinterest and Snapchat also pay their content creators. There are, however, other options, such as Pinterest and Snapchat, that also help creators secure their bags. YouTube isn’t the only option for videos…have you considered Twitter and TikTok?

Let’s look at the top 7 social media platforms that pay to help you decide which is the best fit for your content and monetization goals.

1. Instagram

 “Our goal is to be the best platform for creators like you to make a living. And if you have an idea that you want to share with the world, you should be able to create it and get it out there easily and simply — across Facebook and Instagram — and then earn money for your work.”

Mark Zuckerberg

 “Our goal is to be the best platform for creators like you to make a living. And if you have an idea that you want to share with the world, you should be able to create it and get it out there easily and simply — across Facebook and Instagram — and then earn money for your work.”

Mark Zuckerberg said about Instagram in 2021 when speaking to content creators who rely on it for revenue. 

Instagram is the fourth most popular social media platform on the planet behind Facebook, Youtube, and WhatsApp. Many influencers and big brands use Instagram to advertise and make money through paid promotions. 

If you have enough followers, you can earn some serious revenue. 

In fact, Lickd’s Social Salary calculator estimates that content creators with roughly 5000 followers can earn an average of $350 for a post. This number jumps depending on how popular the account is—those with 100,000+ followers can make $4,000+ per post.

The company also announced “creator” accounts in 2021 that offer more revenue opportunities:

• IGTV ads – Content creators can earn advertising revenue. IGTV ads can be added to short videos, and content creators will get at least 55% of the proceeds. 
• Badges – Followers can gift creator “badges” on Instagram Live videos to send tips to their favorite content creators. Badges cost viewers between $0.99—$4.99 and once they’ve been gifted, Instagram attaches one, two, or three heart emojis to their usernames so everyone else on the feed can see their contribution!

Instagram says the changes are a broader effort to support creators in building their careers. 

“Whether creators want to connect with brands, get paid for their content or earn money directly from their fans, we are committed to building the right mix of tools to help them accomplish their goals,” the company announced in 2021.  

“Whether creators want to connect with brands, get paid for their content or earn money directly from their fans, we are committed to building the right mix of tools to help them accomplish their goals.”

Instagram

2. YouTube

YouTube is one of the oldest (and most lucrative) platforms for content creators.

In the traditional YouTube monetization models, creators launch a channel, uploads videos, then get paid each time a viewer engages with those videos. The number of subscribers and how many views the videos receive determine how much revenue a channel earns.

YouTube’s Partner Program is the control center for creators. If you want to earn money on the platform, you must apply and:

• Follow all of the YouTube Channel Monetization Policies
• Live in a country/region where the program is available
• Not having any Community Guidelines strikes 
• Log more than 4,000 watch hours in the past year
• Have more than 1,000 subscribers to your channel
• Have an active, linked Google AdSense account

Creators can launch channel memberships after being accepted into the Partner Program so that their subscribers can pay a membership fee to receive exclusive premium content, including live chat, badges, and other goodies. 

Some of the Partner Program restrictions include: 

• Subscribers can’t download content
• No private 1:1 meetings
• No hosting contests, lotteries, or sweepstakes
• What can be marketed and targeted to children

Content creators in the program can also earn money through a new feature called YouTube Shorts — an excellent option for new channels without lots of subscribers to monetize their channel. At the time of this post, there are no specific criteria to qualify for this feature, so just upload and start earning. 

3. Snapchat

Snapchat pays content creators around $1 million a day to post videos to its platform. 

Currently, Snapchat has over 249 million daily users and launched its latest feature, Spotlight, at the end of 2020. With Spotlight, content creators can submit their most entertaining videos that meet Snapchat’s requirements to be selected to be shared with Snapchat’s Spotlight and search results page. 

There are some guidelines creators need to follow to get their snap picked up by Spotlight: 

• It needs to meet Snapchat’s community guidelines and be suitable for audiences aged 13+
• All videos need to be vertical with sound
• The content can only be 60 seconds long
• No selling products or services
• Original content only!

If Snapchat’s moderators accept your content, you’ll be notified. 

So, how much can you earn on the platform? According to a Twitter user, he earned thousands after his post received around 300k views. 

Top tip: Be mindful that Snapchat does charge you to receive payments — Check the T&Cs here. 

4. TikTok

TikTok ranked 7th for the most-downloaded app last decade — a remarkable feat considering it launched in 2017. Now, TikTok has 1 billion active monthly users. 

On TikTok, creators post videos and earn followers with entertaining and engaging content. In terms of monetization, there are three ways for content creators to earn money through video: 

• TikTok’s creator fund. If your channel has (at least) 100K authentic video views in the past 30 days, you’re eligible to join the fund. Creators are rewarded for unique, engaging content and can share the $300 million allocated to the fund over the next three years. 
• Merch. Thanks to integrations with companies like Teespring, creators can design and sell products directly through their TikTok channel. 
• Sponsored content. Channels with enough followers can partner with brands to help spread the word with sponsored content—and get paid for it. 

As expected, TikTok’s Creator Fund has some restrictions. You need to be at least 18 years old and: 

• Have a minimum of 10,000 followers
• Be based in the United States, United Kingdom, Germany, France, Italy, or Spain
• Follow TikTok’s Community Guidelines and terms of service

5. Pinterest

We share our dinner photos on Instagram, but Pinterest is where over 400 million people find inspiration for fashion, decorating, and DIY projects every month. 

Most content creators on the platform sell items using Product Pins. The Pinterest app lets users check an item’s price and availability and then get redirected to the creator’s website if they want to buy it.

Pinterest has also announced its Creator Rewards program, where people are paid for creating original Idea Pins.

An example of Pinterest’s Idea Pins

Getting more organic engagement and response to a pin increases a creator’s monthly reward. A creator can cash out if they: 

• Have a Pinterest business account and the platform’s app on their phone
• Are at least 18 years old
• In the United States
• Have at least 1,000 followers on their account
• Create (at least) three Idea Pins

Creators can turn guides, recipes, and projects into original Idea Pins and start earning money when they’re accepted into the program. 

6. Twitter

Unlike Pinterest, Snapchat and YouTube, you can’t earn money on Twitter through a creator fund. 

The platform is currently working on its Amplify Publisher Program. But as we write this, only publishers working with Twitter Partner Managers can apply. There are still a couple of ways content creators can make money through their Twitter feed: 

• Twitters’ Tip Jar. Followers can tip content creators using Cash App, PayPal, Venmo, Patreon, and Bandcamp if they like their tweets (check out the T&Cs here).

• Super Follows: Content creators with at least 10,000 followers who publish 25+ tweets a month can cash in with Super Follows. This is like a VIP club that subscribers can pay to access (either $2.99, $4.99, or $9.99), where creators share personal or exclusive tweets to their paying followers. Until the creator earns $50k, they can take home 97% of the subscription revenue; after that, they earn 80%. 

7. LinkedIn

Surprised to see LinkedIn on our list? 

You shouldn’t be. Microsoft owns the platform, and it has over 740 million active users. It’s also distanced itself from other content creation platforms—it relies on words to fuel engagement instead of images and video. 

Last year, the platform launched its “Creator Mode” feature to help users grow followers and build influence.

To use this feature, content creators must: 

• Connect their account and choose Creator Mode
• Display the topics they’re going to talk about using hashtags (it makes them easier to search for)
• Highlight any original content they’ve already published at the top of their profile

Once set up, creator tools like Live Video and LinkedIn Newsletter help you boost content and drive people to your site to earn revenue. 

Start your own channel. 

If none of these platforms appeals to you—why not start your own?

You have already done the hard work by creating content and uploading it to these platforms. Take back control of your content by repurposing it on your channel.

Over-the-top (OTT) platforms enable content creators like you to monetize their content by offering subscriptions. And a tool like Vimeo makes launching your own subscription business a cinch. 

Content creators can use Vimeo to: 

• Engage and grow your channel. Vimeo’s platform allows creators to nurture relationships by replying to comments and chatting to followers in real-time. Using Vimeo’s app, you can create exclusive community forums to help people feel like VIPs
• Stream to social and grow your audience. Publish content directly to your website Facebook Live, Youtube, and Patreon—or go live with a live stream. 
• Monetize content. Creators can earn revenue through on-demand videos and live stream feeds. They can even launch their own branded apps that can be streamed across Android, iOS, Apple TV, Roku, and Tizen.

Want to learn more about how you can earn money for your content on Vimeo? Take it for a test drive today.

Video on demand (VOD) is the future of television. A recent report found that video on demand viewing is up 155%, with an average viewing time of 17.1 minutes per session.

According to Forbes, 82% of US broadband homes are subscribed to at least one VOD service, and 46% of broadband homes are subscribed to four or more streaming services.

While the average demand for VOD is on the rise, there are lots of unanswered questions around video streaming: What is video on demand? How can businesses and content creators benefit from VOD streaming? What do we need to get started?

Good news! We’ve answered all your questions in this post and, luckily, VOD is a lot simpler than it looks.

Let’s get started.

What does VOD stand for?

VOD stands for “video on demand”, and it is a way for people to consume video through subscriptions, rentals, and/or purchases. While traditional television made consumers view content on a set schedule, VOD gives people the freedom to access video on their own time and platform. 

As a result, VOD is growing in popularity. The number of internet-connected devices is expected to triple the global population by 2023, and demand for content will double. 

Over-the-top (OTT) video, which is the next generation of digital streaming, allows content to be distributed easily. OTT allows the freedom to stream directly online, on any device, so your viewers can cut the cables with traditional cable and satellite television.

The accessible (all you need is a device and an internet connection!), the possibilities for monetizing VOD are endless. 

Different types of VOD monetization models.

VOD comes in many forms. 

You can use it to create a video subscription channel, free videos (that have ads), or one-off videos for special events and premium videos. These are known as:

• Subscription video on demand (SVOD) 
• Advertising-based video on demand (AVOD)
• Transactional video on demand (TVOD)

For businesses, VOD is a way to earn regular revenue, scale up video content, and build an audience. 

Let’s take a closer look at the different VOD types.

Subscription video on demand (SVOD) 

SVOD is the bread and butter of VOD—this is where streaming platforms like Netflix and Disney+ live. 

It has exploded in popularity over the last decade, and they are expected to acquire over 300 million subscribers by 2025 in the United States alone. 

SVOD is possibly the best example of a VOD platform that can create recurring revenue. 

As consumers purchase subscriptions to access content (either monthly or annually), it’s essential for businesses to build a steady revenue stream while consistently producing content for their audience. 

SVOD allows subscribers to: 

• Access classes or ongoing content that can be streamed over time.
• Join or opt-out without the long-term contracts that traditional cable or satellite services require.
• Pick content to watch from a library that can be streamed over and over again.

When Covid-19 hit, fitness studio System of Strength had to find a way to convert their in-person, brick-and-mortar fitness studio into an online experience while maintaining the energy that came with in-person classes. 

So, the studio switched up its business model to include Vimeo’s OTT and launched their digital studio: The System Works. 

Once subscribed, users have access to over 800 fitness videos offered by System of Strength. Even with the world starting to open back up, the studio’s digital lead, Annette Grant, says System of Strength will continue to build on its SVOD offering. 

Everyone else was trying to find this Band-Aid to patch together a temporary solution. Instead of a Band-Aid approach, we were future-focused with OTT — not just as a temporary solution, but a long-term vision.

Annette Grant / The System Works

Advertising video on demand (AVOD) 

AVOD is different from the other types of VOD on our list because it’s either free or offers viewers affordable ways to consume content. 

It works like this. Businesses create content that people can view whenever they like, but the videos feature ads to gain revenue from advertisers. AVOD is a good entry-level way to get into VOD because it: 

• Has less barrier to entry for people who want to watch your content because it’s free!
• Can be watched without a traditional satellite or cable subscription.
• Is easy to scale once your audience grows.

The most prominent platform that utilizes AVOD for revenue is YouTube. AVOD is a quick and easy way to get revenue flowing. However, when analyzing one million Vimeo OTT subscribers, we found that this monetization model is most optimal for creators with a large customer base. If you are just getting started, SVOD is the best monetization model for you. 

Another way of using AVOD is by offering different pricing tiers to your consumers. For example, Hulu offers a multi-tiered subscription that escalates with more benefits – one of the benefit includes no ads while streaming. 

The good news is that there are now other ways businesses can make money through AVOD, thanks to the rise of influencer marketing and paid sponsorships. 

Transactional video on demand (TVOD)

The TVOD model is favored by creators who want to sell or rent out premium videos, and those who don’t want to get locked into a subscription. 

Content creators can promote specific “one-off” releases or events that subscribers can buy on top of their existing subscription. TVOD products work where SVOD doesn’t as it: 

• Allows you to release exclusive, timely content for extra revenue
• Gives you the freedom to offer single videos, series, or feature films

As it gives viewers a way to rent or purchase videos, it’s a great way for creators to expand their audiences without having to sell a monthly or annual subscription. 

This was the exact path ISC Sports took when they decided to blend its traditional SVOD revenue model with a transactional pay-per-view strategy. President Greg Maish says the pandemic changed things, opening up the door for potential partnerships with other organizations ISC sports work with through a revenue-share model.

Mr. Maish says offering TVOD and live pay-per-view to its customers has become a bargaining chip for the company.

The transactional rev share model has become part of our business proposal, and we can still roll the content back into the subscription side of our strategy, bringing an added benefit to our subscribers.

Greg Maish / ISC Sports

TVOD also has another category: live pay-per-view. These are often events like large conferences or UFC fights, where people pay a one-off fee to stream an event live. 

What is OTT?

Over-the-top (OTT) media is when content is streamed over the internet without the need for a cable or satellite subscription. 

The best-known examples of OTT are companies like Hulu, Netflix, Amazon Video, and Disney+, but there are other providers like Vimeo that don’t require cable TV—just an internet connection. 

While OTT may be the norm now, it’s important to think back only a decade ago to how we consumed media, when platforms like Netflix hadn’t made their mark. OTT has transformed how we consume content because we can: 

• Access it anywhere with an internet connection.
• View it not only on our TV, but our laptops, iPads, phones…. Even our watches!
• Choose when we want to watch it thanks to on-demand libraries.

OTT has become a lucrative tool for brands, small businesses, and influencers looking to build their businesses, expand their audiences, and increase revenue. And now you know what all these acronyms mean, it’s time to look at how you can implement VOD into your own business to create a revenue stream.

How to implement VOD in your business.

It’s clear that people want niche video content, and they are willing to pay for subscriptions to get it. 

Our own CEO, Anjali Sud, says we’re seeing five times more OTT channels being created now than this time last year. And those channels are getting 20 times more subscribers than in the past. 

The question is, how can your business get in on the action?

The first step is investing in the right equipment, and the most important piece is a VOD platform. When searching for a VOD platform, ask yourself some key questions: 

• Does this platform host your content and allow for monetization?
• Can it offer streaming across different device types? 
• Does it offer high-quality streaming?

Once you’ve chosen a VOD platform to host your videos on, you then need to decide which strategy you’re going to use to earn revenue: 

• SVOD: Customers pay for a recurring subscription (either weekly, monthly or annually) to access your entire content library. 
• AVOD: Customers can watch your content for free (like on YouTube), and your business earns revenue through paid ads
• TVOD: Customers purchase specific content from your library, like an episode or series, and pay a fixed price to watch it whenever they want. Businesses can also use TVOD to host one-off events and sell them through pay-per-view

Then, it’s time to create the content. Here are three tips to get you started.

1. Start building your content library

Content libraries are essential parts of any VOD business model, especially if you offer monthly or annual subscriptions to viewers. 

To make your library appealing, you’ve got to start building up content. Think about what makes platforms like Hulu and Netflix appealing.It’s because there is tons of content to watch for the price of a monthly subscription! 

Before you start advertising subscriptions, your library must have enough content in it to justify the subscription price. 

In early 2020, yoga studio Y7 was busy. 

The company had just launched 15 studios across three cities. And then, the pandemic hit—forcing the studio to go digital overnight. The team quickly started piecing together videos: their CFO turned into an editor, and their Ops Coordinator turned into a production manager. 

Within a few weeks, the team had created a backlog of content, and they were ready to start offering subscriptions to people who previously came to in-studio classes. People now have access to 200+ classes and 16,000 hours worth of content, and Y7 has picked up thousands of subscribers—even new folks who never even went to the studios in person.

People who have never had the chance to really experience Y7 in the studio are loving it, and just so appreciative that they’re able to get these kinds of flows.

Larson Levey / Y7

2. Stream from your own VOD homepage

Creating a sustainable revenue model for VOD is easier if you host your content library rather than depend on third parties like YouTube. 

This means setting up your own VOD library where you have control over what content you show and what prices you’ll charge for subscriptions. In most situations, the most challenging part of running an OTT business is maintaining the website. You would need a developer on deck 24/7 to keep the channel running smoothly. 

Luckily, with the right toolkit, you don’t need to know how to code to host your own VOD homepage. 

When New York City’s historic Apollo Theater took its shows online so they could still hold their fall season shows, they created a virtual stage. Apollo could then customize the digital experience for their viewers and live stream concerts to a larger audience. 

When Wyclef Jean kicked off Apollo’s Fall 2020 catalog, the event drew a virtual crowd equal to 140% of the venue’s capacity and racked up nearly 40,000 minutes of viewing time. Executive producer Kamilah Forbes says the virtual stage has helped Apollo adapt to reach newer audiences beyond in-person programming. 

3. Keep your content library fresh

Keeping content fresh and consistent is essential to VOD strategies, especially if your customers are paying for subscriptions. 

Uploading great content regularly is not only a great way to build a content library that attracts new customers, but it helps keep your existing subscribers happy. Platforms like Netflix consistently add new content to their library and replace older, license content with newer, original videos. 

What’s interesting about Netflix’s content library is that it hasn’t grown at a rapid pace. Instead, the platform keeps swapping out content so that subscribers always have something new to watch and ditches the content that is just taking up space in its library. 

What makes an enterprise-grade video platform?

To make professional-grade videos that are worthy of a subscription—you need the right platform. 

With over 1,000 OTT apps launched, creators are using Vimeo OTT to build VOD content libraries and scale their digital experiences through subscriptions. Vimeo has everything a business needs to get started with VOD streamlining, like: 

• Live streaming to supported apps across iOS, Android, tvOS, Amazon Fire, or desktop.
• A custom branded app and homepage so you don’t have to rely on third-party platforms.
• Analytics so you can see what content is popular, how long viewers watch for, and where they’re watching from.
• API and SDK support.

And the best part about investing in an enterprise-grade video platform like Vimeo is that you can do everything under one roof without having to piece together third-party tools or streaming platforms to show content to your audience. 

Want to learn more about VOD streaming? Check out Vimeo OTT today.

For many content creators, the opportunity to earn a living on YouTube is the holy grail. With success stories like Todrick Hall and Justin Bieber, it’s easy to see why.

In some cases, YouTube can catapult people to stardom. More often, it can become a viable way to make money doing something you love.

But despite how easy it is to create a channel and upload videos, making money on YouTube can be anything but straightforward. From complex monetization schemes to an everchanging algorithm, maximizing your earnings can feel like an impossible climb.

To help, this article offers eight straightforward tips on how to make money on YouTube.

1. Build a channel with a narrow focus.

How do you make money on YouTube? Step one is to forget about money altogether.

The first and arguably most important task is identifying the audience you’ll serve—in other words, who’s going to watch your channel?

Getting familiar with the most popular categories on the platform may help spark some ideas, but you don’t necessarily want to mimic what’s working for others.

Instead, we recommend finding the sweet spot between your own interests, hobbies, or passions, and the keywords that show the most promise.

For instance, if you wanted to start a channel about content marketing, you might start by searching YouTube to see if it’s a viable topic or survey the competition. Based on what you find, you’d ideally find a way to differentiate your content from what’s currently ranking.

Like Google Trends and Tubebuddy, several free and paid tools can help you research keyword volume and search trends on YouTube. Use keywords to identify target opportunities, but remember to stick to topics within your niche that your audience will care about.

 2. Get acquainted with Adsense.

Anyone wondering how to get paid on YouTube usually starts by understanding Google Adsense.

As an advertising program, Google Adsense enables content creators to make money on YouTube by allowing ads to run during their videos. How much money you’ll make is a bit of a mystery, but one thing we know for sure is that it’s heavily influenced by views and subscribers.

For example, if your best performing video earned 5,000 views in a month and 1 percent of those viewers clicked an ad, your payout is a function of ad clicks x advertiser bids. 

In this scenario, you earned 50 clicks. If an advertiser bid 25 cents per click, your payout is roughly $12.50.

It’s not a very lucrative way to make money on YouTube unless your channel earns hundreds of thousands of views each month. With Google’s 45 percent share of ad revenue, content creators only get to keep around half of the money their videos generate.

In other words, that $12.50 payout is more like $6.87.

3. Become a YouTube Partner.

Before you can take advantage of Google Adsense, you’ll need to join the YouTube Partner Program. To qualify, you must:

• Comply with YouTube’s monetization policies
• Live in a participating country or region
• Have 1,000 subscribers and at least 4,000 watch hours
• Have an Adsense account linked to your YouTube channel(s)

If you’re just getting started, earning subscribers and qualifying watch hours will require the most effort, but you’ll also want to make sure your channel meets YouTube’s policies and guidelines.

YouTube uses a combination of humans and automated workflows to review applications, which can take up to a month (thankfully, you can track your progress here). If you’re rejected from the program on your first attempt, you’ll need to wait another 30 days before you can re-apply.

4. Create sponsored content.

Success with influencer marketing comes down to leverage.

Generally speaking, if you have a decently sized audience and relevant, advertiser-friendly content, you’re in a much better position to secure partnerships with brands willing to pay top dollar — eventually.

According to Video Influencers, a channel aimed at helping content creators build influence and income, here are five proven ways to get sponsors on YouTube:

1. Reach out: Don’t wait for companies or brands to reach out to you. Find the companies and brands that might want to work with you. Don’t just think big—in the beginning, you may have more success with smaller or local companies.
2. Niche down and brand up: When potential sponsors visit your channel, it should be super obvious what you’re about and what kind of content you’re producing. Enable potential sponsors to spot alignment quickly with a solid niche and the branding to match.
3. Network: Sometimes the difference between not getting sponsored and getting sponsored is simply being present, whether that means periodically reaching out via email or engaging with a brand’s social media. Stay connected throughout the year to stay top of mind.
4. Sponsorship marketplaces: Sites like Grapevine connect eligible content creators with brands. You’ll need 2,000 subscribers to gain access to different brand deals and sponsorship opportunities on Grapevine. Eligibility may vary on similar sites.
5. Work on your content: The best way to get brand deals and sponsorships is to grow a channel that brands want to work with. While earning premium deals can often take years, an early-stage channel with a strong brand can still benefit from things the creator doesn’t have to pay for, like free products.

5. Allow your fans to send tips.

Becoming a YouTube Partner allows for more than ad-based revenue. It also enables content creators to passively collect donations through its Super Chat feature.

There are two main caveats to Super Chats: YouTube keeps 30 percent, and you’ll need to go live to receive them. The good news? Live streaming on social media is an extremely effective tool to drive real-time engagement on your channel.

Here are a few best practices when going live on YouTube:

Handle the technical stuff ahead of time

There are three ways to record live streams on YouTube: via webcam, mobile, or streaming software. If you decide to use streaming software like Streamyard, YouTube recommends setting it up at least two hours in advance. They also recommend keeping an eye on bandwidth to avoid broken or choppy streams.

Define a clear purpose for your live stream

The real-time nature of live streaming might suggest it’s alright to shoot the breeze, but if you’re serious about making money on the platform, every live stream should serve a clear purpose for viewers. Whether you’re making an announcement or hosting an AMA session, we recommend building structure into your presentation and having a plan to engage with your audience.

Give potential viewers an ample heads up

Although your subscribers can always catch the replay, it never compares to participating in the discussion in real-time. Plus, more viewers generally means more revenue. To build anticipation and maximize attendance, announce your stream in advance and spread the word on other social platforms.

Consider Super Chat alternatives

Super Chat is a native feature built directly into YouTube’s interface, which makes it an obvious choice when considering the user experience for your viewers. Unfortunately, Super Chat is also limited by YouTube’s 30 percent cut. To mitigate this, some content creators encourage viewers to donate via other avenues like Cashapp and PayPal during live streams.

6. Create and sell channel memberships.

Channel memberships are one of the most effective ways to drive recurring revenue on YouTube.

With channel memberships, viewers who “join” your channel pay a monthly fee to gain access to member-only perks like badges, emoji, and early-access or exclusive content.

Like the YouTube Partner Program, you must meet certain eligibility requirements to create and sell channel memberships:

• You’re in the YouTube Partner Program
• You have more than 1,000 subscribers
• You live in a participating country or region
• Your channel isn’t set as made for kids
• You comply with YouTube’s policies and guidelines
• Your channel doesn’t have a significant number of ineligible videos

Pricing your memberships will depend on audience demand and the exclusivity of your membership perks. For instance, does your niche lend itself to gated Q&A sessions where only members can participate during a live stream?

Reserve those kinds of high-value perks for your highest tier memberships and save the badges and emoji for the least expensive tier.

7. Sell products or merchandise.

If you have a successful channel, you will eventually want to make money outside of Youtube.

Selling products or merchandise works best when you already have an audience of devoted followers. From coffee mugs to sweatshirts, selling branded merchandise enables you to make money and connect more deeply with your audience. 

Best of all, if you have a large following, your channel can act like a referral engine that can consistently drive traffic to your store.

While YouTube offers the option to integrate your products directly onto video pages with its merch shelf feature, you’ll need at least 10,000 subscribers on a non-music, not-made-for-kids channel to qualify.

Luckily, the most accessible option — a simple link to your website — can also get the job done. Comedian and Myers-Briggs enthusiast Frank James includes a link to his shop in every video description (and he’s got way more than 10,000 subscribers).

8. Monetize your videos outside of YouTube.

For content creators, one of the biggest obstacles to making money on YouTube is the lack of control over factors that influence monetization.

At its discretion, YouTube may demonetize your content — and even if that never happens, you’re still at the mercy of its algorithm when it comes to showing up in user feeds and search results.

The solution? Monetize your YouTube videos outside of YouTube.

Use Vimeo OTT to make money from your YouTube videos

With Vimeo OTT, content creators can build their own video subscription channel with advanced selling options that give them more control over their earnings. Setup subscriptions, ads, and one-time purchases for all your live and on-demand videos, and make your content available on the apps your viewers already use.

“Since switching from YouTube to running my own subscription, I’ve been able to have more time with my family, the ability to focus more on what my subscribers want and need, and I’ve been able to earn more revenue — which helps to fund my business and give back to those who support us.”

– Millionaire Hoy

Use Vimeo + Patreon to start a SVOD channel

Exclusive content is the name of the game when it comes to building a successful SVOD channel. But maintaining that exclusivity can be downright impossible for YouTubers who aren’t eligible for channel memberships. With the Patreon and Vimeo partnership, you can create gated content for your most loyal fans without worrying about non-subscribers gaining access.

Best practices for getting more views on your videos

Getting eyeballs on your content is a must no matter how you plan on making money on YouTube. Here are our top three recommendations for getting more views:

Create relevant content

Having a niche is vital to growing your channel. It’s the guiding star that helps you decide which topics to cover based on your audience’s information or entertainment needs. That said, if you ever feel stuck, use YouTube’s trending page to help identify relevant and/or timely content in your category.

Create eye-catching thumbnails

As it turns out, people do judge a book by its cover. On YouTube, thumbnails are the new book covers, and if yours are consistently underwhelming, fewer people will bother to watch. To create click-worthy thumbnails for your videos, choose bright colors with high contrast, use high-resolution images, and experiment with animated GIFs — bonus points for conveying drama without click-baiting.

Promote your YouTube channel on other social platforms

It’s easy to devote most of your attention to acquiring subscribers directly on the platform, but you shouldn’t underestimate the promotion potential available on other social platforms. Whether you’re on Instagram, TikTok, Twitter, or Clubhouse, you’re bound to encounter people who might benefit from your YouTube content. Share your channel wherever that opportunity exists.

How to make money on YouTube in 2021.

Making money on YouTube may be complex, but it’s far from impossible. Give yourself a leg up by exploring all your options — from brand sponsorships to monetizing videos on an OTT platform.

Start your own subscription channel today.

Launching an Apple TV app might be easier than you think. 

As one of the most successful streaming boxes on the market, Apple TV — and its open-source framework — enables everyday content creators to put their existing video-on-demand content in front of TV-loving audiences.

That means no longer limiting subscribers to viewing their favorite shows and programs on mobile devices and web apps. It also means potentially reaching more customers since some people won’t bother unless they can watch from the comfort of their living rooms.

But before you can create your own app and begin repeating these benefits, you’ll have a few decisions to make. 

To help guide the process, we’ve outlined three ways to create an Apple TV app. Here’s everything you need to know.

What is a TV app?

TV apps are over-the-top (OTT) applications that allow viewers to stream video content natively from a given device. Whether that’s an Apple TV, Apple TV+, Android TV, or Roku, a TV app is typically purpose-built for a particular platform (more on that later).

In practice, having your own TV app means your subscribers can enjoy your content on their televisions in addition to mobile devices and web apps. All one needs to do is download the app to their preferred streaming device and choose their content.

With each TV app acting as its own “space” within the Apple TV operating system, your subscribers can browse your entire library of video-on-demand content much like someone might flip through different TV channels. The key difference? The only content on this “channel” is yours.

What is Apple TV?

Apple TV is a set-top box that supports live and video-on-demand streaming — and it’s come a long way since its debut in 2007.

The most notable change came in 2015 when Apple opened the tvOS platform to third-party developers. This update empowered anyone — not just big brands — to create their own Apple TV app, downloadable from the App Store.

Why Apple TV?

The streaming device landscape has also changed a lot since 2007. From Fire TV to Android TV, there’s no shortage of set-top boxes to choose from.

Why choose Apple TV? It comes down to reach.

According to data acquired by Finbold, mobile app spending is on the up — and many consumers seem partial to Apple. 

In the first six months of 2021, Apple users spent almost twice as much on apps from Apple’s App Store than Android users spent in the Google Play Store.

Although most of the revenue came from gaming apps, there are other reasons why prioritizing an Apple TV app (as opposed to other set-top box apps) might make the most sense.

The same Finbold survey revealed that Apple’s small business program reduces the App Store commission from 30 percent to 15 percent for developers earning less than $1M per year. 

Given that most smartphone users in the United States own an iPhone, it’s also possible these Apple users will be more inclined to purchase an Apple TV over other set-top boxes to “match” an existing Apple device.

How to create an Apple TV app

An Apple TV app is another way to extend the reach of your streaming service by making your video-on-demand content more accessible and convenient for subscribers.

But building and maintaining the app (and supporting end-users when things go wrong) introduces a new level of complexity to managing your video subscription business.

If you’re wondering which path to take to create an Apple TV app, here are three viable options worth considering.

Lease an Apple TV app (from Vimeo OTT)

Using an over-the-top platform like Vimeo OTT to build your Apple TV app is arguably the most cost and time-effective option for a video subscription business — and we’re not just saying that.

With Vimeo OTT, there’s no need to worry about coding, sourcing developers, or ongoing app maintenance. We’ll handle everything tech so you can focus on what you do best: creating great new content.

That includes building beautifully branded OTT apps, app development and submission, and 24/7 support for you and your subscribers. 

If that’s not enough, free migration services ensure all your video content is available across apps and devices. 

Most critically, working with an OTT platform like Vimeo OTT means you’ll gain access to in-depth, real-time analytics that help your team optimize video content performance.

Pay a developer to create an app from scratch

In some cases, out-of-the-box TV apps won’t cut it. If you’re looking for more advanced personalization than an OTT platform typically provides, you may want to consider hiring a developer to custom build your Apple TV app from scratch.

Going this route will likely be costly. TV apps aren’t interchangeable between platforms — each streaming device uses its own unique operating system and will require developers fluent in their respective coding schemas and languages.

In other words, if you start with an Apple TV app and decide you want to build an Android TV app later, that’ll cost you another round of app development services.

Develop it yourself

Are you a developer fluent in Javascript and Swift?

Depending on your skill level and app needs, you may be able to build an Apple TV app on your own. The advantage here is clear — save money — but the downside is the inevitable time investment. In addition to the initial setup and launch, you’ll need to stay vigilant about fixing bugs and resolving issues within the app.

Creating an Apple TV app doesn’t need to be hard

Expanding the reach of your video streaming service is usually on the agenda of every video subscription business.

But the process of getting there can be intimidating when you don’t know how best to begin. Our advice? Look into building a branded streaming app with a trusted partner like Vimeo OTT.

You’ll spare yourself the headache of migrations, the hiring or tying up of development resources, and the burdens of ongoing app development and customer support.

Create an Apple TV app with ease with Vimeo OTT.

Is a .tv domain worth it? That depends on who you ask.

Buying domain names has become increasingly difficult as the internet matures—not because the process is challenging, but because so many good ones are already taken.

You’ll notice this pretty quickly if you’re dead set on buying a .com domain for your website.

What’s a business owner to do? If your business is video and you’re already looking at or using an OTT platform, you can’t afford to overlook .tv domains as an option.

Here’s what you should know before taking the leap.

What is a .tv domain and how do I use it?

A .tv domain is an alternative to the commonly used .com domain. Aside from plugging a different extension into your address bar, a .tv domain works exactly the same way as any other top-level domain (TLD).

To better understand where a .tv domain fits, let’s take a closer look at some of the most commonly used domain extensions:

• .com: The general-purpose domain that most businesses opt for because it’s likely the first domain type people think of when they look for a website.
• .net: As an early alternative to .com domains, .net extensions are also general-purpose domains that are significantly less popular.
• .edu: Only accredited colleges and universities can register .edu domains.
• .org: As an open domain, anyone can register a .org extension, but nonprofit organizations typically use them.
• .gov: Unsurprisingly, only U.S. government and public sector organizations can register .gov domain extensions.
• .io: Despite being a country-specific domain, .io is open to anyone and has become increasingly popular with SaaS and technology companies. 

What’s in a domain?

With the exception of .com (and to a lesser extent .net), each of these domain extensions signifies different types of businesses.

While most are open domains (i.e. anyone can purchase one), closed domains like .edu and .gov hint at the benefits of choosing an alternative to the defacto .com.

In short, these domain extensions tell website visitors what to expect.

How do I use a .tv domain?

Registering for a .tv domain is as simple as searching for your preferred domain name on domain registrar sites like GoDaddy.

As the domain owner, you’ll gain access to the same features and options available to .com domain owners: dedicated servers, an SSL certificate, and managed services like domain privacy. Naturally, what’s included will depend on your chosen website hosting provider.

Benefits of a .tv domain

More than half of the world’s websites run on .com domains. Depending on your perspective, this may make the prospect of owning one more appealing (it’s the standard, after all), but .tv domains’ lack of popularity affords domain owners a few key advantages.

Use the same you really want.

The overwhelming popularity of .com domains means it’s harder to register a unique name that isn’t already taken.

Instead of purposefully misspelling your domain — or worse, choosing a domain name that’s entirely too long — see if the name you really want is available with a .tv domain. More available domains = increased odds of getting what you want.

Save money (and future solicitations).

If your preferred .com domain name is available, there’s a good chance there’s a hefty price tag attached. According to GoDaddy, carinsurance.com and insurance.com clock in at $49.7 and $35.6 million, respectively. Your chosen domain name probably won’t cost that much, but depending on the market, it may cost more than you’re willing to spend. It may also attract persistent domain buyers should the name become coveted in the domain market.

Set expectations with visitors.

For brands built on video streaming, a .tv domain lets potential visitors know what your website is about. Take Green.tv, for example. On the surface, Green is a sustainability-focused organization, but at its core, Green is also a media company. By using a .tv domain, Green’s URL quickly communicates to potential visitors what to expect.

Disadvantages of a .tv domain

The benefits of using a .tv domain boil down to differentiation (i.e. we’re a media site!) and purchasability.

As with anything, there are a few noteworthy drawbacks to keep in mind if you decide to buy one:

Consumer confusion

The popularity of .com extensions may make it hard for would-be customers to find your website. They may wind up on an entirely different site that has nothing to do with your business. Worse, they may give up looking for you after their first attempt fails.

SEO disadvantages

Using a .tv domain may also make it harder for would-be customers to discover your website when searching the web for solutions. For example, if someone owns a .com version of your domain name, you’ll be competing in search engine results pages (SERPs) since the names are identical. You’ll also need to be more vigilant and nuanced in your SEO/SEM strategy.

Is a .tv domain right for your business?

There is only one scenario where using a .tv domain makes perfect sense: when you’re a video content or media-focused organization. Whether that takes the form of online fitness studio or e-learning business, the same best practices for domain buying apply:

Consider keywords and localization

If it makes sense for your business, consider a .tv domain name that speaks to consumers in a certain geographical area.

Keep it short and simple

Nobody likes a long URL. Okay, maybe nobody cares — but short URLs are easier to remember, faster to type, and pack a solid branding punch when you (or your customers) share your website. The same goes for spelling: keep wacky word variations out of it if you can help it.

No numbers, hyphens, or tongue twisters

Keeping it simple also means avoiding certain words that may be hard to spell, speak, or pronounce. Don’t use numbers or hyphens in your domain name either — you’ll only muddy the waters for potential customers. Make it easy for them to find you!

Act quickly — even if you’re not ready

Marketable domain names disappear quickly. If you’re still toying with the idea of buying your own domain, don’t stall until you’ve figured out everything from website copy to product offerings. As soon as you realize your chosen name is available, pull the plug and lock it in.

The .tv domain advantage

Going against the grain can be off-putting, even when it comes to something as relatively low-stakes as choosing a domain name. If the idea of paying significantly more attention to things like SEO makes you nervous — and if your heart is set on getting or maintaining a .com domain, fear not.

With the right configuration, you can link to your .tv domain from your .com website, solving a lot of the branding and search engine challenges associated with alternative domains while also making it clear your business has a video site.

Looking to start your video business? Check out Vimeo OTT.