Are you an avid movie watcher who has been dreaming of a way to get paid to write about what you love most? You can make your dreams come true by becoming a paid reviewer for movie reviewing websites.
The opportunities are endless. You can become a reviewer for the popular movie websites like Rotten Tomatoes or IMDb, or you can branch out and try your hand at reviewing more obscure titles. It’s important to keep in mind the types of movies and genres that are commonly covered by these reviewing websites.
Popular Genres & Movies
Movie reviewing websites cover a wide variety of movies from the most famous to the most obscure. It’s important to note that not all content is available for review. The majority of content is paid for by advertisers, so it’s often restricted by what’s considered appropriate for public consumption. However, you can often find free-to-access information online if you know where to look.
The following are some of the most popular genres and the corresponding websites that cover them:
- Comedy: Rotten Tomatoes, IMDb
- Sci-Fi: IMDb, Wikipedia
- Action: Rotten Tomatoes, IMDb
- Thriller: Rotten Tomatoes, IMDb
- Horror: Rotten Tomatoes, IMDb
- Romantic Comedy: Rotten Tomatoes, IMDb
What to Watch & Where to Look
It’s important to keep in mind the types of movies that are being reviewed when searching for a paid movie reviewing position. There are three basic questions you need to ask yourself before applying:
- What type of movies do I like?
- Where do I want to write reviews?
- Who do I want to review?
It’s important to note that not all genres and movies are created equal. Some genres and movies are much more popular than others, which means there will be more opportunities available. It’s also important to remember that popular movies are usually already covered by numerous review websites, so it won’t necessarily be easy to break into.
How To Get Paid To Write Movie Reviews
Once you’ve determined that you like the type of movies and the corresponding websites, it’s time to work towards getting paid to write reviews. The following are the steps you should take to get started.
Step one: Find a reputable company
The first step towards getting paid to write movie reviews is to find a reputable company that offers this service. It is extremely important to look for a company that is well known and has a good reputation. You don’t want to end up being used by scammers or worse, getting banned from writing for a major website because you were used by a scammer. Some good examples of reputable companies are:
- Fiverr: One of the most popular freelance review platforms where you can get paid to write reviews for small businesses. You get paid per review and there are a variety of review types you can write (e.g. food, travel, product, etc.).
- Genius: A company that connects creators with fans. They essentially act as a freelancer for hire and connect creators with well-known customers who want to enjoy the content for free. While they were originally founded as a movie website, they also have a TV section where you can get paid to write reviews for shows.
- Clickworker: This is one of the newer companies on the scene, but has quickly become one of the most popular freelance review platforms. You get paid per review and can choose from a variety of topics (e.g. food, travel, product, you name it).
It is also important to research the pay rates before you commit to any given company. Do some research and find out what other reviewers are getting paid. Keep in mind that the more reviews you write, the better your chances of earning more. There is also usually an opportunity to review more expensive items or get a certain amount of free reviews per month.
Step two: Start a blog
The second step towards getting paid to write movie reviews is to start a blog. Blogging is extremely popular and a great way to establish yourself as an expert in your chosen field. It’s also a fantastic way to build a following and gain credibility. Some good examples of well-known blogs are:
- CNET News: One of the most popular news websites owned by American media company Red Ventures. They also run several of their own brands, including CNET, Tech Radar, and Re/Code.
- Lifehacks: A popular lifestyle blog owned by Scripps Networks Interactive. Similar to CNET News, they also own several other well-known lifestyle blogs like Tree Hugger, Van Cleef, and Richest.
- Medium: One of the most popular blogs hosting platform. Similar to WordPress, it is a great place to start a blog and then move on to a more established platform.
- The Huffington Post: One of the largest news websites in the world, with 150 million monthly active users. They also run several other well-known lifestyle and news brands, like The Independent, Wedding Planner, and The New York Times.
- The Verge: A popular tech website owned by American media company Vox Media. They also own several other well-known tech websites like TechCrunch, Gizmodo, and Vogue.
Step three: Build a following
The third step towards getting paid to write movie reviews is to build a following. Once you’ve started a blog, the next step is to begin building a following. Start by sharing your blog posts on social media. Use the #hashtags associated with your blog posts to gain additional reach on social media.
Once you’ve established yourself as an expert in your chosen field, you can then take it a step further and begin reaching out to potential customers, journalists, and other industry figures, looking for opportunities to get involved with content.
Where To From Here?
From here, it’s up to you. You can use your newly found skills to get involved in freelance writing, or you can look for full time job opportunities. There are plenty of reputable companies out there who want to work with passionate individuals like you.