7 Online Video Monetisation Platforms (+ The Logic Behind Them)

Video monetisation doesn’t fail because creators choose the wrong platform.
It usually fails because creators expect the same monetisation behaviour from very different platforms.

Posting consistently and improving over time still matters. But recent data shows that more than half of content creators earn less than $15,000 annually, a level many experts consider below meaningful monetisation. while the majority haven’t monetised at all.What holds many back isn’t effort  it’s expecting the same outcomes from platforms built to reward very different behaviours.

What holds many back isn’t effort, it’s expecting the same outcomes from platforms built to reward different behaviour.

Each platform nudges creators toward a specific kind of value exchange. Understanding that difference matters far more than chasing views.

Suppose you run a YouTube channel that averages 50,000 views per video. One month, ad revenue looks decent. The next month, views are similar, but earnings drop because CPMs (Cost per Mille) change or distribution shifts. Nothing about your effort changed  the outcome.

Now compare that to a creator whose videos get 3,000 focused views. Those viewers are actively trying to solve a problem. A small percentage signs up for a paid workshop or coaching session. The numbers are smaller, but the revenue is predictable.

That’s the difference views don’t show.

Views are easy to measure, which is why they became the default metric. But they only capture attention. They don’t capture trust or intent.

Most video monetisation still relies on ads, and ads depend on variables creators can’t control. That’s why reach alone doesn’t translate into income.

Views signal attention.  Intention is what converts.

What Audiences Actually Pay For

People don’t pay for videos themselves.
They pay for what videos help them do.

That usually means:

• Understanding something more easily
• Getting access to deeper guidance that isn’t scattered across multiple videos
• Avoiding mistakes that cost time or money
• Learning a skill without repeated trial and error

Payment happens when content reduces effort for the viewer. That’s also where trust comes in. When two creators publish similar content, outcomes differ because one builds clarity and confidence, while the other only accumulates views.

How Different Platforms Actually Monetise Video

Let’s look at platforms the way creators experience them, not the way they’re usually explained.

1.YouTube

YouTube is where most people start. It’s built for discovery and scale. Your videos can show up months or even years later through search or recommendations.

How it pays:
Long-form videos usually earn around $1–$5 per 1,000 views through ads, depending on niche and audience. Shorts pay much less, often just a few cents per 1,000 views, because the revenue is pooled.

Why it works:
Your content keeps working long after you post it.
You can reach people who don’t know you yet.

What to keep in mind:
Ad income is unpredictable.
Shorts views feel big but pay very little.

2.Instagram

Instagram isn’t really a “pay per video” platform. It’s more like a visibility engine. People get familiar with you before they ever consider paying.

How it pays:
Money usually comes from brand deals, services, affiliates, workshops, or collaborations. Earnings can range from a few thousand to several lakhs per deal, depending on trust and niche.

Why it works:
People get used to seeing you regularly.
Conversations are easy to start.

What to keep in mind:
There’s no stable platform payout.
Content disappears quickly if you stop posting.

Also read: Benefits of Affiliate Marketing for Your Online Course Business

3.Graphy

Graphy is for creators who have a skill worth monetizing. Creators convert their knowledge into videos which can then be hosted as online courses.

How it pays:
Creators sell structured courses or programs, with pricing usually ranging from $50 to $2,000+ based on scope, guidance, and outcomes.

Why it works:
Video is organised into clear learning paths, not scattered content.

Better structure leads to higher engagement and follow-through
Monetisation is tied to outcomes learners care about, not views

What to keep in mind :
Works best when the course has a clear goal or transformation

Engagement depends on structure, not just content quality

4.Kajabi

Kajabi is similar to Graphy but more expensive. It is for turning knowledge into a structured learning product. It’s less about posting often and more about teaching clearly.

How it pays:
Creators earn by selling courses, cohorts, communities, or memberships. There’s no per-view payout. Pricing depends on the outcome, not reach.

Why it works:
People pay for structure and certainty.

Fewer buyers can still mean good income.

What to keep in mind :
High effort before launch.
Not great for casual or frequent posting.

Also read: Top 5 Kajabi Alternatives for Creators to Monetize Their Expertise.

5. Patreon

Patreon works when people want to support your work over time, not just buy something once.

How it pays:
Monthly subscriptions, usually $3–$15 per month per supporter. Income grows slowly as loyal members stack up.

Why it works:
Predictable recurring revenue.
Strong bond with core audience.

What to keep in mind :
It’s hard to grow fast.
Needs consistent long-term effort.

6.Substack

Substack is about thinking, not virality. Video usually plays a supporting role here.

How it pays:
Paid subscriptions, often $5–$15 per month or yearly plans. People pay to keep receiving your perspective.

Why it works:
High trust and audience ownership.
Income feels steady once established.

What to keep in mind :
Discovery is slow.
Video isn’t the main driver.

7.Circle

Circle is where creators bring people together. Video sparks discussion, but interaction is the real product.

How it pays:
Access-based pricing, often $25–$200 per month, or bundled into programs and cohorts.

Why it works:
Deep engagement and strong retention.
People pay to participate, not watch.

What to keep in mind :
Needs active moderation.
Audience size stays intentionally small.

How Video Turns Into Revenue

Creators who monetise well tend to see video as the anchor, not the end product.

Video does the first part of the work. It attracts the right people, demonstrates understanding, and builds trust. Revenue comes later, through what’s offered once that trust exists (courses, communities, services, or programs).

This is also why ads rarely work as a primary strategy for niche creators. Ads reward scale, not intent. Monetisation grows more reliably when video leads into formats that extend value.

Direct and Indirect Monetisation

Direct monetisation is simple.
Someone watches and pays immediately.

Indirect monetisation takes longer.

 Someone watches, sticks around, trusts you, and then pays for help making progress.

Neither is “better”. The real question is this:

How does your audience already behave?

 Save your content? Or do they just watch and move on?

Video does the same first job everywhere. It gets attention and signals whether you’re worth listening to.
What happens next is what decides revenue.

If people can only watch, monetisation stays shaky.
If they can do something next, income gets steadier.

Moving forward 

The online course industry is booming, but here’s the hard truth—most courses don’t make it.

Over 85% of online courses fail to retain students, and a major reason is poor platform usability and lack of engagement.

Research shows that the average completion rate for online courses hovers around 15%, with some dropping as low as 3-5%.

The solution? An intuitive platform, interactive content, and a smart marketing strategy.

And Graphy solves exactly this.

Graphy has helped over 200K creators launch and sell their AI-first courses, webinars, memberships and other digital products.

Get your free consultation today!