How Can I Make Money from YouTube?
As YouTube continues to dominate the online video-sharing market, more and more people want to try to make money on YouTube.
Starting from scratch is a daunting prospect, considering that many creators already have millions of subscribers. However, YouTube is more dynamic than you may think. There’s opportunity to be found.
What makes this platform so incredible is that there are always new channels rising to stardom.
Here, we explore how many views creators need on YouTube to make money – plus, the hot topic of how much money YouTubers can earn.
How the Top YouTubers Make Money
The basis of YouTube channel earnings comes from the ads running alongside your content – before, during and/or after the video. On top of that, many successful YouTubers also generate income from donations, sponsorships and merchandise.
Those who are still growing their channel will typically rely on YouTube Adsense revenue. However, creators must remain realistic about how many views on YouTube they need to make money. The typical payout is estimated at $3 to $5 per 1,000 views.
Unless you happen to make it huge with a series of viral videos, don’t expect to quit your day job anytime soon! You’ll likely need more than YouTube Adsense earnings alone.
Most of the biggest creators supplement their YouTuber salary with the following revenue streams. Here are your options to
Affiliate Marketing
If you’ve ever seen a YouTuber review or mention a product that’s linked in the description, you can assume they’re using affiliate marketing to grow their YouTube channel earnings.
Every time viewers purchase via their link, they receive a commission from the sale. If a YouTube creator manages to convert a decent number of viewers, the profit can be eye-watering.
There are loads of different companies offering affiliate marketing programmes. The likes of Amazon, Skillshare, Audible and Airbnb have supported creators both big and small.
For example, Amazon’s affiliate programme operates on a commission basis, where sales in some product categories are more lucrative than others.
Sponsorships and Collaborations
With the most popular YouTubers attracting millions of views on every video, it’s no surprise that many of the world’s leading brands want them to sponsor their content.
This approach can take many different forms. Sometimes brands simply want to have their latest product receive a quick shoutout in the video, while other times, the entire video might be focussed entirely on the product itself.
You might also find that some YouTube creators have a headline channel sponsor for each one of their videos. As these brands get plenty of mentions from the creator, you can expect these deals to be particularly profitable.
Merchandise
YouTubers who have established a loyal following can make an immense amount of profit, by releasing branded merchandise.
With fans eager to show their support and represent their favourite creators in public, a thoughtfully designed release of shirts, hats and the like can boost channel growth and deliver a steady income.
Many leading creators plug their online merchandise store at the beginning or end of their content. Regularly encouraging fans to purchase – without being too money-hungry – can achieve outstanding results.
YouTube also has built-in features to showcase merchandise on the video end screens, helping creators to make money from YouTube in several productive ways.
Further Services
Countless YouTubers were already professionals in other fields before growing their following on the platform. In fact, many creators use their videos to funnel viewers towards outside services.
You can pick almost any industry you like, but real estate continues to be a highly profitable niche on YouTube.
Through how-to guides, market updates and listing videos, savvy realtors can showcase their talent and encourage sellers to choose them as their real estate agent.
This way, creators can benefit from YouTube Adsense, sponsored content and their real-life skills to diversify how they make money on YouTube.
How to Start Making Money on YouTube
The job description of a YouTuber is remarkably diverse. If you think you’ve got what it takes to make it big, there’s no better time to get started than today.
However, making a living from your videos isn’t a sure thing. Consider these tips before diving into the world of YouTube content creation.
Some people think YouTube viewers have short attention spans, but that’s not entirely true. After all, people listen to three-hour podcasts. The reality is that any kind of content can perform well, if you understand your audience and create videos that engage their interests.
Choose a Niche
Every YouTube creator needs a niche to underpin their channel. Although it’s tempting to choose the most profitable niche you can think of, what matters most is having a genuine passion for the subject.
You’re going to be spending hundreds of hours planning, writing, shooting and editing content around a specific topic, so you want to be sure that you won’t get bored of it quickly.
Backed by a dedicated niche where the audience can feel your enthusiasm through the screen, it’s possible to establish your authority and grow a loyal following that pays your YouTuber salary.
Upload Regularly
With so much competition for attention on YouTube, the bar is high to do everything you can to resonate with your audience. For example, develop a regular upload schedule, so your biggest fans know when to expect new content.
This is especially important for small creators, who haven’t had the chance to establish a strong connection with their audience.
If you happen to ignore YouTube for weeks or months at a time, don’t be surprised to see your interaction drop significantly. Viewers will choose to spend their time watching other channels.
Upgrade Your Recording Equipment
The great thing about YouTube is most channels don’t need expensive audio and video equipment to compete with established creators.
Plenty of content creators have amassed thousands or millions of subscribers, and still shoot their videos with a phone camera and a basic camcorder.
But you shouldn’t ignore your equipment entirely – especially if you want to boost your YouTube channel earnings.
All it takes is a relatively small investment in a sturdy camera tripod, a decent external shotgun microphone and a softbox or two. You can elevate the quality of your videos massively this way.
Become a YouTube Partner
Once you’ve started uploading YouTube videos and generating views, new creators can think about signing up for the YouTube Partner Programme. This allows users to get paid for advertisements that run on their content.
However, creators must meet some minimum requirements to be accepted:
- Have more than 1,000 subscribers
- Achieve 4,000 valid public watch hours in the past 12 months
- Have a linked AdSense account
- Agree to the terms and conditions
Creators can always generate sponsorships, affiliate marketing and merchandise to make money on YouTube without AdSense. Yet having access to YouTube Adsense will only improve your channel’s growth and revenue in the long term.
Chat to the Experts
People from every walk of life are making a top living from YouTube right now. It doesn’t matter whether you want to create long-form guides or razor-sharp explainers – everyone has the power to be successful with the right approach.
The talented team at First Page Australia know the ins and outs of all things YouTube. We can help any individual or business to plan and implement a strategy for exceptional YouTube channel earnings.
Get in contact with our experts to find out how your company can attract an engaged audience that loves to consume your content.
Looking for some inspiration first? Check out these 15 Extremely Successful Australian YouTubers who Sizzle.
