How To Make Money On YouTube For Creators: Guide

Are you a YouTube creator? But worried about its earning potential! Then we have happy news for you. Making a living from YouTube videos has become a reality. Last year a famous YouTube Mr. Beast earned around $82 millions from his YouTube channel.

With the multiple monetization opportunities offered by YouTube, creators are getting attracted to YouTube to earn money.

If you are a budding content creator and want to get success on YouTube, then this  blog will take you through multiple opportunities to earn money on YouTube.

11 Ways To Make Money On YouTube 

YouTube’s potential is far beyond just watching and enjoying videos. Seeing its unlimited potential, more creators are turning to YouTube for a brighter future. Here are various ways to earn money as a creator on YouTube.

1. Join The YouTube Partner Program

If you have gained popularity on YouTube but want to monetize it, you must join YouTube's official monetization program, the YouTube Partner Program. It is the primary and the best method to earn money on YouTube. 

This monetization program can help you generate revenue, as it allows you to get access to YouTube resources, creators support team and monetization features. To join the YouTube Partner Program you have to fulfill a few eligibility criteria mentioned below:

Eligibility Criteria

• Follow the YouTube Channel Monetization Policy.

• Belong to a country where YouTube Partner Program is available

• Not have any active Community Guidelines strike.

• Enable two-way authentication on your Google account.

• Have access to advanced features on YouTube.

• Have at least one active AdSense for YouTube account linked to your channel

• Gain 1,000 subscribers and 4,000 valid public watch hours in the last 12 months or 1,000 subscribers and 10 million valid public short views in the last 90 days. 

How To Apply For YouTube Partner Program?

Once you are eligible for the YPP, you can apply for the same. To apply for the YouTube Partner Program, follow the below-given steps:

Step 1: Log in to your YouTube Account

Step 2: Click on your profile icon, and then under your profile icon select YouTube Studio.

Step 3: On the left-hand side of the menu bar click earn.

Step 4: On the module you want to use click” Get Started”

Step 5: Monetize the videos that meet the content policy.

2. Earn Through Channel Memberships

YouTube allows you to earn through channel membership where your viewers support your channel by paying a small monthly fee in return for getting access to exclusive benefits like premium content on your channel. 

Minimum Requirements

For channel membership, you will have to fulfill eligibility criteria that include:

• Be a YouTube program partner

• Be a minimum of 18 years of age

• Belong to a country where a fan funding feature is available.

• Not have ineligible content like kids-centric or music claims videos.  

How To Enable Channel Memberships?

Once you fulfill all the above criteria you can easily enable your channel membership. To enable your membership follow the below steps:

Step 1: Log in to your Google Account

Step 2: Go to the membership page

Step 3: Click on “Get Started” and follow the instructions. 

3. Create Sponsored Content

Creating sponsored content is a powerful tactic to earn money from YouTube. You can create content for sponsors and promote their products and services and in return your sponsors pay you for the content you post for them. 

How To Reach Out To Brands?

One of the major challenge in earning money by creating sponsored content is finding the sponsors, to find the sponsors you can use either of these ways:

• Contact them through their website and leave your request.

• Contact their marketing leads through different social media platforms. 

• Sign Up for YouTube Brand Connect. Brand Connect can help you get easy sponsors for creating sponsored content.

Tips To Maximize Your Sponsor Revenue

After you have built your credibility in the YouTube world to get contracts for sponsor content, it is now time to maximize your earnings. Here are a few tips to help you earn big.

• Focus on building a strong brand. 

• Engage with the audience of your niche

• Look out for long-term partnerships

• Maintain a good track record and engagement metrics.

• Be professional.

• Negotiate well.

4. Utilize Affiliate Marketing

Another way to monetize your passion as a YouTuber is to earn through affiliate marketing. Affiliate marketing is a revenue-sharing marketing technique where you can promote other company's products and services in your YouTube videos and earn a commission on overall sales. 

Popular Affiliate Programs 

You can start affiliate marketing by joining an affiliate program. Some of the popular affiliate programs are:

• Amazon Associates

• AvantLink

• Awin

• CJ (Commission Junction)

• ClickBank

• eBay Partner Network

• Etsy Affiliate Network

• FlexOffers

• Impact

• JVZoo

• MaxBounty

• Rakuten Advertising

• RewardStyle (LTK)

• ShareASale

• Shopify

• ShopStyle

How To Earn With Affiliate Marketing?

To earn through affiliate marketing you will have to create content that incorporates or promotes affiliate products. To start with affiliate marketing:

Step 1: Sign up for an affiliate marketing program in your niche.

Step 2: Get unique tracking links for the products you wish to promote.

Step 3: Create engaging videos.

Step 4: Incorporate the affiliate link in the video description

Step 5: Consistently keep creating content to build your loyalty and increase earnings.

5. Earn Fan Support From Crowdfunding

Crowdfunding involves collecting money for a cause from a large number of people.  It is a common method YouTubers use to raise money from their fans and followers for funding their specific projects. Crowdfunding is a phenomenal way to raise money and gather fan support for creative projects.

How And Where To Set Up A Crowdfunding Account?

You can set up your crowdfunding platform on various crowdfunding sites. We suggest you do good research on the crowdfunding websites, before setting up your account and initiating crowdfunding. Here are the steps to set up a crowdfunding account:

Step 1: Sign Up to a crowdfunding platform

Step 2: Prepare your pitch and content

Step 3: Set a fundraising goal

Step 4: Create your page and plan your execution

Step 5: Set tiers and rewards

Step 6: Start promoting your page.

Strategies To Maximize Revenue From Crowdfunding

With right planning and execution you can maximize your revenue from crowdfunding. Follow these strategies to get the maximum impact from your crowdfunding efforts:

• Choose the right crowdfunding platform

• Clearly define your goals

• Offer rewards

• Communicate consistently

• Be passionate about your goal

• Promote your campaign

6. Create And Sell Custom Products And Merch

Another lucrative way to earn money from YouTube is to manufacture and sell custom products and merchandise. Here is how you can utilize this strategy to increase your earnings.

What Can You Sell As A Creator?

The list of the products you can sell through your YouTube channel is extensive. From digital products to branded goods to cosmetic items, you can sell anything and make good profits. Some of the things you can sell over your YouTube channel are:

• Services

• Digital products 

• Branded merchandise 

• Limited edition items

How To Promote Your Products?

To effectively promote your products on your YouTube channel use the following tips: 

• Seamlessly incorporate products into your content

• Create content highlighting the product

• Use a call to action 

• Engage with your audience 

• Offer special deals and discounts 

7. Earn With YouTube BrandConnect

YouTube BrandConnect is a self-service platform where content creators can connect with brands that align with their niche and partner with them to create their content campaigns and earn money.

Availability And Eligibility Requirements

YouTube BrandConnect is currently available to creators in the following countries:

• Brazil

• India

• Indonesia

• United Kingdom

• United States

To start earning using BrandConnect a content creator should fulfil the below given eligibility criteria :

• Be at least 18 years old

• Be  a member of YouTube Partner Program and eligible for revenue sharing from Ads and YouTube Premium

• Be from countries/regions mentioned in the above list

• Not have any active Community Guidelines strikes

• Follow YouTube’s monetization policies.

How To Get Started With YouTube BrandConnect?

To get started with YouTube BrandConnect, you can follow the below given steps:

Getting started using a computer:

Step 1: Sign in to YouTube Studio.

Step 2: Click Earn in the left menu.

Step 3: Click the BrandConnect tab. This tab appears on your screen only if you are eligible.

Step 4: Click Get Started on the top of the screen or click Let’s Go at the bottom of your screen.

Step 5: Review and accept the YouTube BrandConnect Module.

Getting started using your mobile device:

Step 1: Open the YouTube Studio mobile app.

Step 2: Tap Earn at the bottom menu.

Step 3: Tap the BrandConnect card. BrandConnect card will appear on your screen only if you are eligible for it.

Step 4: Tap Turn on.

Step 5: Review and accept the YouTube BrandConnect Module.

8. Activate YouTube Super Chats & Super Stickers

Super Chats and Super Stickers are another great way used by content creators on YouTube to make money. The super chat feature allows audiences to connect with their favourite YouTubers during live streams and pay money to highlight a message on live chat.  

Super stickers on the other hand are special animated stickers launched by creators for its audience. Creators earn by activating super chats and super stickers on their live streams. 

Minimum Requirements

The minimum requirements for activating super chats and super stickers are:

• Be eligible for fan funding features.

• Be from a country where this feature is available 

• Be 18 years or above

How To Activate Super Thanks And Chats?

To activate supre chats, follow the steps below:

Step 1: Go to YouTube Studio.

Step 2: From the left-hand menu, select "Monetization."

Step 3: Click on the "Supers" tab.

Step 4: Accept the terms and conditions.

Step 5: Toggle on the "Super Chats" and "Super Stickers" options.

Step 6: Customize the pricing tiers for Super Chats and Super Stickers 

9. License Your Content With Media Houses

Licensing your content with media houses gives you the copyright of your content. For your content to be used by media houses, TV shows, online platforms, etc. they will have to pay you money.

How To Apply For A YouTube Copyright License?

To apply for a YouTube Copyright License:

Step 1: Create high-quality content that can attract media houses.

Step 2: Sign in to YouTube Studio

Step 3: Go to the Monetization tab and ensure your channel is a member of the YouTube Partner Program

Step 4: Go to the Copyright tab

Step 5: Follow the instructions to enable content ID.

Step 6: Join licensing platform 

Step 7: Upload your video along with the necessary information

Ways To Earn From Video Licensing

Different ways to earn from video licensing are:

• One-time license fee

• Revenue sharing

• Exclusive deals

• Royalty Payments

10. Join The YouTube Shopping Affiliate Program

YouTube Shopping Affiliate Program allows you to promote your own products or other brands' products across YouTube by tagging them in your videos. Once you tag a product, a “View Products”  label shows up in the corner of your video, allowing viewers to select the label and see the list of tagged products.

Eligibility Requirements

To be eligible for the YouTube shopping affiliate program, you must meet these requirements:

• Member of the YouTube Partner Program

• Have more than 10,000 subscribers

• Be based in the United States

• Not have a music channel, an Official Artist Channel, or associated with music partners. 

• Not have the audience set as Made for Kids, and not have a significant number of videos made for kids

• No active community guideline strikes

How To Earn With The YouTube Shopping Affiliate Program?

To earn money with the YouTube Shopping Affiliate Program follow the below given steps: 

Step 1: Connect your store to YouTube 

Step 2: Tag products from your/other brands in your content

Step 3: Check your Shopping analytics in YouTube Analytics.

11. Earn Through YouTube Premium

YouTube Premium is a subscription based service offered by the YouTube platform for an ad free viewing experience, and added benefits like access to YouTube Originals, and YouTube Music. The revenue earned by YouTube from premium memberships is distributed among video creators based  on the engagement they get on their videos from premium members. 

Minimum Requirements

The minimum requirement to earn through YouTube Premium revenue sharing is that your channel should be a member of the YouTube Partner Program.

How To Earn Through YouTube Premium?

YouTube shares the premium revenue with creators based on the time premium subscribers spend watching his videos. The more time Premium members spend watching a creator’s videos, the higher the revenue share that creator will receive.

Best Practices To Make Money From YouTube

Nothing can be better than converting your passion into a career. But to be successful and make more money you have to strategically plan your content. Here are a few YouTube best practices to enhance earning:

1. Understand Your YouTube Audience

YouTube has over 2 billion users and creating content to please all the audiences is next to impossible. It is always advisable to study and understand your audience’s preferences before creating your content. The more your content is apt and engaging for your audience the more your avenues open up for earning more money.

2. Use Info Cards and CTAs in All Your Videos

Info cards and CTAs are a great way to engage your audiences and ultimately increase your earnings. Info cards make your videos interactive while CTA instigates your audiences to take action bringing more engagement or diverting them directly to your product link.

3. Add links In Your Video Descriptions

Adding relevant links directs your audiences to your website, affiliate products, or social media profiles. To make sure your audiences click on your links, write a compelling description.

4. Cross Promote Your Channel Videos

Promoting your videos on different platforms can help you attract new viewers and retain your existing ones. This will further increase your channel growth and monetization potential.

5. Master Your YouTube SEO

Optimize your YouTube video descriptions and tags with relevant keywords. It will make your videos more easily discoverable, increasing  views and hence increasing your earnings.

6. Create More YouTube Shorts

YouTube Shorts are a growing trend. This form of YouTube content is also more engaging and can increase your channel subscribers in less time.  Currently more people are inclined towards consuming shorter videos, therefore shorts are gaining more views and engagement.

7. Collaborate With Other Creators

Collaborating with other creators will give your channel extensive exposure and enhance your reach to new audiences. When you reach new audiences, your subscribers increase, further increasing your views. 

8. Publish Quality Content Consistently  

Consistency is the key to being successful and earning more money on YouTube.  Create a content calendar and stick to posting videos regularly. This will help audiences coming back, increasing your channel's views and bringing in more money to you.