I’ve been thinking about starting a YouTube channel but not sure how to actually make money from it. I know ads are a thing, but what about affiliate marketing or selling merch? Anyone here tried these methods? I’d love to know how you make money on YouTube without needing a huge following.
Affiliate marketing is a good option if you don’t have a ton of subscribers yet. I started using Amazon Associates, and I just link to products I talk about in my videos. You get a small commission whenever someone buys through your link. Super easy to set up.
@Celeste
That sounds like a solid plan. Do you need a certain number of subscribers to get approved for Amazon Associates?
Jai said:
@Celeste
That sounds like a solid plan. Do you need a certain number of subscribers to get approved for Amazon Associates?
Nope, no specific number of subs needed. They just want to see that you’re actively posting content. As long as you drive traffic, you’re good to go.
Brand deals can be really profitable once you build up an audience. I’ve worked with a few companies that paid for shoutouts in my videos. It’s usually a flat fee or sometimes commission-based.
Marlowe said:
Brand deals can be really profitable once you build up an audience. I’ve worked with a few companies that paid for shoutouts in my videos. It’s usually a flat fee or sometimes commission-based.
Did they reach out to you, or did you have to contact them?
@Dale
It was a mix. Some reached out to me, but I also contacted brands directly once I had a decent subscriber base. It’s all about finding the right fit for your audience.
Selling merch can be a great way to earn, especially if you have a loyal fanbase. I started selling T-shirts and made a decent amount. You just need to link to your shop in the video description.
Nicholas said:
Selling merch can be a great way to earn, especially if you have a loyal fanbase. I started selling T-shirts and made a decent amount. You just need to link to your shop in the video description.
Do you handle all the merch yourself, or do you use a service like Teespring?
@Jem
I use Teespring. They take care of printing and shipping, so all I do is promote the merch. You lose a cut, but it’s worth it for not having to deal with logistics.
If you’re just starting out, consider offering memberships. Patreon is a good option for smaller creators. You can offer exclusive content to your biggest fans for a monthly fee.
Vick said:
If you’re just starting out, consider offering memberships. Patreon is a good option for smaller creators. You can offer exclusive content to your biggest fans for a monthly fee.
That’s a cool idea. Do you use Patreon, or are you part of YouTube’s membership program?
@Jai
I started with Patreon because you don’t need as many subscribers. YouTube’s program has stricter requirements, but you can look into that once your channel grows.
I’ve been using YouTube ads for a while. It takes time to get enough views to make serious money, but once you hit 1,000 subscribers and 4,000 watch hours, the ad revenue does start coming in.
Gwen said:
I’ve been using YouTube ads for a while. It takes time to get enough views to make serious money, but once you hit 1,000 subscribers and 4,000 watch hours, the ad revenue does start coming in.
Yeah, I’ve heard it’s hard to get to that point. How long did it take you to qualify for ads?
@Kelby
It took me about a year of consistent posting. The key is to keep uploading content and engaging with your audience.