YouTube is one of the most popular platforms with over 2 billion users worldwide and growing. There are many reasons why these numbers keep increasing year after year but perhaps the biggest reason is that there's no cap or limit as to how much money you make from your videos.
However, if you're looking to earn some extra cash through YouTube, here are ten things worth knowing about how to start earning an income online. The good news is, all of them aren't complicated at all. All you need is dedication, passion, hard work, patience, persistence, and consistency. So without further ado, let's dive in!
1. Create original quality content consistently. If you've been thinking about becoming a YouTuber, you'll know that building up any kind of audience takes time. One thing that separates successful YouTubers from those who fail miserably is their ability to create high-quality content regularly.
Even though they might not be making millions each month like Justin Bieber, they still manage to upload new videos more often than others. They also have enough confidence in themselves to produce several videos per week instead of just one every few days. When creating your own content, think of what makes other channels great. What types of topics should you cover? How will you structure your videos? Will you use music? Try to find answers to these questions before uploading anything so you don't waste your precious production budget. Another important point to note when starting out is to avoid using copyrighted material such as songs, movies, TV shows, etc. This could land you in trouble later down the road if you ever decide to sell your brand new creations on iTunes. Stay away from this unless you plan on getting sued by major companies.
2. Use paid advertising effectively. Like many businesses, YouTube relies heavily on advertisements (ads). However, while the platform has been around since 2005, it wasn't until 2014 that Google introduced its first ad product called "Google Display Network." Since then, advertisers started buying ads on YouTube to reach consumers directly. For example, brands can purchase space where viewers can see their advertisement right next to your clip. Once someone clicks on the link within your description box, they end up being redirected to whatever company sponsored that particular spot. To maximize profits, choose relevant keywords that relate to your niche market. After choosing which ones you'd like to target, build campaigns based on those terms. Take advantage of YouTube Video Ad Builder tool that allows you to view statistics related to your campaign performance such as views, engagement rate, cost effectiveness, etc.
3. Sell merch products. Merchandise sales provide another way to generate revenue from YouTube. In fact, even big names like Tidal rely solely on merchandise sales to augment their earnings. The best part is, selling merch doesn't require you to spend thousands of dollars upfront to set up manufacturing costs. Instead, you simply send customers direct links to shop specific items via PayPal or Stripe. From there, you only pay commissions once orders exceed $100. Brands usually take anywhere from three months to two years depending on popularity and demand. Before launching your merchandise line, ensure that you understand tax laws and legalities surrounding merchandising. It may seem fun now, but it could turn into a nightmare later on if you don't handle business properly.
4. Offer consulting services. If you're already knowledgeable in certain fields, consider offering expert advice to potential clients. For example, if you're a life coach specializing in self development, you could offer free sessions over Skype or phone calls. Or maybe you're an interior designer and would prefer working remotely because of COVID-19. Whatever field you belong to, chances are there are plenty of people searching for help on the internet. Think outside the box and come up with creative ideas to attract more attention.
5. Become a vlogger. Vlogging refers to short unedited footage shot live on camera. Although many experts believe that vlogging peaked back in 2015, it's currently experiencing a comeback thanks to influencers like TikTok and Instagram Stories. While vlogs used to be primarily focused on personal experiences, today's trends lean towards sharing everything ranging from recipes and makeup tips to travel adventures and beauty routines. With that said, you don't necessarily need expensive equipment to shoot your vlogs. Simply download apps like Fyuse Studio, StoryZOOM 360, iMovie, Adobe Premiere Pro CC 2019, Final Cut Pro X, Avidemux, KineMaster, OBS, Screencastify, Screenflow, Camtasia, Magisto, and Shotcut Express. Then edit together clips to form a coherent story. Next, post daily or weekly updates to grow your following.
6. Start streaming on Twitch. If you haven't heard yet, both gaming and entertainment worlds collide on Amazon owned streaming service known as Twitch. Every day, hundreds of streamers share their passions with audiences across the world. And unlike Netflix originals, almost everyone streams their favorite games live to chatroom attendees. Some examples include League Of Legends player Lee SinStreaming, Hearthstone pro Yogg, Overwatch pro Hidan Kim, Super Smash Bros. Melee competitor Adam Linarduzzi, Pokémon trainer James Turner, professional Fortnite player Kyle Bekker, Call of Duty players Ryan Riteway, Jovan Belcher & Connor Franta, Counter Strike: Global Offensive player Dennis Edman, Rocket League player Jimmy Espensen, Minecraft creator Markus 'Notch' Persson, Starcraft II player Austin Hughes, World of Warcraft player Nick Smith, MagicTheGathering.com caster Michael LiPuma, FIFA Ultimate Team manager Simon Sayer, League of Legends commentator Matt Savage, esports team owner Ben Spoont, Star Wars Jedi Knight II - Jedi Temple Assault game developer Chris Taylor, cosplay enthusiast Sam Evans, World of Warcraft Arena champion Robert Fischer, and Street Fighter legend Dhalsim. Besides playing games yourself, there are lots of opportunities for anyone willing to learn how to improve their skills. Whether you're interested in becoming a streamer or viewer, check out our guide on how to start streaming on Twitch.
7. Get featured on Reddit AMAs. Launched in 2009, r/AMA was originally created to host Ask Me Anything (AMAs) featuring notable personalities on Reddit. Nowadays, AMAs are hosted by different subreddits like r/videos, r/gaming, r/movies, r/techsupport, r/music, r/news, r/worldbuilding, r/opinion, r/sports, r/culture, etc., according to user requests. As long as you stick to the rules listed below, submitting your request shouldn't pose a problem. Here are the basic guidelines regarding AMA submission process: 1.) Find the subreddit that matches your topic, 2.) Read the FAQ section thoroughly, 3.) Submit your question(s), 4.) Wait patiently till your thread reaches the front page, 5.) Donate, tip generously, or subscribe to the community. Afterwards, submit your final AMA response. Remember to answer every single comment left behind. Aside from donations, tipping users is encouraged since Reddit provides a percentage of ad revenue for each tip received.
8. Join affiliate programs. Affiliate marketing involves promoting products or services sold by third parties with referral codes attached to your social media posts. Companies typically give affiliates commission fees whenever a sale occurs due to activities performed under their banner. A lot of YouTube stars utilize this strategy to increase their subscriber base quickly. Popular examples include Logan Paul, Markiplier, PewDiePie, Colleen Ballinger, AmandaBynes, Jacksepticeye, Jake Paul, Michelle Phan, Tyler Oakley, Grace Helbig, Zoella, Kat Blaque, Bethany Mota, Lilly Singh, and many more. According to Business Insider, marketers spent approximately $48 Billion on digital display ads alone last year. That means, if you're able to drive traffic to websites or mobile applications, you stand a chance of generating income from various sources including subscriptions, sponsorships, and endorsements. For starters, try signing up for ClickBank Marketplace to promote digital goods. Alternatively, you can join Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Snapchat, Pinterest, Instagram, Tumblr, Reddit, Periscope, StumbleUpon, ShopStyle, eBay Partner Store, Daily Mail Online Shopping, Fashion Spotting, RetailMeNot, Groupon, Google Product Launch Alerts, among other similar sites. Keep in mind that affiliate marketing isn't limited to celebrities either. Anyone can sign up as an affiliate to receive commissions for promoting products.
9. Set up Patreon account. Similar to YouTube Red, Patreon is a membership platform designed specifically for artists and creatives to allow fans to support them financially. Unlike YouTube Red, however, members must donate monthly rather than annually. Subscribers receive access to exclusive perks and rewards tailored specifically for them. Examples include early access to upcoming projects, concert tickets, special events, personalized artwork, discounts on merchandise, and more. Depending on the level of subscription, patrons enjoy lifetime benefits along with varying tiers of monthly payments. On average, patrons who pledge less than $10 per month tend to contribute more than those subscribing for $20 or higher amounts. Lastly, remember to comply with Patreon guidelines to protect your rights as a patron.
10. Get involved in YouTube Originals. Just like traditional television networks, YouTube offers creators the opportunity to pitch their idea for a show.
The first time that most of us heard about YouTube was back when we were kids watching our favorite cartoons and Disney movies online.
YouTube has grown into one of the biggest entertainment platforms out there today with millions of people visiting the site every day. In fact, according to Business Insider's report from 2020, more than 1 billion hours of content are uploaded to the platform each month — making it the second-largest source of internet traffic after Google Search. The only reason why this number isn't even higher is because YouTube doesn't show videos older than six months by default.
And while we've had other competitors like Netflix and Hulu over the years, YouTube still reigns as king among all streaming services thanks to its massive user base (and subscriber count). While some argue that YouTube should be valued at $1 trillion instead of just being considered an app within larger tech giants like Apple or Amazon, others say that if YouTube can build itself up without any outside help, then maybe it shouldn't need any sort of valuation.
But what does this have to do with how much money you'll make through your own personal YouTube channel? Well, whether you're new to creating content or already have several successful channels under your belt, here are ten easy steps to start earning money off of your YouTube account.
If you haven't seen this yet, check out Mashable's article regarding the future of YouTube and whether or not it will survive past 2022. It breaks down everything you'd ever want to know about the platform's current state, including things such as who owns the copyright to the original creator's work, how many subscribers someone needs to earn revenue, and so on. But regardless of where you stand on the issue, the bottom line remains that since YouTube is owned by Google, which also runs search engines like Google Search and YouTube Search, the company is expected to continue growing well beyond 2022.
So, now that you understand that YouTube could very well live forever, let's get started!
While everyone knows that the CEO of YouTube is Susan Wojcicki (who happens to be a former executive at Facebook), the real question is who else makes the cut as the "richest" YouTubers around right now? According to Forbes' list of highest paid YouTubers published in March 2021, Vinny Guadagnino takes home a yearly salary of $18 million dollars. He's followed closely by Tana Mongeau ($12 million) and Lilly Singh ($10 million), both of whom happen to be popular vloggers known for their comedy sketches and lip syncing performances. And last but certainly not least comes Felix Kjellberg aka PewDiePie ($7 million per year) who made his name playing videogames and reviewing them.
Now, although these figures may seem quite high compared to the average income level of content creators across social media sites, keep in mind that they take into consideration all sources of revenue such as ad sales, merchandise sold, subscriptions to premium tiers, sponsorships, etc. So, if you manage to create enough buzz around yourself to attract big brands willing to sponsor your channel, then perhaps you won't need those additional streams of income anyway.
That said, don't forget that you can always rely on Patreon donations to supplement your earnings either. If you run a subscription service along with merch items, consider charging patrons monthly fees to access certain types of exclusive content on your channel. After all, subscribing to your channel means investing in something longterm, rather than spending hundreds upon thousands of dollars upfront on expensive products and services that might end up failing anyway.
Once you've decided to pursue a career path as a professional vlogger, you'll probably find that building a following is pretty straightforward once you know what to do. All you really need is some decent lighting (preferably natural light), good audio equipment, a clean background, and anything else that helps you look presentable. Once you're ready to roll, you can begin posting regular updates on your feed using the editing tools available on the mobile apps. Don't worry if you aren't particularly skilled at videography though, because plenty of free tutorials abound online that offer tips on getting better camera angles, proper exposure, color contrasts, and more.
Just remember to stay consistent throughout the process and never post repetitive clips. This way, viewers will see variety in your uploads and eventually develop a connection with you. Remember that having a strong bond between you and your audience is crucial to success, especially considering the fact that people spend roughly 90% of their waking moments on YouTube.
Another tip would be to use hashtags sparingly until you gain momentum. When you're starting out, try sticking with general keywords related to your niche, hobbies, or interests. As time goes on, add relevant tags based on the type of content you decide to produce. For example, if you focus primarily on makeup looks, then try tagging your posts accordingly. Eventually, as your popularity grows, you can start adding trending topics like #FashionFriday or #ThrowbackThursday to spice up the action.
In addition to keeping track of your progress via analytics software such as Hootsuite, you can also benefit greatly from implementing strategies designed to increase your overall reach. One helpful tool that can help you grow your engagement rate on your existing videos is ReelSEO. Simply put, it allows you to optimize your titles, descriptions, and thumbnail images so that users searching for specific terms related to your niche tend to click on them. On top of that, you can easily share links to your best performing uploads on Twitter, Pinterest, Tumblr, Reddit, Instagram, TikTok, and various other networks.
Don't stress out too much if you're looking to set up shop sooner rather than later. There are tons of resources available online to teach you how to effectively promote your brand and sell t-shirts, mugs, stickers, posters, books, and other physical goods directly from your website.
Also, don't underestimate the power of influencers. Even if you're relatively new to the game, chances are that you'll be able to connect with fellow creators who can guide you towards success. Just follow whatever advice they give you, listen carefully, learn from mistakes, and apply what works for you.
Lastly, don't neglect SEO entirely. Although video views tend to naturally trend upwards during times when lots of people are browsing the web, organic rankings on SERPs often fluctuate dramatically depending on what kind of content you publish. That's why it's important to regularly update your status with fresh content that keeps audiences engaged.
Although it seems that YouTube is constantly evolving alongside advertisers and major corporations, the truth is that it hasn't been affected nearly as badly as other mainstream social media sites due to its longevity. However, that doesn't mean it's immune to change. Keep in mind that YouTube introduced changes to its algorithm earlier this year aimed specifically at reducing the amount of low-quality content that's pushed to the forefront.
As of April 2021, the latest version of YouTube's recommended section appears to include less junk and more quality material. Also, YouTube claims that the latest update resulted in an 18 percent drop in watch time spent on autoplay recommendations. Additionally, the company says that the next iteration of YouTube's algorithms will prioritize longer form content featuring high production value.
To recap, here are three quick tips to improve your chances of attracting the attention of potential followers:
Showcase diversity in your content by mixing up different genres, themes, formats, and viewpoints.
Post consistently to avoid becoming stale.
Stay true to yourself and stick to your values no matter what.
Remember that building a loyal fanbase is essential to gaining recognition and maintaining relevance, so don't rush into publishing random stuff just to fill space. Take your time to research reliable methods for generating passive income and dedicate ample amounts of time to producing engaging content. With luck, you'll soon reap rewards as your hardwork pays off and your audience begins to appreciate your unique style.
YouTube is changing so fast that even seasoned YouTubers are struggling to keep up with new policies and changes. And when they're not keeping up, their fans aren't either — many of them have left the platform due to frustration over how things change daily.
While some will leave because of copyright infringement issues or other problems, others simply don’t like the direction YouTube has taken under its current leadership. For those who stay but feel frustrated by YouTube's lack of transparency, there are plenty of ways you can earn income through your YouTube videos. Here are our tips and tricks for earning an extra buck from your online vlogs.
Monetizing your channels on YouTube takes time, especially if you've been around since the early days. If you’ve already submitted your application, here’s what you should expect next:
If you haven’t yet received approval after two weeks, send more information (including links) to support@youtube.com. This includes helpful documents such as contracts with publishers, licenses, etc., along with links to any additional materials you may need.
After receiving feedback from Google, you'll get another 2-3 weeks before hearing back about your application status.
In case this process doesn't work out for you, we'd recommend looking into alternative methods of getting paid for your content. There are lots of great platforms where you can find sponsorships, partnerships, and even sell digital goods directly. Check out these sites if you'd rather try one of these alternatives first.
You might be wondering why anyone would spend hours creating original content just to upload it onto YouTube. After all, isn't YouTube itself enough? Why bother putting together something only for people to watch once? Well...the answer lies in understanding exactly what makes YouTube different than every other streaming service available today.
For starters, YouTube offers users access to original series, movies, music, and celebrity interviews unlike anywhere else. In addition to being able to create your own shows and films, YouTubers also get to interact with viewers in real-time via comments and questions posted right alongside the footage. It's no wonder why YouTube leads the way among competitors when it comes to producing high quality content.
The best part is, while other services require subscribers to pay monthly fees, YouTube lets creators set their subscription plans at whatever price point they choose. So whether you decide to charge $10/month or $100 per year, you won't ever have to worry about going broke due to subscriber numbers.
As far as "why bother" goes, well, remember that YouTube was founded in 2005. That means it's older than Spotify, Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Disney+, Hulu, HBO Now, Apple TV+—and countless other popular entertainment apps. Plus, YouTube continues to grow rapidly each month. As of April 2021, there were 1 billion active monthly users worldwide.
So yes, YouTube remains one of the biggest names in internet media. But despite this fact, YouTube hasn't always embraced creators' efforts to generate revenue outside of ads. Thankfully, times are now a little better. From 2018 onwards, YouTube implemented a new policy which allows creators to submit their applications to become eligible to receive ad revenues on behalf of themselves. Previously, only verified channels could apply to join this program.
However, in order to participate in the Creator Marketplace Program, you must meet certain criteria including having at least 4,000 lifetime minutes watched across all uploaded videos. Also, if you wish to qualify for the premium tier, you must reach 3,000 total views within 12 months.
Yes! While it used to be easier to make money from YouTube, it's never been harder. Even though the requirements for becoming a partner have changed, you can still use YouTube to promote yourself in other areas.
Here are three examples:
Become a creator ambassador: One excellent option is to become a creator ambassador. These types of ambassadors help brand partners connect with influencers. Companies often hire these individuals to post positive reviews about their products on social media accounts.
Create sponsored shoutouts: Another effective strategy is to create sponsored shoutouts. When you approach companies directly, they're much less likely to decline your request compared to finding someone on YouTube. Not sure where to start? Simply search for hashtags related to your niche and see which brands offer sponsorship deals. Then contact them directly.
Start selling merchandise: If you prefer physical items instead of digital downloads, consider starting a shop on Etsy. Just head to Etsy marketplace and register as a seller. Once registered, open an account and then select Sell on Etsy. Next, add photos of the product, write a description, list the item features, and prices and ship internationally. With Etsy, you don't have to deal with shipping charges or returns.
According to SocialBlade data analysis firm, Lizze Stokes became the highest earner in 2020. She earned approximately $8 million dollars during 2019 and ended the year with earnings totalling nearly $9 million. Her success came from her TikTok channel and Instagram account. However, she didn't become the highest earner until January 2020. The previous record holder was KSI, whose estimated annual earnings amounted to roughly $7.5 million.
Stokes beat him again in 2021. By April, she had reached the number one spot according to Forbes. Her impressive yearly earnings included $2.6 million in 2020, and $4.1 million in 2019. At press time, she stands above KSI with $11 million in cumulative earnings.
To put this figure into perspective, KSI earned $7.5 million in 2019. He surpassed his previous earnings mark of $2.5 million thanks to sales he achieved in December of last year. His final tally for 2020 was $3.1 million.
On June 11th, 2021, Stokes announced that she would donate 50% of her profits for the remainder of 2021 to Feeding America food banks. According to her announcement, this donation represents over $2 million in donations.
She added that her goal is to raise awareness for hunger throughout the country. To achieve this outcome, she hopes that other artists follow suit by donating a portion of their proceeds to charities.
Just follow our battle-tested guidelines and rake in the profits.