If you want to earn money on YouTube, this guide covers everything you need to know to become a YouTube partner and start getting paid. Whether you’re just starting out or have been making videos for years, this article explains the different ways you can monetize your channel and make money creating YouTube content.
How Much Money Do YouTubers Make? Surprising Facts about YouTube Income
One of the main questions people have when thinking about a YouTube career is – how much money can you actually make? The truth is, YouTube income can vary widely depending on factors like your channel’s subscriber count, number of views, and type of content. While it’s difficult for most starting creators to earn a primary living from YouTube alone, here are some interesting statistics about YouTube earnings:
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- The average YouTube channel earns between $2-5 per 1000 views from ads alone. But top YouTube stars can earn triple or quadruple that amount per view.
- MostYouTubers with under 1,000 subscribers don’t earn very significant revenue from their channel yet. It usually takes a subscriber base of 5,000-10,000 to start seeing decent monthly checks from YouTube.
- The highest earning YouTubers reportedly make over $10 million per year! Only a tiny fraction of channels get to those Jeffree Star/PewDiePie levels of success, but it shows big money potential.
- As long as you’re hitting the Partner Program threshold of 4,000 watch hours in a 12 month period, your YouTube income could range anywhere from a couple hundred dollars to tens of thousands per month depending on your audience size and engagement levels.
So in summary, for most creators it’s not realistic to expect to quit your day job right away. But with hard work and consistency, earning a comfortable living from YouTube is absolutely achievable for dedicated content creators.
How to Join the YouTube Partner Program and Start Earning Money
To be eligible to monetize your videos and get paid for views, you need to be part of YouTube’s Partner Program. Here are the basic requirements to join:
- Have a YouTube channel with at least 1,000 subscribers. This shows you have a sizable, dedicated following invested in your content.
- Receive at least 4,000 valid public watch hours over the past 12 months. This minimum watch time proves that your content has appeal beyond just a small friend/family circle.
- Follow all YouTube monetization policies. Your videos and channel must be suitable for advertising by meeting YouTube’s appropriate content guidelines.
- Once accepted into the program, enable monetization on your eligible videos. Just turn on the monetization toggle in YouTube studio to start earning revenue.
It usually takes a few weeks or months of sustained effort to hit those initial Partner Program requirements. But achieving it opens up many money-making doors on YouTube like video ads, channel memberships, and Super Chat during live streams. Stick with it and you’ll be well on your way to being a YouTube partner!
Top Ways YouTubers Make Money: Ad Revenue, Partnerships, Merch & More
YouTube offers several potential revenue sources that creators can utilize once they become a partner. Here are some of the main ways YouTubers earn income:
- Ad Revenue: Playing video ads before, during and after your content. This is usually the biggest moneymaker for most YouTubers. Rates vary based on your channel’s CPM.
- YouTube Premium Revenue: For every premium subscriber who watches your videos, you earn a share of their monthly subscription fee. This can start small but add up significantly.
- Super Chat & Channel Memberships: Fans pay to directly support your channel through these tools during live streams or in general. Payouts are approx. 55% to the creator.
- Affiliate Marketing: Earn commission promoting other company’s products via your unique tracking links. This includes referral links for services like YouTube training courses.
- Branded Sponsorships: Major companies pay YouTubers directly to promote their products or services in sponsored content videos. Rates vary but can be very lucrative for big channels.
- Selling Merchandise: Use YouTube tools or third party sites like Teespring to sell custom merchandise with your channel logo/branding. Profit margins are higher than ads typically.
- Live Events: Hold ticketed live seminars, training events, conventions and more to monetize your YouTube following offline through direct fan interactions and services.
So by diversifying revenue streams, YouTube channels have more resilience and earning potential than just relying on a single source like ads alone. The opportunities are there – it just takes engaging community-focused content to unlock them.
How to Monetize Your YouTube Channel: Step-by-Step Guide
Now that you know the basics of YouTube money-making and the Partner Program basics, here is the step-by-step process for monetizing your specific channel:
- Grow Your Channel to at Least 1,000 Subscribers: Stay consistent by uploading great videos on a regular schedule. Promote through related forums and social media.
- Hit the Minimum 4,000 Watch Hours Requirement: Optimize titles/descriptions and keep videos 10+ minutes long to maximize watch time from current subscribers.
- Check Your Channel is in Good Standing: No serious Community Guideline strikes or bot activity detected by YouTube. Clean up any outdated/problematic videos.
- Apply to Join the YouTube Partner Program: Verify your tax information under YouTube Studio Settings – click “Join the YouTube Partner Program.”
- Monetize Your Videos: Turn on the monetization toggle for each eligible video 10 minutes or longer to enable ad inventory and earn revenue.
- Set Up Your AdSense Account: Link your Google AdSense account with payment details to receive payouts from YouTube earnings each month.
- Consider Other Revenue Options: Activate methods like Super Chat for livestreams or promote affiliate offers/merchandise as your audience grows.
- Keep Improving Content and Engagement: The most successful YouTubers are always learning, challenging themselves creatively, and deeply involving their viewer communities.
With patience and persistence, these steps will unlock YouTube’s full potential for you to start earning money and taking your passion project online to the next level. Stay committed to quality and your fans, and the money will follow.
Most Important Things to Remember When Trying to Make Money on YouTube
- Consistency is key – only by uploading regularly can you retain and grow your subscriber base over time. Most successful YouTubers post 1-2 times per week minimum.
- Focus on quality, not quantity. Spend extra time polishing your videos so they stand out versus competitors and keep viewers engaged for the long run.
- Engage with your commenters. Reply to as many fan comments as possible to build personal relationships and encourage re-watching.
- Network with other creators. Cross promote each other’s channels to expand your collective audiences through shoutouts and collaboration videos.
- Measure success in years, not days. Building a large YouTube following and sustainable revenue takes patience. Don’t get discouraged if progress feels slow at first.
- Diversify revenue streams. Don’t put all your eggs in one adsense basket. Explore all the money-making options YouTube provides as your channel scales up.
- Stay motivated by the mission, not money. Create videos because you enjoy educating/entertaining people first and foremost. The dollars will follow your passion naturally over time.
Making it as a YouTuber requires dedication and resilience just like any entrepreneurial endeavor. But by optimizing how you monetize every aspect of your online presence, the potential to earn a good living income or more awaits those willing to go the distance. With smart planning and creativity, monetizing your YouTube channel becomes very achievable work.
