10 ways you can make money on YouTube

YouTube has transformed from a simple video-sharing platform into a lucrative career choice for many. While big creators like Mr. Beast make millions of dollars, there are many ways that young creators can use to monetize effectively from their channels. Here are ten ways you can start making money on YouTube, whether you're starting now or already have followers

1. Join the YouTube Partner Program

Requirements and Benefits:

The YouTube Partner Program (YPP) is the primary way to start making money from your YouTube channel. To qualify, you need:

500 subscribers

3 public videos in the last 90 days

3,000 hours of views last year or 3 million views on YouTube Shorts in the last 90 days

For countries that aren't on the YouTube list of eligible countries, the requirements are:

1000 subscribers

4,000 hours of views in the last 12 months or 10M views on Shorts in the last 90 days

Once you meet these criteria, you can apply to join YPP, link your AdSense account, and start earning money from ads, memberships, and more.

Advertising revenue

The simplest way to make money via YPP is advertising revenue. You earn money based on views, clicks, and viewer engagement. Typically, YouTubers earn between $2 and $12 per 1,000 views. The balance between the number and type of ads is important to maintain viewer satisfaction and increase revenue.

2 Memberships in the channel

Exclusive content for subscribers

YouTube allows creators to offer memberships, providing subscribers with exclusive benefits such as:

Videos for members

Live chats and live broadcasts for members

Custom badges and emojis

Creators like Rachana Phadke Ranade have been able to make significant profits from their channels via memberships, earning a significant income from providing exclusive financial advice to their members.

3. Super Chat, Wonder Stickers, and Super Thanks

Interact with fans

Super Chat, Super Stickers, and Super Thanks are interactive features that allow fans to pay for comments and tokens during live streams and pre-viewed videos. These features provide a fun way for viewers to interact and support their favorite creators financially.

For example, musician Harry Mack uses Super Chat features during freestyle rap sessions, earning between $4,000 and $8,000 per month from these interactions.

4 Shopping on YouTube

Sell Products

YouTube shopping provides direct integration to your store on your channel, making it easy to sell premium products. Creators can market products via videos, descriptions, or live streams. Channels like Lucas the Spider generated significant revenue selling products, from stuffed toys to premium clothes.

How to set up shopping on YouTube

Link your online store to your YouTube account

Talk about products in videos and live streams

Use the "Store" tab to view products

This feature makes it easier for your audience to shop, increasing your sales and potential revenue.

5 Sponsored content and product placement

Brand Partnership

Sponsored content is a great source of income for many YouTubers. There are different types of care:

Product reviews and ratings: Brands send their products to you for presentation or review in your videos.

Affiliate marketing: promotes brand products and earns commissions from sales via affiliate links to the marketing company.

Paid sponsorship videos: You get paid to create personalized videos about a specific product or service.

According to Statista, revenue for sponsored videos on YouTube varies widely based on the number of subscribers, ranging from $850 for small channels to $16,200 for channels with more than a million subscribers.

6 Create digital products

Selling e-courses and e-books

Digital products such as courses, e-lessons, and e-books can be very profitable. Creators like Shelley Paulson have successfully commercialized their expertise via digital products, earning significant income from delivering valuable content that integrates with their YouTube channel.

Steps to create digital products

Select a niche topic that you are familiar with

Create high-quality content that delivers value beyond what you offer for free on your channel

Promote your digital products through your channel and social media

7 Building a community on platforms like Patreon

Frequent income from memberships

Building a community on platforms like Patreon can help you earn a recurring monthly income. You can offer different membership levels with exclusive benefits such as:

Additional content

Early access to videos

Discounts on products

Channels like Kurzgesagt have successfully used Patreon to generate revenue, producing more than $16,470 per month in subscriber support.

8 License your content to media

Sell ownership rights to your videos

If your content is unique and high-quality, media may be interested in licensing it. This can be a profitable way to earn extra income. For example, videos of an event or high-quality educational content may be licensed to news stations, educational institutions, or other media entities.

9 Crowdfunding

Project & Content Finance

Platforms like Kickstarter and GoFundMe allow you to raise money for specific projects or content series. Engaging your audience in your creative project can help raise the support and funding needed for large projects.

Tips for successful crowdfunding

Clearly define your project and funding goals

Offer attractive rewards to supporters

Promote your campaign via your YouTube channel and social media

10 Providing counseling services

Monetize your experience

If you are an expert in your field, providing consulting services can be a very profitable way to monetize your knowledge and experience. Whether it's through personal advice, coaching or professional consulting, this straightforward service can add significant value to your income.

YouTube provides a variety of ways to make money beyond just advertising revenue. By leveraging features like the YouTube Partner Program, channel memberships, Super Chats, and YouTube shopping, as well as exploring opportunities in sponsored content, digital products, and community building, you can create multiple revenue streams from your YouTube channel. Start applying these strategies today to increase your profits and turn your passion into a profitable business.