How to Make Money from YouTube - BloggersBond
What You'll Learn: How to Make Money from YouTube
YouTube isn't just for entertainment anymore. Millions of creators earn real income from their channels. You don't need millions of subscribers or expensive equipment. This guide about How to Make Money from YouTube, shows 9 beginner-friendly ways to start making money on YouTube with zero investment.
- 9 YouTube money-making methods (ads, affiliate, sponsorships, and more)
- Step-by-step instructions for absolute beginners
- Realistic earnings (month 1: $0-50, month 6: $500-2000)
- 30-day action plan for YouTube beginners
YouTube Partner Program (Ad Revenue)
What it is: YouTube pays you for ads shown on your videos. You need 1,000 subscribers and 4,000 watch hours in the past year to join. Once approved, you earn money every time someone watches an ad on your video.
Step-by-Step:
- Create a YouTube channel (free with Google account)
- Upload 20-30 videos in your niche (gaming, tutorials, reviews, vlogs)
- Promote your videos on social media to grow subscribers
- Once you reach 1,000 subscribers and 4,000 watch hours, apply for YPP
- YouTube reviews your channel (usually 1-2 weeks)
- Once approved, enable monetization on all videos
- Earn $1-5 per 1,000 views (RPM varies by niche)
Affiliate Marketing (Amazon Associates, ShareASale)
What it is: Promote products in your video descriptions. When viewers click your link and buy, you earn a commission. No subscriber minimum. Works for channels of any size.
Step-by-Step:
- Join Amazon Associates or ShareASale (free)
- Create videos reviewing products you actually use
- Put your affiliate link in the video description
- Say "link in description" during the video
- Create "Top 5" or "Best of" videos (these get searched often)
- Earn 1-10% commission on each sale
Channel Memberships (Monthly Subscriptions)
What it is: Viewers pay $4.99 per month to become channel members. They get exclusive perks: badges, emojis, members-only videos, and live chats. You need 30,000 subscribers to qualify.
Step-by-Step:
- Grow channel to 30,000 subscribers (takes time)
- Once eligible, enable Channel Memberships in YouTube Studio
- Create member-only perks: exclusive videos, behind-the-scenes content, early access
- Offer different tiers ($4.99, $9.99, $24.99) with more perks
- Promote memberships in your regular videos
- YouTube keeps 30%, you keep 70% of membership fees
Sponsored Videos (Brand Deals)
What it is: Brands pay you to mention their product in your video. You don't need millions of subscribers. Micro-influencers with 5,000-50,000 subscribers can earn $100-2000 per video.
Step-by-Step:
- Grow your channel to 5,000+ subscribers in a niche
- Create a media kit (PDF with your channel stats, audience demographics)
- Join influencer platforms: FameBit, Grapevine, or Upfluence
- Email brands in your niche: "I have a channel about [topic]. Would you sponsor a video?"
- Negotiate price based on your average views ($50-100 per 1,000 views)
- Disclose sponsorship in video and description (FTC requirement)
Sell Your Own Products (Merch, Courses, Digital Products)
What it is: Create and sell your own products to your audience. T-shirts, mugs, stickers (using Printful). Digital products like PDF guides, templates, or online courses. You keep 100% of profits.
Step-by-Step:
- Create a product related to your channel's niche
- For physical merch: Connect Printful to a Shopify store (free trial)
- For digital products: Create a PDF guide in Canva, list on Gumroad
- Mention your product in videos: "Link to my budget tracker in description"
- Create a dedicated video launching your product
- Offer limited-time discount for first 100 buyers
YouTube Shorts Fund (Short-Form Video Bonus)
What it is: YouTube pays creators for high-performing Shorts (vertical videos under 60 seconds). You need 10 million Shorts views in 90 days to qualify. No subscriber minimum.
Step-by-Step:
- Create 15-60 second vertical videos using your phone
- Use trending sounds and effects (YouTube audio library has free music)
- Post 1-3 Shorts daily for 30 days
- Focus on engaging content: tutorials, tips, funny moments, facts
- Once you reach 10 million Shorts views in 90 days, apply for the fund
- YouTube pays a bonus each month (varies, typically $100-1000)
YouTube Super Chat & Super Stickers (Live Stream Tips)
What it is: Viewers pay to have their messages highlighted during live streams. You need 500 subscribers to enable Super Chat and Super Stickers. YouTube keeps 30%, you keep 70%.
Step-by-Step:
- Reach 500 subscribers (enable Super Chat in YouTube Studio)
- Schedule weekly live streams (Q&A, tutorials, gaming, chatting)
- Promote live streams in advance on community tab and social media
- During live stream, thank viewers who send Super Chats
- Answer their questions or read their messages on air
- Consistent live streaming builds loyal fans who tip regularly
License Your Videos (Stock Footage, Clips)
What it is: Sell your video clips to stock footage websites. News outlets, advertisers, and creators pay for b-roll footage. Nature, city, lifestyle, and business footage sells best.
Step-by-Step:
- Film high-quality clips (use your phone – good lighting is enough)
- Categories: nature, city timelapses, people working, cooking, exercising
- Remove audio, keep video only
- Upload to stock sites: Pond5, Shutterstock, Adobe Stock
- Add keywords and descriptions so people can find your clips
- Earn 15-50% of each sale (clips sell for $10-100 each)
YouTube Channel Management (For Other Creators)
What it is: Once you learn YouTube, offer your skills to other creators. Help with video editing, thumbnail design, SEO, or channel strategy. Charge $20-100 per hour or monthly retainer.
Step-by-Step:
- Build your own channel first to prove your skills
- Create a portfolio of thumbnails you've designed or videos you've edited
- Join YouTube creator Facebook groups and Reddit communities
- Offer services: "I'll edit your videos for $50 each" or "Thumbnail design for $20"
- Start with lower prices to get testimonials, then raise rates
- Scale by hiring other editors and managing multiple clients
Monthly Earnings Expectations for YouTube Methods
| Method | Requirements | Expected Month 1 | Expected Month 6 | Passive Potential |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1K subs, 4K hours | $0-50 | $100-500 | Medium | |
| None | $0-30 | $100-500 | Low | |
| 30K subs | $0 | $100-1000 | High | |
| 5K+ subs | $0-100 | $500-2000 | Low | |
| None | $0-50 | $200-1000 | Medium | |
| 10M views/90 days | $0 | $100-500 | Low | |
| 500 subs | $0-50 | $100-500 | Low | |
| None | $0-50 | $100-500 | High | |
| Skills | $0-200 | $500-2000 | Low |
30-Day Action Plan for YouTube Beginners
- Week 1 (Setup): Create YouTube channel. Choose niche (gaming, tutorials, reviews, vlogs). Create channel art in Canva (free). Upload 3 videos.
- Week 2 (Consistency): Upload 3 more videos. Optimize titles and thumbnails. Join affiliate programs (Amazon Associates). Add affiliate links to descriptions.
- Week 3 (Engage): Upload 3 videos. Reply to every comment. Create YouTube Shorts from your longer videos. Share videos on social media.
- Week 4 (Analyze): Upload 3 videos. Check YouTube Analytics – see which videos perform best. Make more of what works. Aim for 50-100 subscribers.
Beginner tip: Your first 10 videos won't get many views. That's normal. Focus on improving one thing each video (title, thumbnail, audio, editing).
Built-in analytics and video manager
Free music and sound effects for videos
YouTube Income Tracker (Print or Copy)
| Date | Method | Videos Uploaded | Subscribers | Views | Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Track growth weekly – celebrate small wins | |||||
Tip: Focus on watch time and subscriber growth first. Earnings follow engagement.
Troubleshooting Guide - "My YouTube Channel Isn't Growing"
- No views? Your titles and thumbnails need work. Study top creators in your niche. What do their thumbnails look like? Copy the style (not the content).
- Low watch time? Your intro is too long. Hook viewers in first 15 seconds. Start with "In this video, you'll learn X."
- No subscribers? Ask viewers to subscribe. Say "Subscribe for more videos like this" at the beginning and end of each video.
- Can't reach YPP requirements? Focus on evergreen content (tutorials, how-to videos). These get searched for months or years. Avoid trending topics that die quickly.
YouTube Success Roadmap (Realistic Timeline)
Upload 20-30 videos. Gain 100-500 subscribers. Learn editing and thumbnails.
Upload 30-50 videos. Gain 1000-5000 subscribers. Apply for YPP. Start affiliate marketing.
Upload 50-100 videos. Gain 10,000-50,000 subscribers. Earn $500-2000 monthly from ads + affiliates.
Upload consistently. Gain 100,000+ subscribers. Earn $2000-10,000+ monthly. Sponsorships and products.
This Week's YouTube Challenge for Beginners
Challenge: Create and upload 3 videos this week. Optimize titles and thumbnails for each. Share each video on 3 social media platforms (Twitter, Reddit, Facebook). Reply to every comment within 24 hours.
🔥 Extra credit: Create 3 YouTube Shorts from your longer videos. Add captions using the YouTube app.
Frequently Asked Questions about YouTube Money
How much does YouTube pay per 1,000 views?
RPM (Revenue Per Mille) varies by niche: Finance/Tech: $5-15, Lifestyle/Beauty: $3-8, Gaming/Entertainment: $1-3, Education: $4-10. Your actual earnings depend on ad type, viewer location, and season.
Do I need expensive equipment?
No. Your phone is enough for starting. Use natural lighting. Record audio in a quiet room. Upgrade only after you're earning money.
How often should I upload?
Consistency matters more than frequency. 1-2 videos per week is enough for growth. Focus on quality over quantity.
What niche is most profitable?
Finance, business, investing, and tech have highest RPM ($10-20). But choose a niche you actually enjoy. You'll quit if you're bored.
Can I make money without 1,000 subscribers?
Yes. Affiliate marketing, selling products, and channel management don't require YPP approval. Start these immediately.
Your Action Plan - Start Your YouTube Channel Today (Zero Investment)
- Create a YouTube channel right now (free with Google account)
- Choose a niche you're passionate about (cooking, gaming, fitness, tutorials)
- Record your first video using your phone – just talk to the camera for 5 minutes
- Create a thumbnail using Canva (free)
- Upload, add a title and description, and publish
- Share the video on your social media
- Repeat next week. Your 100th video will be much better than your first.
Remember for beginners: Every successful YouTuber started with zero subscribers and zero views. Your first 10 videos won't be perfect. That's fine. Focus on improving one thing each video. Consistency beats perfection. Start today.