With more than 2.9 billion monthly users in 2024, YouTube has become more than just a platform for entertainment, it’s now a domain where individuals can create their own paths to success and even fame.
Many people dream of doing the things that they love and make money out of it by posting it on YouTube.
After all, there’s a large window of opportunity to monetize whatever video is in your possession.
And, now that it’s easier than ever to start a YouTube channel, there’s no reason not to dream big and strive high.
However, even though launching a YouTube channel is as simple as posting content itself, turning it into a revenue machine requires a bit more effort than that.
So, whether you’re an aspiring content creator or a veteran YouTuber looking to boost your earnings, there are numerous ways to monetize your channel beyond relying solely on ad revenue.
Ready to find out what they are? Let’s dive right into it!
Can You Really Make Money on YouTube?
The short answer? Absolutely.
Gone are the days when YouTube was merely a platform for sharing cat videos and viral challenges.
Today, YouTube has become a legitimate source of income for countless content creators who turned their passion into profit.
Whether you’re passionate about gaming, cooking, beauty, or any niche imaginable, there’s always an audience waiting to engage with your content and potentially support you financially along the way!
The possibilities really are endless.
But with so many options to explore, you might be asking, “how can I efficiently monetize my YouTube videos in the long run?”
The Top 8 Tips to Monetize Your YouTube Channel
1. Become a Member of the YouTube Partner Program
Let’s get the most obvious one out of the way first. One of the most straightforward ways to monetize your YouTube channel is by joining the YouTube Partner Program (YPP).
In simple terms, this program allows creators to earn money from ads on their videos, access advanced monetization features, and even participate in YouTube Premium revenue.
To become qualified for the YouTube Partner Program, you need to meet certain criteria set by YouTube. This typically includes:
- Having at least 1,000 subscribers on your channel
- 4,000+ watch hours within the past 12 months or 10 million views on public Shorts within the past 90 days
- Having a Google AdSense account that’s active and linked to your YouTube account
Once you meet these requirements and adhere to YouTube’s community guidelines and policies, you can apply for the program directly from your YouTube Studio dashboard.
Becoming a member of the YouTube Partner Program opens up a world of opportunities for creators.
Not only can you start earning money from ads displayed on your videos, but you also gain access to additional monetization features such as Super Chat, channel memberships, and the ability to sell your own stuff to your loyal fans (all of which I’ll discuss more down below.)
Basically, it all boils down to numbers. You need to have thousands, if not millions, of views for each video to make any sort of significant profit.
If you’re afraid to put ads on your channel, it’s completely understandable. Nobody wants to watch a video that’s crammed with unskippable ads, right?
(Though, I’m sure no one would mind if you toss a few of them here and there)
2. Receive A Share With Affiliate Marketing
If you’ve ever tried to make money with affiliate marketing on Facebook, Instagram, or even TikTok, it’s no surprise that you can do this on YouTube too!
Affiliate marketing presents another bankable opportunity for YouTubers to monetize their channels while still providing value to their audience.
Essentially, affiliate marketing involves promoting products or services and earning a commission for every sale or action generated through the link that you provide.
It basically offers a win-win situation for both creators and viewers. Creators have the opportunity to monetize their content without relying solely on ad revenue, while viewers gain access to products or services that align with their interests and needs.
Additionally, affiliate marketing allows creators to maintain authenticity by promoting products that they genuinely believe in, fostering trust and a true sense of connection with their audience in the process.
This method is common with review channels and developers of “how-to” videos.
Take, for example, a YouTube channel dedicated to cooking tutorials. Let’s say the creator is whipping up a batch of delicious chocolate chip cookies in one of their videos.
Alongside the recipe, they might recommend specific brands of chocolate chips, mixing bowls, or baking sheets that they personally use and love.
By including affiliate links to these products in the video description, viewers can easily purchase the same ingredients and equipment to recreate the same recipe at home in their own respective homes.
However, do take note that while affiliate links are allowed on the site as long as they don’t violate YouTube’s TOS, it’s essential for you to familiarize YouTube’s policy for external links before including any in your videos.
3. Earn Support Through Channel Membership
Channel membership programs offer a unique opportunity for YouTubers to cultivate a sense of community among their most dedicated fans while monetizing their content in a sustainable way.
Similar to platforms like Patreon or Twitch subscriptions, YouTube’s channel memberships allow viewers to support their favorite creators through monthly donations in exchange for exclusive channel perks and benefits.
You can access the channel membership feature when your channel has a minimum of 30,000 subscribers.
(And hey, it might seem like a lot, but once you start building your platform up slowly but surely, you’ll get there in no time!)
This feature is the most beneficial for creators who prioritize YouTube as their primary platform for posting content.
If you regularly stream or upload content daily, channel memberships are the way to go. Currently, the requirements for channel memberships closely mirror those of the Partner Program.
And remember, the more viewers you have, the more potential to earn revenue. Offering perks like exclusive live streams or chats for members might even persuade viewers to become paying members.
In order for channel memberships to work out successfully, you should focus on delivering genuine value to your members while fostering a sense of exclusivity and appreciation.
You can do this by regularly engaging with your members through exclusive live streams, Q&A sessions, and behind-the-scenes content.
By cultivating a thriving community of loyal supporters, you can leverage this sort of crowdfunding through channel memberships to monetize your YouTube channel while forging meaningful connections with your audience.
4. Get Sponsored by Brands
Who doesn’t want to make money by having your hands on the products that people are just dying to have and make money out of it? And the best part is that you don’t have to share your revenue with YouTube itself!
Instead, you can directly negotiate with the brand, and they’ll pay you directly. So it’s no wonder that this method is a particularly popular choice for YouTubers to earn money.
If you can provide brands with a significant and/or engaged audience, and your content aligns with your target demographic, chances are they’ll be interested in collaborating with you.
These partnerships can range from one-time sponsored videos to long-term brand ambassadorships, and it all depends on the creator’s niche, audience, and video engagement.
In order to start receiving sponsors in the first place, you should probably start by writing a list of dream brands that you want to partner up with.
When you have that, you can either create content that revolves around the niche of your desired brands, or you can even reach out and pitch to them yourself.
Once you’ve got that sweet, sweet brand deal, it’s important to practice transparency and be open about your sponsorships to your audience.
This is to make sure that your viewers don’t feel like you’re just “selling” them, and that they’re well-aware every time that you’re advertising to them.
For example, let’s say that you’re a travel vlogger who documents your adventures around the world on your YouTube channel.
Through brand sponsorships, you can partner with travel-related companies such as airlines, hotels, and tour operators to promote their services to your audience.
Whether it’s featuring a sponsored travel itinerary or showcasing a luxury hotel stay, each collaboration not only generates revenue for the creator but also provides valuable exposure for the brand.
5. Sell Merchandise and Custom Products
If you’ve got yourself a big audience of die-hard supporters of your channel who are willing to spend their next paycheck, why not try selling your own merch?
Selling merchandise and custom products is a popular and effective way for YouTubers to monetize their channels while offering their audience tangible goods to support their favorite creators.
From personalized merchandise such as t-shirts, hoodies, mugs, caps, or artwork, the possibilities are endless when it comes to creating products that resonate with your audience.
You might have plenty of merchandise ideas, maybe even more than you can keep track of, so to start, consider testing the waters with just one or two items.
However, it’s crucial to involve your audience in the decision-making process. You can gather their input by starting polls to determine what they’re interested in, or you can generate excitement by offering special one-off products to celebrate significant subscriber milestones.
And the manner of selling the products is an art form in and of itself, so don’t just go ham and push your products down your viewer’s throats.
You don’t want them to feel like they’re obligated to do something they don’t want to, do you?
So make sure that when you’re selling your merch, don’t be too pushy and advertise it in a way that’s natural and organic.
When selling merchandise, focus on creating products that resonate with your audience and reflect your brand identity.
Additionally, invest in high-quality designs and products to ensure customer satisfaction and repeat purchases.
Promote your stuff regularly through your YouTube channel and other social media platforms. You can even try to market your merch through email newsletters to maximize visibility and sales.
By offering unique and desirable merchandise, you can monetize your YouTube channel while delighting your fans with products they’ll love and let them keep coming back for more.
6. Utilize YouTube Super Chat and Super Stickers
Did you know that you can actually engage with your viewers directly and get paid for doing it?
Well, you can, and you’ve got YouTube’s Super Chat and Super Stickers features to thank for that.
Think of this feature as a built-in online tipping jar for your audience to donate whenever they’re feeling generous.
The way it works is that during a live stream session, your audience has the option to pay for their messages to stand out in the chat.
Additionally, they can send Super Stickers which are basically paid animated images that appear in the live chat.
Super Chats and Stickers provide an excellent opportunity to enhance engagement on YouTube, generate additional income, and foster a sense of connection with your audience.
You can enable Super Chat and Super Stickers by directly going to your YouTube Studio dashboard.
Once it’s activated, your audience can purchase Super Chats and Super Stickers during the live chat by selecting from a range of set amounts or sticker packs.
Their messages or stickers are then highlighted in the chat, ensuring visibility to the creator and other viewers.
Also, be sure to express your thanks and acknowledge viewers who support your channel by paying to grab your attention.
(It lets them know that you genuinely care about them and that you’re not just using them for the paycheck)
7. Include Promo Links in Video Descriptions
When featuring sponsored content, promoting affiliate products in your videos, or if you’re selling your own products, you can try including custom promo links in the video descriptions as well.
Speaking of video descriptions, don’t be afraid to fill that space up! It’s basically free real estate for you to utilize and plug all of the relevant links in.
These links are typically provided by a brand or affiliate program and are unique to you, making it possible for you to track clicks, conversions, and commission earnings.
When including promo links in video descriptions, be strategic in your placement and formatting to ensure maximum visibility and click-through rates.
You can do this by putting a clear label and differentiating promo links from other links in the description to ensure interested viewers understand their purpose.
Additionally, provide context or call-to-action text to encourage viewers to click on the links and explore the promoted products or services further.
8. License Your Content to Other Media Outlets
If you want to monetize your videos while expanding your online reach beyond YouTube’s platform, then licensing your content is the way to go.
This strategy involves giving permission to third-party media organizations to use your videos, like television networks, streaming services, or digital publishers.
While they do get to use your content, don’t worry because it’s not all for free and they have to pay a fee.
You’ll get paid based on the terms laid out in the licensing agreement, which could mean getting upfront cash, royalties, or sharing revenue.
Also, when licensing your content to external media outlets, make sure that you retain the rights to your videos and negotiate agreeable terms that align with your goals and interests as a creator.
Research potential licensing partners and seek media outlets with a good reputation and audiences that match your target demographic.
By showcasing your content on television or other streaming services, you can further increase your visibility, attract new viewers, diversify your revenue streams, and monetize your videos in markets that may not be accessible through YouTube alone.
Kickstart Your YouTube Channel And Boost Your Revenue Today!
In our digital era, the ways in which we can earn and make money has been easier than ever before.
So, be sure to take advantage of social media like YouTube and start making money now!
And if you want to learn more things business-related, join our email list today for free to gain access to exclusive content that delves into successful strategies and real-world experiences of successful individuals and implement their strategies into your very own business venture!
So, what are you waiting for?
FAQs
How much does YouTube pay per 1,000 views?
According to various online sources, it’s generally accepted that the average YouTuber earns between $0.01 to $0.03 per view, amounting to approximately $10 to $30 per 1,000 views. This estimation likely considers payment per ad view.
How many subscribers do you need to make money on YouTube?
At the very least, you need to have 1,000 subscribers to start earning money directly through YouTube.
Can I make money on YouTube without posting videos?
A lot of people may not know this, but you can actually monetize your YouTube channel by reusing other creators’ content. There’s a library of videos licensed under the Creative Commons which allows you to share and monetize content generated by others.
How do youtubers make money on YouTube?
YouTubers can earn money on YouTube by:
- Being a member of the YouTube Partner Program
- Affiliate marketing
- Channel membership
- Brand sponsorships
- Selling merch
- Utilizing YouTube Super Chat and Stickers
- Including promo links in video descriptions
- Licensing your content to external media outlets