I. Introduction
If you’re active on YouTube, you may have wondered how YouTubers make money. With over 2 billion monthly users, YouTube has become a lucrative platform for content creators to monetize their content and make a living doing what they love. In this article, we’ll explore the different ways YouTubers earn money and provide practical tips for monetizing your own YouTube channel.
II. The Main Ways YouTubers Earn Money
The goal of any YouTuber is to get views on their videos. In order to make money, they need to have a large and engaged audience that will watch their content regularly. Here are the main ways that YouTubers can earn money:
Ads
YouTube has a program called the YouTube Partner Program, which allows creators to monetize their content with ads. Creators earn money when viewers watch or click on the ads that appear alongside their videos. There are different types of ads, including pre-roll ads (which play before a video), mid-roll ads (which play in the middle of a video), and more. The amount of money earned depends on factors like the number of views, the geographic location of the viewer, and the advertiser’s budget.
For example, YouTuber PewDiePie earned $12 million in 2015 from ad revenue alone. His channel has over 108 million subscribers, making him one of the most successful YouTubers on the platform.
Sponsorships
YouTubers may also earn money through sponsorships, where brands pay them to promote their products in their videos. These types of deals can be incredibly lucrative for creators who have built a following on their channel. Brands may approach creators directly, or creators can join creator networks that help connect them with brands.
One example of a successful sponsorship deal is with YouTuber Tyler Oakley, who partnered with Taco Bell to promote their breakfast menu. The video generated over 4 million views and helped drive sales for the fast-food chain.
Affiliate marketing
Another way YouTubers can earn money is through affiliate marketing, where they promote products or services and earn a commission on any sales made through their unique affiliate link. This method works well for creators who have a niche audience that is passionate about certain products or services.
For example, YouTuber Zoe Sugg has built her brand around beauty and lifestyle content. She partners with brands like Birchbox and Glossybox to promote their subscription boxes, earning a commission on any sales made through her unique link.
Merchandise
Many YouTubers also sell merchandise to their fans. This could be anything from t-shirts to mugs to phone cases. Selling merchandise helps creators further monetize their audience, while also providing their fans with a way to show their support.
A great example is with YouTuber Shane Dawson, who built his brand on humorous and relatable content. He sells a range of merchandise, including t-shirts featuring his catchphrases and his famous pink pig backpack.
Super Chat
Super Chat is a feature that allows viewers to pay to have their comments highlighted during a live stream. This can be a great way for creators to earn extra money during live streams, while also providing a way for their fans to stand out.
Fan funding
Finally, some creators may accept donations from their fans through platforms like Patreon or PayPal. This approach works well for creators who produce content that people are passionate about, and who want to support them in their endeavors.
An example of someone who has successfully used fan funding is Philip DeFranco, who creates news and commentary videos. He has a Patreon account where fans can donate to support his work. This approach has allowed him to create content that is independent of advertiser pressures and has helped him build a loyal community of fans.
III. Breaking Down YouTube’s Monetization Policies
While there are many ways to monetize your YouTube channel, it’s important to understand YouTube’s monetization policies. YouTube has specific guidelines in place to ensure that creators are creating quality content that is advertiser-friendly.
In order to qualify for monetization, creators must meet a few requirements:
- Have at least 1,000 subscribers
- Have at least 4,000 watch hours in the past 12 months
- Comply with YouTube’s Community Guidelines and Terms of Service
Once a channel meets these requirements, they can apply to join the YouTube Partner Program and start monetizing their content.
In addition to these requirements, it’s important to understand what types of content are considered advertiser-friendly on the platform. Generally, content that is violent, sexually suggestive, or controversial may not be eligible for monetization. Creators should take care to create content that is in line with YouTube’s monetization policies in order to maximize their earning potential.
IV. Real-Life Examples of Successful YouTubers and Their Income
How much do YouTubers really make? Here are some examples of successful YouTubers and how they’ve monetized their content:
Jenna Marbles
Jenna Marbles is a popular YouTuber who creates humorous videos about her daily life. She has over 20 million subscribers and has been able to monetize her content through a range of methods, including ads, sponsorships, and merchandise. It’s estimated that she earns upwards of $35,000 per month from her YouTube channel alone.
MKBHD
MKBHD is a YouTuber who specializes in technology reviews and has built up a following of over 13 million subscribers. He has been able to monetize his channel through ads, sponsorships, and affiliate marketing. It’s estimated that he earns upwards of $900,000 per year from his YouTube channel and related endeavors.
Emma Chamberlain
Emma Chamberlain is a newer YouTuber who has quickly risen to popularity with her relatable and humorous content. She has been able to monetize her channel through sponsorships, merchandise, and a new coffee brand she launched in partnership with a coffee company. It’s estimated that she earns upwards of $2 million per year from her YouTube channel.
V. The Pros and Cons of Making Money on YouTube
While making money on YouTube can be incredibly lucrative, there are also downsides to consider. Here are some of the pros and cons of monetizing your YouTube channel:
Pros:
- You can make a full-time living doing something you love
- There are many ways to monetize your content, providing a range of income streams
- You can build a loyal following and connect with fans on a deeper level
Cons:
- You’ll need to spend a lot of time and energy building your channel and creating quality content
- You’ll need to comply with YouTube’s monetization policies and create content that is advertiser-friendly
- Your income may fluctuate based on factors like views and advertiser budgets
VI. Tips for Monetizing Your YouTube Channel
Ready to start monetizing your YouTube channel? Here are some practical tips to get you started:
Optimize for SEO
Make sure that your videos are optimized for SEO by using keywords in your titles, descriptions, and tags. This will help your content show up in search results and attract more views.
Engage with Fans
Engage with your fans by responding to comments and creating content that addresses their questions and interests. This will help build loyalty and keep your audience coming back for more.
Be Open to Collaboration Opportunities
Collaborating with other creators can help expose you to new audiences and grow your own channel. Be open to collaboration opportunities and don’t be afraid to reach out to other creators to propose a collaboration.
VII. Conclusion
Earning money on YouTube is a dream for many creators, and it’s easy to see why. With a large and engaged audience, YouTubers can monetize their content in a range of ways and make a full-time living doing what they love. By following YouTube’s monetization policies and optimizing their content for SEO, creators can maximize their earning potential and build a loyal community of fans.
