Youtube has over two billion active monthly users, making it one of, if not the most popular video-viewing websites in the world. You can share near enough anything on any topic you want, from documentaries to entertainment and everything in between, so long as you conform to their policy guidelines, but were you aware that you can also earn money through Youtube? Youtube can be a source of income for those who are dedicated and creative enough to make it happen. 

In this post, I share five proven ways to earn money through Youtube and some tips, tools, and legal considerations to remember. 

Understanding the Youtube Partner Program

Before we dive into how to earn money through Youtube, I want to discuss the Youtube Partner Program which allows creators to monetize the videos they share with subscribers and earn money from them. To qualify for the program, you must have 1,000 subscribers and 4,000 hours of views in the last 12 months. After meeting these conditions, you can submit your application for the program via your Youtube account.

Once you get accepted into the program, you can start monetizing your videos; this means you will earn money when viewers watch ads that appear before or during your videos. You will receive a portion of the revenue generated by these ads, with Youtube taking a cut.

It’s important to note that the Youtube Partner Program is one of many ways to earn money through Youtube. There are other ways to monetize your channel, which I will talk about in the next section.

Five Proven Ways to Earn Money through Youtube

Advertising Revenue

As mentioned earlier, advertising revenue is the most common way to earn money through Youtube. When you monetize your videos, ads will appear before or during them, and you will earn money when viewers watch them. The amount you earn will depend on factors such as the number of views, the length of the video, and the type of ads that appear.

It’s important to note that you cannot control the ads that appear on your videos. Youtube’s algorithm determines which ads are most relevant to your audience based on their search history and other factors.

Sponsorships and Brand Deals

Another way to earn money through Youtube is through sponsorships and brand deals; this involves partnering with a company to promote their product or service in your videos. In exchange, you will receive a fee or commission.

To be successful in this approach, you need a large and engaged audience to attract sponsorships and brand deals. Companies are looking for creators who can promote their products to a specific demographic, so it’s essential to know your audience and their interests.

 Merchandise and Product Sales

 You can earn money through merchandise and product sales if you have a loyal fanbase. Create your own merchandise, such as t-shirts, hats, or phone cases, and sell them to your audience. You can also promote other products related to your channel’s niche, such as books or courses.

To be successful with merchandise and product sales, you need to have a strong brand and a loyal following. Also, you must ensure that the products you sell are high quality and relevant to your audience.

Crowdfunding through Patreon or Kickstarter

 Crowdfunding is another way to earn money through Youtube. Platforms such as Patreon and Kickstarter allow creators to raise money from their audience to support their content; they can pay this through a monthly subscription or a one-time donation.

 To succeed with crowdfunding, you need to have a dedicated fanbase willing to support you financially. It would help if you also offered incentives to your supporters, such as exclusive content or merchandise. 

Affiliate Marketing

 Finally, you can also earn money through affiliate marketing; this involves promoting other people’s products which you earn a commission from when someone purchases through your unique affiliate link.

If you want to be successful through affiliate marketing, there are three fundamental principles: 

1. Cover a specific niche that you know a lot about, so you can provide your audience with insight into products that are relevant to your audience. 
2. Only promote products that you genuinely believe are good products. 
3. Ensure you disclose that you are using affiliate links in your videos.

Tips for Growing Your Youtube Channel to Increase Earnings

Now that you know the ways to earn money through Youtube, let’s talk about how to grow your channel to increase your earnings. Here are some tips:

• Consistency: You need to upload videos regularly; this will help keep your subscribers engaged and attract new viewers.
• Quality: Your videos need to be high quality, both content and production value.
• SEO: Use keywords and tags to optimize your videos for search engines and Youtube’s algorithm.
• Engagement: Read your comments and respond to them regularly so that you can engage with your subscribers; this helps to create a sense of community.
• Collaboration: Collaborate with other creators to reach new audiences and cross-promote your channels.

Tools to Help You Make Money on Youtube

Several tools are available that can help you make money on Youtube. Here are some examples:

• Google AdSense: This platform allows you to monetize your videos through advertising revenue.
• BrandConnect: This platform connects creators with brands for sponsorships and brand deals.
• Teespring: This platform will enable you to create and sell merchandise to your audience.
• Patreon: This platform allows you to crowdfund your content through monthly subscriptions.
• Amazon Associates: This program will enable you to promote other people’s products from Amazon to earn money through a commission.

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Monetizing Your Youtube Channel

When monetizing your Youtube channel, there are some common mistakes that you should avoid. Here are a few examples:

• Misleading titles or descriptions: Your videos should accurately reflect their content, or you risk losing the trust of your audience.
• Clickbait: Avoid using clickbait titles or thumbnails that exaggerate or misrepresent your video’s content.
• Copyright infringement: Make sure you have the right to use any music, images, or video clips in your videos.
• Over-reliance on advertising revenue: Don’t rely solely on advertising revenue to earn money, as it can be unpredictable and may not generate enough income.
• Ignoring your audience: Don’t forget that your audience is what makes your channel successful. Engage with them and listen to their feedback.

Legal Considerations for Monetizing Your Youtube Channel

Finally, there are some legal considerations to be aware of when monetizing your Youtube channel. These include:

• Disclosure: If you promote a product or service, you must disclose that someone pays you to advertise it.
• Copyright: Be sure you have the right to use any copyrighted material in your videos, such as music or images.
• Privacy: Be respectful of your audience’s privacy, and don’t share personal information without their consent.
• Terms of Service: Make sure you are following Youtube’s terms of service, or you risk having your channel suspended or terminated.

Conclusion and Final Thoughts

In conclusion, Youtube can be a lucrative source of income for those who are dedicated and creative enough to make it happen. There are multiple ways to earn money through Youtube, from advertising revenue to sponsorships and product sales. To succeed, you must develop a strong brand, a loyal audience, and a willingness to experiment and try new things.

Remember: always keep your audience in mind and engage with them regularly. Use the tools and tips provided in this article to grow your channel and increase your earnings. And most importantly, stay legal and ethical in your monetization efforts. 

Now it’s your turn. Have you tried any of these ways to earn money on Youtube? What has worked for you? You can tell us in the comments below.

Disclaimer