How to Make Money as a YouTube Vlogger
Are you looking for a side hustle to make some extra cash? Becoming a YouTube vlogger may be the perfect fit. With minimal start-up costs and the potential to reach millions of viewers, it’s no wonder more people are turning to this popular career path.
Below we’ll explore how anyone with internet access can become a successful YouTube vlogger. We’ll discuss top monetization options and the most important tips when you’re just getting started! Are you ready to turn your passion into profit?
YouTube Partner Program
YouTube offers its own Partner Program, which pays out a certain percentage of the ad revenue generated from viewers watching your videos. This program is open to any YouTube creator who meets their eligibility guidelines :
- 1,000 subscribers with 4,000 public watch hours over the past year OR
- 1,000 subscribers with 10 million public Shorts views over the last 90 days
- Have an active Google AdSense account
- Turn on 2-Step verification
- Have no active strikes against YouTube community guidelines
- Live where the program is available
Applicants will be reviewed to ensure the channel satisfies the requirements.
Once you join the partner program, you can use monetization features such as watch page ads, memberships, Shorts Feed ads, supers, etc. The more active you stay, the more money you can earn through YouTube’s partner program.
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Video Ads
Video ads are part of the YouTube Partner Program and are often the primary source of income for YouTube vloggers. These usually appear as banners, overlays, or skippable video ads at the beginning and/or end of videos. Advertisers pay a certain amount per view they receive from these ads, so having as many views as possible is essential. Ensure that your videos are properly optimized for search engines and engaging enough to keep viewers watching until the very end to maximize your ad profits.
Merchandise
Many YouTube vloggers also choose to create their own merchandise, such as hats, mugs, stickers, and other items with logos and designs related to their channel. You can use manufacturing-on-demand services, such as THE/STUDIO, to create the products and then link your merchandise page in the video descriptions for viewers to access. If you have a loyal fanbase interested in buying branded items from their favorite vlogger but don’t want to take on in-house manufacturing for your merch, this is a good work-around.
Channel Memberships
Channel memberships are another great way to make money as a YouTube vlogger. Adding a membership option to your page through the YouTube Partner Program allows viewers to pay a monthly fee in exchange for exclusive access to your content, special badges, and other perks. You can customize these offerings however you want, so having a clear idea of what your loyal fans would be interested in can help create an enticing package.
Sponsorships & Brand Deals
Sponsorship and brand deals are great ways to monetize your YouTube channel. Vloggers can reach out to companies directly or use influencer marketing companies as an intermediary to help connect them with appropriate brands. Depending on the type of sponsorship, you may be offered money in exchange for a review, product placement within your videos, or even a social media mention. This monetization option is excellent for those who may not have enough subscribers or public page views to qualify for YouTube’s Partner Program but still want to make money from their channel.
Affiliate Links
Consider using affiliate links to make money through YouTube. Once approved by the brand, you can include a special link in your video descriptions that viewers can click on and purchase products from the company’s website. You get paid a commission for each product sold through your link. Affiliate programs are great options for loyal fans they know would be interested in the products and services they’re promoting.
YouTube Super Thanks and Super Chats
You can make money through YouTube Super Thanks and Super Chats, both available to vloggers over 18 with a monetized channel. Viewers can purchase “Super Stickers” as virtual gifts or pay for messages to appear in the live chat box during your stream. This is a great way to make money on YouTube, as viewers appreciate the content you create and the personal conversations.
Tips to Remember When You Start Vlogging
When you’re just getting started vlogging on YouTube, you might not make money right away. Monetization isn’t usually the first thing that happens. First, you’ll need to make great content that allows you to monetize with a strong audience. Here are our top tips to help you get off the ground as a vlogger and start monetizing your content.
Find Your Niche
The first tip to success on YouTube is finding your unique niche: figuring out what kind of content you want to create and for whom. Maybe it’s cooking videos, beauty tutorials, gaming playthroughs, or something else – whatever it is, focus on creating the best content within that niche. It’s important to find your niche early on to ensure that your content appeals to the right audience.
Invest in Quality Equipment
Another tip is to invest in quality equipment that will help you create the best possible content. This could include a good camera, lighting, microphones, and other accessories that can help with audio and video quality. The better your videos look and sound, the more appealing your channel will be for viewers looking for high-quality content. While some people are highly successful on YouTube using nothing but their iPhone camera, investing in quality equipment can give you a leg up on the competition – especially when you’re just starting out.
Create Consistent Content
Consistency is key. Create content regularly and consistently so viewers know what to expect from your channel. If you post new videos every Tuesday, for example, viewers will return each week expecting to see something new. This will help you build a loyal fan base that can help you monetize your channel.
Interact with Your Audience
Remember to interact with your audience. Two-way communication shows your viewers that you value their opinions and care about what they have to say. This will help build a stronger following for your channel, which can lead to more opportunities for monetization in the long run.
Promote Your Videos
Don’t forget to promote your videos on social media or other platforms. Share interesting content snippets or create blog posts and articles to help drive traffic to your channel. This can also help you grow your following and make money on YouTube faster.
Take Advantage of CTAs
Use calls-to-action (CTAs) to help viewers take the next step. In the case of YouTube, the most critical CTA is usually a call to subscribe to your video channel. Inserting these CTAs at the end of your videos or in the comments section can encourage them to subscribe to your channel, follow you on other platforms, or buy products from your store.
Get Ahead of Editing
Spend enough time editing your videos to ensure the highest quality possible, and don’t procrastinate this step, as it can take a while. If you want to keep up a consistent posting schedule, you don’t want to get backlogged because you’ve been avoiding your editing duties. Invest in good video editing software or hire an editor if necessary – it will be worth it in the long run! Plus, if someone else is editing your videos for you, you’ll keep up a faster pace of video creation and maintain a steady flow of posted content.
Be Aware of Trends
Stay up-to-date with trends in your niche to stay ahead of the curve. Watch what other successful vloggers are doing and learn from their successes to help inform your content strategy. If you can identify trends and hop on early enough, it can increase your odds of going viral with your content, which can help your subscriber number skyrocket. Pay attention to things like trending music, challenges, hashtags, and more, and consider how you can use them to your advantage.
Stay True To Yourself
Most importantly, stay true to yourself and your brand. Don’t try to be something you’re not – viewers can often see through this if it’s not genuine. Being authentic is one of the most important aspects of success on YouTube. People like watching content from someone with an honest voice. So, do your best to showcase your personality and be true to yourself!
Frequently Asked Questions
How Many Views Do You Need on YouTube To Make Money?
You need 1,000 subscribers and 4,0000 watch hours to join the YouTube Partner Program, the primary way to make money on YouTube. Individual views don’t matter. However, there are many ways to make money through your channel without qualifying for the partner program, such as affiliate links, brand sponsorships, and merchandise.
How Do YouTubers Get Paid?
Most YouTubers get paid through the YouTube Partner Program, which allows you to monetize your channel with ads. Other ways include brand sponsorships, affiliate links, merchandise sales, and donations through services such as Patreon or Paypal.
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