If you're a content creator and want to make money off of your videos, then one thing is clear: Getting more subscribers is crucial. But what's not so obvious is that there isn't an exact number or timeframe when getting 1k subs should be enough to start making money from YouTube ads.
Let's break down exactly why this is true, as well as some other factors like whether or not you'll actually receive any revenue once you hit those numbers. Here's everything you need to know about becoming a successful YouTuber.
In 2020, Google announced new policies that would affect creators who don't meet certain subscriber thresholds. The most notable policy change was that channels with fewer than 1k subscribers won’t appear in search results anymore. This means that users searching specifically for your video will likely never see it unless they scroll all the way to the bottom of their list.
There are exceptions to these rules — for example, if your content is newsworthy or controversial, Google may allow your content to remain visible even though it doesn’t reach its threshold. (This has been the case since 2018.) However, if you post regular original content without major scandals, chances are your channel won’t earn much attention outside of your niche audience.
Google also recently announced that it plans to increase monthly payments per view across platforms by 50 percent starting later this year. Instead of receiving 65 cents every time someone watches 30 seconds of your clip, you could soon be earning up to 90 cents if you've got over 10k followers. It sounds great! Unfortunately, we still don’t know what this means for creators on smaller platforms like TikTok and Instagram where ad dollars aren't shared equally among everyone using them.
It's important to note that while most viewers probably won't notice the difference between 65 cents vs. 90 cents, professional critics might appreciate the extra income. In addition, creators on bigger platforms like Facebook sometimes only receive 55% of ad revenues instead of 70%. If you're lucky enough to hit the higher payout limit, consider yourself fortunate.
So if I'm being honest, things haven't really changed too dramatically. Creators with under 1k subscribers won't necessarily miss out on big earnings because of the changes. And it looks like advertisers will continue paying roughly the same amount per viewer no matter which platform you use.
The biggest thing here is simply having consistent views, which brings us to our next point…
With so few people watching your stuff, it's easy to lose hope when you first launch. Even if you manage to build up loyal fans, many creators struggle to find success after years of trying. That said, it takes around two years before anyone starts seeing real profits from advertising on YouTube.
That's partly due to the fact that early adopters tend to watch less ads and thus pay less per impression compared to casual watchers. Plus, the average age of YouTube users continues to rise, which makes newer audiences less interested in clicking through commercials.
The good news is that many popular YouTubers started earlier than others and were able to secure sponsorship deals sooner. For example, PewDiePie became famous almost immediately upon his debut back in 2011, but he didn't release his first album until 2015. So keep your eyes peeled and stay tuned for updates. When it comes to finding sponsorships, timing matters just as much as you viewership counts.
And if you feel overwhelmed, remember: There are plenty of ways to grow your fanbase faster without spending endless hours uploading content each day. Consider growing a following organically via social media marketing, posting relevant hashtags and keeping tabs on trending topics. Or invest in tools like SocialBlade or Crowdfire to help automate your follower growth.
Just remember that building an engaged community takes time and effort. Don't give up just yet.
Monetizing your channel requires patience. As mentioned above, it typically takes months before companies begin pulling their ads from non-profitable channels. While YouTube itself says it expects to show ads to 80 million unique users worldwide in 2021, it seems unlikely that most small content creators will ever become profitable overnight.
While you wait, try experimenting with different kinds of monetization methods. Some ideas include selling merch directly from your website, offering free ebooks, selling digital subscriptions, or partnering with influencers on sponsored posts. Maybe you'd prefer affiliate links, product reviews, subscription services, or giveaways? Be creative, test various options, and track metrics to figure out what works best for your own brand.
Keep in mind that not all videos are created equal. A bad title, unengaging thumbnail image, or boring description can prevent potential customers from clicking play. To ensure maximum engagement, make sure your titles match the tone of your clips, choose compelling thumbnails, and write captivating descriptions. Also, avoid putting too much pressure on your viewers by asking them to "like" or comment right away—people generally hate feeling pressured into doing anything online.
As far as tracking goes, there are lots of apps available that tell you how well your videos are performing based on your analytics data. One such tool worth checking out is TubeBuddy, which offers insights into your audience demographics, clickthrough rates, watch times, etc., along with recommendations for future campaigns.
Another option is Patreon, which allows you to set recurring donations from supporters rather than relying solely on ad revenue. With Patreon, you decide how much your patrons contribute towards your project each month. On top of helping you create better work, Patreon lets you connect with passionate communities and helps you collaborate with artists.
Finally, if you plan on focusing on creating educational videos, look into earning certification in subjects like science, math, coding, writing, photography, art, graphic design, music production, and similar fields. Many universities offer tuition assistance programs that cover course materials, textbooks, meals, housing, and travel costs.
Getting accepted by brands is easier than you think. Most agencies focus mainly on high-quality footage, engaging personalities, and strong branding.
But unlike traditional TV shows, YouTube remains relatively unknown within Hollywood circles. Because of this, agencies often approach a handful of popular channels hoping to strike a deal. Just last week, Forbes reported that Netflix had approached nearly 100 YouTubers for streaming rights to their series.
Brands are looking for something bolder, however. They want to associate themselves with a recognizable personality, which is part of why viral sensations are now becoming household names.
Of course, there's nothing wrong with joining forces with established stars. After all, Taylor Swift reportedly earns millions from her song licensing alone. Still, it's important to understand that the majority of YouTubers' income comes from generating views, not royalties.
To determine whether you qualify for sponsoring opportunities, check out Chorus, which analyzes your overall performance. Then, compare your stats against industry averages. Based on your findings, Chorus recommends whether you're eligible for a partnership or not. Once again, it's advisable to experiment with different types of endorsements and monitor your analytics regularly.
Forget chasing after companies. Start pursuing collaborations instead.
YouTube is a popular platform that has been around since 2005, and it's still growing today. With over 2 billion monthly active users, there are plenty of people who want to learn more about their favorite YouTuber or create one themselves.
However, with so many channels out there competing for attention, getting noticed can be difficult. If you're an established creator looking to grow even bigger, reaching 1K subscribers might seem like a daunting task. But fear not! There are several ways to go from 0 subscribers to 1000 subscribers. Here's what you should know.
First things first: What exactly is "subscriber count" anyway? Subscribers simply means anyone watching your content every month. So, when someone subscribes, they become part of your community, helping you build up your subscriber base. A good rule of thumb to calculate your current subscriber number would be to take your total views divided by your average watch time per video (which usually falls between two minutes and five hours). Then multiply this figure times 100 to determine how big your audience actually is. For example, let's say I have 50 videos with 5 million combined views. My estimated subscriber count is 500,000.
Now that we've got all our basics covered, here are some tips on how to achieve 1K subs quickly.
With any luck, you'll end up making enough money off of your channel to quit your job eventually. However, before you start chasing after those coveted thousand subscribers, consider whether you will ever earn enough revenue through advertising to cover your expenses. According to data released by Tubular Labs in March 2021, creators made approximately $0.0014/subscriber last year. This was far below the industry standard of roughly $1.16/subscriber, which is why most top-tier influencers left YouTube to pursue other opportunities. In 2020 alone, TikTok generated nearly $8.3 billion in ad dollars — a whopping 90% higher than YouTube’s annual haul.
So, while you may see others rake in millions just by being featured on Apple products, the truth is that only a select few can truly monetize on YouTube. And unfortunately, it doesn't look as though the situation will change anytime soon. Even major companies such as Disney aren’t able to break into the top 10 highest earning channels on YouTube because of its high production costs. While many people think becoming famous requires thousands of followers, the reality is that having a passionate fan following isn’t always necessary. The secret lies within finding a product or service that resonates with your audience.
In 2019, AdAge reported that 70% of U.S. adults watched at least once piece of branded content annually. That same study found that 60% said they were interested in seeing more ads on social media platforms. Additionally, 57% said they'd prefer brands communicate directly with them rather than relying solely on third parties like publishers. All these stats indicate that consumers really enjoy interacting with brands online and could potentially benefit from more digital marketing efforts. As long as you keep viewers engaged, quality engagement translates to profit.
Of course, YouTube is also home to a lot of low-quality content that makes it hard to stay entertained. To avoid this happening to your brand, check out our guide on creating viral content worthy of going viral yourself.
As mentioned earlier, according to Tubular Labs' research report, creators earned roughly $0.0014/subscriber in 2020. Of that sum, the majority went towards paying for equipment ($2.05), travel ($1.35) and food & beverages ($1.23). Those numbers are quite different from 2018, where the biggest expense was housing ($4.17), followed closely by internet connection ($3.98) and security fees ($3.19).
If you're wondering what kind of return you can expect for your investment, YouTube gives advertisers three options: cost per view (CPV), cost per impression (CPM) and cost per click (CPC). According to Tubular Labs, CPM is the best option for smaller businesses because it allows marketers to measure results based on actual user actions instead of clicks. CPC works similarly to CPM but offers greater control over targeting keywords. Cost per view (or CPV) is the worst type of measurement because it assumes each viewer watches the entire clip. Instead, use CPM or CPC measurements to better track performance across multiple metrics. It’ll help you optimize spending by maximizing your ROI.
Lastly, remember to factor in taxes when deciding on your earnings goal. Depending on where you live, tax laws vary. Some countries charge 7% sales tax, whereas others charge nothing at all. Others apply VAT and excise duties. Therefore, consult a professional accountant if you plan on taking advantage of certain incentives.
When thinking about quitting your day job, remember that your career goals are dependent upon building a sustainable business model. Before jumping headfirst into entrepreneurship, ask yourself whether you will be successful in generating sufficient income to pay bills, support your family financially and fund your lifestyle. Without reliable income streams, you risk losing everything due to unforeseen circumstances. Also, try to prioritize growth strategies that won’t burn you out too fast. Afterall, the journey of a thousand miles starts with a single step.
Here are some common reasons why new creators fail to hit 1K subscribers:
Not optimizing your channel for maximum exposure : When uploading footage onto platforms such as Facebook Live or Instagram Stories, ensure you tag your username to increase visibility among fans. Posting infrequently will attract fewer eyes compared to posting daily or weekly. Use hashtags for optimal reachability.
Poor title creation : When selecting titles, choose something catchy yet relevant to your niche. Titles must grab potential audiences' attention right away to encourage them to subscribe. Avoid using generic descriptions unless you intend to post regularly.
Unengaging thumbnail images : Thumbnail images play an important role in increasing viewership. Try changing yours often to maximize chances of drawing clicks. Make sure they show your main message clearly.
Low overall upload frequency : Uploading frequently increases the likelihood of being discovered by your target market. Every week, aim to publish four to six clips. Don't forget to include callouts to your social handles in the description box.
Lack of consistency : Consistency is key to gaining subscribers. Once you gain momentum, stick with it to maintain authority in your field. Strive to consistently provide great content that keeps people coming back for more.
Your channel lacks customization : Your channel needs to represent YOU authentically. Customization helps set apart your unique style from competitors. Take photos featuring your personality, hobbies, or anything that shows your true colors.
You don't promote well : Promoting effectively involves planning strategically. Plan out your promotion campaign ahead of time to maximize efficiency. Set specific deadlines and milestones accordingly. Do regular Q&A sessions with your team members to improve outreach skills.
Spending too much money on giveaways and sponsorships: Giveaways and sponsorships may offer short term gains, but they are inefficient investments that drain funds unnecessarily. Consider outsourcing giveaway contests or sponsor deals.
Forgetting to update your bio : An outdated bio reflects poorly on your credibility. Update your description whenever possible to reflect personal branding updates or to highlight special events.
Getting distracted by unproductive endeavors: Always focus your energies on the path that brings you closer to achieving your goals. Don’t let distractions derail your progress. Prioritizing productivity prevents unnecessary stress and exhaustion.
While failing to meet your financial goals may discourage you from pursuing further growth, it shouldn't dissuade you altogether. Remember that success takes time and perseverance. Stay focused and continue working toward your dreams until you finally cross paths with the elusive milestone.
In addition to seeking advice from experts, it’s worth considering consulting a life coach to find alternative solutions to tackle challenges along the way. They can assist you in identifying realistic steps to follow to reach your desired outcome. Alternatively, you can enlist the services of a virtual assistant who specializes in administrative tasks related to running a business. Such professionals typically work remotely and have extensive knowledge in various areas including accounting, project management, bookkeeping, graphic design, website development, etc.
Another thing to note is that you have the power to reroute your trajectory. Since failure isn't permanent, you never know what else awaits you down the road. If you decide to move forward with another strategy, don't hesitate to revisit previous failed attempts. Look for patterns, analyze data and seek feedback from mentors. Keep trying until you succeed.
Yes, absolutely. One possibility is leveraging sponsored posts. Sponsored posts are advertisements placed alongside your own content and appear above the fold. Brands bid against each other to win placement next to your videos. Generally speaking, the larger the budget you spend on a particular advertisement, the higher your chance of appearing on the list of recommended pages.
It's easy to feel like you're not good enough at making videos, editing them, or uploading them onto platforms such as YouTube. But one thing that's more difficult is figuring out what it takes to start earning income from making content online.
If you have an audience of just under 1k people (and we'll explain why below), then there's no doubt you can earn some cash through advertising revenue alone but how will you pay yourself once you hit your subscriber count? How quickly should you aim for this milestone? And most importantly, when exactly should you expect to reach it?
The truth is that you could be doing everything right, but not reaching these milestones because of something simple. You might even think you already know the answer. However, the real question is whether you've ever thought about approaching it this way before. In other words, have you considered setting up a goal around your number of subscribers instead of time spent creating new content?
Here's our guide explaining how to determine the amount of subscribers required to get paid on YouTube in 2022, along with tips for those who aren't currently subscribed yet.
Absolutely! If you'd rather not wait until you've reached this specific threshold, here are three different ways you can generate ad income while working towards achieving your own personal goals. This isn't only possible for creators with fewer than 10k subscribers either — anyone can take advantage of these methods and strategies.
1) Promote other channels' content
This strategy uses influencer marketing tactics to promote another creator's video within yours. Instead of using your channel name, call it something catchy, such as "Promoted By [channel]". Then add links to their social media accounts so viewers can easily find their content elsewhere. The key is to choose someone whose content aligns well with your own. It also helps if they share similar demographics to your target audience.
2) Partner with brands
Another option is partnering with companies looking to advertise on your platform. For example, brands may want to use your channel to run giveaways or promotions. Or perhaps they would like to feature product reviews on your page. This type of partnership works best for established creators who have built trust among their viewers. When approached by advertisers, ask for a fair price per view or click. Make sure any given promotion has clear rules regarding which types of users are eligible to enter. Otherwise, you risk losing the deal altogether. After all, you wouldn't want to end up sharing space on screen with ads for cheap products, would you?
3) Sell merchandise
YouTubers often sell branded memorabilia, clothing, accessories, home goods, etc., on their pages. Some popular items include T-shirts, hoodies, bags, stickers, phone cases, pins, hats, mugs, blankets, stress balls, magnets, USB drives, posters, notebooks, pillows, backpacks, socks, beanie babies, teddy bears, sweatshirts, baby clothes, and mousepads. Merchandise sales help cover production costs, while also providing additional funds for future projects. Keep in mind that selling merch requires building relationships with followers first. They must see value in supporting you financially too. A few tips for maximizing profits include offering multiple designs and colors, keeping quality high, and including free shipping wherever possible.
Keep in mind that these options require extra effort since you won’t receive payment upfront. So consider outsourcing work that doesn't produce immediate results, such as graphic design. That said, you can still try freelancing services for basic tasks. Alternatively, you can look into affiliate programs where you refer customers to merchants or businesses. There are plenty of great websites dedicated solely to connecting buyers and sellers, so give them a go if you decide to pursue this route.
YouTube offers its creators several tools designed to support growth. One of these tools includes automatic payments based on monthly views. Once you reach 5 million monthly views, you become eligible for an AdSense account worth 50 percent of each month's earnings. To qualify, however, you must have earned a minimum payout of $500 USD during the previous six months.
Once you meet this requirement, YouTube will automatically deposit your earnings directly into your bank account every 30 days, typically starting after four weeks. As long as you remain verified, this process continues indefinitely.
Additionally, YouTube pays out $25/month to everyone with over 3 million total watch hours across their entire library of uploaded videos. Creators with less than 3 million total watch hours will receive this bonus upon request.
When you achieve both thresholds mentioned above, you'll receive an email notification letting you know. At this point, your channel becomes eligible for a Creator Academy course covering topics ranging from publishing royalties to copyright law.
These courses cost nothing and usually last anywhere between two and five days. Most creators report finding them beneficial. While they vary depending on individual needs, you can check out the full list of available classes on YouTube Help Center.
Based on data collected from thousands of creators worldwide, the average annual income for creators with fewer than 100k subscribers is roughly $21,000. Those with fewer than 500k subscribers generally bring in $32,000 annually. Even though this figure covers creators globally, it does reveal notable differences in incomes between countries. In general, the higher the country's GDP, the lower the median salary tends to be. Countries with low economic output tend to offer larger salaries overall due to limited competition.
In terms of what factors contribute to varying salaries, researchers found that certain characteristics were linked to greater earnings. Higher earners tended to upload more original videos, have longer active periods, have more subscribers, and create more original content compared to others. Additionally, research shows that female YouTubers tend to bring in slightly higher wages than men.
Since your ultimate objective differs according to your preferences, it makes sense to focus on the metrics that matter most to you. Whether you prefer short-form vlogging, gaming commentary, comedy sketches, makeup tutorials, or DIY tech demonstrations, you can set reasonable expectations for yourself if you keep track of your progress.
For instance, if you plan to launch a podcast series following completion of your next video project, you should estimate how long it will take to record and edit episodes. Likewise, if you intend to publish a book someday soon, you should anticipate spending considerable time researching potential publishers and editors. Establishing realistic benchmarks allows you to hold yourself accountable and avoid becoming overwhelmed.
How do I monetize my YouTube channel without 4000 hours and 1000 subscribers?
One alternative is to leverage third-party apps that connect YouTubers with sponsorships. Sponsored posts allow creators to display advertisements within their videos. Unlike traditional commercials, sponsored posts appear alongside user footage instead of interruptions.
While some big names now exclusively rely on influencers promoting their brand, this method remains relatively unexploited outside major corporations. Therefore, smaller creators have a lot of room to grow in this area.
A reliable service provider will handle all aspects related to sponsorship placement, including negotiating contracts, managing budgets, and distributing compensation to partners. Take note that sponsored post fees differ depending on advertiser demand, market location, and popularity level.
As a result, it's important to understand that sponsoring deals come with risks. First, ensure that you select a reputable partner. Their knowledge and experience goes a long way toward ensuring success. Second, remember that you shouldn't necessarily accept the highest bid. Be open to negotiations and negotiate accordingly. Third, carefully review contract documents and disclose relevant information about your viewership numbers, budget, and objectives. Finally, always vet prospective partnerships thoroughly. Ask questions about company backgrounds, policies, procedures, and standards.
So far, we've touched on how to increase your chances of getting hired as an independent YouTuber. Now let's talk about what you need to do to turn a passion into a profitable career path. Here are some practical steps you can follow to build credibility and attract attention to your channel.
First things first, you'll need to establish authenticity and likability. This means developing distinct personalities that resonate with audiences. Next, showcase expertise by regularly posting engaging, informative, and unique content. Focus on presenting useful advice, teaching your fans skills they can apply immediately, or demonstrating creative solutions to problems. Also, show off your personality by displaying vulnerability, humor, or charisma. Last but certainly not least, stay consistent. People appreciate consistency and predictability.
To learn more about growing your channel, read our article detailing the essential elements of successful YouTube engagement.
With these guidelines in place, you can begin focusing on bringing in passive streams of income. All the hard work comes later.
Just follow our battle-tested guidelines and rake in the profits.