I Shot a Walk With Me Video in Monterey, CA, brought in a CPM of around $40.

I recently produced a video for a client’s YouTube channel, and they've noticed that every time I create content for them, their CPM tends to be higher than their other videos. The type of videos I make are 'walk with me' style, designed for relaxation. They feature no talking, no face on screen—just high-quality binaural audio paired with smooth, stabilized 4K footage. The client shared that these videos typically earn a CPM between $20 and $75. For example, the latest one I shot in Monterey, CA, brought in a CPM of around $40. Now, let me explain why...

If you want to boost the CPM for your walk with me videos here are a few strategies to consider:

1. Emphasize the Luxury Travel Angle

• Title and Metadata: Use terms like "Luxury Travel" or "Scenic Walk" in the title and description. For example, you could title the video: "Luxury Walk Through Historic Cannery Row, Monterey | Scenic Coastal Views & Binaural Sound Experience".
• Description & Tags: Add descriptions and tags that cater to high-end tourism, like "luxury travel," "Monterey coast," "premium travel destinations," and "binaural sound." This will attract advertisers in the luxury and travel industries.

2. Incorporate Binaural Audio for an Immersive Experience

• Try using some great binaural audio to pick up the sounds of the street, the ocean, and any cool spots nearby. If you create a really immersive audio experience, you'll probably catch the attention of advertisers in the headphone, audio gear, or travel gear space.

3. Focus on High-End Elements Along the Walk

• Check out the luxury hotels, gourmet restaurants, upscale boutiques, and other premium spots along Cannery Row. No need to go into the businesses, but if you capture these spots, it'll help your video connect with a wealthier crowd.
• Show panoramic ocean views or any exclusive beach access areas. Luxury advertisers are drawn to content that feels aspirational.

4. Use Long-Form Video Format

• Make the video longer (over 30 minutes or more) to allow for multiple ad placements. Advertisers love long-form content as it offers more opportunities to serve ads without overwhelming the viewer. These longer videos are also perfect for viewers who use them as background relaxation or ambiance.

5. Choose a High CPM Time of Day

• Try filming during sunrise or sunset to capture that beautiful golden hour vibe, perfect for luxury and travel brands. The soft lighting and peaceful atmosphere really create a classy, soothing look in the video, making it just right for luxury brands to showcase their products.

6. Geotarget Affluent Viewers

• Target countries with higher CPMs in your video’s tags and descriptions (e.g., U.S., UK, Canada, Australia). Using keywords like “Monterey Luxury,” “California Coastal Travel,” or “High-End Travel Destinations” in your metadata will increase the chances of reaching affluent viewers.

7. Brand Sponsorships & Affiliate Marketing

• Partner with local high-end businesses along Cannery Row, such as hotels, restaurants, or boutiques, for sponsorship or product placements. They may be interested in featuring their locations subtly in the video or via links in the description.
• Incorporate affiliate links for travel products, headphones, or cameras used in the video. Highlight the high-end equipment you're using to capture the sound or visuals, catering to viewers interested in premium gear.

8. Leverage Trending Luxury Travel Keywords

• Try to weave in phrases that highlight luxury travel trends, like “exclusive coastal getaway,” “Monterey scenic walk,” and “luxury California coast,” when crafting your title, description, and tags. This is going to catch the eye of luxury brands that are looking to reach travel-loving audiences.

9. Premium Thumbnails

• Create a polished thumbnail that highlights a scenic moment along Cannery Row. A high-quality image of the ocean view, or a high-end hotel with scenic surroundings, will immediately signal the luxury nature of your content.

10. Engage with Luxury Travel Communities

• Share your video in luxury travel forums, groups, or social media communities that focus on high-end travel and California coast destinations. This will attract more viewers who fit into the high-CPM demographic.

By positioning your video as a luxury travel experience that emphasizes premium destinations and immersive sound, you'll attract more advertisers from the travel, lifestyle, and luxury markets, boosting your CPM.