YouTube has transformed from a simple video-sharing platform into a powerful ecosystem where creators can build careers and generate substantial income. Today’s YouTubers are self-made celebrities, engaging millions with entertaining, educational, and informative content. If you’re looking to turn your passion for video creation into a profitable venture, YouTube offers a multitude of avenues to monetize your channel.
This guide explores proven strategies to Make Money On Youtube, ranging from leveraging YouTube’s built-in monetization features to exploring external opportunities that can significantly boost your earnings. Discover how successful YouTubers are making a living and how you can implement these tactics to maximize your revenue.
Unlocking YouTube Monetization: Essential Strategies
1. Join the YouTube Partner Program (YPP) and Enable Ads
Example of an in-video YouTube ad for a bicycle brand
Becoming a member of the YouTube Partner Program is the foundational step towards monetizing your content directly through YouTube. The YPP grants creators access to various income streams, including ad revenue sharing, YouTube Premium revenue, fan funding features, and YouTube Shopping.
Benefits of Joining the YPP:
- Ad Revenue Sharing: Earn money from display, overlay, and video ads shown on your videos and Shorts. This is often the most straightforward way for beginners to start generating income.
- YouTube Premium Revenue: Get a share of revenue when YouTube Premium subscribers watch your content. This provides a valuable alternative revenue stream as Premium membership grows.
- Fan Funding Features: Access Super Chat, Super Thanks, and channel memberships to allow your audience to support you directly.
- YouTube Shopping: Integrate your online store to sell merchandise and products directly to your viewers through your channel.
- Creator Support and Copyright Tools: Receive dedicated creator support from YouTube and access the Copyright Match Tool to protect your original content.
While the YPP is not the only path to monetization, it unlocks essential features and simplifies many other revenue-generating strategies. YouTube has distributed over $50 billion to its partners in the last three years, demonstrating the program’s potential for creators who meet the eligibility criteria.
Eligibility for the YouTube Partner Program:
To qualify for the YPP, your channel must meet these minimum requirements:
- 1,000 Subscribers: Build a community around your content and reach this subscriber milestone.
- 4,000 Valid Public Watch Hours in the Past 12 Months OR 10 Million Shorts Views in the Last 90 Days: Demonstrate consistent viewership and engagement on your channel.
- Compliance with YouTube’s Monetization Policies: Adhere to YouTube’s community guidelines and ad-friendly content guidelines.
- Live in an Eligible Region: Ensure your country or region is eligible for the YPP.
Once you meet these criteria, you can apply for the program through YouTube Studio’s “Earn” tab.
Turning on Ads on Your Videos:
After joining the YPP, enabling ads on your videos is the most basic monetization method. YouTube’s ad platform is largely automated, displaying pre-roll, mid-roll, and post-roll ads on your content.
- Long-Form Videos: For videos longer than eight minutes, you can strategically place mid-roll ads to increase revenue. You can choose automatic placement or manually insert ad breaks for optimal viewer experience.
- YouTube Shorts: Short-form videos also contribute to ad revenue through ads shown between Shorts in the Shorts feed.
Monitor your ad earnings in YouTube Studio’s “Revenue” tab to track your monthly estimated revenue and video performance.
Beyond Ads: Diversifying Your Revenue Streams
While ad revenue is a starting point, relying solely on ads may not be the most lucrative long-term strategy. YouTube’s demonetization policies can sometimes affect ad revenue, and YouTube retains a portion of ad earnings (45% for standard videos, 55% for Shorts). To maximize your income, consider combining ads with other monetization methods.
2. Leverage Fan Funding: Super Chat, Super Thanks, and Channel Memberships
The Patreon page of YouTube channel Wait But Why.
For creators within the Partner Program, YouTube offers built-in fan funding tools that allow viewers to directly support your channel financially. These features foster a stronger connection with your audience and provide a more predictable income stream.
YouTube’s Fan Funding Features:
- Super Chat & Super Stickers: During live streams and premieres, viewers can purchase Super Chats and Super Stickers to highlight their messages in the chat. These colorful, pinned messages stand out, increasing visibility and showing direct support.
- Super Thanks: Viewers can express gratitude for your regular videos by purchasing Super Thanks. This feature allows fans to send a one-time tip directly on your video page, with customizable amounts and animated acknowledgements.
- Channel Memberships: Create a membership program offering exclusive perks to paying subscribers. You can establish up to six membership tiers with escalating benefits, such as:
- Custom Badges and Emojis: Members get unique badges next to their names in comments and live chat, along with custom emojis for use in chat.
- Members-Only Content: Offer exclusive videos, live streams, community posts, and Shorts accessible only to members.
- Early Access Content: Provide members with early access to your regular videos before they are released to the public.
- Members-Only Live Chats: Host exclusive live chats and Q&A sessions for your members.
- Member Recognition Shelf: Showcase your members’ avatars prominently at the top of your channel page.
Exploring External Fan Funding Platforms:
Beyond YouTube’s native tools, platforms like Patreon provide alternative fan funding options. Patreon allows creators to offer tiered memberships with exclusive content and rewards in exchange for recurring donations. While it may require creating additional content specifically for Patreon, it can establish a stable and predictable income stream directly from your most loyal fans.
Alternative fan funding platforms include Buy Me a Coffee and Ko-fi, offering similar functionalities to Patreon.
3. Sell Merchandise and Products with YouTube Shopping
t-shirts on a website category page
Selling branded merchandise is a powerful way to monetize your YouTube channel and build your brand identity. YouTube Shopping simplifies the process of selling products directly to your audience.
Utilizing YouTube Shopping:
- Open a Storefront on Your Channel: Create a dedicated storefront tab directly on your YouTube channel to showcase your merchandise.
- Connect Your Online Store: Integrate your existing online store (e.g., Shopify) with your YouTube channel to automatically display products around your videos and on your storefront.
- Product Tagging: Tag products in your videos and live streams, allowing viewers to easily click and purchase while watching your content.
Popular merchandise options for YouTubers include apparel like t-shirts, hoodies, and hats, as well as accessories, mugs, and stickers. Print-on-demand services streamline the process by handling production and shipping, minimizing upfront costs and inventory management.
According to YouTube data, over 160,000 creators are already leveraging YouTube Shopping to sell their merchandise.
Setting Up YouTube Shopping with Shopify:
Connecting your Shopify store to your YouTube channel is the easiest way to implement YouTube Shopping. Shopify automatically syncs your product catalog, enabling seamless product display and checkout experiences for your viewers directly on YouTube or through your online store.
If you don’t have an online store yet, Shopify offers a free trial to get started and explore its e-commerce features.
4. Partner with Brands for Influencer Marketing Campaigns
Brands are increasingly recognizing the value of influencer marketing and are allocating significant advertising budgets to collaborate with creators who have established engaged audiences. This presents a significant opportunity for YouTubers to earn income through sponsored content.
Becoming a YouTube Influencer:
- Brand Sponsorships: Partner with brands relevant to your niche to create sponsored videos featuring their products or services. In return for promoting the brand, you receive a fee.
- Negotiating Sponsorship Deals: Research industry standards and understand your audience demographics and engagement metrics to negotiate fair rates for sponsored content. Brendan Gahan, a YouTube marketing expert, suggests a baseline rate of 5¢ to 15¢ per view, multiplied by your average video views.
Transparency and Authenticity in Brand Partnerships:
When creating sponsored content, transparency is crucial. Clearly disclose to your audience that the video is sponsored and only endorse products or brands that you genuinely believe in and align with your content and values. Authenticity builds trust with your audience and ensures long-term success in influencer marketing.
5. License Your Viral Content to Media Outlets
a woman in a chewbacca mask on youtube video
If you create a video that unexpectedly goes viral and captures widespread attention, you have the opportunity to license your content to media outlets. News organizations, television shows, online publications, and other creators are often seeking viral videos to feature in their programming or content.
Licensing Your Content:
- Media Inquiries: If your video goes viral, media outlets may directly contact you to inquire about licensing rights.
- Content Marketplaces: Proactively list your videos on content marketplaces like Jukin Licensing. These platforms connect content creators with media buyers, making it easier for your viral videos to be discovered and licensed.
Licensing your content can generate a substantial one-time payment, particularly for videos with broad appeal and high viral potential.
6. Crowdfund Your Creative Projects with Your Audience
a kickstart campaign for Kung Fury movie with preview
Crowdfunding is a powerful tool for YouTubers to finance creative projects that require upfront investment. Whether you need to upgrade equipment, hire actors, or cover production costs for a more ambitious video, crowdfunding allows you to solicit financial contributions directly from your audience.
Utilizing Crowdfunding Platforms:
- Project-Based Funding: Launch crowdfunding campaigns on platforms like Kickstarter or Indiegogo to raise funds for specific video projects or channel improvements.
- Compelling Campaign Presentation: Create a video trailer or pitch that effectively communicates your project’s vision and excites potential backers. Offer enticing rewards and incentives to encourage contributions.
Popular crowdfunding platforms favored by YouTubers include Kickstarter, Indiegogo, and GoFundMe.
7. Implement Affiliate Marketing Strategies
Affiliate marketing is a performance-based monetization strategy where you earn a commission by promoting products or services from other companies. As a YouTube creator, you can integrate affiliate marketing into your content by recommending relevant products to your viewers.
Becoming an Affiliate Marketer:
- Join Affiliate Programs: Identify affiliate programs that align with your channel’s niche and audience interests. Focus on products you genuinely recommend and believe will be valuable to your viewers.
- Promote Products in Your Content: Create videos that naturally integrate product recommendations, such as product reviews, tutorials, or “best of” lists.
- Utilize Affiliate Links: Include affiliate links in your video descriptions and end screens. When viewers click these links and make a purchase, you earn a commission.
YouTube Shopping Affiliate Program:
YouTube simplifies affiliate marketing with its Shopping affiliate program, enabling creators within the Partner Program to easily discover and promote products directly within their videos. You can tag products and earn commissions on sales generated through your content.
Finding Affiliates for Your Own Products:
If you sell your own products, consider establishing your own affiliate program. Eligible Shopify merchants can add their products to the YouTube Shopping affiliate program, allowing other YouTubers to promote your products and drive sales.
Understanding YouTube Earnings: Key Metrics
How Many Views Do You Need to Make Money on YouTube?
While view count is often discussed, it’s not the primary determinant of YouTube earnings. Revenue is generated when viewers engage with ads by clicking on them or watching them in full (10, 15, or 30 seconds). A high view count without ad engagement will not directly translate to significant income.
Industry data from Influencer Marketing Hub indicates that the average YouTube channel earns approximately 1.8¢ per view, which equates to $18 per 1,000 views. However, this is just an average, and actual earnings can vary significantly based on factors like niche, audience demographics, and ad engagement rates.
How Much Do YouTubers Earn Annually?
Top-tier YouTubers like MrBeast can earn millions of dollars per year through diverse revenue streams. However, creators with smaller channels can also generate a sustainable income.
For example, Justine Leconte, a fashion YouTuber with one million subscribers, reportedly earns an estimated $259,304 annually solely from ad revenue, averaging $979 per video (according to Influencer Marketing Hub’s YouTube Money Calculator). These figures are estimates and actual earnings can fluctuate based on various monetization strategies employed.
Maximizing Your YouTube Revenue Potential
Your earning potential on YouTube is influenced by several factors:
- Audience Engagement: High engagement, measured by watch time, likes, comments, and shares, signals a valuable audience to advertisers and increases ad revenue potential.
- Niche Selection: Certain niches with higher advertiser demand (e.g., finance, technology, health) often command higher ad rates (CPM – cost per mille or cost per thousand views).
- Diversification of Revenue Streams: Combining multiple monetization methods (ads, fan funding, merch, sponsorships, affiliate marketing) is crucial for maximizing overall income.
Building a dedicated audience is paramount. Focus on creating high-quality, engaging content that resonates with your target viewers.
Tips for Effective Selling and Promotion on YouTube
Monetization strategies often involve promoting products or services. Maintain audience trust by integrating promotions authentically and avoiding the perception of “selling out.”
Strategies for Authentic Promotion:
Understand Your YouTube Audience Demographics
Comprehensive audience understanding is essential for effective monetization. Utilize YouTube Analytics to gather demographic insights:
- Gender Distribution: Identify if your audience skews towards a specific gender.
- Age Range: Determine the primary age groups watching your content.
- Geographic Location: Understand where your viewers are located geographically.
- Watch Time and Engagement: Analyze audience retention and engagement metrics.
This demographic data informs your content strategy, brand partnership choices, and product recommendations, ensuring relevance and resonance with your audience.
Utilize Info Cards and End Screens Strategically
Info cards (formerly YouTube Cards) and end screens are non-intrusive tools to promote products, other videos, playlists, or external links.
a youtube video with two info cards and an ad for shoes
- Contextual Placement: Add info cards at relevant moments within your videos to highlight product mentions or related content.
- Compelling End Screens: Design visually appealing end screens with clear calls to action, encouraging viewers to subscribe, watch more videos, or visit your online store.
Add Relevant Links in Video Descriptions
Video descriptions are prime real estate for directing viewers to external resources, including your online store, Patreon page, affiliate links, or crowdfunding campaigns.
Gymshark youtube video with links to follow the brand on social media in description
Include clear and concise links with descriptive anchor text to guide viewers to your desired destinations.
Cross-Promote Your YouTube Offers on Other Platforms
Extend your reach beyond YouTube by promoting your videos, merchandise, and offers on other social media platforms like X (formerly Twitter), Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok. Social media marketing amplifies your message and drives traffic to your YouTube channel and monetization efforts.
The Creator Economy: A Sustainable Path
While passion often drives content creation, monetization provides creators with the opportunity to transform their hobby into a sustainable career. With strategic monetization and dedication, YouTubers can be rewarded for their creativity, effort, and engagement with their audience.
The journey of MrBeast, who started creating videos at 13 and dedicated years to refining his content, exemplifies the potential of YouTube as a career path. Building an audience is often the most challenging aspect for businesses; YouTubers have already conquered this hurdle.
Shopify empowers creators and businesses of all sizes to succeed in the creator economy. Explore Shopify plans and pricing to launch your online store and integrate with your YouTube channel.
Frequently Asked Questions About Making Money on YouTube
How many views are needed to make money on YouTube?
View count alone doesn’t directly translate to revenue. Earnings are generated when viewers interact with ads by clicking or watching them completely. While a high view count increases exposure, ad engagement is the key factor in determining income.
How much is paid per 1,000 views on YouTube?
The average YouTube channel earns around $18 per 1,000 views, or approximately 1.8¢ per view, according to data from Influencer Marketing Hub. However, this is an average estimate, and actual earnings can vary.
Do YouTubers get paid for uploading videos?
YouTube does not pay creators simply for uploading videos. Monetization must be enabled through YouTube account settings, and creators typically earn revenue through the YouTube Partner Program, ad revenue sharing, YouTube Premium, and other monetization features.
What are the primary ways YouTubers make money?
YouTubers utilize diverse monetization strategies, including:
- Joining the YouTube Partner Program and enabling ads
- Selling merchandise and products through YouTube Shopping
- Crowdfunding creative projects
- Leveraging fan funding features like Super Chat and channel memberships
- Licensing viral content to media outlets
- Partnering with brands for influencer marketing campaigns
- Implementing affiliate marketing strategies
How can you make money on YouTube without creating videos?
One way to generate revenue from YouTube without creating your own videos is to partner with established creators. If you sell products, you can leverage YouTube’s affiliate marketing program to allow creators to promote your products in their videos, driving sales and earning commissions.
