How to Make Money With a Drone? (17 Best Ways)

How to Make Money With a Drone

In the passing of time, making money has become very tough, but with some sense and skills, you can convert toughness into ease. The Internet provides all the information about making your life easier.

If you fly drones for fun only and think about transforming your pleasure into money making skill, then you are at the right place.

How to make money with a drone?

To make money with a drone, you need to be a professional drone pilot, invest in a good drone, learn drone piloting skills, get the licenses and insurance for your drone, market yourself as a drone pilot on social media, get the client, charge better and get paid.

In this article, I will walk you through how you can make money with your drone. The article will be lengthy, but if you have committed to making money with your drone, you must stick with the article. So what are the best ways to make or what skills can you learn?

How to make money with a drone? What are the best ways?

Plenty of money-making skills exist, but if we talk about drones specifically, you should learn some skills to make money. So below are the best ways to learn to create another income source.

Photos and videos of the real estate industry 

Real estate agents always keep selling their properties with some skills. But sometimes their skills need to improve, and their properties can’t get sold. But anymore, by using drones, the properties can get more seen by people digitally and physically.

Drones can show the buildings and homes for sale to more people and showcase them well than the other traditional ways. A drone can capture photos and videos of a building’s exterior and interior more widely than a conventional digital camera.

How to Make Money With a Drone?
Modern real estate

For example, you can fly a drone in the sky and take an image of the whole building if you want, and you can also make videos of the interior and exterior by flying a drone through the windows or doors of the property.

According to FACTMR.com’s report and the National Association of Realtors, properties get sold about 68% better with drones. You can see the screenshot below.

Screenshot from FACT.MR

So if you want to make money with your drone as a freelancer, then you can contact the other drone photographer who does photography for real estate agents and can know how you can make money with your drone as a real estate drone pilot.

You can also read my step-by-step guide to learn how to get a drone license for your commercial real estate photography.

Advertisement for hotels

Traditional digital cameras cannot make the best ads for a hotel or resort because it has fewer angles than a drone camera.

The reason is the drone can fly and the digital camera can’t. If we talk about marketing, then it is a thing in which any hotel owner would like to have the best marketing of their property.

Suppose they do have digital cameras and photographers. In that case, they do not need to worry about marketing, but when it comes to marketing on the upper level, they hire professional drone pilots, and who knows, this time, you could be that pilot.

How to Make Money With a Drone?
Luxury hotel pool

You can become a drone pilot who makes advertisements for hotels and resorts. If you want to be this drone pilot, then you will need to learn about editing videos and images and will also need to have good drone piloting skills.

Make wedding videos and photos.

In the old days, the photographer had a small digital camera and made videos of the bride and groom. Sometimes that camera can’t make good videos and images, and the bride and groom also keep insulting the photographer for their whole life.

A wedding is a time that is more than very important and unique for everyone, and people want to capture that time from the right angles. These old days are over, and now people prefer to have their wedding drone footage and images.

How to Make Money With a Drone?
Newlywed couple

A drone can take the image so that the photographer can be free from the insult of the bride and groom. So a drone can make videos and images of the place where the wedding is more emphasized.

You can open your business of making videos and images of weddings, or you can go to a company already in this field and ask them about taking you in, and you can partner with them.

If you are thinking about this business and are waiting for leads or the first clients, you can search on Google for websites offering you the best clients. You can also go with the Thumbtack website. It is a website that will give you the best customers. You can check Thumbtack here.

Inspection of buildings

Many problems happen with buildings like buildings getting cracks which makes the building dangerous to live in. Sometimes the owners don’t know about these cracks, and the towers fall. The owners use drone pilots to inspect the buildings to stop them from being destroyed.

A drone can provide better and more precise images and live video coverage of the building. For example, we have seen some buildings that are significantly taller and can’t be reached by an individual, but they can with a drone.

How to Make Money With a Drone?
The cracked white wall of a building

Plenty of industries want to get their buildings and properties checked and inspected. The better option for them is the drone pilot and his drone. So they hire them and make their buildings and places secure from cracks.

If you want to work as a building inspector drone pilot, you can work as a freelancer and with other businesses already working as drone building inspectors. You can also become a roof inspector, and you need to find the best clients.

Sell your stock drone footage. 

You see billions of images on the internet daily, and all of them are called stock images. Plenty of them is taken with drones. So what do you think? Are those who take those images of hard-to-reach places just giving away their hard work? No, not.

The thing they sell their images and videos for thousands of dollars. As much their image will be sold, they will get money. If you want to make money online with your drone, you can contact the websites that will buy your images.

How to Make Money With a Drone?
Drone footage near a village

One of the best websites, my favorite, Canva.com, is the best place to sell your images and drone footage. You can also go to Shutterstock.com and can sell your photos.

There are many other websites that you can use and make money online with your drone. If there is a website specifically for your region, you can utilize it if it gives you something in return.

Make a business of drone delivery.

After COVID, everything gets digital. If you want to buy fruits, vegetables, or anything on this planet, you can buy it online. With this much accessibility, people of Earth realize that the things they online deliver late to their expected places.

So experts are now using drones to deliver packages in less time. Every industry that sells something wants to sell its products faster than others, and that’s where drones come in.

How to Make Money With a Drone?
Drone delivery

In the other traditional online package deliveries, diesel and petrol vehicles are used and increase the population. Still, by using a drone, the E-commerce industries can save money on gasoline and car and provide the package faster.

It is seen that Amazon, which is the shark of E-commerce, has started selling packages of about 5 pounds through drones. They stated that they would deliver the box in 30 minutes.

The companies have their own trained drone pilots who deliver the packages, but if you want to get a chance, you can offer them your CV and request the job. On the other hand, if you want to avoid working with them, you can use a website like Fiverr.com to see the jobs.

Image from Fiverr.com

Get involved in the Filmmaking industry. 

You can make your film with your drone if you have worked hard to perfect your acting skills and weren’t selected after the auditions. You can make your short films as well, and you can also get involved as a drone pilot in the film industry.

If you can somehow make the best drone piloting skills and learn how to shoot a scene, then you can’t even imagine how much money you can make. Find the industry that is hiring drone pilots for filmmaking and get hired.

How to Make Money With a Drone?
Filmmaker

You can also make short films and upload them on your YouTube channels. Many actors have started their careers on YouTube. You can also come as a drone pilot in the Drama industry. It would be a significantly longer journey and unsuitable for someone needing more patience.

Search and rescue missions.

In this industry, you cannot make money directly because this kind of work is usually done voluntarily, and people do not charge, but there are some ways in which you can make some money indirectly.

First of all, if there is an organization in your area then and they ask you about flying your drone in this kind of job, then as you know they are an organization, then you can ask them about the payment. Keep the prices low as much as you can.

How to Make Money With a Drone?
Helicopter on a rescue mission

You can offer aerial photography or videography services to capture images or videos of search and rescue operations for documentation or promotional purposes.

You can train and instruct other aspiring drone pilots or search and rescue teams if you have expertise operating drones for search and rescue missions.

You can provide consulting or technical support services related to drones for search and rescue operations. It could include advising on drone selection, setup, and function and providing technical support or troubleshooting assistance.

You can make money with your skills and help organizations.

READ MORE: Is it worth buying a drone?

Use of drones in agriculture

It is a perfect way to make money and generate an ideal amount daily. So what this skill is you must learn to fly a drone. The farmers want more yield from their crops and are always finding ways to make it happen.

How to Make Money With a Drone?
Agriculture drone for insecticide injection

You can provide your skills, help them monitor their crops, and tell them the best tips through the data your drone will give you after surveying the farmer’s field.

Different types of drones are used in agriculture, so you must invest in making money in this field. So if you live near the farmers and countryside, you can offer your drone piloting services and improve the planet Earth’s environment and earn.

You can do drone mapping.

You might have seen civil engineers flying their drones here and there. Let me tell you how they make money if you have not seen them. The thing is, surveying and mapping are the most crucial for the construction and infrastructural industries.

So these industries provide the rough land to a civil engineer who hires the drone pilots, and they make the 3D maps of that area to build the building or road or whatever the industry wants to build.

How to Make Money With a Drone?
3D map

You can make a lot from drone mapping if you have the skill. You can sell the maps for thousands of dollars. You can check out this guide here to know how much you should charge for drone mapping.

Drone mapping has many benefits to the industry and the pilot. Sell your drone piloting skills by offering a course.

As you know, AI tools are recently coming out, and more and more people are also buying drones. People are buying drones to make different images from different angles.

A lot of people have bought drones. According to the FAA, about 855,860 people have registered their drones with them. Many people need to register. But one thing is common: they don’t know how to fly a drone.

If you are an excellent drone pilot with a perfect skill set, you can sell your talent by making and offering a drone pilot course. There are plenty of other people and drone pilots who are offering classes. You can get the example from here if you need to learn how to make the course.

The website is a pilot institute; you can also learn from it. Click here to visit Pilotinstitue.com. You can also see this in the screenshot below.

Screenshot from Pilotinstitute.com

Now you have a little overview of how you will need to make the course now, and if we talk about selling the course, then the UDEMY is a more excellent option. All you need to do is take the course. How will you make it? You can record it or write it and then list it on Udemy.

You can visit Udemy by clicking here, and you can also see the image below.

Screenshot from Udemy

Sports events drone pilot

Everybody in this world is a lover of some sports. If you are as well and also a drone pilot, then you have an excellent opportunity to make money out of it. If you want to make videos or take images of the sports, you can contact the organization organizing these games.

If you get hired, then you can make the images and videos and also can watch and enjoy your game as well. You can make money quickly in this way. To get hired, you can contact the local sports club in your area and deal with them.

I recommend only asking for some money because it is your start. Be polite as much as you can and offer more services.

News Coverage

There is nothing more famous than news coverage these days. If you are a drone pilot with good or less-than-good drone piloting skills, you can make a perfect amount of money from this opportunity.

The best part of this field I like the most is that you can always be trendy. Whatever news channel you give your drone footage to or work for them, they will provide you with an excellent income because your drone skills will increase their TRP.

How to Make Money With a Drone?
The person holding a tablet and reading the latest news

The news reporters and the news channels are always hunting the news, and if you go to any event before anybody else, it is the best way to make money.

Drone security

It is the best way to generate a good amount by just flying your drone and keeping an eye on the buildings. In this field, you will work like a CCTV camera and monitor the owner’s property.

Many companies hire drone pilots to make their buildings and companies safe. It is a vast field; you can get paid thousands weekly. You can also work with the military as a drone pilot in the security industry.

How to Make Money With a Drone?
Drone security

Start your own drone business.

Different businesses are related to drones and are working with drones; drones are helping that businesses.

But there is a business of drones itself. You can start your drone business with drone shops, repair centers, racing clubs, manufacturing, and renting services.

It is a business in which you will need to be a good businessman, and you will need to have more skills rather than being a drone pilot.

You can also open your drone academy to teach everybody to fly drones. There is also one more job that is very interesting, and that is selling used drones.

If you buy used drones from some company or individuals with less money and then modify or repair them and make them new, you can make a good amount. It is just like selling old homes; you need to repaint.

How to Make Money With a Drone?
Young business people with a drone

Become a drone racer.

Drone racing is also an emerging industry at its peak right now. The sector gets organized more significantly at the lower level, like in the towns.

If you are a drone pilot with a good drone piloting skillset and want to know how you are better at it than others, drone racing is an excellent opportunity.

With this, you can test your drone piloting skills with other drone pilots, and you will also get money if you win the match. So many clubs and leagues organize the tournaments, so you can do a race if you are a competitive drone pilot.

How to Make Money With a Drone?
Drone racing

If you win the match, your prize will be a trophy, money, and fame you couldn’t buy elsewhere.

Show your drone pilot skills on social media.

If you are a person who uses social media every day and likes social media so much, and you are also a drone pilot or want to be a drone pilot for social media, then you made the right decision. In this world, most people spend their time on social media.

You can make so much money that you haven’t imagined through social media. So all you need to do is upload images or videos of your drone piloting skills and show the world your talent. Now what will happen is you will get a great audience, and you will eventually become a celebrity.

How to Make Money With a Drone?
Social media

You can use Tik Tok, YouTube, and Instagaram. If you get the lead from these three platforms, then you can get so much famous, and then you can contact the brands for sponsorships; it is also possible that you will get subsidies automatically, and you won’t even need to find them.

It is also possible that you will get gifts from your fans. You can also make only a YouTube channel where you must keep posting videos with good thumbnails, and one day your videos will be viral. It is a lengthy process, but you can get viral quickly if you make short YouTube videos.

Along with the YouTube channel, you can also start your drone blog. If you have time and want to teach people about your drone skills, these two platforms are the best for you if you want to be famous and have an audience.

Bloggers are making so much money by doing advertisements and affiliate marketing, and if you have time, you can start your drone blog and your YouTube channel as well.

READ MORE: Waterproof fishing drone

How much can I make as a drone pilot?

Knowing how much you can earn as a drone pilot is essential because you want to see the salary to work. That’s why I have good news for you. If we talk precisely about the salaries of drone pilots in the United States of America, then they are making about $64000 per year, according to ziprecruiter.com.

How to Make Money With a Drone?
How much can you earn?

On the other hand, if I talk about the Salary.com website, an average drone pilot earns about $80,000+ yearly and almost $200 to $300 per session. An average drone pilot earns about $50-$80 per hour.

It is not the actual amount but an average because drone pilots have different jobs, and the payments are accordingly. Other types of drones are used in various jobs, and the prices differ.

How much money do I need to invest in starting a drone business?

It depends on the industry in which you are working or will work. If you are starting a drone business, you first need an average drone with which you can learn drone piloting skills. This kind of drone cost about $500-$1000, the average price of the best beginner drone.

Now below are the things that you will need to start your drone business:

Different investments that you should do

If you are considering starting your company and have already learned some drone piloting skills, the new drone can cost about $300-$25000.

How to Make Money With a Drone?
Investment is essential

In any industry you will go in the drone industry, you must have a PC. Because with the computer, you will render your drone videos and send them to the clients. So for that reason, you must have a computer. It will cost about $300-$2000.

If you choose the industry, like making the software and doing the surveys, you will have to buy software, or you will have to pay a subscription of about $300-$500.

You must also get drone insurance as you make money with your drone. To get drone insurance, you will also need to pay for it. The cost of insurance is about $500-$1000.

You will also need to get the remote pilot certificate proving that you are a commercial drone pilot, and no authority who manages the drone laws will arrest you for flying a drone.

According to the FAA, you will need to pay about $5 only, but the drone piloting course and passing the exam will cost you about $200.

When you market your drone business, you must also pay about $200 per week. Buying extra drone accessories and the business drone pilot license will also cost you several hundred to several hundred dollars.

How to Make Money With a Drone?
Specifically, invest in your business marketing.

What do you need to do to make money from drones?

Starting a business is not easy because you will be starting a company, and if you are alone in your business, then the work of employees and others will be on your shoulders in the beginning. There are a lot of challenges that you will have to pass and many choices and decisions you will have to make.

It will require time, money, hard work, patience, and skills. I have a list of the first things you must fulfill. Below are some prerequisites, and you will have to achieve them.

Your drone

Buying a drone is a mess; if you have the correct information, you can avoid getting scammed. But you must buy a drone to make money and grow your drone business. The most important key points you must care about are your drone job and your budget for that job.

How to Make Money With a Drone?
Invest in a good drone.

It is because different types of drones are used in the drone industry. For example, you can buy the DJI mini-series to fly your drone for aerial photography or videography.

On the other hand, if you fly your drone for mapping or surveying, you can use the DJI Phantom series. You can choose one of these drones and can buy it.

Get yourself trained

So you have bought your drone, and now it is time to learn how to operate it. It is the best part of your career because you must know how to handle a drone to earn money. Flying a drone is a challenging job.

If you try to fly the small toy drone, you will know exactly how it is difficult. As you know, there are different industries in which you can work, and you also know there are different drone types.

So there will be different training for different jobs. So if you are thinking about flying drones and earning money, you should be able to fly them in all the ways the job will want from you.

Before sending your CV or job offer to anyone, please ensure you are your field expert. You can learn to fly a drone professionally in so many different places. You can also go to any college that teaches flying drones.

How to Make Money With a Drone?
Get the proper training.

Many Gurus can tell you precisely what you must learn for a specific job. You should go for Pilot Institute because they provide everything online. You need to read and understand and also attend some classes. Here is the link to Pilotinstitute.

If you know nothing about drones, then you can watch this Uavcoach’s YouTube video:

Video by Uavcoach YouTube channel

Make yourself legally a drone pilot.

According to great authorities like FAA(Federal Aviation Administration) in the USA, you are only allowed to fly your drone if you have your drone registered and your drone license.

If you make a single penny with your drone’s content or the presence of your drone, then you are a commercial drone pilot, and your drone should be registered, and you should have the license.

Now if we talk about getting the drone permit or the license from the authority that manages the drone laws in your country, then that is another topic, and I am not able to right now to tell you the different rules and different authorities of the whole world.

But I can give you some examples you can follow, and if you live in that country, you can follow that procedure.

For example, if you live in the Dominican Republic, you can read my article in which I have told you every step you will need to follow to get the drone license, or even you will know whether you are allowed to fly your drone there or not.

How to Make Money With a Drone?
Make yourself a legal drone pilot.

But if you want to know roughly about getting the drone, then let me tell you, first of all, if you get a job in a specific country or a region from a client who wants to make aerial photography of that place, then what you will need to do is first find out the authority who manages and enforces the drone laws there.

When you have found the authority, send them a request to fly a drone there. If they ask you about registering your drone or getting the license from them, you will need to get it and your drone registration from that authority.

When you get a permit, you only need to keep the papers in your pocket or your drone’s bag.

You can go here if you want to learn about different countries laws. Here is a list of over 50 places you can and cannot fly your drone on Earth.

Drone Insurance

You know you are a beginner and need to figure out where you can and can’t fly your drone. You can also cause damage with your drone to people’s properties. It is why you must first get drone insurance from a good company.

How to Make Money With a Drone?
Drone insurance is very important.

For example, if you make any mistake and fly your drone where you couldn’t and hit something badly, you will be in great trouble because you will be responsible for the damage and have to pay for it.

But the solution is that the insurance company will pay all the payments and damages if you have insurance.

So to get the insurance, you should find a legal company to help you in your difficult situation. I cannot suggest the best drone insurance company; should you talk to your lawyer or expert who knows what drone insurance is? But do know what drone insurance is, but I need help recommending you.

Learn editing on software.

Shooting videos of the object or taking images is straightforward and not challenging for anybody. Because for recreational purposes, kids can also fly their drones and shoot videos.

But editing videos and images regarding commercial drone piloting is essential and challenging. You must learn how to edit your drone video footage and pictures.

If you are a beginner, start with color grading and correction and change some objects in your drone image, like the sky. You can learn this from YouTube and how to learn Photoshop as well.

How to Make Money With a Drone?
Learn video editing

But that is for image editing; conversely, if you want to edit drone video footage, you should use Adobe Premier Pro.

If you want to make 3D maps, you can use DJI Terra. The company makes drones and things that are important for a drone pilot.

How can I market myself as a drone pilot?

For anybody in this world who wants to sell something needs marketing. Marketing is so much essential for a drone pilot as well. So, to attract clients worldwide, you must market your skills.

Below are some essential things you must do to be a professional and money-making drone pilot.

Create a professional portfolio.

Develop a portfolio that showcases your skills as a drone pilot. Include high-quality images or videos demonstrating your expertise in various areas, such as aerial photography, videography, mapping, or inspections. Highlight any relevant certifications or training you have completed.

How to Make Money With a Drone?
Create a very professional portfolio.

Build a website

Create a website that serves as a hub for your drone services. Include your experience, services, pricing, and contact details. Ensure your website is visually appealing, user-friendly, and optimized for search engines to improve your online visibility.

Utilize social media

Social media platforms such as Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn can be powerful tools for marketing your drone pilot services.

Post regularly, share your work, engage with potential clients, and use relevant hashtags to increase your visibility. Consider running targeted ads to reach a wider audience.

Network with industry professionals

Attend industry events, conferences, and networking gatherings to connect with other professionals in the drone industry. Join relevant online forums or communities, and participate in discussions. Building relationships with other professionals can lead to referrals and collaborations.

How to Make Money With a Drone?
Meet professionals

Offer free or discounted services.

When starting or looking to expand your client base, consider offering free or discounted drone services to local businesses or organizations. It can help you build your portfolio and generate word-of-mouth marketing.

Highlight your unique value proposition.

Identify and emphasize what differentiates you from other drone pilots in your marketing efforts. It could be your specialization in a particular niche, unique skills, or a distinctive approach to drone services. Communicate your value proposition in your marketing materials.

Provide excellent customer service.

Satisfied clients are more likely to recommend your services to others. Focus on delivering exceptional customer service, meeting or exceeding client expectations, and building positive relationships with your clients.

How to Make Money With a Drone?
Your customer service should always be accessible

Get testimonials and reviews.

Request testimonials or reviews from satisfied clients and display them on your website or social media profiles. Positive reviews can boost your credibility and help you attract new clients.

Stay up-to-date with regulations and technology.

As a drone pilot, staying informed about the industry’s latest regulations, laws, and technological advancements is essential.

Demonstrating your knowledge and expertise in these areas can help you position yourself as a professional and trusted drone pilot.

How to get your first client as a drone pilot?

As I mentioned earlier, you will need to market yourself first. You can run Google ads, Facebook ads, or wherever you can market yourself. As you sell yourself, you will get the client; let me tell you, it is the easiest part you can achieve.

How to Make Money With a Drone?
Be very polite with your first client.

Now, I know that you think running ads on social media is not free and is paid, and you will have to spend money on running your ads. If you are a beginner and don’t want to spend money on ads, there is also a free method.

Below are three methods that you can utilize to grab your first client as a drone pilot:

Utilize social media platforms.

Create business profiles on popular social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn.

Share high-quality images and videos of your drone work, showcase your expertise, and engage with potential clients by providing valuable information, answering questions, and sharing relevant content.

Utilize hashtags and geolocation tags to increase your visibility to potential clients in your area or target market.

How to Make Money With a Drone?
Social media concept

Join online communities

Join online communities related to your target market or industry, such as real estate, construction, agriculture, or events.

Participate in discussions, share your knowledge, and offer helpful insights. Avoid direct promotion and focus on building relationships, providing value, and establishing yourself as an expert. Be sure to follow the community guidelines and rules.

Offer free content or services.

Consider offering free content or services demonstrating your drone pilot expertise. It could include creating informative blog posts, tutorials, or videos about drone photography, videography, or mapping.

You can share this content on your website or social media platforms or offer free drone services for local events or charities. It can help you build credibility, showcase your skills, and attract potential clients.

How to Make Money With a Drone?
You can provide a free course.

So follow these steps, and I am sure you will get your first client as a drone pilot.

What are the best drones to make money?

As I have told you that buying a drone for a pilot is a must thing to know and understand and also learn. You can buy plenty of drones for your drone business, but if you believe me, you should go for DJI Phantom 4, DJI Phantom 3 Professional, and DJI Inspire 1v2.0.

Below are their overviews, pros and cons, and my detailed review. Remember that these drones are for professionals and those who know flying drones.

DJI Phantom 4

The DJI Phantom 4 is a popular consumer-grade drone with advanced features and aerial photography and videography capabilities. It features a 3-axis gimbal-stabilized camera with a 1-inch CMOS sensor capable of capturing 4K video and 20-megapixel photos.

The drone has obstacle avoidance sensors for safe and autonomous flight and intelligent modes such as ActiveTrack, TapFly, and Return to Home.

How to Make Money With a Drone?
DJI drone

The DJI Phantom 4 also has a long flight time of up to 30 minutes and a maximum range of 7 kilometers, making it a reliable and versatile choice for professional and enthusiast drone pilots.

DJI Phantom 3 Profession

The DJI Phantom 3 Professional is a popular consumer-grade drone offering advanced aerial photography and videography features. It features a stabilized 4K UHD camera for capturing high-quality videos and 12-megapixel photos.

The drone has a flight time of up to 23 minutes and a maximum range of 5 kilometers, allowing for extended flights and exploration.

The DJI Phantom 3 Professional also includes intelligent flight modes such as Follow Me, Waypoints, and Point of Interest, making it a versatile and reliable choice for both professional and enthusiast drone pilots.

DJI Inspire 1v2.0

The DJI Inspire 1 V2.0 is a professional-grade drone designed for aerial photography and videography. It features a sleek and modular design with retractable landing gear for unrestricted 360-degree camera rotation, allowing unrestricted creative freedom.

The drone has a 4K UHD camera capable of capturing high-quality videos and 12-megapixel photos. It offers advanced flight controls and intelligent modes for precise and dynamic aerial photography.

The DJI Inspire 1 V2.0 is a top choice for professional pilots who require reliable performance, versatility, and high-quality imaging capabilities for their aerial projects.

The only downside? It’s not the cheapest option, but you get what you pay for, right?

Trust me, my friend, if you’re serious about taking your aerial photography to new heights, the DJI Inspire 1 V2.0 is the ultimate tool to elevate your game and make your friends go “Wow!” every time they see your breathtaking shots.

So, unleash your creativity, and soar to new heights with the DJI Inspire 1 V2.0! You won’t regret it, I promise!

Read More: What is Auto Orientation on a Drone? (How to Use it?)

What is the best drone for a beginner to make money?

Now, if you want to start slowly, make your base, and learn from basics, you can buy easy-to-understand and handle drones.

So if you are a beginner, the best drones are DJI Mini 2, DJI Mavic Air 2, and DJI FPV drone.

How to Make Money With a Drone?
Best drone for a beginner

DJI Mini 2

The DJI Mini 2 drone is a compact and lightweight drone with impressive performance and features for its small size. With a maximum flight time of up to 31 minutes and a range of up to 10 kilometers, it provides an extended flight experience.

Its 4K camera captures high-quality photos and videos, and its three-axis motorized gimbal ensures stable and smooth footage.

The DJI Mini 2 comes with intelligent flight modes such as QuickShots, which allows for easy capture of cinematic shots, and it is equipped with GPS for precise positioning and safe flight.

With its foldable design and portable carrying case, the DJI Mini 2 is perfect for capturing epic aerial moments on the go.

DJI Mavic 2 & DJI FPV Drone

DJI Mavic 2 is a high-performance consumer-grade drone with advanced features such as a Hasselblad camera with a one-inch sensor, adjustable aperture, long flight time, omnidirectional obstacle sensing, and intelligent flight modes.

It is known for its versatility, allowing users to capture stunning aerial footage for professional or personal enjoyment.

On the other hand, DJI FPV (First Person View) drone is a thrilling and immersive FPV racing drone that offers an unparalleled flight experience with its ultra-low latency HD video transmission, high-speed flight capabilities, and unique FPV goggles for an adrenaline-pumping flight experience.

Both drones cater to different niches of users, with DJI Mavic 2 targeting professional aerial photography and videography enthusiasts and DJI FPV catering to the FPV racing and freestyle community who seek a thrilling and immersive flying experience.

What are the key points to consider while buying a drone?

Are you interested in buying a drone for aerial photography? That’s awesome! Here are some key points to consider as you embark on your drone-buying journey, my friend:

  • Camera quality: Look for a drone with a high-resolution camera and advanced imaging capabilities to capture stunning aerial shots. After all, it’s all about those jaw-dropping visuals that make your photos and videos stand out!
  • Flight time: Check the drone’s flight time because you want your aerial adventures to be manageable by a dying battery. The longer the flight time, the more time you’ll have to explore the skies and capture breathtaking moments.
  • Stability and ease of use: Consider a drone with advanced stability features like GPS, gyroscopes, and altitude hold to ensure smooth and steady flights. Also, look for user-friendly controls and intuitive flight modes that make flying a breeze, especially if you’re new to drones.
How to Make Money With a Drone?
Your drone should be easy to control
  • Portability: As an aspiring aerial photographer, you’ll want a drone that’s easy to transport, so you can take it wherever your photography adventures take you. Look for drones with foldable or compact designs that are convenient to carry around.
  • Safety features: Safety first, my friend! Look for drones with obstacle avoidance sensors, return-to-home functions, and other safety features that can help you prevent accidents and keep your drone and others safe in the sky.

Research and compare different drone models, read reviews, and consider your budget. Remember to check local regulations and guidelines for drone usage in your area.

How to become a professional drone pilot to make money?

If you’re looking to make some serious cash as a professional drone pilot, here are a couple of tips to help you rake in those dough-dough bills:

How to Make Money With a Drone?
Be a professional drone pilot

Offer specialized services

Don’t just be a generic drone pilot, be a master of a specific niche! Whether it’s aerial photography, videography, mapping, or inspections, hone your skills in a particular area and become the go-to expert in that field.

Market yourself as the “Drone King of [insert your niche here]” and watch the clients roll in. Remember, the more specialized your services, the more you can charge for your expertise.

Build a killer portfolio.

Your portfolio is your golden ticket to attracting high-paying clients. Showcase your best work in a visually appealing and easy-to-navigate portfolio. Show off your unique style, creativity, and attention to detail.

Consider offering discounts to friends or family in exchange for using their properties as subjects for your portfolio. Word of mouth spreads fast, and before you know it, you’ll have a portfolio bursting with stunning visuals that will make potential clients eager to open their wallets.

How to Make Money With a Drone?
Build a killer portfolio.

Hustle like a boss

Making money as a professional drone pilot requires some serious hustle.

Don’t just sit back and wait for clients to come to you – go out there and hustle! Network like a pro, attend industry events, collaborate with other professionals, and leverage social media to showcase your work and connect with potential clients.

Put on your entrepreneur hat and proactively promote your services and secure gigs. Remember, the sky’s the limit, but you’ve got to put in the effort to soar to new heights!

Stay updated and adaptable.

The drone industry constantly evolves, so stay updated with the latest technological advancements, regulations, and industry trends. Be adaptable and willing to learn new skills, expand your services, and pivot when needed.

Embrace change and stay ahead of the game to stay competitive and increase your earning potential.

How to Make Money With a Drone?
Stay updated with your niche

Can a drone business be profitable?

My friend! Starting a drone business can be profitable if you’re willing to put in the hard work and dedication. With the right approach, you can turn your passion for flying drones into a lucrative source of income.

Firstly, the demand for drone services is constantly on the rise. From aerial photography and videography for weddings and real estate to mapping and inspections for construction and infrastructure projects, the applications of drones are vast and diverse.

As a drone business owner, you can tap into these various industries and offer specialized services to cater to their unique needs.

With the right marketing strategies, exceptional skills, and top-notch customer service, you can attract high-paying clients and establish a solid customer base, leading to profitable returns.

Secondly, drones can significantly reduce operational costs compared to traditional methods. Drones can access hard-to-reach areas, gather data quickly, and efficiently complete tasks that would otherwise require substantial time, effort, and resources.

How to Make Money With a Drone?
Yes, the drone business is profitable.

It can result in cost savings for your clients, making your services highly valuable and appealing. You can maximize your profit margins and build a successful drone business by pricing your services competitively and managing your expenses wisely.

Of course, like any business, there will be challenges and obstacles along the way. But with a well-thought-out business plan, determination, and a commitment to excellence, a drone business can be profitable and rewarding.

So, grab your controller, buckle up, and prepare to soar to new heights in drone entrepreneurship!

How do I sell my drone footage?

So, you’ve captured epic footage with your trusty drone and are now ready to sell it? Here are a couple of tips to help you turn your drone footage into moolah:

Create a killer showreel.

Like how a movie trailer excites people to watch the entire film, your showreel should entice potential buyers to purchase your footage.

How to Make Money With a Drone?
Show your talent to the world.

Compile your best drone shots into a visually stunning showreel that showcases your unique style and skills. Add some catchy music and flashy transitions to make it stand out.

Remember, first impressions count, so make sure your showreel is an attention-grabbing masterpiece that leaves potential buyers begging for more!

Market like a pro

Once you have your showreel ready, it’s time to market your footage like a pro. Upload your showreel and drone footage to popular stock footage platforms like Shutterstock, Adobe Stock, or Pond5.

Optimize your metadata with relevant keywords, titles, and descriptions to make your footage easily discoverable by potential buyers. Leverage social media to showcase your work and connect with potential clients.

Collaborate with other content creators or industry professionals to expand your reach. And remember to have your website or online portfolio to showcase your work and direct potential buyers to your footage. Market your footage like a boss, and watch those sales roll in!

How to Make Money With a Drone?
Make a perfect marketing strategy.

Offer customized packages

Another great way to sell your drone footage is by offering customized packages to potential buyers. Reach out to local businesses, event organizers, or media agencies that may be interested in using drone footage for their projects.

Tailor your offerings based on their specific needs and budget. For example, you could offer a package for real estate agents that includes aerial shots of properties or a package for wedding videographers that provides aerial footage of the venue.

Be flexible and open to negotiations to meet the unique requirements of your clients and increase your chances of closing a deal.

Remember, selling drone footage may require time and effort, but it can be a lucrative business opportunity with the right approach.

How to start a drone business right now?

A solid business plan is essential for your drone venture, like any other business. Identify your target market, define your services, and establish your pricing strategy. Conduct market research to understand the competition and identify potential clients.

How to Make Money With a Drone?
Guy discussing his drone business

Create a marketing plan to promote your services and reach potential customers. Set realistic financial goals and create a budget to manage your expenses effectively. A well-thought-out business plan will provide a roadmap for success and help you stay focused on your goals.

Starting a drone business requires careful planning and preparation, but with the right mindset and determination, you can take flight and soar to new heights of success! Best of luck on your exciting new adventure, my friend! Fly safe, and may the skies be ever-friendly to you!

Can I use my old drone to capture images to sell and not buy a new one?

My resourceful amigo! You can buy a new drone to capture images that you can sell. Your old faithful drone may do the trick! However, remember that your drone footage’s quality will be crucial in determining its market value. Here are a couple of things to consider:

Assess your drone’s capabilities.

Please take a close look at your old drone and its camera capabilities. Does it have a high-resolution camera? Does it have the necessary features like gimbal stabilization and adjustable settings for exposure, white balance, and shutter speed?

These features will affect the quality of your footage, which in turn may impact your ability to sell it at a premium price. If your drone’s capabilities align with the quality standards of the market you’re targeting, then you may be good to go!

How to Make Money With a Drone?
Yes, you can use your old drone

Enhance your footage

Even if your old drone doesn’t have the latest and greatest camera capabilities, you can still capture stunning footage by applying post-processing techniques.

You can use photo and video editing software to enhance the quality of your images, such as adjusting colors, improving sharpness, and reducing noise.

With creative editing skills, you can make your footage stand out and increase its market value, regardless of the drone’s age or model.

Remember, the key is to capture visually appealing and high-quality footage that meets the demands of the market you’re targeting.

With some creativity and resourcefulness, you can use your old drone to capture images you can sell and potentially turn your passion for flying into a profitable venture!

How to Make Money With a Drone?
Make your drone footage awesome.

Important FAQs

What is the best drone to make money with?

When it comes to choosing the best drone to make money with, it depends on your specific needs and the type of work you plan to do. Factors to consider include the drone’s camera quality, flight time, stability, and payload capacity. Popular options for making money with drones include DJI Phantom 4 RTK, DJI Inspire 2, and DJI Mavic 2 Pro. Researching and selecting a drone that best fits your business requirements and budget is essential.

Is drone photography profitable?

Yes, drone photography can be profitable! Many industries, such as real estate, construction, and aerial mapping, rely on drone photography for capturing unique perspectives and obtaining high-quality imagery. By offering professional drone photography services, you can generate income through contracts, client commissions, or selling stock footage. However, it’s essential to understand the market demand, pricing, and local regulations to ensure profitability.

Can I make money with a drone app?

Yes, you can make money with a drone app! Drone apps can provide various services like flight planning, mapping, data analysis, and photography/videography.

You can monetize your app through in-app purchases, subscription models, or by offering premium features. However, success in the app market will depend on factors such as app quality, user base, marketing strategies, and competition analysis.

Are there freelance drone jobs available?

Yes, there are freelance drone jobs available in various industries. Many businesses and individuals seek professional drone pilots for aerial photography, videography, mapping, and other services.

Freelance drone jobs can be found on job platforms, industry-specific websites, or by networking with potential clients. Building a solid portfolio, obtaining necessary certifications, and marketing your services can help you land freelance gigs and earn money with your drone.

How to make money with a thermal drone?

A thermal drone can offer unique opportunities to generate income. Thermal imaging can be used in various applications such as building inspections, search and rescue operations, wildlife monitoring, and energy audits.

You can cater to specific industries and charge premium rates by providing thermal imaging services with your drone. However, it’s important to acquire proper training and certifications and comply with local regulations for conducting thermal imaging operations.

What are some ways to make money with drones?

Depending on your skills, interests, and market demand, there are several ways to make money with drones.

Some standard options include offering aerial photography/videography services, mapping, and surveying services, conducting inspections for industries like real estate, construction, and infrastructure, selling stock footage, offering drone training or consulting services, and developing drone-related apps or software.

Researching the market demand, acquiring necessary certifications, and building a solid portfolio can help you explore profitable opportunities with drones.

Final Thoughts

After drinking 28 cups of coffee and tea, I concluded that you could make money with your drone in many ways. It depends on your imagination and skills, on which you can build an entire business with a single drone.

If you need help understanding, you can ask in the comment box or contact me. If this article is something and it has the potential, and it gives you something valuable, then let me know in the comments as well.

If you have learned something new from this article and at least it has given you some lead, share it with other drone enthusiasts so that they can also be free from their financial problems. Thank You.

Understand more with a video:

Video by a greatest YouTube Channel: The Drone Creative

Can You Fly a Drone in Downtown Dallas?

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