YouTube has been a great platform for people who want to create content that entertains, informs or educates others — and it's not just because of the number of views each video gets (though that certainly helps). The biggest reason why so many creators are drawn to this platform is its ability to provide an avenue for earning passive income from their online efforts.
With that in mind, learning how to monetize YouTube can be extremely beneficial if done correctly. In fact, most successful YouTubers now rely heavily on the revenue generated by ads placed within their content. So, can you really make money on YouTube without reaching 1k subscribers? It depends...
Yes! There are plenty of ways that anyone with some sort of Internet connection and access to camera equipment can earn a decent amount of cash through various methods. However, there are always going to be limitations when it comes to any type of business model. One such limitation is needing at least 1000 unique viewers per month in order to generate enough ad impressions to pay for production costs and other expenses related to creating content. This means that even though you may have created a popular brand-new show about food trucks, unless you're getting thousands upon thousands of views per episode, you won't be able to make much money off of it.
In addition to paying out to writers, producers, editors, cast members, etc., another common practice among top influencers is leveraging Patreon as a source of additional income. Through Patreon, users set up recurring subscriptions based on monthly pledges they choose. Once someone subscribes to your page, you'll receive donations every time one of your patrons goes live. If you've ever watched a livestreamed event like a gaming tournament or concert where fans could watch along via Facebook Live, then you know what we mean here. Patrons will also send you feedback comments after watching each episode/tournament/concert. For more details, check out our guide explaining exactly how Patreon works.
Another option would be to use services like Revver or Flattr which allow you to promote your channel while giving away free episodes of new shows to those who donate directly. That said, these types of platforms tend to take longer than standard advertising to actually see results, especially since you need to attract enough visitors to actually hit your goals before being eligible for payouts.
If you don't care about subscriber count but still want to grow your audience, consider investing into paid advertisements on sites like Reddit, Instagram, Twitter, Tumblr, LinkedIn, Pinterest, Google AdWords, etc. As long as you have budget allocated to marketing campaigns, you should be able to reach target audiences faster and potentially increase overall exposure.
Not only does this help you build a loyal following over time, but you might find yourself meeting influential individuals offline too. When you meet them face-to-face, ask them if they'd support you financially, and share your story with them. Just remember that no matter what happens, you shouldn't expect immediate success from trying to make money on YouTube without having reached 1K subs yet.
The answer to whether you can make money on YouTube without 1000 subscribers largely depends on the kind of content you produce. But yes, there are definitely options available to YouTuber wannabees willing to put in the work necessary to become established.
For example, instead of focusing solely on producing original content, you could try incorporating elements of vlogging into your repertoire. Vlogs are short unedited videos typically shot using smartphones, edited together using simple software programs like iMovie or Adobe Premiere Pro, uploaded to social media platforms and embedded elsewhere online. They often consist of personal stories, tutorials, interviews, product reviews, etc. While vloggers usually shoot, edit, upload, post, tweet, etc. all under 10 minutes, the format lends itself well to sharing entertaining clips from everyday life.
You can use the same approach to document anything else you feel comfortable shooting on your own. Whether it's home tours, cooking demonstrations, car rides, walks around town, etc., once you decide on a topic, simply film whatever footage you think best represents that idea and keep editing until you've produced something entertaining. Then publish it publicly and wait for the hits to come rolling in. From there, you can experiment with different topics and styles until you discover what resonates with your audience.
While it takes years to produce quality material, there are several things you can do right out of the gate to optimize your chances of becoming a highly sought-after creator. Shoot high resolution photos and videos, edit your recordings professionally, incorporate music and sound effects, add captions, tag your posts properly, submit your finished products to relevant websites, etc. These little tweaks may seem insignificant at first glance but can go a long way toward helping you stand apart from everyone else vying for attention on YouTube.
Other ideas include collaborating with brands and companies in exchange for promotional partnerships, selling merchandising items featuring designs made specifically for your channel, licensing exclusive rights to certain aspects of your content, offering consulting services, etc. Just make sure to vet potential partners carefully to ensure your interests align with theirs. And never forget to learn basic HTML coding skills to give yourself maximum flexibility down the line.
As far as "can you make money on YouTube without subscribers?" goes, the general consensus seems to be that the above strategies are viable choices if executed effectively. However, there is one major caveat worth mentioning.
Even if you manage to establish some level of popularity, you must understand that there are millions of competitors already doing similar things to you on YouTube. As such, it's important to realize that building organic growth of a fanbase that truly cares about your art form cannot be achieved overnight. You must dedicate yourself fully to growing your presence organically, otherwise you risk wasting time pursuing dreams destined to remain unrealized.
But hey, maybe you're looking for inspiration anyway. Here are five tips to follow when launching a YouTube career.
Whether or not it's possible to make money on YouTube without 1000 subscribers remains debatable depending on your chosen field. On the bright side, it's entirely feasible for someone to achieve massive fame on the platform without breaking 1k subs, provided they stick with it long enough to prove themselves worthy of larger sponsorships and collaborations. Remember that the goal isn't necessarily to become rich quick, it's to cultivate a passionate fan base that loves and supports you unconditionally — and perhaps turn your hobby into a full-time job someday soon.
YouTube has become the most popular video-sharing platform in the world, with more than one billion people logging into their accounts every month and watching content worth billions of dollars. The platform's biggest stars have earned millions from advertising revenue alone. But there’s another side to this coin that doesn't always receive as much attention—how about those who don't necessarily need 1000+ subscribers or even thousands of viewers for them to earn a good living? If you're wondering how exactly it works, keep reading.
In short, yes! You can definitely make money through YouTube without having a big subscriber count. Here are some tips to help you take your channel to the next level by earning an extra buck or two each year.
Let’s face it, not everyone comes to YouTube for entertainment purposes only. There are also other reasons why someone might like to watch videos online, such as education (e.g., students), inspiration, information, etc. However, when we talk specifically about monetizing your account via adverts, what matters is whether you attract enough users to fill up your feed at all times. That’s because if no one watches your videos, then they won’t generate any clicks that lead to ads being served within them either. So before anything else, ensure that your audience isn't too small.
Another thing that may come to mind is how long your videos should last. Generally speaking, the shorter the better. For starters, you don’t want your videos to run over three minutes since after that point, your chances of getting a click will drop significantly. And remember, longer does not mean better here. In fact, sometimes keeping things concise actually helps increase engagement rates.
Once you've got everything covered, you'll see a spike in new followers coming to check out your channel. This means that your number of subscribers will grow steadily.
If you’re still unsure about which type of content would work best for you, here are some ideas to consider:
Videos featuring tutorials, step-by-step guides, how-to instructions, product reviews, DIY projects, etc.
Music playlists, including songs, remixes, mashups, covers, original compositions, soundtracks, instrumentals, etc.
Releases of new albums, music singles, mixtapes, EPs, compilations, live performances, interviews, guest appearances, etc.
Tips, tricks, hacks, cheat codes, funny pranks, jokes, memes, animated shorts, animations, reactions, quizzes, polls, vlogs, etc.
Interviews and discussions covering topics related to fashion, beauty, health & fitness, tech gizmos, pets, food, crafts, home decorating, travel destinations, gardening, interior design, photography, sports, movies, books, apps, games, technology, history, etc.
Finally, whatever you choose to upload, try to add value to your viewer's experience. Make sure you give them something interesting and informative to look forward to. After all, engaging user experiences are known to bring higher retention rates. Also, never forget to stay consistent with your posting schedule. A healthy balance between quality and quantity goes a long way towards boosting your popularity.
Yes you can. As mentioned earlier, if you haven't attracted a large following yet, you shouldn't worry. It takes time to build momentum. Once you hit critical mass, you'll notice a sudden rise in traffic. Remember that building trust among your audience members is just as important as growing your follower base. Don't neglect it. Your loyal fans rely heavily upon your word to create lasting relationships with you. They expect nothing but the best from you and so must feel assured that you'll deliver. Otherwise, they won't stick around forever.
Also, once your fan base grows beyond a certain size, you could opt to promote specific products and services directly within your clips. This strategy allows you to potentially expand your customer base while simultaneously increasing your earnings. Moreover, you can use branded merchandise as giveaways during special occasions, events, holidays, etc. Just make sure that these items aren’t expensive and/or high-end. On top of that, you could also ask your subscribers to send you requests regarding particular brands or products that they'd love to purchase.
As far as possible, offer incentives whenever possible. Give away freebies, access to exclusive discounts, tickets to shows, early bird offers, coupons, gift cards, shopping vouchers, etc. Whenever possible, go above and beyond to show appreciation to your patrons. Besides showering them with praise, you should also thank them publicly on social media platforms. Doing so makes them feel appreciated.
Keep in mind that when trying to turn your channel into a profitable venture, you should follow basic business principles. Take advantage of affiliate marketing programs, where applicable. Affiliates pay out commissions based on referrals generated from promotional efforts made by others. To maximize your profits, set reasonable goals and deadlines for yourself. Then track your progress using analytics tools.
To find out how many views are needed on YouTube to get paid, head over to Monetizable Me's post detailing the exact formula required to reach financial independence.
It really depends on several factors, including the market segment targeted, the niche selected, the title chosen, etc. Of course, there are general guidelines that apply across various industries. According to Tubefilter, for instance, the average view duration for a typical clip uploaded by a creator varies between 2 – 5 seconds.
On average, however, one minute equals 1,000 views. With that said, you can probably assume that the more popular your topic happens to be, the lower the minimum threshold necessary to qualify for payment. Conversely, niche markets tend to require considerably more views for payout.
But wait, you say, it says otherwise on the official YouTube Help Center page. Well, that's true. What they tell you is the maximum amount of total views available per week. At least, according to them, you can still request payments until July 2022. Unfortunately, YouTube cannot grant you permission to exceed the limit imposed by its terms of service.
Here's how it breaks down. Let's suppose you decide to release a brand-new song, titled "The First Song," and upload it to your channel. Now let's say that your first five uploads clock somewhere between 100 - 250 million impressions (i.e., views). Assuming that you've been eligible to claim royalties for 10 years, you'll end up owing Google $0.10 per impression for the entirety of 2021. But if you manage to rack up 500m impressions in a single day, you'll owe YouTube $50 instead.
That said, you likely wouldn't want to break the record anyway. Why risk your reputation unnecessarily?
So you can rest easy knowing that it's safe to continue uploading fresh content on YouTube regardless of your subscriber count. All you need to do now is sit back and relax, watch the cash roll in.
And if you're interested in learning more about creating compelling titles for your clips, read our article outlining six effective ways to write catchy captions for your videos.
While the aforementioned methods are great options for anyone wanting to leverage their channel for passive income, there are some instances whereby creators prefer to focus entirely on their own endeavors. One example includes influencers seeking to establish themselves as professional athletes, actors, musicians, artists, models, entrepreneurs, coaches, consultants, writers, photographers, stylists, designers, etc.
However, if you fall under that category, you're going to have to put in considerable effort to build credibility. Plus, it requires mastering multiple skillsets. We know it sounds daunting, but doing so will eventually reap dividends later on.
For example, if you were born to model, you'd naturally possess perfect facial features. Likewise, if you happen to be a skilled photographer, your photos will undoubtedly stand out from the crowd. So don't underestimate the power of natural talent. Use it to your advantage.
Of course, there are plenty of examples wherein established figures started off relatively unknown. Take Kanye West, for instance. Before becoming one of the hottest hip hop icons of his generation, he was a struggling rapper whose career went nowhere despite releasing numerous unsuccessful records. Similarly, Chris Brown rose to fame overnight thanks to his breakout appearance on MTV's Total Request Live. He had absolutely zero credits to his name beforehand.
This is perhaps the easiest method to achieve monetary success on YouTube without ever needing to open your wallet. Basically, you can utilize existing assets to gain traction for your personal brand. Whether you intend to launch a clothing line, sell makeup accessories, publish ebooks, or launch a subscription box service, you can easily scale up without spending a dime.
You could also partner with other companies willing to support your cause financially. Or maybe you wish to collaborate with other individuals in a similar position. Whatever your objectives, simply contact relevant businesses or organizations and inquire about how they plan to capitalize on your idea.
YouTube has been a go-to platform for many video creators, and the number of channels on this platform continues growing every day. But how exactly does one make money from their videos? The answer is simple—by uploading sponsored content that will earn you revenue in return.
While there are plenty of ways to upload sponsored content on YouTube, it's important to note that earning money off YouTube requires some degree of popularity among viewers, which means having at least 1k subscribers. However, as long as you have an active channel, there are several methods available to help increase your subscriber count. Below we'll explore these tactics in detail.
The first step towards monetizing your YouTube channel is choosing the right type of sponsorship. If you're looking into creating sponsored clips, then it might take months before you see any returns. Sponsored content uploaded directly to YouTube doesn't generate much profit unless you already have thousands or even millions of views.
To receive more immediate results, try out our guide detailing how to create sponsored posts on Instagram using Canva. This method allows you to post sponsored images straight onto Facebook and other social media sites like Twitter. You won't need to worry about getting too close to your followers because they don't know who posted those photos—only people following both parties would notice anything unusual.
Once again, you should remember that reaching a certain level of fame (usually around 2000 subscribers) is necessary to begin generating income through your YouTube channel. So what else could you possibly do? Here are two ideas to keep in mind while planning your next sponsored clip.
1. Create short and catchy teasers that tell a story.
It's good practice to give potential customers something small to look forward to after watching your latest ad. For instance, let's say you've just finished filming a tutorial video on DIY makeup application techniques. To encourage viewers to subscribe, why not add a teaser trailer to the end of the video? As soon as someone finishes watching, they'd instantly want to find out more information about this new product.
This strategy works well especially if you regularly release new tutorials. When users scroll down to check them all out, you can use that opportunity to promote another upcoming project. Letting them know that there's more coming up also increases the likelihood of them subscribing to your channel.
2. Give away freebies instead of selling products.
Another great idea is letting your audience members hold exclusive access to giveaways. Think about offering special items such as makeup brushes, face masks, eye shadows, nail polish, etc., that only those who subscribed earlier will be able to purchase later. In addition, you may offer discounts on future purchases once they become regular buyers.
If you really want to kick things up a notch, you can consider hosting contests where winners will receive cash prizes. Once again, your target market must meet specific requirements to qualify. It's safe to assume that most of your current subscribers probably aren't eligible for winning a contest since they haven't bought your merchandise yet. That being said, you can still run promotions to announce your latest events. Just ensure that everyone knows about it beforehand so participants feel motivated enough to register.
You can also choose to host online raffles by giving away random items via e-mails to your subscribers. These kinds of campaigns produce better results than contests because participants are guaranteed entry tickets to win real prizes. And you can always set aside a portion of your earnings to reward your top performers each month.
As mentioned above, becoming popular on YouTube can be tricky. There are dozens of factors involved in achieving success, including marketing strategies, brand development, etc. While it takes years to achieve viral status, the tips outlined here will surely come in handy for anyone trying to break into the world of YouTube sponsorships.
Of course! How is this possible? By focusing solely on building relationships and trust within your niche community. After all, no matter how big your subscriber base gets, nobody wants to listen to boring sales pitches. Instead, focus on providing quality entertainment and engaging conversations with others. People tend to follow experts more readily rather than brands. If you aim to build a strong reputation, you'll eventually attract loyal fans willing to pay attention to everything you publish.
Now that you know how to reach audiences without spending lots of dollars, let us address the question of whether you can monetize YouTube with fewer subscribers.
Unfortunately, the answer is no. With over 2 billion monthly visits worldwide, Google AdSense alone generates $7 million per minute. According to estimates, advertisers spend billions of dollars on digital ads each year. Consequently, competition is fierce and advertising rates continue dropping.
In order to maximize profits, publishers often resort to paid promotional partnerships with companies hoping to gain exposure among their targeted audiences. Unfortunately, if you lack visibility, you cannot expect to make money from these deals.
However, there are multiple ways to create valuable content without worrying about subscriptions numbers. One option involves publishing helpful guides on various topics related to your niche. Another approach entails teaching consumers how to complete tasks in creative manners. Yet another tactic includes interviewing successful entrepreneurs and sharing their best practices. All of these activities allow you to share knowledge and experience with others. Ultimately, promoting yourself and your business becomes easier.
Finally, if none of the aforementioned approaches work for you, you can rely on affiliate marketing. Although this technique isn't suitable for beginners, experienced marketers usually prefer this route due to its simplicity. Basically, you provide links to relevant products on your website/blog, allowing visitors to click on them whenever interested. Then, you simply collect commissions when they buy.
So far we discussed different scenarios involving gaining subscribers. Now let's talk about situations when you record high amounts of views without gaining any new subscribers. What happens when you hit this situation? Is there hope left for increasing your follower count? Absolutely! Take a closer look below.
First thing's first, you shouldn't panic. Obviously, you didn't lose subscribers overnight. Perhaps you recorded a series of uninteresting videos where viewers became bored waiting for something interesting to happen. Or maybe your material lacks appeal to newcomers. Whatever the reason was, you now have the chance to change things up. Remember, boredom kills creativity. Therefore, try experimenting with new looks and angles.
Second, determine if you actually did miss opportunities to grow your audience. Did you fail to engage with viewers during live broadcasts? Were you unable to connect with prospective clients in person? Have you neglected to respond to comments and questions? If yes, don't fret. Simply put, people love talking about themselves. They want to hear stories and opinions from others. Engaging listeners is essential for boosting engagement levels. And the higher the engagement rate, the greater chances to convert prospects into paying customers.
Thirdly, identify mistakes that led to lackluster performance. Was it poor copywriting skills? Could you improve your captivating titles? Are you guilty of posting irrelevant videos? Maybe your presentation lacked charisma. Regardless of the cause, take action immediately. Don't leave room for negative thoughts to ruin your mood. Stay focused and determined until you figure out solutions for your problems.
Lastly, leverage existing resources to further strengthen your brand image. Posting informative articles on your blog/website is a smart move. Additionally, participating in Q & A sessions on Reddit, Quora, forums, etc., gives you an opportunity to show expertise. Also, joining groups similar to yours on LinkedIn, Pinterest, and Telegram helps establish connections. Finally, starting conversations with influencers in your industry is useful. Since you can never predict changes in trends, you might learn something new from established players.
There's nothing worse than losing interest in your dream job. Luckily, you don't necessarily need 10s of thousands of subscribers to sustain a profitable career as a creator. Rather, you can turn your passion into profit by producing compelling projects. Furthermore, if you manage to maintain consistency, people will gradually begin recognizing your name. Eventually, they'll seek out your services.
Remember, being consistent doesn't mean repeating the same old stuff over and over again. On the contrary, it means delivering consistently outstanding performances week after week. If you stick with this principle, you'll start seeing positive effects sooner compared to those who rush their updates. Besides, your viewership will appreciate fresh faces and storylines.
Additionally, you may decide to diversify your portfolio by working with other platforms such as TikTok and Twitch. Doing so builds credibility and boosts overall revenues. Moreover, you can ask other creators for advice and support. Fortunately, there are tons of communities built specifically to facilitate collaboration between professionals.
Startups also play an integral role in helping you raise funds to finance bigger projects. Most investors enjoy investing in early stage startups. If you're eager to join the bandwagon, you can visit AngelList and gather feedback regarding your pitch deck. Afterwards, apply for funding based on the outcome.
By leveraging these tools, you may overcome adversity and succeed regardless of your subscriber count. Of course, it's impossible to guarantee success overnight. Nevertheless, the odds are stacked against you if you don't stay persistent and dedicated. Taking action today can significantly impact your life tomorrow.
Just follow our battle-tested guidelines and rake in the profits.