How to Make Money on YouTube in 5 Steps

YouTube has completely transformed the way we consume video content. It is now the largest free platform for content creators to earn a living. Whether you are a travel blogger, gamer, teacher, or entertainment, YouTube is a great place to show off your skills and interact with a global audience. In this guide, we will explore the steps to follow to money on YouTube and also tried-and-true ways to increase your earnings.

What is YouTube?

YouTube business is sharing and uploading videos on their website and getting money out of it. People can view and share videos of their choice on YouTube.

Founded in 2005 by three PayPal employees YouTube now has more than billions of videos to be viewed. This is a very good option for people who have passion in some field or the other.

If you can create some unique and excellent videos, you can make those videos viral on YouTube and make money online. One can make huge earnings from that video uploading if the video becomes popular among viewers.

How to Upload Videos on YouTube?

If you are serious about making money with YouTube videos, you need to invest in some equipment.

What you need:

• Camera – Quality is important and you’ll need to record your videos in full 1080p HD.
• Video editing software – There are many editing software available like Movie Maker, and Adobe Premiere.
• Sound Recording Equipment/ Microphone – Buy a decent recording microphone for better sound quality.

Read: Best Online Jobs from Home

 5 Steps to Make Money from YouTube Videos

1. Create a YouTube Account

Create an account with YouTube here and start uploading videos you own. Don’t copy the videos you upload. You need to upload videos on a proper channel like categorizing entertainment, education, etc

The process is simple and easy. However, to be successful and make good money you must have a passion for the subject you are working on. If you are not passionate about these two things, you will soon get bored. Remember, here creativity and passion come first. If you are honest with those, the money will start coming today or tomorrow for sure.

2. Qualify for Monetization

The first step towards earning money from YouTube videos is to monetize your channel. This process involves enabling the monetization feature, which allows advertisements to be displayed on your content. To unlock this feature, your channel must meet certain eligibility requirements, such as having at least 1,000 subscribers and 4,000 watch hours in the past 12 months. Once your channel is eligible, you can apply for the YouTube Partner Program and start earning revenue from ads.

3. Creating Engaging Content

Quality content is the key to building a successful YouTube channel and attracting a loyal audience. Here are some tips to create engaging videos:

• Know your target audience: It is most important to understand the preferences, interests, and needs of your audience. Your content must relate to them.
• Develop a unique style: YouTube is flooded with content creators. It is crucial to present yourself as different from others by delivering attractive content and presenting a unique communication style.
• Tell compelling stories: Try to capture your viewers’ attention by sharing appealing stories.

4. Optimizing Video Metadata 

Search engine optimization (SEO) plays a vital role in improving the visibility of your YouTube videos. You can increase your chances of ranking higher in search results by optimizing your video titles, descriptions, and tags with relevant keywords.

You can use tools like Google Keyword Planner and do thorough keyword research and find search volume using tools like Google Keyword Planner or SEMrush. Try to include these keywords carefully in your video metadata to improve discoverability.

5. Monetize your Content

Let us list down the various ways to make money on YouTube:

a) Ad Revenue – Google AdSense

Monetizing through ads is the most common way YouTubers earn money. To qualify for this, you need to join the YouTube Partner Program. Your earnings are based on factors like video watch time, audience demographics, and the type of ads served. For this, you need to have an approved Adsense account.  You can apply for an Adsense account here for free.

b) Affiliate Marketing

Promote products or services within your videos through affiliate links. When viewers make purchases through these links, you earn a commission. You need to choose products or services relevant to your niche.

c) Sponsored Content

Explore collaborating with brands for sponsored videos. Companies pay you to create content around their products or services. Ensure the sponsor aligns with your audience and values.

d) Channel Memberships

Offer channel memberships where subscribers pay a monthly fee for exclusive perks like custom emojis, badges, or behind-the-scenes content. This is available to channels with over 30,000 subscribers.

e) Merchandise Sales

Create your merchandise, like branded t-shirts, mugs, or posters, and sell them directly through your YouTube channel using the merchandise shelf feature.

f) Crowdfunding

Use crowdfunding platforms like Patreon to engage with your audience and offer exclusive content to subscribers in exchange for monthly financial support.

g) Super Chat and Super Stickers

If you host live streams, your viewers can buy Super Chats and Super Stickers to get their messages or stickers highlighted during the chat. You earn a portion of the amount spent.

h) Webinars and Online Courses

If you’re an expert in your field, offer webinars or online courses for a fee. YouTube can serve as a marketing tool to attract students to your courses.

i) Licensing Your Content

License your videos to agencies, websites, or news outlets. If your video is newsworthy or relevant, you can earn licensing fees.

j) YouTube Premium Revenue

YouTube Premium subscribers pay a monthly fee to enjoy ad-free videos. Creators get a share of this subscription revenue based on watch time from Premium members.

k) Fan Funding

You can enable fan funding through platforms like Streamlabs or Buy Me a Coffee, where your viewers can make one-time donations to support your channel.

l) Public Speaking and Book Deals

A successful YouTube channel can lead to opportunities for public speaking engagements and book deals. Leverage your channel as a platform for your expertise.

m) Obtain a Donation

If you have built up a loyal fan base, you can request a donation to keep the channel going. Patreon is a fantastic web platform that you may use.

Tips for Maximizing Your YouTube Earnings

• Consistency is Key: Regularly upload high-quality content to keep your audience engaged.
• Engage with Your Audience: Respond to comments and engage with your viewers to build a loyal fanbase.
• Invest in Equipment: Better cameras, microphones, and editing software can enhance your video quality.
• Niche Selection: Choose a niche you are passionate about and one that has an audience interested in your content.
• SEO Optimization: Use relevant keywords in your video titles, descriptions, and tags to improve discoverability.
• Analyze Data: Use YouTube Analytics to understand your audience, and their preferences, and track the performance of your videos.
• Follow YouTube Policies: Ensure your content adheres to YouTube’s policies to maintain your monetization status.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much money can you make from YouTube videos?

This is a question normally every person asks for an answer. Honestly, there is no straightforward answer.  A lot of people earn millions from uploading videos on YouTube.

The clip of one-year-old Charlie mischievously nibbling his three-year-old brother Harry’s finger, known as “Charlie bit my finger – again!”, went viral with millions of views. The owner of this clip earned well over £100,000.

However, unfortunately, all videos don’t go viral to earn a consistent income, you need to upload videos of your choice regularly. Approximately you can earn around $2 per 1000 views.

How long does it take to start making money from YouTube?

The time to start earning money from YouTube depends on several factors. It includes content quality, consistency, audience engagement, and niche competitiveness. If you can create good content consistently and attract visitors, it will take 6 months to one year to start earning from YouTube.