How to Make Money on YouTube in 2024: 5 Ways to Get Paid
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The growing creator economy has turned up some diverse ways to make money on YouTube. And while some methods offer a lower barrier to entry than earning through ads, there’s no substitute for quality content and an engaged audience.
If you can tap into your creative side, and are willing to put in a lot of effort, you might be able to make money on YouTube, too. Here are a few monetization methods to explore.
How to get paid on YouTube
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- How to maximize your rewards
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- Key takeaways about P2P payments
- Key takeaways
- Baggage allowance on Qatar
- Reward Flight Saver
- 1. Book through Chase's travel portal for cheap economy fares
- 1. Google Flights
- 1. Earn with ads as a YouTube Partner Program member
- Winner for the most destinations: Delta
- FHA home loans
- CD rates
- If your employer offers health insurance
- Chase cards with travel insurance
- Coinsurance
- Public agency adoption
- Pay more than minimums
- You won’t necessarily get a notice before a repossession
- 1. Max out your retirement accounts
- 1. Buy REITs (real estate investment trusts)
- 1. Ibotta
- 1. Pick up freelance work online
- AtoB
- 1. Figure out if you are eligible
- 1. Decide what kind of day care business you want to start
- Bitcoin pros
- App features
- If your employer doesn’t offer health insurance
- 1. Check your EIN confirmation notice
- Step 1: Decide what kind of fitness business you want to operate
- Driveable RVs
- Our pick for: Simplicity
- Coverage eligibility
- Copay
- Understand the budgeting process
- 1. Chase Ultimate Rewards®
- Check if private student loans are right for you
- Median down payment on a house (in dollars)
- Check in baggage chart
- Peak and off-peak awards
- 1. Food trucks
- Passive vs. active management
- CD terms
- Earning miles with American
- The lender or repo agency can repossess the car but not the items inside
- The Emirates economy class experience
- 1. Restaurants
- What to know about cash advance apps
- Atlas America
- Capital One
- Monthly after-tax income
- Example savings APYs at select institutions
- Debt snowball
- Who needs life insurance?
- Insurable interest
- For those age 21 and older
- PSLF and TEACH Grants
- Step 1: Enter your personal information
- 1. Nordstrom
- 1. Set financial goals
- Deductible
- Minimum down payments and credit scores
- If any of these situations apply to you
- USDA home loans
- Your property shouldn’t be damaged in the process
- Robo-advisor fees and account minimums
- Cheap auto insurance from large companies
- 2. Check other places your EIN could be recorded
- 50% of your income: needs
- Software prep
- High-interest loan examples
- 1. Determine your junk car’s value
- Big three prepaid plans
- NY state income tax: Single and married filing separately
- Phase 1: Deductible
- Boarding
- Debt avalanche
- CD safety
- Earning miles with Delta
- More perks and rewards toward travel
- Short-term capital gains tax rates
- Bitcoin cons
- 2. Hybrid bar/coffee shop
- 2. Costco
- Premium cards with travel insurance
- Step 2: Get trained
- Pro: No monthly payment or interest
- Ways debt consolidation can help your credit score
- Premium
- 1. Open an investment account
- Postpaid
- Private adoption
- Have the correct type of loans, or consolidate
- Coast
- 2. Decide what type of investor you are
- 2. Car wash services
- Picking up your rental car
- Alliant: Best for fast funding
- Lenders and agents shouldn’t threaten you or use force
- Comparing health insurance plans: HMO vs. PPO vs. EPO vs. POS
- 2. Use an online real estate investing platform
- Step 2: Account for multiple jobs
- Towable RVs
- Standard two weeks’ notice template
- NY state income tax: Married filing jointly or qualifying widow(er)
- Zelle tax 2023
- Seats
- Pros
- Automate
- 2. Write a day care business plan
- 2. Let a robo-advisor do the work
- Online brokerage account
- 2. Rakuten
- 3. Target
- Changes and cancellations
- How much interest is too much?
- Ways debt consolidation can hurt your credit score
- Prepaid
- If you qualify for a hardship withdrawal
- Investment goals
- For those under 21
- 3. Liquor store
- 2. Test websites and apps
- 2. Track your money
- 30% of your income: wants
- Step 3: Write a business plan and select an entity
- EveryDollar
- Concerns about filing
- Flexible work from home jobs
- 2. Kayak
- 2. Compare offers
- Out-of-pocket maximum
- 2. U.S. Bank rewards
- Debt-to-income ratios
- 2. Research commodity ETFs
- NY state income tax: Head of household
- Phase 2: Initial coverage
- Intercountry adoption
- Cons
- Winner for most reliable airline: Delta
- Multiple beneficiaries
- Warren Buffett
- How to enroll in Clear
- Look for a summary of benefits
- Cheap car insurance from midsize companies
- Automatic relief group
- 4. Kohl’s
- 3. Call the IRS to locate your EIN
- Con: You have to pay all at once
- Track your expenses
- 1. AXA Assistance USA (Silver plan: $70)
- WEX
- 3. Auto repair
- First Tech: Best for co-sign and joint loan options
- VA home loans
- CD opening deposit
- Travel benefits and protections
- Automated investing vs. hands-on investing
- 4. Handyman or contractor
- 3. Think about investing in rental properties
- Managed brokerage account
- Step 3: Claim dependents, including children
- No-annual-fee cards with travel insurance
- Citi Double Cash® Card
- 3. Gather the necessary documents
- Needs
- Upgraded economy tickets and seat selection
- Price fluctuations
- Work full time for a qualifying employer
- 1. Get sponsored
- Irrevocable vs. revocable beneficiaries
- Weigh your family’s medical needs
- 5. Walmart
- Does basic economy get a carry-on on United?
- 20% of your income: savings and debt
- Pro: It’s easier to qualify
- Credit Karma
- Sell stuff online
- Use low balance alerts
- 1. Make dollar-cost averaging your friend
- 3. Choose how much you want to invest
- 0% balance transfer credit card
- CD maturity date
- EARN MORE POINTS WITH A MARRIOTT BONVOY CREDIT CARD
- 3. Consider a brokerage account
- Fidelity Investments
- 2. Transfer Chase or AmEx points to Avios to book nonstop awards
- How Clear works at the airport
- Step 4: Refine your withholdings
- Apply for a balance transfer card
- Formal two weeks’ notice template
- Phase 3: Donut hole (coverage gap)
- Travel
- Earning status through credit cards
- Ask why your car was repossessed
- 5. Automotive repairs
- Consider whether you want a referral system of care
- Best insurance company overall: Travelers
- 1. States with no income tax
- Discover
- 3. Learn to use AI tools
- 6. Home Depot
- 3. Budget for emergencies
- Average 401(k) match
- Reconsider overdraft protection
- Mortgage insurance
- 2. Take a cut with affiliate marketing
- If you opt for Kyte’s self-pickup service, you can save
- Personal loans
- PenFed: Best for a seamless application process
- CD penalty
- How to switch servicers
- Bring a bigger down payment to the table
- 3. Swagbucks
- Step 5: Sign and date your W-4
- Step 4: Get necessary permits and insurance
- Con: You’ll likely pay much more than you get
- Can a 0% interest credit card hurt your credit score?
- Goodbudget
- 4. Prepare your car and complete the sale
- Learn more about Zelle
- Allow up to 50% of your income for needs
- 3. Pentagon Federal Credit Union (PenFed) Rewards
- But wait, there’s more
- Reasons for unfreezing your credit
- Wants
- Typical cost for a flagship family plan with unlimited data
- Avoiding fuel surcharges
- If you are converting your 401(k) to an IRA
- Other fuel cards to consider
- Pros and cons of secured and unsecured RV loans
- 4. Personal trainers
- Cost of countrywide Japan rail pass
- 7. Ikea
- 1. Create an emergency car account
- Avoid economy if you think you may want to upgrade later
- Example interest checking APYs at select institutions
- 4. Select a provider to open your Roth IRA
- CDs at a bank vs. credit union
- Find out if you can get your repossessed car back
- Michael Novogratz
- 6. Home cleaning
- How much does Clear cost without the Delta discount?
- Bring documents showing financial stability
- Valuation metrics
- Euphoria and despair
- Economic data
- Should you buy or sell based on these signals?
- Cheap car insurance after a speeding ticket
- Decision group
- Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express
- Take out a debt consolidation loan
- Ages 20-24
- Places with the highest median down payments (in dollars)
- Family plans on a budget
- 2. Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection (ExactCare Value plan: $56)
- Pay with points and cash
- Submit PSLF employment certification forms
- 1. Cash dividends
- FHA rate and term refinance
- Earning status through flying
- Travel perks at no cost
- 4. Align your investments with your values
- Beacon America
- 2. States with flat income tax rates
- 4. Tackle high-interest debt
- Our pick for: Online purchases
- 3. Expedia
- 2. Research the recommended maintenance
- Tips for unfreezing your credit
- 1. Find a dividend-paying stock
- Phase 4: Catastrophic coverage
- Where can I get an RV loan?
- Navy Federal: Best for military members
- Types of CDs
- 7. IT and computer services
- Cards that offer Clear statement credits
- Consider bringing your own financing
- Term life insurance rates for nonsmokers
- Alternatives for bad-credit borrowers
- Choose the right bank account
- American Express
- 3. Purchase the commodity ETF
- 2. Diversify your holdings
- Places with the lowest median down payments (in dollars)
- Savings and debt repayment
- Home study
- Leave the snacks at home
- 2. Stock dividends
- FHA streamline refinance
- A decent base rate on all purchases
- 3. Obtain the necessary certification and licenses
- Average rates from the biggest auto insurers after an at-fault crash
- Small-cap stocks and value stocks may outperform
- What about an HDHP with a health savings account?
- 4. Consider flipping investment properties
- 3. States with progressive tax structures
- Step 5: Get an EIN
- Price
- 3. Ask questions
- Leave 30% of your income for wants
- How long are RV loans?
- 5. Newborn and post-pregnancy services
- Consider combining rail passes
- Winner for the lowest fees: JetBlue
- Emirates economy class checked baggage policy
- 4. Fiverr
- Term life insurance rates for smokers
- Borrow from your 401(k)
- Pack only one bag to carry on
- Transferring Avios
- Switch to an income-driven repayment plan
- 3. Dividend reinvestment programs (DRIPs)
- Revocable life insurance trusts
- 3. Land a brand deal and make sponsored content
- Costs
- FHA cash-out refinance
- 8. Pet store, grooming and boarding
- The winner: It’s a toss-up
- 4. Take surveys for money
- 5. Plan for retirement
- Ages 25-34
- 4. Barclays rewards
- Mortgage rates
- 2. Evaluate the stock
- How do I apply for an RV loan?
- Hedging against future downturns
- You don't want to risk sold-out cars
- Retail space
- Cheap auto insurance after an accident
- Post-class group
- Step 6: Get funding
- Your money management style
- Become a social media influencer
- Bank of America
- 4. Research maintenance quotes
- Cruising further from the U.S.
- But wait, there’s more
- 4. Special dividends
- 2. Promote your business
- USDA streamlined assist refinance
- More American sweet spots
- Income modeling
- Best insurance company for affordability: NJM
- How renting from RVshare works
- 4. Capital One Travel
- Search fees
- Join the Qatar Airways Student Club
- 3. IMG (iTravelInsured Lite plan: $77)
- 5. Gather your paperwork
- Cash or cash-like redemptions
- 6. Enrichment activities for children
- 9. Salon or barbershop
- How to get Clear membership at no cost for you and a family member
- Why does the network matter?
- Special equipment
- Whole life insurance rates for nonsmokers
- Bonus features
- Chase trifecta
- What's next?
- Tap your home equity
- Leverage elite status
- Commit 20% of your income to savings and debt paydown
- Certain repositioning cruises
- Commodity ETF pros
- 3. Decide how much stock you want to buy
- 3. Invest in sectors that perform well in recessions
- 5. Preferred dividends
- Irrevocable life insurance trusts (ILITs)
- Debt management plan
- VA Interest Rate Reduction Refinance Loan
- 4. Find a (safe) day care facility
- Financial reviews
- If you want to get out of debt entirely
- Capital One
- You can use credit card benefits to travel in basic economy
- 6. Optimize your finances with tax planning
- Chase
- 5. Time your services
- In network
- Birthing parent expenses
- Bronze (requires 300 tier points):
- 4. Sell some merch
- Discounts on Delta award flights
- Consistency is key
- Do you have preferred doctors?
- You might be able to reserve a car now — and rebook the same one later at a discount
- 5. Rent out a room
- Retail supplies
- 2023 tax rates by state
- Whole life insurance rates for smokers
- Account linking
- Ages 35-44
- 5. American Express Membership Rewards
- Loan limits
- Commodity ETF cons
- Low-down-payment mortgages
- 6. Dividend funds
- Bankruptcy
- VA cash-out refinance
- 10. Gas station
- 5. Upwork
- 5. Make money from your blog with affiliate links
- Alternatives for those with thin or no credit history
- Out of network
- Legal fees
- Silver (requires 600 tier points):
- Example CD APYs at select institutions
- 7. Mobile apps and entertainment for children
- If the car is sold, ask if you still owe money
- 5. Get insured
- Is a large network important?
- Packing and shipping supplies
- Patriot America Plus
- Lack of information around Free File
- Hyatt
- 4. Focus on the long-term
- Make 10 years' worth of payments
- 6. Pick your investments
- Debt settlement
- 11. Grocery store
- How to maximize your rewards
- Cheapest car insurance after a DUI
- 1. Personalize your fitness business
- Security
- Ages 45-54
- Consider paying with miles
- In case of medical emergencies
- Gold (requires 1,500 tier points):
- Fleet expense management tools
- 5. Offer memberships
- Kyte’s young-renter fee
- 3. Transfer Citi points to United to book business class
- 1. Avoid filing your tax return on paper
- Materials
- If you want to help your credit
- Perks await when you fly economy with elite status
- 7. Invest to build your future goals
- Which credit cards to use for primary coverage
- 6. Capital One Rewards
- Property standards
- Down payment assistance programs
- Travel
- 4. John Hancock (Silver plan: $93 for a mid-tier plan)
- 8. Shared accessories and attire
- Winner for the best basic economy tickets: JetBlue
- FHA home improvement loans
- Discover
- Citi trifecta
- Marriott
- Dividend per share (DPS)
- What does P2P mean?
- Countrywide JR Pass
- 3. Sell your castoffs
- American allows upgrades from economy to business
- 6. Get a business checking account and credit card
- 2. Get direct deposit
- How to have more taxes taken out of your paycheck
- 6. Sell your wares on Etsy
- No-exam life insurance rates for nonsmokers
- Customer support
- Other borrowing alternatives
- Ages 55-64
- Shopping
- Kyte insurance
- 12. Drugstore
- Know your health insurance terms
- 8. Grow your financial well-being
- Our pick for: Cell phone and internet bill payments
- 5. Kiwi
- Upgrading to Main Plus
- Prudence's policy:
- Example money market account APYs at select institutions
- Dividend yield
- What is P2P payment?
- VA supplemental loans
- Most Delta upgrades are from economy to premium economy
- 3. Stay on top of things
- Best insurance company for accident forgiveness: Geico
- Can you pay estimated taxes at any time?
- The winner: Capital One
- 6. OfferUp
- 2. Make your fitness studio a place to hang out
- No-exam life insurance rates for smokers
- United
- 7. Citi ThankYou Points
- Resident status rules
- Raising a child
- Apply for PSLF forgiveness
- Community property states
- How to have less taxes taken out of your paycheck
- User experience
- Scenario: Doctor visits and an MRI
- Benefits
- 4. Earn badges through Live videos
- FHA and VA energy-efficient loans
- 7. Get financing
- Use the Best Fare Finder and pay in cash
- 13. Antique or thrift store
- Cheapest auto insurance for poor credit
- 9. Shared home improvement equipment
- Higher premiums, more coverage
- 4. One more thing to know about your tax refund
- What happens if I forget to pay my quarterly taxes?
- Past years' state tax rates
- If you want to resolve the default quickly or already rehabilitated the loan
- 7. Self-publish an e-book
- 9. Estate planning: Protect your financial well-being
- How does RVshare insurance work?
- Reviews
- Where is the best place to exchange currency?
- U.S. Bank
- 5. Nationwide (Essential plan: $76)
- Drawbacks
- 14. Fitness studio or gym
- Safe Travels USA
- How to use a W-4 to owe nothing on a tax return
- Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card
- 8. Bank of America® rewards
- Refinancing
- Dividend payout ratio
- Regional Japan rail passes
- Rural housing repair loans and grants
- 4. Book premium cabin flights through AmEx Travel
- Capital One
- How do I find a currency exchange near me?
- When to change your life insurance beneficiary
- Book Emirates economy fares on points
- Lower premiums, higher out-of-pocket
- How can I make paying quarterly taxes easier?
- 7. Poshmark
- 3. Incorporate data into your services
- Scenario: Trip to the ER
- Part-year resident status rules
- 5. Build a community
- Rewards rate
- American’s inclusive lounge access
- 15. Tutoring business
- Where can you exchange currency for free?
- Citi Double Cash® Card
- 10. Vacation rentals
- Kyte vs. Turo and Getaround
- Home loans for Native American veterans
- 8. Get advertising revenue from your blog or YouTube channel
- Why we love RVshare
- 6. BookWithMatrix
- 16. Ice cream shop
- Discover
- Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card*
- 6. Seven Corners (Basic plan: $75)
- Section 184 Indian home loan
- Best insurance company for having few customer complaints: American Family
- Complete financial plan and investment advice
- Nonresident status rules
- 11. Electronics repair
- Delta has better lounges, more restrictions
- 17. Dry cleaner
- 4. Specialize in a type of workout or demographic
- Don’t forget the fifth-freedom flights
- Home and property disaster loans
- 18. Bookstore
- Cheapest car insurance for young drivers
- CoverAmerica-Gold
- Specialized guidance and/or want to meet with an advisor face-to-face
- Conventional loans
- Citi Rewards+® Card
- The winner: Discover, by a nose
- 9. Become an Instagram influencer
- Our pick for: Maximized value
- FHA loans for disaster victims
- How to compare life insurance quotes
- 19. Bed and breakfast
- Address any lingering questions
- 1. Has the W-4 form changed?
- 5. Get your studio on social media
- Credit cards
- Bring the kids
- Portfolio management only
- FHA loans
- 7. Travelex Insurance Services (Basic plan: $71)
- 12. Academics courses
- Life insurance quotes vs. rates
- 20. Floral shop
- Reasons to take pause before renting from RVshare
- 8. Hire staff
- 2. What does it mean to be exempt from taxes?
- 6. You'll need to wear many hats
- 21. Gardening and landscaping
- Capital One
- 10. Monetize your Twitch channel
- Citi Custom Cash® Card
- Best insurance company for financial strength: Auto-Owners
- Cheapest auto insurance for senior drivers
- Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card
- NYC tax rate schedule
- 13. Language courses
- Marriott Bonvoy
- 7. Hire excellent staff
- 22. Nail salon and spa
- 9. Write your day care contract and policies
- 3. When should I review my W-4?
- Deserve® Pro Mastercard
- Citi Rewards+℠ Student Card
- IHG Rewards
- 23. Photography
- 11. Sell your photography
- Pros
- 14. Business or marketing courses
- 24. Clothing boutique
- 4. Can I adjust my W-4 multiple times throughout the year?
- How renting from Cruise America works
- 25. Daycare
- Discover
- Our pick for: Prime gaming
- Citi Premier® Card
- Transferable points programs
- Cons
- 15. Personal wellness
- 26. Brewery or winery
- Best insurance company for discounts: Amica
- Elite status program
- 27. Hardware store
- Apple Cash: digital card
- 12. Become a dog walker with Rover or Wag
- How does Cruise America insurance work?
- Citi Prestige® Card
- 28. Catering company
- 16. Courses in hobbies or interests
- 29. Real estate agency
- Why we love Cruise America
- Cash App debit card
- The winner: It’s a toss-up
- 30. Event venue and planner
- 13. Sell unused gift cards
- AT&T Points Plus Card
- 17. Bookkeeping and accounting
- 31. Tattoo and piercing shop
- Reasons to take pause before renting from Cruise America
- 32. Veterinary office
- Best insurance company for customer satisfaction: State Farm
- Our pick for: Target gaming purchases
- 18. Consulting
- Winner for the best business class experience: Tie
- 14. List your spare bedroom on Airbnb
- 33. Food truck
- 34. Health clinic
- 35. Bakery
- How renting from Outdoorsy works
- 19. IT support
- Best insurance company for military members: USAA
- 15. Sell your gently used clothes
- 20. Graphic design
- What is a prepaid debit card?
- Meet a local demand
- How does Outdoorsy insurance work?
- What is a prepaid credit card?
- Our pick for: Walmart gaming purchases
- Scout locations
- 16. Trade in old phones, electronics for cash
- 21. Social media management
- Where can you get a prepaid card?
- Reasons to love Outdoorsy
- How do you add money to a prepaid card?
- Calculate the costs of starting a business
- Which prepaid card is best?
- 17. Get a babysitting gig
- Reasons to take pause before renting from Outdoorsy
- 22. Marketing copywriter
- 23. Virtual assistant services
- 18. Rent out your car
- Our pick for: PlayStation purchases
- 1. Do your research
- 19. Sign up for TaskRabbit
- 2. Get organized and make it official
- 20. Become a private tutor
- 3. Find the right financing
- Our pick for: Best Buy purchases
- 21. Drive for Uber, Lyft
- 22. Make deliveries for Amazon, Uber Eats
- 23. Find work as a housesitter
- Our pick for: Digital Microsoft Store purchases
- 24. Sign up to be a mystery shopper
- 25. Put your drone to work
1. Earn with ads as a YouTube Partner Program member
Let’s get this one out of the way first. You must join the YouTube Partner Program to earn money from advertisements. And you can’t become a YouTube partner who includes ads on your channel until it surpasses the 1,000-subscriber threshold. You’ll also need a collective 4,000 hours of watch time on long-form videos within the past 12 months or 10 million Shorts views within the past 90 days. (See No. 5 for how to join the Partner Program with reduced eligibility requirements.) Check those big boxes and it opens the door to ad revenue.
A few additional requirements apply before you can become a partner:
Your videos must abide by YouTube’s monetization policies.
You must live in an eligible area.
You need to link a Google AdSense account.
Click the “earn” section in YouTube Studio to apply. YouTube says it typically gets back to you within one month of reviewing your application to let you know if you’re approved or not.
As a YouTube partner, you can earn money through ads, chat features and from YouTube Premium subscribers who watch your content. The platform also allows YouTube partners to earn ad revenue on Shorts, which are YouTube’s version of short-form TikTok-like videos.
How many views on YouTube does it take to make money?
You don’t get paid per video view. Rather, you’re paid for the times when someone watches or clicks on an ad shown on your video.
Influencer Marketing Hub says that while payment varies, the average YouTube channel can expect to make about $18 per 1,000 ad views. That translates to $3 to $5 per 1,000 video views when you factor in the rate of ads actually viewed. The site has a YouTube calculator to gauge how much revenue you might make.
So when do you start making money on YouTube?
You'll be paid once your balance reaches $100. Say it takes approximately 1,000 video views to earn $4 from those viewers who saw ads. You would need 25,000 video views to make $100 through those ads.
If you have a small channel, you might get paid only every few months. You'll also want to be familiar with how Google, which issues AdSense payments, handles taxes.
Sound like a long road ahead?
Below are alternative ways to earn before you hit 1,000 subscribers.
2. Take a cut with affiliate marketing
Affiliate marketing might be the most beginner-friendly way to monetize your YouTube traffic, especially if you plan to make product review videos. It works like this:
You find a company or seller with an affiliate program, such as Amazon Associates, and apply to join.
Once accepted, you’ll use their process to create custom links to products you plan to feature in your videos.
Demo, review or make reference to the products in your YouTube videos, and paste your custom affiliate marketing link(s) in the description field when you upload.
As an affiliate of a brand, you’ll earn a commission when a viewer clicks your custom link and purchases the product.
While Amazon Associates is a great way to make money on Amazon, endless other opportunities exist. Search on affiliate marketing sites such as ShareASale and ClickBank for possible corporate partners and products to feature. You can also search your favorite brands’ websites for information on how to become an affiliate.
If your channel eventually reaches more than 15,000 subscribers and you meet other eligibility requirements, you can explore the YouTube Shopping Affiliate program as a way to boost your earnings.
Don’t forget to properly notify your viewers about your affiliation with the brand or brands featured, and be sure to point them to the “link in description” when you shoot your video.
3. Land a brand deal and make sponsored content
Companies interested in your channel’s audience might sponsor your videos or offer you product placement deals in exchange for a shoutout, called brand deals in the biz.
The operative word here is “audience,” which means these types of deals are more likely to present themselves when you develop a following. As your channel grows, you can contact the brands you’d like to work with directly, or use resources like the aforementioned affiliate marketing sites to find corporate partners that complement your style of content.
With brand deals, you can receive lump sum payments, earn commission on a per-sale basis or get the product or service for free.
Keep in mind: If you do have an endorsement or use product placement in a video, you must notify YouTube by ticking a box in your video details.
4. Sell some merch
If you have merchandise or offer a service that’s relevant to your audience, let them know about it and provide links in your videos. For example, creator Marques Brownlee, of popular tech review channel MKBHD, leaves a link to his own line of T-shirts and accessories in every video he posts.
Selling a physical product might require you to buy materials or find a manufacturer, but you can also sell downloadables such as e-books, art prints or virtual classes. Have a secure payment system in place before you advertise your goods.
Incentive to sell: While creating your own products can be a lot harder than pitching those of other companies, you could stand to make more money this way, since you’ll keep the bulk of your proceeds as the product owner.
5. Offer memberships
A membership model is another way to monetize viewership. With this method, fans of the channel pay a small subscription fee for perks and/or an exclusive tier of access.
Patreon is a popular third-party membership platform. YouTube has been rolling out its own channel memberships feature, but you need to be part of the YouTube Partner Program to be eligible.
For channel memberships, you can join the Partner Program with 500 subscribers, 3 public uploads in the last 90 days, and either 3,000 public watch hours on long-form video in the last 365 days or 3 million Shorts views in the last 90 days. That’s as opposed to the higher Partner Program eligibility requirements if you want to earn revenue through ads on your channel.
As always, more viewers can lead to more revenue. Incentives such as members-only livestreams, chats or other perks may entice viewers to become paying members.
How much money can you make on YouTube?
Breakout YouTube stars with millions of followers stand to make the most money, easily reaching seven figures. But even lesser-known content creators with a modest following can make some solid income on the side, or even full time.
According to Forbes, creator Jimmy Donaldson of the hugely popular channel MrBeast earned $54 million in 2023, in large part from the 237 million subscribers he’s racked up on YouTube. That kind of success is more the exception than the rule.
On the more modest side, Cinquanta Cox-Smith, a YouTuber focused on print-on-demand content with 11,900 subscribers, brings in about $120,000 in annual revenue, according to Career Ahead, a career-focused educational magazine.
Matt Par, a YouTube sensation who became successful as a teenager with a Top 10 list channel and now runs multiple channels including on how to make money on YouTube, tells viewers that the platform's Partner Program can be a good income-building source. He says he earns $30,000 per month in ad revenue through the program.
Earn an audience, and earn more in the long run
YouTube offers opportunity for all, but it’s not a get-rich-quick platform. It takes time, effort and an engaged audience to make money on YouTube. The good news is, with a little motivation and a lot of practice, you can find ways to earn before the coveted 1,000-subscriber threshold.
Keep these tips in mind as you get started:
The more videos you make and upload, the easier it is to reach the viewing-hours threshold.
The better you target your content to a specific audience or niche (e.g., film photography), the more likely your viewers will be to subscribe for more.
Thoughtful, entertaining videos are more likely to get views, so it pays to put effort into planning and production.
Don’t discount the power of a targeted title and standout thumbnail to attract viewer attention.
Other ways to make money
If making money on YouTube isn’t for you, consider these alternative routes:
Want to try another video platform? Learn how to make money on TikTok or get paid on Instagram.
If you’re crafty, learn how to make money on Etsy.
Looking to clean house? Try to sell stuff online or make money on eBay.