How to Make Money on YouTube

Step 1: Join the YouTube Partner Program

Eligibility and Application: To access YouTube’s monetisation features, you must first qualify for the YouTube Partner Program (YPP). This requires at least 1,000 subscribers and 4,000 watch hours in the past 12 months. Once you meet these criteria, ensure your account is in good standing by adhering to all of YouTube’s community guidelines and monetization policies. You’ll then link an existing AdSense account or create a new one to manage earnings and ad settings.

Benefits of YPP: Joining the YPP allows you to generate revenue through multiple channels such as ad revenue, Super Chat, channel memberships, and the YouTube Premium revenue program. It’s the foundation for monetising your channel and integrating further revenue strategies.

Step 2: Master Your Content

Quality and Consistency: Your success on YouTube hinges on your ability to produce high-quality, engaging content that resonates with your audience. Invest in a decent camera and microphone to improve production quality. Consistency in upload schedules helps retain audience interest and build a loyal following.

Analytics Use: Utilise YouTube Analytics to understand who your audience is and what they like. Tracking viewer trends, engagement rates, and feedback on videos can guide your content strategy, helping you produce videos that are more likely to attract and retain viewers.

Step 3: Utilise Affiliate Marketing

Choosing the Right Affiliates: Select products and services that align closely with your content and audience interests. For example, if your channel is about tech reviews, affiliate links from technology companies would be a natural fit.

Disclosure: Always disclose the use of affiliate links in your video descriptions to maintain transparency with your audience. This builds trust and complies with advertising standards.

Step 4: Offer Channel Memberships

Member Perks: Offer exclusive benefits such as custom emojis, badges, early access to videos, and exclusive live chats, which can incentivise your viewers to become paying members. These perks should be compelling enough to justify the monthly fee and add value to the membership experience.

Engagement: Regularly engage with members by hosting member-only events or giving them first dibs on your merchandise. This makes the membership feel more valuable, encouraging long-term renewals.

Step 5: Sell Merchandise

Merchandise Design: Design merchandise that appeals to your brand and audience, such as T-shirts, hats, or bags featuring your logo or popular catchphrases from your videos. High-quality, desirable products can significantly enhance your brand’s value.

Promotion Techniques: Promote your merchandise directly in your videos, perhaps by wearing it or showcasing it during the video. Utilise cards and end screens to link directly to your merch store.

Step 6: Explore Sponsored Content

Finding Sponsors: Reach out to brands that align with your channel’s theme for sponsorship opportunities. Use your audience demographics and engagement stats to pitch your channel as a valuable platform for brand exposure.

Sponsorship Integration: Incorporate sponsored products or shoutouts seamlessly into your videos. The integration should feel natural rather than forced, maintaining the integrity of your content while promoting the sponsor.

Step 7: Use Super Chat & Super Stickers

Live Stream Engagement: Encourage viewers to use Super Chat and Super Stickers during live streams by actively interacting with them. Acknowledge every Super Chat to make donors feel appreciated, encouraging others to participate as well.

Visibility: Highlight the benefits of Super Chat and Super Stickers at the start of each live stream to ensure new viewers are aware of these options. This can significantly increase your earnings during live sessions.

Step 8: Diversify with YouTube Premium Revenue

Understanding YouTube Premium: YouTube Premium subscribers pay a monthly fee for an enhanced viewing experience that includes ad-free viewing, background playback, and access to YouTube Originals. As a creator, you earn a share of the fee based on how much these subscribers watch your content.

Encouraging Premium Views: To maximise revenue from YouTube Premium, create content that encourages binge-watching or repeated views, such as series with multiple episodes or high-quality productions that viewers return to.

By deeply understanding each of these steps and implementing them strategically, you can maximise your earnings potential on YouTube. Remember, success on YouTube not only requires great content but also strategic monetisation efforts. Keep experimenting with these methods to find what works best for your channel and audience. You may also consider using a website to display your videos.  Check out our article on How to Create a Website Yourself.