YouTube has been one of the most popular content creation platforms for almost two decades, and it’s one of the most well-known ways to make money online. However, it does take some hustling initially to make a decent amount of money.

The most successful YouTubers utilize different monetization strategies at once including running ads, sponsorships, selling merchandise, and more.

Want to find out more? Here are all the different ways you can monetize your content on YouTube and how to succeed in doing so.

How YouTube Monetization Works

The most traditional way to start monetizing your videos on YouTube is through the YouTube Partner Program. With this program, YouTube will run ads on your videos and pay you directly, so you don’t have to deal with any third-party systems. 

YouTube Monetization Rules and Requirements

In order to be accepted into the YouTube Partner Program, there are eligibility requirements that you must meet:

• Have at least 1,000 subscribers
• Have at least 4,000 public watch hours
• Be at least 18 years of age

What Stops You From Getting Monetized

If you’ve already met the eligibility requirements but still aren’t getting monetized, the two main factors that are most likely stopping you are copyright issues and community guidelines.

YouTube’s monetization policies prohibit the following forms of content from being monetized:

• Spam content
• Sexual content or nudity
• Child safety
• Harassment or cyber bullying
• Other dangerous or harmful content

If you are following all of the monetization policies and you meet the eligibility requirements but still aren’t being accepted into the program, don’t worry. You can always reapply 30 days after your last application and YouTube will reassess your channel.

Ways to Monetize Content Through the YouTube Partner Program

The YouTube Partner Program has expanded its monetization methods from just running ads to memberships, shorts, and more. If you meet the qualifications for this program, it can be a great way to consistently make money on YouTube.

Adsense

By signing up for Adsense, YouTube will run advertisements at various points throughout your videos. Depending on what type of content you produce, the ads will most likely pertain to your niche in some way.

Advertisers who want to promote their products or services through Adsense pay different amounts. The amount you make from each advertisement will depend on how much the company paid to run the ads. 

Also, something else to keep in mind is that Google will pay more for click-throughs on ads rather than just impressions.

Channel Memberships

The YouTube Partner Program also allows creators to offer channel memberships to their viewers. You have the flexibility to sell your membership for whatever cost you’d like, and you can also offer different perks that make sense for your channel and audience.

Here are some of the perks you can offer members:

• Exclusive content
• Discounts on products or services
• Live chats with viewers
• Member-only community chats or posts
• Custom loyalty badges or emojis

Super Features

Through the YouTube Partner Program, viewers can pay for Super Chat and Super Stickers. This means that your viewers can pay to have their messages and emojis highlighted in a livestream chat.

Typically, users pay between $1 and $500 to access this feature. 

Additionally, YouTube offers a Super Thanks feature which allows users to show appreciation to their favorite creators. The difference is that viewers can use a Super Thanks on any video, not just livestreams.

Other Forms of Monetization

There are other ways to monetize your content on YouTube without using the Partner Program. Most successful YouTubers intertwine these other forms of monetization to grow their earnings even more. 

Affiliate Marketing

A common way a lot of creators and influencers make money through their content is by using affiliate marketing.

When you sign up for an affiliate marketing program, you’ll receive a special link to promote products to your audience. If someone clicks on your link and purchases that product, you will earn a small commission from that sale.

Here are some of the most popular affiliate programs for YouTubers:

• Amazon Associates
• Audible
• Skillshare
• ShareASale
• TripAdvisor
• Shopify

Sponsorships

Paid sponsorships are another popular way that creators can make money on YouTube. This is when a company pays you to talk about their business or a specific product in your videos for a fixed rate.

Sponsors will reach out to creators who they think will promote their product or business successfully. To keep the trust between you and your audience, only accept sponsorships from companies you actually believe in.

Also, don’t be afraid to reach out to businesses directly if you’d like to sponsor their product. If you’re a smaller channel, you have a lower chance of sponsors reaching out to you directly. However, if you show them that you have a loyal and engaged audience, they may want to work with you!

Patreon

If your audience is loyal enough, you may want to consider starting a Patreon account. Patreon allows you to set up monthly membership tiers that your viewers can purchase in exchange for exclusive benefits.

Some of the most common perks creators offer on Patreon include:

• Exclusive content
• Behind-the-scenes videos
• Q and A’s
• Bloopers
• Early access to content

Selling Merch

Selling merch is another excellent way to create another stream of income through your YouTube channel. In order to do this, you probably want to already have a loyal and large enough following. Otherwise, your audience will not be incentivized to purchase your merchandise.

You can create a link to your merchandise store and put it both on your channel page and in each video description. This way, users are reminded that you sell merch and it is easy for them to find.

Here are some of the most popular platforms YouTubers use to sell merchandise:

• Spreadshop
• Shopify
• Teespring
• Gemnote
• Printify