For many, making money on YouTube is the dream. After all, YouTubers appear to have a great life and the adoration of their fans to bask in. And since creating a YouTube channel is easier than ever, there’s no harm in thinking big and aiming high.
In this article, we’ll guide you through nine strategies to make money on YouTube. You’ll discover how much successful YouTubers can earn and how you can grow your own business on one of the world’s largest Internet platforms.
How to make money on YouTube
There are a variety of different ways you can start earning on YouTube, most of which revolve around creating compelling video content. Here’s a look at some of the popular income streams available:
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1. Join the YouTube Partner Program
If you’ve been wondering how to make money from YouTube, then it’s essential that you’re aware of the YouTube Partner Program and how it works. YouTube content creators won’t be able to monetize any of their videos until they’ve been accepted into the YouTube Partner Program.
When your YouTube channel has 1,000 subscribers and 4,000 public views, it’ll be reviewed for eligibility to join the Partner Program. This means you won’t be able to generate any revenue until you’ve hit these numbers, so it’s important to continue creating content and increasing your channel’s reach. You can apply for monetization once you meet the program’s criteria.
How to enable monetization on YouTube:
- Log in to the YouTube account you intend to monetize.
- Click your account’s icon in the top right corner, then click YouTube Studio.
- From the left-hand menu, choose Other Features > Monetization.
- Go through the Partner Program terms and click Agree.
- Connect an existing AdSense account or create a new one for your channel.
- Define your monetization preferences.
After taking these steps, go back to the dashboard and open the Analytics tab on the left. On the next screen, select Revenue from the top and then scroll down until you see the chart Monthly Estimated Revenue. The chart will give you an idea of your predicted monthly revenue.
2. Get featured on YouTube Premium
YouTube Premium is a paid subscription service that lets viewers enjoy ad-free videos. Creators automatically gain an additional revenue stream when YouTube Premium subscribers watch their videos.
Much like the monetization rules for ad-based revenue, most of the YouTube Premium revenue goes to creators (which is shared out depending on how much Premium subscribers view their videos).
Premium subscribers also have the perk of downloading videos for offline viewing and playing them in the background, which boosts your watch time.
Consider the revenue from YouTube Premium subscribers as a secondary income source, complementing what you already earn through channel advertisements.
3. Offer channel memberships
When your YouTube channel gets more than 30,000 subscribers, you can add another income stream by leveraging channel memberships. This is where fans pay $4.99 a month for a membership package that includes perks like early access to videos, members-only live chat, exclusive emojis, and more. Members will be highlighted in comments, live chat, and the Community tab through special members-only badges.
Because audiences are well aware that it can be a real challenge to get a YouTube creator’s attention, it makes sense to offer channel memberships. And voila, you’ve got another answer for how to make money from YouTube.
Pro tip: Use your videos to remind people that they can become exclusive members by clicking the Join button on your page.
4. Endorse affiliate products in your videos
Businesses are well aware of the potential that YouTube channels with a large following have, and they’re always looking to exploit this to grow their own business.
Once you’ve garnered a substantial following on the platform, you’ll likely experience businesses reaching out to you and requesting you to promote their products in exchange for cash. Consider becoming an affiliate of these brands and including product placements in your videos. You can also sign up for popular affiliate programs to expand your affiliate network.
Pro tip: Only promote products that you think will be valuable for your audience, and disclose the partnership to your viewers—that will help you comply with YouTube’s policies.
5. Monetize livestreams via Super Chat and Super Stickers
Super Chat andSuper Stickers are two popular new ways to make money from YouTube.
Super Chat is a feature that allows creators to receive donations from viewers during livestreams. Super Stickers are animated images that viewers can purchase to add an interactive element to their conversations.
You can activate these features in YouTube Studio by going to Earn > Supers and following the on-screen prompts.
6. Become a YouTube influencer
With influencer marketing on the rise, there’s a big opportunity for you, as a creator, to get in on the action.
But where do you start? According to YouTube marketing expert and influencer Brendan Gahan, creators should establish a flat fee by taking the number of views their videos typically receive and multiplying it by 15¢ per view.
Digital marketing agency WebFX listed the following figures for how much YouTube influencers can expect to earn:
- $20,000 per video for a creator with a million subscribers
- $2,000 per video for a creator with 100,000 subscribers
- $200 per video for a creator with 10,000 subscribers
The key to earning more is to partner with brands whose products are valuable to your audiences.
Here are some platforms for being discovered by potential partners:
- Upfluence: A vast influencer platform with more than three million influencers in its database. Brands can use keywords to find and connect with creators for partnerships.
- Crowdtap: Helps tackle short content tasks to earn money and rewards, without worrying about how many followers you have.
- Shopify Collabs: Simplifies finding brands that match your content and values. Build affiliate relationships, get paid for what you sell, and track everything in one spot.
Some influencer marketing platforms will connect you with big brands willing to make large payouts, while others will get you free products. Agree to opportunities that best suit your needs.
7. Sell your own products
Whether you’re looking to earn from YouTube or just share your interests, promoting products on your channel helps. Mention these items in your videos and descriptions to bring more people to your website.
If you haven’t set up a shop yet, Shopify makes it simple. After it’s live, you can sell products related to your content. This could be your own line, items you’ve featured in videos, or things your viewers might enjoy.
Pro tip: Leverage user-generated content by encouraging your viewers to share how they use or style your products. Feature their photos or videos in your content for a personal touch that boosts trust and interest in your line.
8. License your content to media outlets
Are you sitting on a viral video? A video that captures an unforgettable moment or a laugh-out-loud incident? Consider licensing it to TV shows or media outlets to turn that buzz into cash.
You can list your video on platforms like Jukin Licensing, which are designed to connect viral content creators with potential buyers. This makes it easier for your unique moments to be discovered by those looking to broadcast engaging content to their audiences.
9. Cross-promote your offers
Don’t limit your content to just YouTube. Make sure to spread the word across all your social media channels, like Instagram and Facebook.
Announcing new videos or promotions on various platforms can significantly increase your visibility. Expanding your presence beyond YouTube through social media marketing is key to reaching more viewers.
Tips for getting more engagement on YouTube
For boosting engagement on YouTube, consider these essential strategies when producing your videos:
1. Try to make your videos 10+ minutes long
When you create videos for YouTube that are longer than 10 minutes, you’ll have a higher chance of generating more money through ad revenue. Long-form videos often have a higher watch time, which positively contributes toward the amount of ad revenue that said videos would generate. Also, videos that have a higher average watch time will appear higher up in YouTube’s search results, which means there’s a higher chance for users to view your content.
2. Collaborate with other YouTubers
Another way to get more YouTube traffic is to collaborate with other YouTubers. This is a great method that will allow you to grow your YouTube presence, add unique content to your channel, and open up your content to a whole audience. Do some research on YouTubers who are active in your niche and reach out to them with a great video idea—they’ll more than likely be interested in collaborating.
3. Create engaging and informative content
This is vital for the success of your YouTube channel. YouTube users are always searching for videos that will entertain them or will give them value. If you can provide your audience with video content as such, they’ll be likely to watch the whole video, and come back for more video content in the future.
Pro tip: Dive into YouTube analytics to see which demographic is paying more attention to your videos. This will give you a better idea of what type of content to create. For example, if you find that your videos are more popular with Gen Z, you can try using a few of their favorite slang words in your videos.
4. Make the most of your descriptions
Descriptions are another valuable answer to how to make money from YouTube videos. They help people discover your content and decide whether to watch or skip it. When writing descriptions for your videos, follow the age-old journalistic writing approach: Mention the most obvious things first, then work toward the less crucial. Also, try explaining what viewers will gain by watching the entire video, and try mentioning at least a few of their pain points (pain points get people to click!).
5. Build your following with consistent posting
When you’re running a YouTube channel, it’s a great idea to post content consistently. When you maintain a steady stream of content for your viewers, they’ll remain engaged with your channel. This means they’ll be much more aware of your online presence, and the properties attached to it, like your ecommerce business.
Becoming a YouTubepreneur
Most creators don’t start with dreams of making big money. They want to share something they love with the world. Look at MrBeast. He began at the age of 13, making all sorts of videos, from gaming to guessing how rich other YouTubers are.
This passion for creating content puts YouTubers in a sweet spot for making money in a world that can’t get enough of it. Unlike many businesses struggling to catch people’s attention, YouTubers already have a crowd waiting.
Your next move? Use that creativity and drive to figure out cool ways to make money from your audience and what you love doing.
How to make money on YouTube FAQ
How do you get paid as a YouTuber?
To get paid on YouTube, you’ll need to set up a few things to receive payments from the company.
Firstly, sign up for a Google AdSense account using your Gmail ID, then select your choice of payment from wire transfer, Western Union Quick Cash, EFT (electronic funds transfer), SEPA (Single Euro Payments Area), and checks.
Once AdSense is set up, you can request payment after you meet the minimum payment threshold.
Do you get paid for uploading videos on YouTube?
YouTube doesn’t automatically pay creators for posting videos, nor are videos monetized right away. To begin making money on YouTube, you must activate monetization in your account settings. This process involves options like joining the YouTube Partner Program or getting your videos included on YouTube Premium.
When do you start making money on YouTube?
You can monetize your YouTube account as soon as you’re accepted into the Partner Program. Before that, you can try landing sponsorships from brands that pay creators to make good content. If you run an ecommerce store, you can start making money on YouTube the same day you create an account by promoting your items through the platform. Just make sure to spread the word beforehand that you’ll be showcasing your products and leaving links through your channel.
How many views do you need to make money on YouTube?
The average YouTube channel in the US earns between $10 to $30 for every 1,000 views, according to data from Hootsuite. However, this figure varies widely based on factors like viewer engagement and content type.
For instance, channels with highly engaged audiences or those in lucrative niches can see significantly higher earnings, with some YouTubers making between $1,610 and $29,300 per million views.
How can you compete with other YouTubers?
When you’re researching how to make money with YouTube, remember that you won’t be competing solely with other entrepreneurs for traffic and revenue. There will also be full-time YouTubers who are fighting for the attention of your audience.
It’s important to keep this in mind when you’re creating content for your channel. You can stand out from the crowd by creating enticing video thumbnails and titles. Remember, YouTube is a heavily visual-oriented platform, so nailing these will help you to draw in more users to view your videos.
You can also beat the competition by taking advantage of YouTube SEO. Creating SEO content for your video descriptions is a great way to generate organic traffic for your YouTube channel. Learn more in Shopify’s guide to YouTube SEO.
