11 WAYS TO MONETIZE ON YOUTUBE AS A CREATOR

In recent years, the rise of both long and short-form video content has been undeniable. And much like anything popular on the internet, it comes with monetization opportunities. For digital creators, YouTube is one of the best options for generating additional revenue, thanks to its variety of monetization features. 

Our guide on how to monetize on YouTube highlights the top proven strategies to boost your channel’s earnings, with our tips and advice to get the most out of each method. While there are many ways to earn on YouTube, most of them are available through the YouTube Partner Program. Once accepted, creators can enable monetization features directly in YouTube Studio.

Want to join the YouTube Partner Program? Check out our step-by-step guide. 

How to to monetize your YouTube channel and videos

1. Through Digital Ads

Once you're in the YouTube Partner Program, you can start monetizing. One of the easiest ways to do this is through ads.

How to set up monetization on YouTube:

1. Head to YouTube Studio
2. Click “Content’ in the left navigation bar.
3. Select the video to monetize.
4. Click “Monetization” in the left menu. 
5. Choose which ads you want to display.
6. Click “Save”

When monetizing your content through the YouTube Partner Program, you will earn revenue that is split with YouTube. This revenue is generated based on viewer interactions with your videos and is processed through Google AdSense. Creators receive 55% of the revenue, while YouTube retains 45%

2. YouTube Sponsorship Deals

When working with brands, you don’t necessarily need thousands of subscribers. What matters more is having consistent views, high-quality content, and an engaged audience. 

You don't have to wait for brands to approach you. If your audience and content align with a certain brand's target audience, don't hesitate to reach out. This can be one of the best ways to launch sponsorships. To increase your chances of success, include your metrics, such as audience size, demographics, engagement, and your niche, and even suggest a content idea for them.

3. YouTube Fan Funding 

Once you have 500 subscribers and 3,000 watch hours, you can unlock the ‘Commerce Product Module’ on YouTube. This module enables you to earn through fan funding features. To access this feature, you'll need to accept the Commerce Product Module and activate each feature individually.

The following fan funding features allow viewers to donate money during live streams:

4. Super Chats and Super Stickers: Super Chats let viewers highlight their messages in a live stream or chat by purchasing them, while Super Stickers allow the use of animated images in the chat.
5. Super Thanks: This feature allows your fans to purchase digital goods to show their appreciation. These can include one-time animations or colorful comments in the video sections.

4. Turn on Channel Membership

Let your viewers get a monthly subscription to your channel and offer them exclusive perks. This could range from live chats, exclusive videos, product discounts, badges, emojis, and other goods.To enable this feature, you will need at least 1,000 subscribers, and the membership price is determined by you, as the creator.

5. YouTube Affiliate Programs

A great way to make money on YouTube is through affiliate programs. Look for a brand that offers affiliate programs, apply, and if approved, you'll receive an affiliate link. You can then share this link with your audience, and if they make a purchase, you'll earn a commission on each sale.

Different brands have different levels of monetization, some big and some smaller. Sometimes brands will approach you, but like sponsorships, if you find ones where you can easily apply and they match your audience, reach out and start earning!

6. Shopping

The shopping feature, also under ‘The Commerce Product Module’, allows creators to connect their shop to their content and channel. This gives creators the ability to showcase their products or merchandise while earning money.

If eligible, you can promote products from other brands, such as those that may be sponsoring you or for which you have an affiliate link.

7. YouTube Premium Monetization

Generate income from viewers who are signed up for YouTube Premium by encouraging them to watch your content. You'll earn a share of the payment they make for their YouTube Premium membership. 

Any content you upload can qualify for YouTube Premium earnings, provided it adheres to YouTube's community standards.

8. YouTube Shorts Feed Ads

Much like regular YouTube ads, YouTube offers a revenue-sharing model on YouTube short ads. This sharing is slightly less than regular ads, with you as the creator getting 45% and YouTube keeping 55%. 

For more information on how to monetize YouTube shorts, read our guide here.

 9. YouTube Brand Connect 

YouTube Brand Connect is a self-service platform that facilitates collaborations between content creators and brands for content campaigns. This platform provides a wide array of features, including valuable resources, best practices, and customizable media kits. It can even offer you tailored audience insights specific to your channel, streamlining the process of presenting your content to potential brand partners and increasing your chances of monetization.

10. Get a fan patronage

Fan patronages are platforms outside of YouTube that can help you build a community of your fans. These platforms, such as Patreon, offer viewers extra perks and exclusive features in exchange for monetary support. This makes them a great option for building an engaged viewership and creating an additional revenue stream.

11. Make your content engaging.

To maximize earnings through any of these methods, make sure your content is high-quality and engaging. Audio is an essential element of this, whether it’s adding music over your tutorials or trending sounds to your vlog. On YouTube, it's important to use music that is free of copyright claims. With Universal Music for Creators, we offer high-quality music, previously exclusive to TV and film, which is now available to you under one simple license for use across all social media platforms, including YouTube.

Explore our library of over 50,000 claims-free tracks and 200,000 sound effects today to elevate your content!