How Much Money Do You Make on YouTube With 1,000 Subscribers?
How much money do you make on YouTube with 1,000 subscribers? If you’ve reached this milestone, you’re probably wondering if it’s enough to start making real money. The short answer: Yes, you can earn money, but it won’t be a full-time income—yet.
The amount you make depends on several factors, including your niche, watch time, audience engagement, and how you monetize beyond YouTube ads. On average, a small YouTube channel with 1,000 subscribers can earn between $20 to $50 per month from ad revenue alone. However, creators who diversify their income streams—such as affiliate marketing, sponsorships, and memberships—can earn $200 to $500+ per month, even at this early stage.
YouTube is a platform where real money is being made. In 2023, YouTube’s ad revenue hit $31.5 billion (Business of Apps). The challenge is figuring out how to maximize your share of it.
In this guide, we’ll break down:
How YouTube monetization works at 1,000 subscribers
How much you can realistically earn from ad revenue
Other ways to increase your earnings beyond YouTube ads
If you're serious about making money on YouTube, let’s dive in.
-
Before diving into the full article, here are the most important insights about how much money you can make on YouTube with 1,000 subscribers:
You can start earning money on YouTube at 1,000 subscribers, but ad revenue alone is not enough to make a full-time income.
Most small YouTubers earn $20–$50/month from ads, depending on their niche, CPM, and engagement levels.
Higher-CPM niches (finance, business, tech) earn significantly more than entertainment or gaming channels.
Affiliate marketing, sponsorships, and memberships can boost earnings to $200–$500+/month, even at 1,000 subscribers.
Increasing watch time, optimizing titles & thumbnails, and engaging with viewers helps grow revenue.
Diversifying income streams (Super Chats, merch, brand deals) leads to higher long-term earnings.
Scaling beyond 1,000 subscribers requires consistency, content optimization, and strategic monetization.
Table of Contents
Why 1,000 Subscribers Matter
Hitting 1,000 subscribers is a major milestone, but it’s only one piece of the puzzle. To officially start making money through YouTube ads, you also need to meet the YouTube Partner Program (YPP) requirements:
1,000 subscribers
4,000 watch hours in the last 12 months OR 10 million Shorts views in the last 90 days
Once you hit these numbers, you can apply for monetization through YouTube Studio. After approval, ads will begin appearing on your videos, and you’ll earn a share of the revenue.
Once you're accepted into YPP, YouTube opens up several earning opportunities, including ad revenue, YouTube Premium revenue, Super Chats & Stickers (for live streams), and Channel Memberships.
Many creators assume that once they hit 1,000 subscribers, they’ll start making big money immediately—but that’s not the case. Your actual earnings depend on your views, engagement, and monetization strategy.
The Reality of Hitting 1K Subscribers
For most small YouTubers, ad revenue alone is not enough to make a living. Watch time plays a crucial role, and many channels struggle to maintain consistent views. The reality is that hitting 1,000 subscribers is just the beginning—you need a strategy to turn those subscribers into consistent viewers and revenue.
This is why planning ahead is crucial. If you want to reach 1,000 subscribers faster and set yourself up for success, check out this guide on YouTube planning.
How Much Can You Earn With 1000 Subscribers
To figure out how much you’ll earn, you need to understand how CPM (Cost Per Mille) and RPM (Revenue Per Mille) work.
CPM is how much advertisers pay for 1,000 ad views on your videos.
RPM is how much YOU actually earn per 1,000 views after YouTube takes its cut.
According to Wyzowl, the average YouTube CPM is around $18—but this varies greatly by niche. Your actual earnings are based on RPM, which is often $2 to $5 per 1,000 views after YouTube’s share.
Your CPM and RPM depend on several factors:
Niche: Finance, tech, and business channels tend to have higher CPMs ($20+), while entertainment and gaming channels often have lower CPMs ($3–$5).
Audience Location: Advertisers pay more for U.S. and U.K. viewers compared to other regions.
Watch Time & Engagement: Longer videos with high engagement tend to have more ads and higher revenue.
💡 Example Calculation:
If you get 10,000 views per month and your RPM is $3:
10,000 views ÷ 1,000 = 10 RPM units
10 x $3 = $30/month from ads
If you’re in a higher CPM niche (like finance) and your RPM is $10:
10,000 views ÷ 1,000 = 10 RPM units
10 x $10 = $100/month from ads
Realistic Monthly Earnings at 1K Subs
So, how much do YouTubers actually make with 1,000 subscribers?
For most small channels, the numbers look like this:
Low CPM niche (entertainment, gaming, vlogs): $20–$50/month
Mid-range CPM niche (lifestyle, travel, fitness): $50–$100/month
High CPM niche (finance, tech, business, real estate): $200–$500+/month
💡 Real Example:
A finance YouTuber earning $20 CPM with 10,000 views per month:
10,000 views ÷ 1,000 = 10 CPM units
10 × $20 CPM = $200 in ad revenue per month
A gaming YouTuber earning $5 CPM with 10,000 views per month:
10,000 views ÷ 1,000 = 10 CPM units
10 × $5 CPM = $50 per month
Many YouTubers report that once they consistently hit 20,000+ views per month, they start seeing more meaningful revenue growth.
Why Many Small Creators Earn Less Than Expected
A common misconception is that subscribers = money, but that’s not how YouTube works.
Many small creators earn less than expected because they don’t get enough views per video to generate high ad revenue. Ad blockers can reduce earnings, and short videos generate less revenue than longer ones since fewer ads are shown.
This is why it’s crucial to monetize beyond just ads. The most successful small YouTubers use multiple income streams, like affiliate marketing and brand sponsorships.
If you want to improve your earnings, your upload frequency, content quality, and how you make a YouTube video all impact your potential revenue.
At 1,000 subscribers, you can start earning money, but ad revenue alone won’t make you rich. However, if you combine YouTube ads with sponsorships, affiliate marketing, and memberships, you can increase your earnings significantly.
If you’re serious about growing your YouTube income, the next step is to focus on getting more views and engagement. Learn how to grow beyond 1,000 subscribers with this guide on how to get more subscribers on YouTube.
Diversifying Beyond Ad Revenue
Ad revenue is a starting point, but if you want to make more money with 1,000 subscribers, relying solely on YouTube ads won’t cut it. The smartest creators stack multiple income streams to maximize their earnings, even with a small audience.
Here’s how you can boost your revenue beyond ads.
Affiliate Marketing & Sponsorships
Some YouTubers make more from affiliate marketing and sponsorships than from ads, even with small audiences.
Affiliate marketing involves promoting a product or service and earning a commission for every sale made through your referral link. Many brands are happy to work with small YouTubers if they have an engaged audience, especially in profitable niches like tech, finance, or beauty.
Affiliate marketing and sponsored content can significantly boost income, especially for creators in niche markets where brands value engaged audiences.
💡 Ways to Start Affiliate Marketing on YouTube:
Amazon Associates: Promote products you use in your videos.
Software & Subscription Services: Many companies, like Canva, TubeBuddy, and VPN services, offer high commissions.
Course & Digital Product Affiliates: Promote Udemy, Skillshare, or online courses related to your niche.
Sponsorships: Once you have 1,000+ subscribers, companies may pay you directly to promote their products. Small creators can typically earn $50–$500 per sponsored video, depending on their engagement levels.
How to Get Sponsorships:
Create a media kit showcasing your audience stats.
Reach out to brands directly or sign up on influencer platforms like Grapevine, AspireIQ, or FameBit.
Focus on brands that align with your niche—a gaming YouTuber promoting a fitness app won’t feel natural!
If you’re not using affiliate marketing or sponsorships, you’re leaving money on the table.
Memberships, Patreon, and Fan Support
Another lucrative income stream is fan-funded memberships. Instead of relying on advertisers, you can get direct support from your audience.
💰 How much can you make?
Patreon creators earn $1–$10 per supporter per month on average.
YouTube Channel Memberships allow fans to pay $4.99–$24.99 per month for perks.
Some creators make thousands per month, even with only a few hundred loyal supporters.
Example: A small gaming YouTuber with 1,500 subscribers and 150 members at $4.99/month earns $750/month—way more than ad revenue alone.
🚀 How to Get More Members:
Offer exclusive content (bonus videos, behind-the-scenes clips, Q&A sessions).
Create loyalty badges & emojis for members.
Promote memberships at the end of your videos with a simple CTA.
Memberships work best if you have high engagement—so start building strong connections with your audience early.
Merchandise Sales
Selling merch is another profitable way to monetize at 1,000 subscribers. Fans love wearing a creator’s logo, catchphrase, or inside joke from their channel. Even small channels have successfully launched t-shirts, hoodies, mugs, and stickers.
🔹 Why Merch Works:
It strengthens your brand and gives fans a way to support you directly.
Platforms like Teespring, Spreadshop, and Redbubble handle production & shipping, so you don’t need inventory.
If you build a recognizable brand, merch can become a steady passive income stream.
Example: A small music YouTuber designed a simple T-shirt with their logo and sold 200+ units at $25 each—earning $5,000 in merch sales in under a year.
Want to increase your sales? Offer limited-edition designs and promote them in your videos with a call-to-action.
Steps to Increase Earnings at 1K Subs
If you want to earn more at 1,000 subscribers, you need to strategically create content that gets more views, watch time, and engagement.
How to optimize your videos for revenue:
Write engaging scripts to hook viewers in the first 30 seconds.
Film high-quality videos with good lighting and audio.
Post consistently—YouTube rewards channels that upload at least once a week.
The better your content, the more views and earnings you’ll generate.
👉 How to write a script for YouTube videos
Improving Production Quality
Your video and audio quality affect how long people watch your content—which directly impacts your revenue.
Essential YouTube Equipment:
A good camera (even an iPhone can work)
Quality lighting to improve video clarity
A decent microphone for clear audio
👉 If you’re ready to upgrade, check out our guide on the best camera for YouTube.
Titles, Thumbnails & SEO
Your title and thumbnail determine whether people click on your video. If your click-through rate (CTR) is low, YouTube won’t promote your content as much.
How to improve CTR:
Use clear, engaging titles with power words (e.g., “MUST-KNOW Tips for YouTubers!”)
Design eye-catching thumbnails with bold text and vibrant colors
Write SEO-friendly descriptions & tags to boost visibility
You don’t need viral content—you just need clickable, well-optimized videos that keep people watching.
Addressing Common Fears & Doubts
Many small YouTubers hit 1,000 subscribers with high hopes, only to feel frustrated when their earnings don’t match their expectations. If you’re wondering why your ad revenue is low or why you’re not growing as fast as you’d like, you’re not alone.
The reality is that YouTube monetization takes time. But before you get discouraged, let’s tackle the biggest concerns small creators have—and how to work around them.
Monetization-Related Concerns
It’s easy to assume that once you hit 1,000 subscribers, money will start flowing in. But for many small YouTubers, the numbers can be disappointing.
💡 Common Monetization Frustrations:
Earnings seem too low—most small creators earn $20–$50 per month from ads
Ad revenue fluctuates—one month might be great, while the next is much lower
Not enough views—even though you have 1,000+ subscribers, your videos aren’t getting enough traffic
📌 YouTube’s Official Monetization Rules:
To stay eligible for YouTube Partner Program (YPP) monetization, you must continue meeting these requirements:
1,000 subscribers
4,000 public watch hours (or 10 million Shorts views in the last 90 days)
Follow YouTube’s monetization policies
If you don’t maintain these, YouTube can remove your monetization (YouTube Support).
😟 Why Some Creators Feel Stuck
It’s frustrating to see your subscriber count go up while earnings remain low. Some YouTubers even feel like giving up. But here’s the truth:
Most YouTubers don’t make much money from ads alone—the real money comes from multiple income streams.
High CPM niches earn more—a business or finance channel can make 10x more than an entertainment vlog.
Engagement matters more than subscriber count—a small, highly engaged audience is more profitable than a large, inactive one.
So, what’s the solution? Focus on growth and engagement.
Possible Solutions & Workarounds
Instead of relying only on ads, use these strategies to boost your earnings:
✔️ Get More Subscribers & Views
The more engaged subscribers you have, the more views and ad revenue you’ll generate. Focus on audience building and learn how to get more subscribers on YouTube with tactics like:
Collaborations with other YouTubers in your niche
Consistent uploads to keep your audience engaged
Q&A videos, polls, and community posts to increase interaction
✔️ Leverage High-CPM Niches
If you’re in a low-earning niche, consider adding content that attracts higher-paying advertisers. Finance, business, and software videos pay significantly more per ad.
✔️ Maximize Watch Time & CTR (Click-Through Rate)
If your watch time is low, YouTube won’t push your videos to more people. Improve it by:
Creating high-quality and engaging videos
Using engaging visuals
Keeping thumbnails & titles clickable
The key takeaway? Don’t let low early earnings discourage you. Keep experimenting, optimizing, and engaging with your audience.
Scaling Up After 1,000 Subscribers
Once you’ve hit 1,000 subscribers and started monetizing, the next step is scaling your earnings and audience growth.
How to Scale Beyond 1,000 Subscribers
Use YouTube Analytics to see what’s working and double down on it.
Experiment with different content formats (longer videos, Shorts, livestreams).
Collaborate with bigger YouTubers to tap into new audiences.
Boost SEO with well-researched keywords in your titles, descriptions, and tags.
YouTube’s ad revenue increased by 7.8% in 2023, showing that there’s more money to be made on the platform than ever before (Business of Apps).
The more strategic you are with your content and analytics, the faster you’ll scale.
Going Beyond AdSense
Ad revenue is great, but serious YouTubers use multiple monetization streams.
💡 Additional Ways to Earn Money on YouTube:
Super Chats & Stickers—viewers donate money during livestreams
Sponsorships—brands pay you to promote their products
Exclusive Content & Memberships—offer perks for a monthly fee
Selling Digital Products—eBooks, courses, templates, or guides
Many micro-influencers (YouTubers with 1,000–10,000 subscribers) make $500–$2,000 per month by combining these methods.
If you’ve reached 1,000 subscribers, you’re already ahead of millions of people who never get that far. Keep growing, because your best earnings are still ahead!
Quick Reference Checklist
Here’s a quick checklist to help you maximize earnings and continue growing:
Meet monetization requirements (1,000 subs + 4,000 watch hours)
Diversify income (ads, affiliate marketing, sponsorships, merch)
Optimize content quality (how to film a YouTube video)
Improve engagement (comments, polls, Q&A, challenges)
Track analytics & adapt (study what works and do more of it)
Final Thoughts
So, how much money do you make on YouTube with 1,000 subscribers?
It depends on your niche, content quality, engagement, and monetization strategy. But here’s what we’ve learned:
Most small channels earn $20–$50/month from ads alone.
With sponsorships, affiliate marketing, and memberships, creators can make $200–$500+ per month, even with 1,000 subscribers.
High-CPM niches (finance, business, tech) earn significantly more than entertainment channels.
Scaling beyond 1,000 subscribers requires strategic planning, engagement, and revenue diversification.
Your first 1,000 subscribers are just the beginning. Keep improving your content, stay consistent, and explore multiple revenue streams to grow your earnings over time.
Want to grow beyond 1,000 subscribers and increase your income? Here’s what to do next:
📌 Ask Questions: Drop your thoughts in the comments—let’s talk strategies!
📌 Read More: Check out how to get more subscribers on YouTube to boost your growth.
📌 Stay Updated: Consider subscribing to our newsletter for the latest YouTube growth tips and monetization strategies.
Your journey to full-time YouTube success starts here. Keep pushing forward! 🚀
Additional Resources
Want to grow faster on YouTube and improve your content quality? Here are some useful guides and assets to help you succeed.
Helpful YouTube Articles
How to Make a YouTube Video – Learn step-by-step how to plan, film, and edit a high-quality YouTube video that attracts more views and engagement.
YouTube Equipment – Find out what essential gear you need for high-quality video and audio production, even on a budget.
How to Edit YouTube Videos – Discover top editing techniques and software recommendations to make your videos more engaging.
How to Upload a Video to YouTube – Learn the best upload settings, optimization tips, and SEO techniques to rank higher and get more views.
YouTube Video Assets
YouTube Subscribe Buttons – Increase your subscriber count with animated subscribe button overlays for your videos.
YouTube Overlays – Enhance your video aesthetics with professional overlays and lower-thirds to make your content stand out.
Video Templates – Speed up your video production with pre-made intro, outro, and transition templates designed for YouTube.
Free Video Templates – Get access to free high-quality video templates to improve your content with minimal effort.
Thanks for Reading
At Motion Arts Media, we help video editors and creators with ready-to-use motion graphics assets and templates. With over 1,000 customers and 17,000+ downloads, we’re all about empowering your creative flow. Check out our freebies and premium video templates or connect with us on YouTube, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest or LinkedIn.
About The Author
Jeremy Sampson is a motion designer and founder of Motion Arts Media with over a decade of experience working in Premiere Pro and After Effects. He’s worked with brands like Apple, Amazon, and Nike, but also has passion towards creating motion designs and assets for other creators through Motion Arts Media—where he shares his styles and work with the community.