Ever wondered how some of your favorite esports personalities can make money as professional commentators? Well, you’re in luck as I write this and I hope to share with you today how exactly how you can make money as a commentator.
Every day you read blogs, watch videos and listen to audio. There is so much information out there on the Internet that it’s difficult to keep up with it all. This is where you come in.
By commenting, you can help others understand the things being said by providing your own thoughts. Thus, you can assist them in making the right decision about the subject at hand. Here are the best ways to make money as a commentator especially if you are just starting.
1. Look for Opportunities with Local Sporting Clubs and Leagues
If you love sports and you have the gift of gab, then why not consider making some extra cash from sports commentary? There are a number of ways to do this, but it is important to consider your local sporting clubs and leagues first. These smaller, less official sports events are perfect for someone with very little experience in the field.
As a new commentator, you’ll be able to practice your skills in many different situations, rather than being thrown in at the deep end of covering just one league or club. The key here is to not only commentate on the match in progress but also build relationships with other players in the community.
This way, when opportunities arise for commentators, you are likely to be one of the first people asked. Another option is to offer your services as a commentator during private functions. In general, these events will have their own specific requirements, so it is important to clarify these before you begin your work.
2. Record Podcasts
Listening to podcasts is a common way to get news, insight, and even entertainment, but did you know you can be on them? Podcasts are a growing medium that many people make money from. A podcast is a great way to speak about any topic. You can talk about your ideas or current events.
The good thing is that you can be featured as a guest speaker on other people’s podcasts too. They can feature you on their website, YouTube channel, or iTunes channel. If you are confident and think that you have something to offer, start your own podcast and monetize it.
You can get sponsors for your podcasts. Earn money by selling ad space within your podcast feed, thus making it accessible to premium individuals and businesses with similar interests. It’s not easy to start, but there are a lot of online tutorials available. For example, I will take the liberty of mentioning mine. Read the article on how to start a podcast. Furthermore, you can compare the best podcast software to determine which one suits your needs the most.
SEE: Here are helpful tips to make money with podcasts
3. Commentate on School and Church Sports Events
The high school’s varsity basketball team has a big game scheduled for this Friday. Are you a good commentator? Can you analyze the plays and predict who will win? Then start looking for opportunities to get to those high school games. The same goes for church sports leagues and the scouts.
School and church sports are usually a big deal to the participants, and they draw crowds of parents and family members. Commentating can begin with announcing at a church event or PTA meeting. As a commentator for school or church sports events, you can let your own sports background shine through by providing play-by-play highlights and analysis.
To get started, reach out to your local track and field association or high school to see if they have any requirements for commentators. Then, leverage that connection to offer commentary at nearby events.
4. Take Speaking Appearances Gigs
If you want to make money as a speaker or commentator, you’ll need to approach these opportunities from a different angle. You’ll need some ‘pitch’ in addition to your usual banter and personality.
Speak in public. More people are getting paid to speak in public. That’s right, more than ever before. The more you speak the more you get paid. If you want to make money as a commentator, you need to take part in public speaking events to give your demos and sell yourself as a speaker.
To do this well, you must have a good delivery that holds its attention or will get too long if it drags on. Always prepare seriously, remember that it is not about delivering the speech but telling stories that build-up to the final point.
5. Do Sponsored Videos
When it comes to making money as a commentator, many people are hesitant because they believe they have to do something extreme or inappropriate. This is usually not the case. Many companies like Xbox allow you to make money just by giving your opinion in a video, without doing anything inappropriate or extreme.
To make money as a commentator, you have to have a following. Commentating requires you to be entertaining or engaging enough to keep the audience’s attention. That is why many commentators are very popular in their own right. You can certainly create your own videos and “sell” them to a sponsor, but you will find that it is difficult unless you already have a large following.
It is much more rewarding to use your social media skills and create sponsored content that matches your brand. If you have been in the game for a while, you’ll be able to consult and join affiliate programs, which will provide you with pointers for signing up for them. The simplest way to earn money is through sponsored videos.
6. Offer Your Services as a Guest Commentator at Local Events
You can make money as a commentator in a number of ways. Commentating is a fun and engaging hobby, which can lead to a way to make some money. To start, you’ll need to know where you can find events that pay commentators.
You can find events that are not covered by the current commentators near you and offer your services. You can network locally to find these events if you do not have any connections within the industry.
Or, you can use social media to publicize your services so that event managers will come to know your name if they want someone to cover their event as a commentator or even master of ceremonies.
7. Broadcast on Twitch
If you love video games, one of the best ways you can make money as a commentator is by creating and broadcasting gaming content to your followers on Twitch. Twitch is a platform dedicated to live-streamed content that draws massive attention from gamers worldwide. Thousands of people broadcast their games to viewers on a daily basis.
Broadcasting live on platforms like Twitch can be a great way to make additional income as a commentator. Twitch allows you to broadcast your gaming, through an audio commentary, using their platform. You can also offer coaching and in-game tutorials to people who are willing to pay for your expertise.
Plenty of people play video games, but making a career out of it is an entirely different story. If you want to make ends meet as a Twitch commentator, you need to take it seriously and build your brand.
Just sign up to Twitch, a free service to broadcast gameplay footage and commentary on your computer or console. You can then link your channel to Amazon affiliate products. But it’s only when you start getting huge amounts of traffic that you can really make money from it. People can make money through ad revenue, subscription fees, and donations from viewers.
SEE: Discover the best ways to make money on Twitch
8. Become a Journalist for Your Local Newspaper
When you are commenting on a field of expertise, journalism can be a great way to make money. You will either work for yourself as an entrepreneur or as part of a team writing for a news website. Working as a journalist is an honorable profession, but there aren’t many jobs out there.
If you have a passion for sports and the outdoors, consider writing for your local newspaper. Many papers have specific sections devoted to sports, or camping and hunting issues. Writing about sports is one way to make extra money on the side.
If you get lucky and get a job at your local newspaper (they will hire almost anyone), then you’re on your way to making money as a journalist. Here are some other ways to do it: write for other blogs, sell your op-ed pieces to local newspapers, or purchase a laptop and create your own news blog.
In the end, the choice to be a commentator is a personal one. However, there are numerous ways in which you can earn money or achieve your goals as a commentator.
SEE: Here are the best ways to make money as a journalist
9. Do Voiceovers
Most people think of the good ole movie trailer when they hear the word “voiceover.” There are opportunities out there for you to provide your services as a voiceover artist. Whether it be radio ads or narration at sporting events, this is a great way to make some extra cash.
As a commentator, you can do voiceovers for video games, animations, corporate videos, documentaries, and explainer videos. Commentators are common in sports and other competitive fields since it’s much easier to listen to an expert explain something than to watch them do it themselves.
If you’re talented with a microphone, this is an excellent way to make a little money on the side. You can search for opportunities on freelance sites like oDesk and Voice123. You can also reach out to individual clients directly if you have a contact in mind.
There are so many jobs out there for people with a decent voice. If you have even a small bit of confidence that you can be entertaining, try to jump on some (radio, podcast) opportunities. You never know what connections you might make or audience members you might reach.
SEE: Explore tips to make money with your voice
10. Consider Marketing Products Using Your Expertise
Do you make a living as a commentator? If you have valuable information about a topic, you could help companies build an audience for their products. For this strategy to be effective, you must create quality content that is original and clearly relevant to the product.
As a commentator, the needs of the marketer and your expertise in the field will determine how you are compensated for your services. You’ll be surprised at how many companies will pay writers/commentators with expertise to market their products.
How Much Money Can You Make as a Commentator?
From the top earners down to the 25th percentile, commentators can make an average yearly salary that ranges from $29,000 to $38,000. How much money you make as a commentator really depends on what you’d like to do with the job.
If your main priority is having a full-time income and making tons of cash, look for sponsorship and advertising opportunities. If you’re looking for part-time income while enjoying your time as a commentator, focus on doing live streams for social media.
FAQs
Does a commentator need to work in the sports industry alone?
No, there is so much more to commentary outside the sports world. From reality TV shows to the news and even documentaries, So, the diversity of opportunities is endless. Starting with what you are passionate about will give you a head start. As a commentator, your job is to present stories in a way that captures the audience’s attention.
What skills do you need to become a commentator?
There is no set skill you need to get started as a commentator. However, being able to offer informed opinions about different topics is essential for success. You also need to have strong communication skills. You’ll also need to be able to explain clearly what’s going on, in simple terms that can be understood by anyone listening. Furthermore, you need to have a drive for self-improvement and a hunger for knowledge.
Final Thoughts
Commentating isn’t necessarily something that happens overnight–in fact, it can take a number of years before you get noticed by sponsors. All the same, it’s never been easier to get started thanks to the overwhelming amount of resources available online. Put in some time and effort and you’ll have no trouble finding your start as a commentator.
With these ideas in mind, hopefully, you’re that much closer to making money as a commentator. After all, staying motivated is half the battle, and there’s no need to be shy about your aspirations.
Match commentating can be a full-time profession or you can do it on the side to supplement your income. Streaming and YouTube are both excellent options for anyone interested in match commentating, and I hope that this article has helped you get started.
As a commentator, you can also make money in the sports industry, it doesn’t have to be about your voice alone. For more information, read the article that highlights the top sports business ideas to make money for sports enthusiasts.
Thanks for reading.
