How to Make Money as a Commentator (10 Profitable Ideas)

Your favorite e-sport personalities are making money as professional commentators. While you might be aware of this fact, you might not know how exactly they achieve this. In this post, we will explain just how they do so and how you can do the same if you wish. If you are reading this you are likely a sports junkie, trying your hardest to keep up with all of the happenings in the sports news cycle. With so much going on, it is very challenging to stay on top of everything. That is exactly where commentators come in.

Commentators help to compile, collate, curate, and contextualize current events in the sports world by sharing their own thoughts about the matters. Those who listen to or read your commentary can then make decisions based on the subject you are commenting on.

With that said, you might be curious about how aspiring commentators are getting into the money-making game. We got you covered. Let’s dive in.

How to Make Money as a Commentator

1. Seek Out Openings At Local Leagues And Sports Clubs

If you have the gift of gab and an affinity for sports, why not try out sports commentary for some extra cash? While this can be achieved via various methods, you should consider your local sports clubs and leagues first, as the less official sporting events are ideal for someone who is a novice to the job. Rather than being thrown into a tough situation, you might not be ready for with a job in a single league, while working smaller commentating jobs at moderately sized local clubs will allow you to hone your commentary skills.

However, the gig is more than just commentating on a particular match, but also growing relationships with various community players. By doing so, you increase the chances of being asked to commentate when opportunities come about. You could also offer commentating services for private functions, though it is is vital to clear up any particular requirements that these almost always have.

2. Podcast Recording

Many people get their sports news and updates by listening to podcasts. If you have the time and the knowledge about various sports, why not start a podcast of your own? People are increasingly making money by hosting podcasts. The best thing about them is the platform is entirely your own, so you can speak on any topic you please, including speaking on current events and sharing your unique perspective.

Aside from hosting your own podcast, you can also be a featured guest on podcasts hosted by others. You can be a featured commentator on someone else’s podcast, website, iTunes channel, or YouTube channel. These opportunities will likely increase in frequency if you host a podcast of your own and get your name out there.

So how exactly do you make money with a podcast? First, you can get selling ad space during your podcast, with advertisers buying the time for the promotion of their products or services, in a form of professional sponsorship. This will make your podcast an interesting place not only for listeners but also businesses and premium individuals in the sphere.

While starting is not the easiest thing in the world, plenty of online tutorials offer ample assistance in starting a podcast. You will also want to research the best software to use for podcasts that fits your specific podcasting needs.

3. Commentate On Sporting Events Held By Church And Schools

Your commentating gigs don’t always need to be on a grand scale. If you can call the action and analyze a varsity basketball game, you can reach out to schools, churches, or local organizations that host sporting events. These events draw families and friends of participants so there is certainly a captive audience present. The events also don’t need to be of a sporting variety either. You can commentate on other church events, PTA meetings, etc.

If you are interested in these types of gigs, you can start by reaching out to your local track and field organization, high school, or church and check if they have upcoming events they are looking for commentators to participate in.

4. Speaking Appearances

Not all opportunities for a commentator or speaker will be similar in nature. Sometimes, you need to come at them from different angles. This could involve ‘pitching’ your commentary skills by taking on public speaking engagements which will help illustrate your personality and accessible banter.

The fact is, most commentators are paid for public speaking. The more speaking engagements you get, the more you earn, and it opens up opportunities for demoing one’s commentary skills as a method of self-promotion. To be successful at this you must be a speaker who holds your audience’s attention, never dragging on or getting stale with your verbiage. Remember, it is all about the stories you tell and how you climax to its final point, not the delivery, so prepare accordingly.

5. Sponsored Videos

People often believe that they need to do something risky, inappropriate, or extreme to make money as a commentary, but that simply isn’t true most of the time. In fact, many companies are happy to pay you for just staying your honest opinion without any extreme antics. Xbox is one example.

If you are going to be a successful commentator, you need to have people who are willing to listen to what you have to say, or in other words, a following. To achieve that you need to show a good personality, be entertaining, and be able to engage your audience’s attention. That is the true key to being a good commentator. It is far simpler to get noticed by sponsors when you have a sizable following because brands want maximum eyes and ears on their products. While you can generate video content and try to “sell” brands on it, that route is a far more challenging one.

Rather than have it be forced, creating sponsored content that matches your particular brand using your social media savvy is far more rewarding. Those who have been working at this for some time will be able to join affiliate programs that will not only pay royalties for helping to sell their brand’s products but will also offer guidance as to how to sign up for them. Once your videos have sponsors, you have unlocked one of the easiest ways to make an income as a commentator.

6. Guest Commentating Services At Local Events

Among the ways to make money as a commentator is to find events looking for the services of one. You can look for local events that are not being covered by a commentator, then reach out and offer your services. When you participate in these events, talk to people, make connections, and establish a network that you can dip into later when you are looking for more commentating gigs.

Additionally, you can leverage social media to market your services. Event managers commonly look to social media streams to find good commentating voices, and if they know you by name through prior networking connections, you might more readily be encountered with commentating opportunities.

7. Twitch Streaming

Gamers can make a full-time living by streaming on Twitch and commentating as they play through popular games. Twitch, a platform specifically geared at live-streamers, draws a ton of global attention with streamers broadcasting created game content to their followers to the tune of thousands per day.

Even if you don’t make a full-time living off of Twitch, it is a great way to make some extra cash. The platform permits you to broadcast yourself playing a game while doing your own commentary for a soundtrack. Many people love to watch these as they struggle with the games and find the idea of someone playing them live helpful, valuable, and appealing.

Sure, making a career out of playing video games is challenging. You cannot simply jump into it and make a full-time income. You need to build your brand, which requires serious effort, time, energy, and work. But you can’t earn if you don’t get started. Luckily, starting is simple. Just log on and broadcast your gameplay while adding commentary.

You can earn additional funds by adding affiliate links to your channel from sites like Amazon. As your traffic grows, the monetization methods you are applying will really start making you money, including from sources such as ad revenue, subscription dues, and even viewer donations.

8. Become a Local Journalist

If you are an expert in a particular field, you can leverage it to write about it in a journalistic sense for money. Whether you work solo or as part of a team on a news website, a position of a journalist is an honorable one. It is also not an easy one to come by. But, if you have a passion for a topic such as outdoor matters or sports, you can consider writing for a local publication. Many local papers have sections devoted specifically to outdoor activities and sports, and by making contributions to such mediums, you can earn extra income.

Interestingly, local newspapers are happy to hire people, so you may end up being able to write about topics you like for some extra cash. You can also write op-eds and sell them to local newspapers, write as a contributor to various blogs, or start a blog of your own.

9. Voiceover Work

When most people hear about a “voiceover” they think of a deep voice speaking over a movie trailer. But there are many other means by which voiceover artists’ talents are needed. This includes narration of sporting events or even radio ads. You can also provide voiceovers for corporate videos, documentaries, explainer videos, and video games. Competitive fields, including sports, are great opportunities for commentators since people often prefer to hear something be explained than to just watch something be done.

If you have some skills with microphone interaction, you can make really good money in this line of work. You can freelance to pick up odd voice gigs on Voice123, oDesk, and various other sites. If you do a good job, clients may continue to seek out further services personally.

A decent voice can be a lucrative tool. If you have confidence in your abilities and can be entertaining on top of that, give a shot at some voice opportunities in radio or podcasting. When you participate in projects like this, you secure new connections and reach new audiences. You just never know what types of opportunities these connections might bring your way in the future.

10. Use Your Experience To Market Products

If you possess valuable knowledge on a particular subject, you could assist companies in expanding their customer base for their products. To achieve this, you need to create high-quality content that is original and directly related to the product.

As a commentator, your compensation for services will depend on the marketer’s requirements and your proficiency in the field. It may come as a surprise, but many companies are willing to pay writers or commentators who possess expertise in their niche to promote their products.

How Much Money Can A Commentator Earn?

Commentators can earn an average yearly salary ranging from $29,000 to $38,000, starting from the top earners and going down to the 25th percentile. The amount of money one can make as a commentator largely depends on their goals for the job.

If your primary aim is to earn a full-time income and maximize your earnings, you should seek out sponsorship and advertising opportunities. On the other hand, if you’re looking for a part-time income while enjoying your role as a commentator, you should focus on doing live streams for social media.

Is the sports industry the only one that has a demand for commentators?

Commentary is not limited to sports; there are countless other areas where it is applicable. From reality TV programs to current affairs and documentaries, the range of possibilities is vast. If you focus on your areas of interest, you can gain an early advantage. Your role as a commentator is to convey narratives in a compelling manner that captivates the audience.

Closing Thoughts

Becoming a commentator is not an overnight process and it may take several years before sponsors take notice of you. However, with the plethora of online resources available, starting has never been easier. Dedicate sufficient time and effort, and you’ll be able to kickstart your career as a commentator without any trouble. By keeping these tips in mind, you can move closer to earning money as a commentator. Remember, motivation is key, and there’s no need to be hesitant about your aspirations.

Commentating on matches can either be a full-time job or a supplementary source of income. If you’re interested in pursuing this field, both streaming and YouTube provide great opportunities to do so. I hope this article has provided some helpful tips to assist you in getting started.

If you’re currently reading about how to make money as a commentator, our next article is a great addition to your entrepreneurial toolkit! We’ll share practical tips and creative ideas on how to make money on weekends, which could provide you with additional income streams. So, don’t miss out on this opportunity to maximize your earning potential. Keep reading for more inspiration!

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