How To Make Money on YouTube

Wyzowl estimates that there are over 114 million active YouTube channels in 2023. This figure pales in comparison to the platform’s 2.6 billion monthly active users.

The sheer volume of monthly active users presents a golden opportunity for content creators to earn money on YouTube. Whether or not you have products to sell, YouTube is a great platform to earn money online if you have monetizable skills. This guide will show you how to make money on YouTube without running into any legal issues. You’ll learn about the platform’s eligibility requirements and how to accelerate revenue growth.

How to make money on YouTube

YouTube provides several methods for video creators to monetize their content. The best part is you’re not limited to just one method — you can earn from several methods as long as you meet the eligibility requirements.

Let’s review how to earn money on YouTube.

1. Join the YouTube Partner Program

The YouTube Partner Program (YPP) is a monetization program that enables creators to earn from their YouTube content. The YPP offers various YouTube monetization options, so you can generate revenue from multiple streams, all on one platform.

Monetization options in the YouTube Partner Program include:

• Advertising: Advertising is the primary revenue generation method on YouTube. When viewers watch ads embedded in your videos, YouTube generates ad revenue, which it splits with you. However, before you can start displaying video ads, you must first create a Google AdSense account.
• Channel memberships: YouTube users pay a monthly fee to become members of your channel. This gives them member-only access to special perks like exclusive content, badges and custom emojis.
• Super Chat, Super Stickers and Super Thanks: When viewers purchase Super Chats, they can post messages that stand out during live chats. With Super Stickers, viewers buy fun graphics and send them during live streams. And Super Thanks allows viewers to send monetary gifts during a live stream.
• YouTube Shopping: YouTube Shopping lets you connect your online store to your YouTube channel and sell products (e.g., t-shirts, apps and beauty products) directly to your viewers. It displays a shelf with your products under your videos and live streams.
• YouTube Premium revenue: When YouTube Premium members watch videos on your channel, you get a share of their subscription fees. The amount you earn is based on how much time Premium members spend watching your video content.

Each of these YPP options has unique monetization policies. So, when deciding how to earn money on YouTube, carefully review your preferred monetization option and ensure you meet its eligibility requirements.

2. Become an influencer

Influencers are people with an expert reputation in a specific niche or industry. They have a considerable following on social media and can sway their audience’s purchase decisions.

Consider becoming an influencer if you have a large YouTube following and wish to expand your revenue streams. As an influencer, you can collaborate with brands and recommend their products to your audience.

YouTube simplifies influencer marketing through its self-service platform, YouTube BrandConnect. This platform connects brands with YouTube creators who hold sway over their target audiences.

Although you can generate significant revenue through sponsorship websites, you can generate even more by approaching brands yourself.

Here’s how to do it:

• Create a list of credible brands in your niche.
• Visit their websites or use a sales intelligence tool like Apollo to gather their contact information.
• Send a personalized email to each brand.

The email should include important information like who you are, what you do, other brands you’ve worked with, testimonials and what you can do for the brand. The best part about working directly with brands is that, unlike sponsorship programs, you keep 100% of your earnings.

3. Join an affiliate program

Affiliate marketing is a business model where you’re compensated for all the revenue you generate from promoting a product or service. You don’t own the product or service or get involved in order fulfillment; you only market it.

For instance, if you’re a dentist, you could join an affiliate program for a toothpaste brand you trust. Then, you promote the toothpaste in your YouTube videos by discussing its benefits and backing up claims with real results.

The toothpaste company provides a unique link you share with your audience. Anyone interested in purchasing the toothpaste follows the link to the manufacturer’s eCommerce website.

Whenever someone buys products or services through your link, you earn a commission. Affiliate programs usually have smart dashboards where you can track your earnings in real time.

4. Crowdfund your projects

Also known as fan funding, crowdfunding means raising funds for a project by appealing to a large group of people — typically through the internet — to contribute small amounts. Usually, the people you appeal to share an interest in your project.

For instance, assume you run a DIY YouTube channel that teaches people how to build home furniture, but your video quality is not excellent. You can appeal to your audience to help you raise money to buy filming equipment.

You can collect funds from your viewers through platforms like Kickstarter, Patreon and GoFundMe. These platforms charge a small commission, but the benefits you reap from using their services are worth it.

Of all the crowdfunding platforms, Patreon is the most popular among YouTubers because it lets creators offer exclusive content to their viewers. Viewers can subscribe to a monthly plan and get access to premium content.

5. License content to other creators

If you’re a skilled content creator, it’s only natural for third parties to want to use your content. These include companies and other YouTubers. You want to make it easy for them to acquire a license to use your content.

You can simplify the licensing process in three ways:

• Provide your contact information on your YouTube channel’s description so anyone who wants to use your content can easily contact you.
• Create an account on an entertainment website like Jukin Media and sell licenses there.
• If you don’t want to split your revenue with anyone, build your online store and sell rights to your content there.

For optimal results and enhanced visibility, consider deploying all three techniques.

Eligibility requirements for the YouTube Partner Program

Although YouTube offers various monetization options under the YPP umbrella, each option has unique criteria you must meet to start earning.

YouTube enforces different requirements for each option to ensure it meets the legal requirements for every region where the YPP program is available.

Most profitable YouTube niches in 2024

All niches are not made equal, so they offer varying levels of profitability. Some niches attract a higher cost per mille (CPM) than others — CPM is the amount you earn for every 1,000 impressions.

So, if you want to maximize your earnings, here are five profitable niches to consider when deciding how to earn money on YouTube.

Gaming

Gaming is one of the most profitable niches to make money on YouTube. You can create content around game reviews, live streaming, gaming equipment reviews and other gaming videos with commentary.

If you stream your gaming sessions, your content can revolve around several games, or you can choose to focus on a specific game.

Popular gaming channels include PewDiePie, VanossGaming and Markiplier.

You can earn an average CPM of $10 in this niche.

How-to guides

How-to videos teach people how to perform various tasks. For instance, you can teach people how to make money online. In these videos, you can cover sub-niches like digital marketing, affiliate marketing and dropshipping.

Popular how-to channels include Socialty Pro and Expert Academy.

The CPM in this niche averages $8.

Entertainment

Entertainment features many sub-niches you can focus on. These include comedy, celebrity interviews, music videos, animations and TV shows.

To ensure relevance, you must stay updated on current events related to your niche. New trends emerge every day, and if you’re not up to date, your content might lose its appeal.

Plus, the YouTube algorithm favors timely content, so if you’re following the newest entertainment trends, your channel will get more visibility.

Vibe Music and The Ultimate Discovery are popular entertainment channels to draw inspiration from.

CPM earnings in this niche average $7.

Fashion

In the fashion niche, you can cater to a specific gender or provide general advice for both. Your YouTube channel can revolve around your personal style, fashion hauls, product reviews or Q&A sessions.

You can also keep tabs on the latest fashion trends and show your audience how to incorporate them into their unique styles.

Popular fashion channels include HauteLeMode and Your Guide To Style.

The average CPM in this niche is $5.

Food and cooking

 There are endless video ideas in this category. You can cover recipes, critique foods, taste international cuisines or explore the origins of different meals.

Alternatively, you can follow the autonomous sensory meridian response (ASMR) trend or participate in exciting food challenges.

Some notable channels in this category include Wilderness Cooking and Village Cooking Channel.

The average CPM in this niche is $3.5.

How to grow your YouTube revenue

Besides choosing a profitable niche, here are additional measures to help you accelerate revenue growth on YouTube.

Know your audience

Identify your target audience through in-depth market research. This involves knowing their interests, demographics, needs and pain points. Once you know your audience, you can curate content that appeals to them.

Knowing your audience also helps you build a loyal fan base because if your videos resonate with viewers, they’ll keep returning for more. The more viewers you get, the more ad views you can potentially generate, leading to more revenue.

Brand your content

Brand development allows you to create a content strategy that reflects your personality.

Branding makes your channel memorable, provides a consistent user experience and allows you to build long-lasting relationships with your viewers. It also creates a strong online presence, which sets you apart from the competition.

Here’s how to brand your YouTube channel:

• Use the same name on your channel as you do across all online platforms for consistency.
• Include links to your website and social media pages in your video descriptions.
• Begin each video with a compelling intro that reflects your brand.
• Create video playlists. These help you organize information by sub-topic so viewers can get the most out of your videos.

Produce high-quality videos

In most cases, a high-quality video is assumed to mean an excellent resolution. However, the quality of your video is largely determined by its content.

Provide your users with original, well-researched content. This differentiates your channel from competitors that reshuffle the same old content. High-quality videos can help you earn your audience’s trust, which means more watch time and more revenue.

Good sound quality is another attribute of a high-quality video. Record your videos in a quiet environment and invest in essential audio tools such as a microphone, headphones and noise-reduction software.

Optimize your channel for conversions

What do you consider a conversion on your channel? Purchasing your merch? Watching a video to the end? Or contacting you?

Regardless of how you measure your success rate, you should optimize your YouTube account for more conversions.

Here are some best practices to follow:

• Boost your visibility with YouTube ads and search engine optimization (SEO).
• Include clear calls to action (CTAs) in your descriptions, videos and titles.
• Use captivating thumbnails that accurately portray your videos.
• Craft keyword-rich titles that increase click-through rates.
• Provide incentives for people to watch your videos to the end.
• Provide your contact information wherever you can.

Create a content calendar

A content calendar helps you build a roadmap of the content you wish to produce. It’s a schedule of your videos, including when to post them, their titles, descriptions and other relevant data. A content calendar helps you stay consistent, organized and proactive.

When you post consistently, the YouTube algorithm notices your channel is active and rewards you with more exposure, helping you get discovered by the right people.

Here’s how to create a content calendar:

• Brainstorm content ideas and write them down.
• Choose a publishing frequency (e.g., daily or weekly).
• Plan the video production process and provide all relevant data.
• Schedule your videos using a scheduling tool like Loomly.

Final thoughts: How to make money on YouTube — 5 impactful strategies

YouTubers make money in diverse ways. While you can monetize your skills and earn from ads, you can boost your income by selling merchandise.

You can sell merchandise in three ways: through the YouTube Partner Program, an eCommerce platform or your own website. Selling items on your own website gives you more control over your branding — you can customize your WooCommerce store to suit your brand.

WooCommerce hosting with Bluehost gives you access to all the tools and guidance you need to create a professional eCommerce store that perfectly reflects your brand’s personality.

We also offer full-service web solutions, which include digital marketing and web design services, so you can focus on creating high-quality videos your audience will love.

How to make money on YouTube: FAQs