How many views to earn money on YouTube? With strategic monetization techniques, the journey to financial success on YouTube begins. At money-central.com, we explore various strategies to maximize your earning potential through ad revenue, fan funding, merchandise sales, and brand partnerships, ensuring your content turns views into revenue. Explore diverse income streams, optimize your content strategy, and unlock your earning potential to boost your revenue.
Table of Contents
1. Joining the YouTube Partner Program
2. Turning on Ads for Your Videos
3. Fan Funding
4. Selling Merchandise
5. Brand Partnerships
6. Licensing Content
7. Crowdfunding
8. Affiliate Marketing
9. Getting Paid on YouTube: The Numbers
10. Tips for Selling on YouTube
11. How to Make Money on YouTube FAQ
1. What Is the YouTube Partner Program and How Do I Join?
The YouTube Partner Program (YPP) is your gateway to monetizing your content, offering revenue sharing from ads, YouTube Premium subscriptions, and fan funding features. To join, your channel needs at least 1,000 subscribers and either 4,000 watch hours in the past 12 months or 10 million Shorts views in the last 90 days, while maintaining good standing with YouTube’s policies.
Once accepted into the YPP, creators gain access to YouTube’s creator support and the Copyright Match Tool. Keep in mind that while the YPP offers great opportunities, it may not be the most lucrative path for all channels. Directing viewers to external sites, creating sponsored videos, and selling merchandise can provide substantial revenue. According to YouTube, over $50 billion has been paid to YPP members in the last three years, highlighting the platform’s potential.
To apply:
- Go to YouTube Studio
- Click the Earn tab
- Follow the steps to apply
YouTube Partner Program requirements and application process
2. How Do I Turn On Ads for My Videos to Start Earning?
Once you are in the YouTube Partner Program, turning on ads for your videos is a straightforward process that allows you to collect ad revenue from display and video ads. YouTube’s ad platform is largely automated, making it simple to implement.
For long-form videos, YouTube will show viewers a mix of pre-roll and post-roll ads, some of which may be skippable. While you can’t control which ads are displayed, videos longer than eight minutes allow for mid-roll ads, which can be added automatically or manually. YouTube retains 45% of ad revenue from standard videos and 55% from Shorts.
To track your earnings, the Revenue tab in YouTube Studio provides ad earnings reports, including monthly estimated revenue. While ad revenue is a passive income method, combining it with other strategies can lead to significant earnings. However, YouTube’s monetization policies can be cautious, potentially impacting ad-friendliness of some content.
3. How Does Fan Funding Work and What Are the Best Platforms?
Fan funding allows viewers to directly support your channel through tips and monthly payments via YouTube’s built-in features such as Super Chat, Super Stickers, and Super Thanks.
- Super Chat and Super Stickers: Viewers buy colorful messages during livestreams and premieres, highlighting their comments in the chat.
- Super Thanks: Fans can purchase these to show appreciation for specific videos.
- Channel Memberships: Offer paying fans exclusive benefits across various membership levels, such as badges, custom emojis, exclusive content, and members-only live chats.
Alternative Fan Funding Platforms
Patreon is a well-known platform where creators offer additional content and perks for regular donations.
Patreon page example showing fan funding for content creators
Other platforms include:
- Buy Me a Coffee
- Ko-fi
- Tipeeestream
These platforms require investment in additional content but offer a way for your audience to support you.
4. How Can I Sell Products and Merchandise on YouTube?
YouTube Shopping allows creators to open a storefront on their channel, connect their online store to display products, and tag products in videos. According to YouTube, over 160,000 creators use YouTube Shopping. Many creators sell branded merchandise such as tote bags, snapbacks, and t-shirts.
Selling branded swag is easier with print-on-demand services, which produce and ship products on a per-order basis.
Setting Up YouTube Shopping
The easiest way to use YouTube Shopping is by connecting your Shopify store to your YouTube channel. This allows for automatic syncing of product listings, and customers can check out on YouTube or visit your store for a more in-depth experience.
T-shirts displayed on a website category page for online selling
Don’t have an online store? Start yours with a free trial.
5. How Do I Work with Brands as an Influencer?
Brands are increasingly investing in influencer marketing, spending advertising budgets on influencers with loyal audiences. This creates an opportunity for you as a creator to negotiate deals in exchange for exposing your audience to their products.
YouTube marketing expert Brendan Gahan suggests establishing a baseline flat fee by multiplying your average video views by 5¢ to 15¢ per view. Depending on your target audience, content quality, and niche profitability, you may negotiate a better deal. Transparency is key—only endorse products you like or believe in.
6. What Does It Mean to License My Content to the Media?
If you create a viral video with mass appeal, you can license your content to media outlets in exchange for money. TV news, morning shows, and online news sites might reach out for rights to use your videos. You can also list your videos in marketplaces like Jukin Licensing, making your content easier to find and purchase.
Screenshot of a YouTube video featuring a woman in a Chewbacca mask
7. How Can I Use Crowdfunding for Creative Projects?
Crowdfunding is an effective way to fund creative projects when money is the only barrier to execution. Whether you need help buying equipment, hiring actors, or covering production costs, you can call upon your audience to contribute if your idea is compelling. Many crowdfunded projects offer sneak peeks or trailers to excite potential funders.
Kickstarter campaign example featuring a trailer for the Kung Fury movie
Popular crowdfunding sites include:
- Kickstarter
- Indiegogo
- GoFundMe
8. How Does Affiliate Marketing Work on YouTube?
Affiliate marketing involves earning a commission by promoting products or services from other brands in your videos. To start, find affiliate programs that align with your content and resonate with your audience. Add affiliate links to your video descriptions or end cards.
Becoming an affiliate works well if you review products on your channel. There’s usually a low barrier to entry, as brands only pay when they make sales. Always disclose your affiliation with the products you’re reviewing.
YouTube simplifies this process with its Shopping affiliate program, allowing you to quickly locate relevant products and view commission percentages. You can tag these products directly in your videos.
9. Getting Paid on YouTube: The Numbers
How Many Views Do You Need on YouTube to Make Money?
The average YouTube channel earns around $2 to $25 per 1,000 views. However, the number of views doesn’t directly correlate to revenue. You only make money if viewers click on or watch the video ad in full (10, 15, or 30 seconds).
How Much Money Do YouTubers Make Per Year?
Top YouTubers like MrBeast earn tens of millions of dollars annually. Smaller accounts can also earn a living.
For example, Justine Leconte, with one million subscribers, earns an estimated $259,304 annually from ad revenue alone, averaging $979 per video, according to Influencer Marketing Hub’s YouTube Money Calculator.
How Do YouTubers Maximize Their Revenue?
YouTube channels can be monetized even without millions of subscribers. Earning potential depends on engagement, niche, and explored revenue channels. Many top earners have their own merchandise lines, proving that building an audience first is essential before launching other revenue streams.
10. Tips for Selling on YouTube
To promote products without compromising your content’s integrity, follow these tips:
Understand Your Audience
Knowing your audience is key to monetizing content. Pay attention to:
- Gender
- Age range
- Geographic location
- Watch time
This demographic information helps you understand your audience and work better with brands.
Add Info Cards to Your Videos
Info cards offer an eye-catching way to grab the attention of engaged viewers. Add pop-ups at relevant moments to increase their impact.
YouTube video showing two info cards and an ad for shoes
Add Links in Your Video Descriptions
Send viewers to your store, Patreon page, or other revenue sources by adding links to your video descriptions.
Gymshark YouTube video with links to social media in the description
Promote Your Offer on Other Platforms
Use other distribution channels like Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok to promote new campaigns or discounts. Growing your following beyond YouTube increases the chance your message will be seen.
11. How to Make Money on YouTube FAQ
How Many Views Do You Need on YouTube to Make Money?
The number of views doesn’t correlate to revenue. You only earn if viewers engage with ads shown before your videos.
How Much Do You Get Paid Per 1,000 Views on YouTube?
The average YouTube channel receives around 1.8¢ per view, which equals $18 per 1,000 views, according to Influencer Marketing Hub.
Do You Get Paid for Uploading Videos on YouTube?
No, content creators are not paid for uploading videos. To make money, you must enable monetization in your YouTube account settings, join the YouTube Partner Program, or list your videos on YouTube Premium.
How Do YouTubers Make Money on YouTube?
- Join YouTube’s Partner Program
- Sell products or merchandise
- Crowdfunding
- Fan funding
- License content to media
- Work with brands as an influencer
- Become an affiliate marketer
How Can You Make Money on YouTube Without Making Videos?
Partner with popular creators to promote your products to their viewers. Eligible Shopify users can add their products to YouTube’s affiliate marketing program, allowing creators to tag products in their videos.
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