Want to turn your YouTube passion into profit? money-central.com reveals proven strategies for how to get money off YouTube, from ad revenue and fan funding to brand partnerships and merchandise sales, empowering you to master financial management and maximize your earnings. Let’s explore diverse monetization methods, offering insights to achieve financial stability and success as a content creator with financial planning.
1. Understanding the YouTube Partner Program (YPP)
The YouTube Partner Program is your gateway to earning money directly from your content. As a member, you unlock various monetization features for your shorts, livestreams, and long-form videos.
- Revenue Sharing from Ads: Earn money from ads displayed during your videos and between Shorts.
- YouTube Premium Revenue: Get a share of revenue from YouTube Premium subscribers who watch your content.
- Fan Funding Features: Utilize Super Chat, Super Thanks, and channel memberships to receive direct support from your audience.
- YouTube Shopping: Offer products to your audience directly through your channel.
Additionally, the YPP provides access to YouTube’s creator support resources and the Copyright Match Tool, protecting your original content from infringement. While joining the YPP isn’t the only monetization path, it simplifies many earning methods. According to YouTube, it has paid out over $50 billion to YPP members in the last three years.
How to Join the YouTube Partner Program?
To qualify for the YPP, your channel must meet these requirements:
- 1,000 Subscribers: Reach at least 1,000 subscribers to your channel.
- Watch Hours or Shorts Views: Accumulate 4,000 valid watch hours in the past 12 months or achieve 10 million Shorts views in the last 90 days.
Your channel also needs to comply with YouTube’s monetization policies and reside in an eligible region.
To apply, go to YouTube Studio, navigate to the “Earn” tab, and follow the instructions.
2. Monetizing Videos With Ads
Turning on ads for your videos is a straightforward way to generate income through the YouTube Partner Program.
Once accepted into the YPP, enable ads on your long-form videos. YouTube will automatically display pre-roll, post-roll, and sometimes mid-roll ads (for videos over eight minutes). While you can’t control specific ad content, you can manage mid-roll ad placement for longer videos, either manually or automatically.
In YouTube Studio’s Revenue tab, monitor your ad earnings reports, including your estimated monthly revenue from monetized videos.
While convenient, relying solely on ads might not yield significant revenue. YouTube’s demonetization policies can affect some content, and the platform retains a portion of ad revenue (45% for standard videos and 55% for Shorts).
Example of an in-video YouTube ad for a bicycle brand
Example of YouTube ad for a bicycle brand with automated platform.
3. Fan Funding: Engaging Your Audience For Direct Support
For creators in the YPP, fan funding features allow viewers to directly support your channel through tips and monthly payments.
- Super Chat, Super Stickers, and Super Thanks: Viewers can purchase these colorful messages and alerts to highlight their comments during livestreams and video premieres.
- Channel Memberships: Offer paying fans exclusive benefits across up to six membership levels, including:
- Channel badges and custom emojis
- Members-only community posts, Shorts, and videos
- Exclusive first-viewing rights
- Members-only live chats and livestreams
- A member recognition shelf on your channel page
Alternative Fan Funding Platforms
Consider using platforms like Patreon to source donations outside the YouTube ecosystem. Patreon allows you to offer exclusive content, access, and perks in exchange for recurring donations from your fans.
4. Selling Merchandise and Products
YouTube Shopping allows you to sell products directly from your channel.
- Open a Storefront: Create a storefront directly on your YouTube channel.
- Connect Your Online Store: Link your existing online store to display products around your videos.
- Tag Products: Tag your products or those from partner brands in your videos.
Many creators promote branded merchandise like tote bags, snapbacks, and t-shirts, or recommend products from brands they partner with. Using print-on-demand services simplifies creating and selling branded swag.
t-shirts on a website category page
T-shirts displayed for sale online, an example of creator merchandise.
Setting Up YouTube Shopping
The easiest way to integrate YouTube Shopping is by connecting your Shopify store. This automatically syncs product listings, allowing customers to check out directly on YouTube or visit your store for more details.
5. Collaborating With Brands as an Influencer
Brands are increasingly investing in influencer marketing, allocating advertising budgets to influencers who have cultivated loyal audiences.
As a YouTube creator, you can leverage this trend by partnering with brands and exposing your audience to their products in exchange for compensation.
YouTube marketing expert Brendan Gahan suggests calculating your baseline flat fee by multiplying your average video views by $0.05 to $0.15 per view. Depending on your target audience, content quality, and niche profitability, you may be able to negotiate a better deal.
Transparency is crucial. Only endorse products you genuinely like and believe in.
6. Licensing Your Content to Media Outlets
If you create a viral video with broad appeal, you can license it to media outlets for a fee. TV news, online news sites, and other creators might want to use your videos.
You can also list your videos on marketplaces like Jukin Licensing, making it easier for interested parties to find and purchase your content.
a woman in a chewbacca mask on youtube video
Screenshot of a viral video featuring a woman in a Chewbacca mask.
7. Crowdfunding Creative Projects
Crowdfunding can be a viable option when you need funds to bring your video ideas to life.
If you need to upgrade equipment, hire actors, or cover production costs, you can ask your audience to contribute. Create a compelling pitch by sharing a sneak peek or trailer to generate excitement.
Popular Crowdfunding Sites for YouTubers:
- Kickstarter
- Indiegogo
a kickstart campaign for Kung Fury movie with preview
A preview of the Kickstarter campaign for the movie “Kung Fury”.
8. Affiliate Marketing: Earning Commissions Through Product Promotion
Affiliate marketing involves earning a commission by promoting products or services from other brands in your videos.
Become an affiliate marketer by creating content that promotes relevant products to your viewers.
How to Start With Affiliate Marketing?
- Find Affiliate Programs: Look for programs that align with your content and appeal to your audience.
- Add Affiliate Links: Include affiliate links in your video descriptions or end cards.
- Disclose Affiliations: Clearly disclose that you are affiliated with the products you review.
YouTube simplifies this process with its Shopping affiliate program, which allows you to locate relevant products and view commission percentages.
The Patreon page of YouTube channel Wait But Why.
Example of fan funding through the Patreon platform.
9. Getting Paid on YouTube: Understanding The Numbers
How many views do you need on YouTube to make money?
The number of views your YouTube channel receives doesn’t directly correlate to revenue earned. Engagement with ads is key. Viewers must click on an ad or watch the video ad in full (10, 15, or 30 seconds) for you to get paid.
The average YouTube channel earns around $2 to $25 per 1,000 views. Factors like audience demographics, ad formats, and niche affect your earnings.
Top YouTubers can earn millions of dollars annually. Smaller accounts can still earn a sustainable income. Justine Leconte, with one million subscribers, reportedly earns around $259,304 annually based on ad revenue alone.
Earning potential is influenced by engagement, niche, and diverse revenue channels.
While ad revenue is a factor, merchandise sales and brand partnerships often significantly boost income.
10. Maximizing Revenue on YouTube
YouTube channels can be monetized without millions of subscribers. Engagement, niche relevance, and diverse revenue streams determine your earning potential.
Focus on building a loyal audience and understanding their preferences before launching additional revenue streams.
11. Tips for Selling on YouTube
Promote products without compromising content integrity. Avoid “selling out” while ensuring you are compensated for your efforts.
Understanding Your Audience
Knowing your audience is essential for effective monetization:
- Gender: Understand if your audience skews towards a particular gender.
- Age Range: Identify the age range of your viewers.
- Geographic Location: Determine where your videos are being watched (countries or cities).
- Engagement: Analyze your audience’s watch time and interaction.
Use YouTube Analytics to gather demographic insights and tailor your content and promotions.
12. Enhancing Promotions
- Info Cards: Add eye-catching info cards to your videos to promote products or offers at relevant moments.
- Links in Video Descriptions: Include links to your store, Patreon page, or crowdfunding campaign in your video descriptions.
- Cross-Promote on Other Platforms: Share your campaigns and discounts on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and other social media profiles.
Gymshark youtube video with links to follow the brand on social media in description
A YouTube video description with links to social media.
13. The Rise of the Creator Economy
With the right monetization strategy, passion can become a career, rewarding creators for their hard work.
MrBeast, who started making videos at 13, spent years refining his content, demonstrating the dedication required to succeed on YouTube.
Building and retaining an audience is crucial. YouTube creators have already mastered this aspect.
14. Financial Management Support at Money-Central.com
At money-central.com, we understand that navigating the world of YouTube monetization can be overwhelming. That’s why we offer a suite of resources designed to help you maximize your earnings and manage your finances effectively.
Challenges Faced by YouTube Creators:
- Understanding Complex Financial Concepts: Many creators struggle with grasping complex financial topics like taxes, investments, and business accounting.
- Budgeting and Expense Tracking: Managing income and expenses can be challenging, especially when revenue fluctuates.
- Investment Planning: Knowing where to invest earnings for long-term financial security can be daunting.
- Debt Management: Dealing with debt, whether from student loans or business investments, requires strategic planning.
- Saving for Financial Goals: Setting and achieving financial goals like buying a home or retirement requires discipline and informed decisions.
How Money-Central.com Can Help:
- Easy-to-Understand Financial Guides: money-central.com provides clear, concise articles on budgeting, saving, investing, and debt management, tailored for content creators.
- Product Comparisons and Reviews: We offer unbiased comparisons of financial products like bank accounts, credit cards, and investment platforms.
- Financial Calculators and Tools: Use our budgeting calculators, compound interest calculators, and retirement planning tools to make informed financial decisions.
- Personalized Financial Strategies: Our resources help you create customized financial plans that align with your specific goals and circumstances.
- Real-Time Financial News and Analysis: Stay updated with the latest financial news and market trends, ensuring you’re always in the know.
- Access to Financial Experts: Connect with certified financial advisors who can provide personalized advice and guidance.
Start Taking Control of Your Finances Today
Visit money-central.com to access our comprehensive resources and take the first step towards financial success as a YouTube creator. Whether you’re looking to create a budget, plan your investments, or get advice on managing debt, we’re here to support you every step of the way.
Call to Action
Ready to take control of your YouTube earnings? Visit money-central.com today to explore our articles, tools, and expert advice. Start building a secure financial future while pursuing your passion!
Remember, financial success is within your reach. With the right resources and strategies, you can achieve your financial goals while thriving as a YouTube creator.
For further assistance, contact us at:
Address: 44 West Fourth Street, New York, NY 10012, United States
Phone: +1 (212) 998-0000
Website: money-central.com
15. How to Make Money on YouTube FAQ
How many views do you need on YouTube to make money?
The number of views your YouTube channel receives doesn’t correlate to revenue earned. If your video gets thousands of views but no one engages with ads shown before your videos, you won’t make any money. This is because of YouTube’s criteria for billing advertisers: a viewer must click an ad or watch the video ad in full (10, 15, or 30 seconds) for you to get paid.
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 data from Influencer Marketing Hub.
Do you get paid for uploading videos on YouTube?
Content creators aren’t paid by YouTube for the videos they upload. For you to start making money on YouTube, you have to enable monetization in your YouTube account settings. From there, you have options to join the YouTube Partner Program or have your videos listed 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?
To make money from YouTube without producing videos, you can partner with popular creators to promote your products to their viewers. Eligible Shopify users can add their products to YouTube’s affiliate marketing program in a few clicks, allowing creators to tag products in their videos so viewers can shop as they watch.
