Every day, the world watches 1 billion hours of YouTube videos. The platform’s immense popularity has transformed it from an entertainment channel to a powerful monetization tool for businesses and personal brands.
So, if you’re interested in making money on YouTube, now is a great time to get started. We suggest beginning by using a website builder to host your videos and to have a home for your brand, and then sharing your content on YouTube. Not only will this expand your reach, but it will also help you make money from your fans.
Become a YouTube Partner
Once you start a YouTube channel, you can join the YouTube Partner Programme to get access to special monetization features, including the ability to serve ads, display merchandise and more.
While joining is completely optional, it does give you access to a variety of channels for making money, including Premium subscription fees and a merchandise shelf. Here’s how to become a YouTube Partner:
Step 1: Stay compliant with the guidelines
When you first apply to the Partner Program, YouTube will review your channel for compliance. For this reason, you should get acquainted with the platform’s monetization policies, and make sure your content abides by the rules every time you upload a YouTube video.
Your content will be under continual review, even as you grow your channel and start to make money from it. If you do get accepted as a Partner, keep tabs on the latest compliance policies to make sure you’re up-to-date.
Step 2: Meet the YouTube Partner Program requirements
In order to join the program, you’ll need to become a successful YouTuber. The criteria for joining are that your channel has reached 4,000 watch hours and 1,000 subscribers within the past 12 months, or 1,000 subscribers with 10 million valid public Shorts views within the past 90 days. Only once you’ve met or surpassed these numbers can you apply to become a YouTube Partner.
Step 3: Apply to join the programme
Provided you meet the necessary requirements, you can submit an application to join the program following these steps:
- Go to the top right of the YouTube homepage. Click your account icon and select Creator Studio.
- On the left-hand side, click Channel. Then, select Status and Features.
- Under the box that says Monetization, click Enable.
- Agree to the YouTube Partner Program Terms.
Step 4: Set up AdSense
As part of the application process, you’ll need to set up an AdSense account associated with your profile to ensure you’ll earn money from your videos and get paid. Keep in mind that you can only have one such account, and that multiple channels can be linked to the same account.
Step 5: Get reviewed
Once you’ve applied to be a YouTube Partner and set up an AdSense account, your channel will be put in a queue for review. At this point, both automated systems and humans will check your channel for full compliance with the guidelines.
Step 6: Explore your monetization options
If you’re accepted by YPP, congratulations! It’s time to set up your ad preferences and enable monetization.
You can choose from a wide range of YouTube monetization options, but keep in mind that they each have different eligibility requirements:
Advertising revenue: Earn money by including display, overlay or video ads next to your content. To do this, you must be at least 18 years old or have a legal guardian who agrees to handle your payments. Your content must also meet the advertiser-friendly content guidelines.
Channel memberships: Offer special perks to Channel members who make recurring monthly payments. This requires that you’re at least 18 years old and have more than 30,000 subscribers.
Merchandise shelf: Showcase official branded merchandise on your watch pages for your fans to browse and buy. For this option, you must be at least 18 years old and have more than 10,000 subscribers.
Super Chat and Super Stickers: Make money from fans who pay to get their messages highlighted in chat streams. You must be at least 18 years old and live in a country where Super Chat is available.
- YouTube Premium revenue: Get part of a YouTube Premium subscriber’s membership fee when they watch your videos.
Sell merchandise
Another way to make money on YouTube is by selling merchandise. You can offer products you’re already selling on other platforms, or you can create a new collection based on your channel’s content. Keep in mind that you’re far more likely to make sales if your videos already have a fan following, so focus on building your popularity before you start producing such products.
Step 1: Design your products
Your merchandise should represent your brand, appeal to your target audience and build a community around your channel. As you dream up your products, think of something relevant to your niche that your viewers would be interested in. Note that you can check your YouTube analytics to get a better understanding of the kinds of people interested in your content.
For instance, if your channel is about makeup or beauty, you might want to sell branded cosmetics or makeup bags. On the other hand, if you’re a YouTube fitness instructor you might consider selling branded fitness equipment and energy bars. You can also poll your audience to ask about which kinds of products interest them the most.
Step 2: Source and build your products
Now, it’s time to make your product ideas come to life. You’ll likely need a manufacturer, wholesaler or retailer to produce and deliver your products to you. You can also try dropshipping, a method by which the manufacturer, wholesaler or retailer ships the products to customers directly.
Whichever method you choose, be careful not to overstock at the beginning. Instead, start with just 1-2 products and produce them in small amounts. That way, you’ll have time to gauge their popularity and estimate how many people will buy.
Step 3: Start an online store
To handle transactions, you’ll need to create an online store. This will allow you to manage end-to-end fulfillment, accept secure online payments and more. Having your own professional eCommerce site will also boost your brand’s credibility while providing a dedicated platform for your audience to browse through your merchandise.
Step 4: Enable your merchandise shelf
If you’re a YouTube Partner, you can also take advantage of YouTube’s inbuilt merchandise shelf. This lets you display up to 12 official branded products on the video page of your channel so that you can showcase the items to your viewers.
Step 5: Promote the products in your YouTube videos
Once you’ve created your products and set up a website, spread the word by promoting them in your videos. Think of creative ways to present the merchandise to viewers, such as wearing or using it or featuring customers with your products.
Conclude your videos by reminding users to like, subscribe, and check out your website. You should also add a link to your online store in the description section so that users can navigate seamlessly to your website and make a purchase.
Use fan funding
Another option for making money on YouTube is fan funding. While crowdfunding platforms target a general crowd for donations, fan funding specifically sources funds from your audience.
Join a fan funding platform
You can get started with fan funding by joining a dedicated platform. One of the most popular is Patreon, which provides tools for content creators to get recurring, long-term support from their fans.
source: https://www.wix.com/blog
