Have you ever watched a YouTube video and thought to yourself, “I could do that”? Maybe you have a hobby or talent that you think would make for great content, or maybe you’re just looking for a new way to make some extra cash. Whatever your reason, you might be wondering: how do people actually make money from YouTube videos?
Well, it’s not as easy as uploading a video and watching the money roll in. But with a little hard work and some smart strategies, it is possible to turn your passion for creating videos into a profitable side hustle or even a full-time career. In this article, we’ll go over the various ways you can make money with YouTube videos, as well as some tips and best practices to help you get started.
- Ad Revenue
The most common way people make money on YouTube is through ad revenue. When you upload a video to YouTube, you have the option to enable monetization, which allows ads to be shown on or near your video. When a viewer clicks on one of these ads, you earn a small amount of money.
To be eligible for ad revenue, you’ll need to have a Google AdSense account and link it to your YouTube account. You’ll also need to follow YouTube’s ad policies and guidelines, which include things like not uploading copyrighted content or explicit material.
One thing to keep in mind is that the amount of money you can make from ad revenue can vary significantly based on a variety of factors, including the topic of your videos, the length of your videos, and the country your viewers are located in. It’s also worth noting that you won’t start seeing ad revenue until you’ve reached a certain threshold of views, which is currently around 4,000 hours of watch time in the past 12 months and 1,000 subscribers.
- Sponsored Videos and Brand Deals
Another way to make money on YouTube is through sponsored videos and brand deals. Essentially, this means working with a company or brand to create a video that promotes their product or service. In exchange, you’ll typically receive a fee or commission.
To find sponsored video and brand deal opportunities, you’ll need to build up your channel and establish yourself as a content creator. This means consistently uploading high-quality videos and engaging with your audience. As your channel grows, you may start to receive offers from white label SEO company or brands who are interested in working with you.
It’s also a good idea to reach out to companies or brands that you’re interested in working with and pitch them on the idea of a sponsored video. Make sure to highlight the unique aspects of your channel and the value you can offer their brand.
- YouTube Premium Subscription Service
In addition to ad revenue, YouTube also offers a subscription service called YouTube Premium. With YouTube Premium, viewers can pay a monthly fee to access exclusive content, ad-free videos, and other perks. As a content creator, you can earn a share of the revenue from YouTube Premium subscribers who watch your videos.
To be eligible for the YouTube Premium subscription service, you’ll need to meet certain eligibility requirements, including having a certain number of subscribers and meeting YouTube’s content guidelines. You’ll also need to apply and be accepted into the YouTube Partner Program.
- Selling Products or Merchandise
If you have a product or service that you’d like to sell, you can use your YouTube channel as a platform to promote it. This could be anything from a physical product, like handmade crafts or clothing, to a digital product, like an e-book or course.
To sell products or merchandise through your YouTube channel, you’ll need to set up a way for viewers to purchase what you’re offering. This can be done through a link in the video description, through a website, or through a platform like Etsy or Amazon. You’ll also need to make sure you have a clear call to action in your videos encouraging viewers to make a purchase.
In addition to selling your own products or services, you can also earn money by promoting products or services as an affiliate. With affiliate marketing, you promote a product or service on your channel and earn a commission for every sale made through a special tracking link. There are a variety of affiliate programs you can join, and many companies offer affiliate marketing opportunities to content creators.
- Crowdfunding
Crowdfunding is another option for monetizing your YouTube channel. With crowdfunding, you can ask your viewers to donate money to help support your channel and your content creation efforts. There are a few different platforms you can use for crowdfunding, including Patreon, Kickstarter, and GoFundMe.
To be successful with crowdfunding, you’ll need to build up a loyal and engaged audience. Consider offering exclusive perks or rewards to your donors, and be transparent about how the funds will be used.
- Licensing and Selling Your Content
If you create original content that is in high demand, you may be able to license or sell your videos to other companies or platforms. For example, you might be able to sell the rights to a video to a media company or license it to a company for use in their advertising.
To sell or license your content, you’ll need to have a clear understanding of your rights as a content creator and be able to negotiate fair terms. You may want to consider working with an attorney or a licensing agent to help with the process.
- Speaking Engagements and Events
As you build up your YouTube channel and establish yourself as a thought leader or expert in your niche, you may be able to turn your online success into offline opportunities. This could include speaking engagements at events or conferences, or hosting your own workshops or seminars.
To find speaking opportunities, you can reach out to event organizers or send proposals to organizations that you think would be interested in your expertise. You can also use your YouTube channel to promote any speaking engagements or events you have coming up.
Tips for Making Money on YouTube
Now that you know the various ways you can make money with YouTube videos, here are a few tips to help you get started:
- Choose a Niche and Stick to It
One of the keys to building a successful YouTube channel is to choose a niche and stick to it. This means focusing on a specific topic or theme for your videos, rather than trying to cover a wide range of unrelated topics. Not only will this make it easier for you to come up with content ideas, but it will also help you build up a dedicated audience of viewers who are interested in your specific area of expertise.
- Consistently Upload High-Quality Videos
To make money on YouTube, it’s important to consistently upload high-quality videos. This means investing in good equipment, taking the time to edit and polish your videos, and paying attention to things like lighting and sound quality. Consistently uploading high-quality content will not only help you attract and retain viewers, but it will also make you more appealing to sponsors and advertisers.
- Engage with Your Audience
Another key to success on YouTube is building a strong relationship with your audience. This means regularly interacting with your viewers through comments, social media, and live streams. Respond to comments, ask for feedback, and make an effort to get to know your audience. Not only will this help you build a loyal fan base, but it will also give you valuable insights into what your viewers want to see from you.
- Utilize SEO and Keywords
To help your videos rank higher in search results and attract more views, it’s important to optimize your titles, descriptions, and tags with relevant keywords. Research popular keywords in your niche and use them in your titles, descriptions, and tags to help your videos show up in search results.
- Promote Your Videos
While YouTube’s algorithm can help your videos get discovered, it’s also important to actively promote your videos to reach a wider audience. Share your videos on social media, collaborate with other creators, and consider running YouTube ads to boost the visibility of your content.
Making money with YouTube videos is no easy feat, but it is possible with dedication, hard work, and a little bit of creativity. By choosing a niche, consistently uploading high-quality content, and engaging with your audience, you can build a successful channel and turn your passion for creating videos into a profitable venture. Just remember that it takes time and effort to build a successful channel, so be patient and keep working towards your goals.