Drones have become increasingly popular in recent years. They are a great way to get aerial footage, and they can be used for various other purposes as well.
If you have a drone or are looking to get one, but you want to make sure it pays off, then you’ll be pleased to hear that there are many great ways to make money with your drone.
In this article, we’re going to cover how to make money with a drone, the 14 best ways, and provide some information you should be aware of before going into business with your drone.
Jump links:
14 Best Ways To Make Money With a Drone
Whether you’re looking to use your drone for aerial footage, advertising, or something else, there are plenty of ways to turn a profit with it.
Here are the best ways to make money with your drone:
1. Sell Real Estate Drone Photography or Video
Using a drone to take pictures or videos of properties for sale is a great way to make money with your drone.
Real estate agents and brokers are always looking for new and innovative ways to market their listings, and drone photography or video can help them stand out from the competition.
While traditional real estate photography can be effective, drones and video can offer a unique perspective that potential buyers will find appealing.
To get started, create a portfolio of your best work and market yourself to real estate professionals in your area. It’s best to have an online portfolio, like a website or blog, to reference when approaching people in person, on the phone, in email, in contact forms, on LinkedIn, etc.
With a little effort, you can soon make money with your drone while helping others sell their properties more quickly and easily.
2. Use Your Drone For Wedding Photography or Video
Drones have quickly become a popular tool for wedding photographers and videographers looking to add a unique perspective to their work.
By flying high above the crowd, drones allow photographers to capture stunning aerial shots that would otherwise be impossible. They offer a unique perspective that can add drama and excitement to wedding photos and videos.
While using a drone for wedding photography or videography can be a great way to make money with a drone, there are a few things you need to keep in mind.
First, be sure to check with the venue beforehand to ensure that drones are allowed.
Next, familiarize yourself with the local drone regulations so that you don’t accidentally break any laws.
Finally, when it comes time to shoot, be mindful of your surroundings, respectful of the guests, and keep your filming brief – nobody wants a drone buzzing around their head all day on their special day.
3. Charge For Aerial Surveying or Mapping Services
Drones are becoming increasingly popular as a means of aerial surveying and mapping. By offering these services, you can make money with your drone while helping others to improve their land management.
Aerial surveying can be used for various purposes, such as identifying potential sources of flooding or assessing the impact of construction on the environment.
In addition, drones can be used to create high-resolution maps of large tracts of land.
Developers can use this information to plan new construction projects or homeowners to make better-informed decisions about their properties.
By offering these services, you can use your drone to make money while helping others better understand and manage their land.
4. Offer Drone Racing and Stunts as a Service
Offering drone racing and stunts can be a great way to add excitement to events such as parties and festivals.
For this, you will need a fast and agile drone like an FPV drone like this one. You must also create a course that challenges contestants and keeps spectators entertained.
If you have the available property, you can even set up a local drone racing track, which can be particularly lucrative if you’re in a place with many drone enthusiasts.
And once you have these things in place, you can start advertising your services.
5. Transport Goods With Your Drone
There are a number of businesses that are now using drones to deliver items such as food, medicine, and even packages.
Companies like Amazon are already experimenting with this technology, and it is only a matter of time before it becomes more widespread.
If you have a drone with enough lifting capacity, you can start your delivery service.
This is a great way to make money with a drone while helping others get the items they need quickly and easily.
6. Use Drones to Inspect Infrastructure or Property
In recent years, drones have increasingly been used for various commercial purposes. One of the most popular uses for drones is property and infrastructure inspection.
This includes everything from checking utility lines and rooftops to surveying land for development projects. In many cases, drones can provide a more cost-effective and efficient way to conduct these inspections than traditional methods such as helicopters or airplanes.
Drones can quickly and efficiently inspect large areas of land or property, saving time and money.
They can also be used to inspect hard-to-reach areas, such as the roof of a building. They can also be equipped with high-resolution cameras (and purpose-built infrared cameras) that can provide detailed images of any damage or defects.
As a result, drone property inspection is becoming an increasingly popular service.
7. Search and Rescue Services
For those with a steady hand and a head for heights, one valuable use for a drone is in search and rescue.
In remote or difficult-to-reach areas, drones can locate missing persons or assess the damage after a natural disaster.
Moreover, drones are equipped with cameras and other sensors to provide invaluable information to first responders.
Given the growing need for search and rescue services with more people hitting the trails, there is potential to make money by providing this service with your drone.
8. Offer Surveillance Services With Your Drone
Drones can be used for many practical purposes, including keeping an eye on and protecting remote properties and wildlife.
Drones are being used more and more often to help fight against poaching. By offering drone surveillance services, you can help protect wildlife and make a profit at the same time.
Poachers often operate in remote areas, making it difficult to track them down. However, a drone can quickly and relatively quietly cover a large area and report any suspicious activity.
In addition, if poachers are spotted, the drone can help to direct law enforcement to their location.
As the demand for anti-poaching services increases, there is no doubt that money can be made in this area.
9. Use Drones For Agricultural Purposes
Agricultural drones are becoming increasingly popular as farmers seek ways to improve yields and efficiency.
These Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) can be used for various tasks, from mapping fields to spraying crops.
Perhaps the most exciting use for agricultural drones is precision farming, which uses technology to maximize yields while minimizing inputs.
Precision farming relies on data collected by sensors to decide when and how to plant, fertilize, and irrigate crops.
This information allows farmers to target specific field areas, saving time and money.
Drones are an essential tool for precision farming, as they can quickly and easily collect the data needed to make informed decisions.
In addition to improving yields, precision farming can also help reduce pesticide use, which is better for the environment.
10. Teach People How To Fly Drones Properly
The old saying goes, those who make the most money are the ones who sell shovels during a gold rush.
If you have a temperament for teaching or sharing your knowledge, you can create online courses (or in-person courses) teaching others how to fly drones (and then you can direct them to this article where they can learn how to monetize their new skill…).
You can teach many different aspects of drone piloting, from the basics of flying a recreational drone to professional uses like videography, real estate photography, search and rescue operations, and more.
You can make a good living teaching others with the right skill set to fly drones.
11. Rent Out Your Drone
Renting out your drone can be a great way to earn some extra income, and it can also help you offset the cost of your drone.
If you’re not flying often, you can list your drone for rent on places like Craigslist and Wedio.
With interest in drones increasing and drone photography and videography becoming more and more of a necessity for many businesses and creatives, drone rental can be a very lucrative business model.
Many businesses and individuals may only need a drone for the occasional job; therefore, an outright purchase may not be a great investment for them, so renting your drone for a couple of hours, to even days or weeks, is an excellent alternative where you both benefit.
12. Create Aerial Stock Images and Stock Videos To Sell
Stock images and videos are a valuable commodity, and drones provide a unique perspective that can be difficult to obtain with traditional methods.
If you have a drone and an eye for photography, you can make money by selling your aerial footage to stock image websites.
To start, create an account with a stock image or video website and upload your photos and videos. When someone downloads one of your uploads, you’ll earn a commission.
To make the most money possible, choose popular topics and locations that buyers will demand.
With a little effort and consistency, you can build up a large collection of stock imagery and videos, which can become a valuable asset that earns you an income for months and years.
13. Record Drone Footage and Upload it to YouTube
YouTube is one of the most popular platforms for creative content creators to make money. This can also be an excellent platform to make money with your drone.
One way can be through drone racing, a relatively new sport gaining popularity. Drone racers attach cameras to their drones to give viewers a first-person perspective of the race. These videos can be thrilling to watch and provide an adrenaline rush for the viewer.
Another way can be to create scenic videos of various locations, such as in the travel niche, relaxation niche, etc.
Once your channel is monetized, you can display video ads and earn money. You can monetize your channel beforehand through affiliate marketing or selling your footage to businesses or individuals that may find your footage.
Follow this guide to start a money-making YouTube channel.
14. Offer Drone Filming as a Service
If you have a drone and the skills to operate it, you can offer your services as a drone videographer. This is a great way to make money with your drone while doing something you’re passionate about.
Many businesses are starting to use drones for various tasks, such as real estate photography, product promotion, aerial mapping, and more.
If you can offer your services to businesses in your local area or even online, you can build up a client base and earn a good income from your drone filmmaking business.
Like the drone rental option we mentioned above, many businesses may not have the skills to operate a drone, in which case, they will need to rent you as a drone pilot as well as the drone.
What Is The Best Drone To Make Money?
While there are a number of drones on the market that can be used for commercial purposes, the best drone for making money overall is the DJI Mavic 3 Pro.
The Mavic 3 Pro is a powerful and reliable drone with a 4/3 CMOS Hasselblad Camera, a 43-minute flight time, and a 15-kilometer transmission range, making it perfect for capturing high-quality aerial footage for all occasions.
It also has a number of intelligent flight modes that make it easy to get great results, even for those with limited piloting experience. The Mavic 3 Pro is very compact, making it a great option for those looking to start their own drone-based business.
If you want to transport goods or perform drone racing, you will need a purpose-built drone with the right features for success in those ventures. This also goes for agricultural drones and ones that require an infrared camera.
How Much Does It Cost To Start a Drone Business?
The cost of starting a drone business will vary depending on the type of business you want to start.
For example, you won’t need to invest in a high-end drone or any other equipment if you want to sell stock footage. However, if you plan on offering your services as a videographer, you’ll need to invest in a quality drone and other filmmaking gear.
In general, you can expect to spend anywhere from $500 to $5,000 on your drone business, depending on the type of business you want to start.
You can also start with a more affordable drone and upgrade as your business grows.
Alternatively, you can rent a drone whenever you have a project and then purchase your drone once the business has shown it has legs.
How Much Money Can You Make With a Drone?
How much money you can make with a drone will depend on a number of factors, such as the type of business you start, how many clients you have, and your pricing.
Those just starting can expect to make $500 to $1,000 per month. However, as you grow your business and gain more clients, you can easily increase your earnings to $5,000 or even $10,000 monthly.
Of course, there is no limit to how much money you can make with a drone business. The sky’s the limit!
Final Thoughts
As you can see, there are a number of ways to make money with a drone. Whether you’re looking to start your own business or want to make some extra cash, there’s an option for you.
Remember to inform yourself of your local drone laws and regulations before starting. Once you have everything set up, you can start earning money with your drone.
Like many businesses, getting things off the ground may take some time, but once you do, you can start earning a good income from your drone business.
FAQs
There are several websites listing drone pilot jobs, such as Indeed and FlyGuys.
You can also check with businesses in your local area to see if they’re hiring drone pilots or need aerial imagery or footage for a specific project.
Yes, it is possible to make a living as a drone pilot. Many drone pilots can generate a full-time income from their business.
Of course, how much you can earn will depend on several factors, such as your location, work type, and pricing.
Yes, there is a growing demand for drone pilots as more businesses and industries use drones for various purposes.
This includes everything from aerial photography and videography to surveying and mapping, agricultural spraying, search and rescue operations, and more.
Yes, you will need insurance to cover your drone business. This is because there is a risk of your drone damaging property or injuring someone while in flight.
Several insurance companies offer drone insurance, so be sure to shop around for the best rate.
