**I Made $120,598 Re-Uploading Videos on YouTube... Here’s How**
When you hear stories of people making six figures from YouTube, it’s easy to assume they’re filming original content, vlogging, or spending hours creating tutorials. But what if I told you that it’s possible to make money without creating a single original video? That’s exactly what I did—I made $120,598 by simply re-uploading videos on YouTube, and I’m about to break down how you can do it too.
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### Step 1: Understand the Basics
Before jumping in, it’s crucial to understand that re-uploading videos on YouTube isn’t about stealing someone else’s content. That’s not only unethical but also against YouTube’s terms of service. What I did was find **royalty-free, creative commons, and public domain** content that can legally be reused. These types of videos allow you to repurpose and re-upload them with proper credit or modifications, and they’re often created for sharing.
The YouTube algorithm doesn’t care whether the video is brand new or repurposed. What matters is that the content is engaging, relevant, and optimized for search. By tapping into content that already exists in the public domain, I saved myself the hassle of shooting, editing, and scripting videos while still cashing in on the platform.
### Step 2: Finding Content You Can Re-Upload
The key to making money re-uploading videos is finding the right type of content. Here are some of the sources where I found valuable material:
1. **Creative Commons (CC) Videos on YouTube**: YouTube has a built-in filter for Creative Commons content. Just search for videos in your niche, apply the Creative Commons filter, and you’re free to download, edit, and re-upload these videos to your own channel.
2. **Public Domain Websites**: Websites like **Archive.org** and **Pexels** offer videos in the public domain, meaning they’re not protected by copyright, and you can use them freely.
3. **Stock Footage**: Some stock video websites like **Pixabay** or **Videvo** provide free footage you can use without attribution. You can re-upload compilations or make creative edits to these clips.
4. **NASA or Government Footage**: Believe it or not, NASA footage, as well as many government-related videos, are public domain and free for anyone to use.
Once I had my hands on legal-to-use footage, it was time to start crafting my videos.
### Step 3: Add Your Unique Twist
Re-uploading videos doesn’t mean you can just take a video and post it as is. To maximize revenue and avoid any potential copyright issues, I always recommend adding a unique twist. This could be:
- **Editing the Video**: Trim parts that aren’t relevant, rearrange clips to tell a better story, or merge several Creative Commons clips to create a compilation.
- **Adding a Voiceover**: Explaining the video or adding commentary can make it feel like your own. Even if you’re just narrating existing footage, this adds a layer of originality to the content.
- **Inserting Text or Annotations**: Adding captions, facts, or subtitles can boost engagement and improve user experience.
For example, I created **motivational videos** by combining public domain nature footage with a voiceover of famous motivational speeches. I also edited cooking footage, adding quick tips on how to make simple recipes, and that generated a ton of views.
### Step 4: Consistency is Key
Like any YouTube channel, consistency is what really makes a difference. It’s tempting to upload one or two videos and expect to make thousands, but YouTube doesn’t work like that. I set a goal to upload **at least three videos a week**, and over time, I scaled this up to daily uploads.
The beauty of re-uploading videos is that once you get the hang of finding content, editing, and posting, you can batch-create multiple videos in one sitting. Sometimes, I’d create 10–15 videos in a weekend and schedule them for future uploads. This gave me time to focus on other aspects like improving my thumbnails, descriptions, and search engine optimization (SEO).
### Step 5: Optimize for SEO
YouTube is essentially a search engine for videos, and just like Google, keywords are crucial. I used tools like **TubeBuddy** and **VidIQ** to find trending keywords and phrases that people were searching for. Once I knew what was popular, I tailored my titles, descriptions, and tags accordingly.
For instance, one of my top-performing videos was a compilation of **relaxing nature sounds**. By using keywords like “relaxation music,” “sleep sounds,” and “nature ambiance,” I ensured my video was ranking high in search results. The more views I got, the more YouTube’s algorithm promoted my video to other viewers.
**Pro Tip**: Your **thumbnail** is just as important as the title. A compelling thumbnail grabs attention and increases click-through rates. I always made sure my thumbnails were high quality and clearly conveyed what the video was about.
### Step 6: Monetizing Your Channel
Here’s where the magic happens: monetization. To qualify for YouTube’s **Partner Program**, I needed at least **1,000 subscribers** and **4,000 watch hours** in the past year. It took some time, but by following the steps above, I hit that milestone within **six months**.
Once I got accepted into the program, I started earning ad revenue through Google AdSense. On average, my **CPM (Cost Per Mille)**—the amount of money I earn per 1,000 views—was around **$5–$7** for most videos. However, niche videos like **financial tips** or **motivational content** tend to attract higher CPM rates, sometimes up to **$20 or more** per 1,000 views.
In addition to AdSense, I monetized through:
- **Affiliate marketing**: I placed affiliate links in my descriptions for products or services mentioned in the videos.
- **Sponsorships**: As my channel grew, I attracted small sponsorship deals.
- **Merchandise**: Once I hit a larger subscriber count, I offered branded merchandise.
### Step 7: Scaling Up
Once I saw the potential for growth, I didn’t stop at one channel. I created multiple YouTube channels in different niches—motivational videos, relaxing music, educational clips—and replicated the process. Each new channel became another stream of income, and combined, they led to the $120,598 that I made.
The more videos I uploaded, the more passive income I generated. YouTube is a platform where older videos continue to make money long after they’ve been uploaded, which meant that every new video I posted added to my earnings over time.
### Final Thoughts: Can You Do This Too?
Absolutely. Re-uploading videos on YouTube is one of the simplest ways to get started, especially if you’re not comfortable in front of the camera or don’t have the skills to produce original content. The key is to use content that’s in the public domain or licensed for reuse, add your unique spin, and remain consistent with uploads.
While it’s not a get-rich-quick scheme, with time and effort, re-uploading videos can become a lucrative side hustle or even a full-time income. If you stick to it, the earnings potential is limitless. So, start your YouTube journey today—you might just be the next person to say, “I made six figures re-uploading videos on YouTube.”