How to Make Money on YouTube: 10 Proven Strategies

Yes, you can make money on YouTube—and there are multiple ways to do it. Some creators earn from ads, others through sponsorships, memberships, affiliate marketing, or even selling their own products. Whether you’re just starting or looking to scale, the key is to diversify your revenue streams and build a sustainable income.

The numbers prove YouTube’s potential:

  • YouTube’s advertising revenue hit $8.9 billion in Q3 2024

  • Over 2.7 billion people use YouTube every month

  • Average earnings per ad view: $0.18 per view or $18 per 1,000 views

But simply uploading videos won’t generate income. You need a strategic monetization plan, and that’s exactly what we’re breaking down in this guide.

    • YouTube offers multiple monetization options, including ad revenue, affiliate marketing, sponsorships, and digital product sales.

    • To join the YouTube Partner Program (YPP), you need 1,000 subscribers and either 4,000 watch hours or 10 million Shorts views.

    • Ad revenue varies by niche, but on average, YouTube pays around $18 per 1,000 ad views.

    • Affiliate marketing, brand sponsorships, and selling merchandise can generate income even if you’re not yet monetized through YPP.

    • Super Chats, memberships, and crowdfunding platforms provide direct earnings from viewers who support your content.

    • YouTube Shorts monetization now allows creators to earn 45% of ad revenue, making short-form content a profitable avenue.

    • Licensing viral videos to media companies can generate passive income without relying on ad revenue.

    • Scaling your YouTube income involves diversifying revenue streams, improving video quality, and repurposing content across platforms.

YouTube Monetization Explained

Before we get into earning methods, let’s go over how YouTube monetization works and what it takes to qualify.

What is YouTube Monetization?

YouTube monetization is the process of making money from your videos through ad revenue, sponsorships, memberships, and other income streams. But YouTube doesn’t pay you just for uploading videos—you get paid when people watch ads, buy products through your links, or join memberships.

👉 If you're new to content creation, check out YouTube Planning to structure your content for success.

YouTube Partner Program (YPP) Requirements (Updated for 2025)

To start earning directly from YouTube, you need to join the YouTube Partner Program (YPP) by meeting these requirements:

  • 1,000 subscribers

  • 4,000 watch hours in the past 12 months OR 10 million public YouTube Shorts views in the last 90 days

  • Follow YouTube’s monetization policies

When can you monetize YouTube?
As soon as you hit these numbers, you can apply for YPP, link your AdSense account, and start earning from ads on your videos.

👉 Need more subscribers to qualify faster? Learn how to get more subscribers on YouTube to speed up the process.

10 Proven Ways to Make Money on YouTube

Let’s break down the best ways to monetize and turn your YouTube channel into a money-making machine with different income channels to maximize your earning potential.

1. YouTube Ad Revenue (Google AdSense)

One of the most common ways to make money is through Google AdSense, which pays you based on ad views and clicks.

💰 How do you get paid from YouTube?

  • Average earnings: $0.18 per ad view, or about $18 per 1,000 ad views (Wyzowl)

  • Your niche matters—finance, tech, and business videos earn more per view than vlogs or entertainment

  • Longer videos = more ads = higher revenue

“We're leveraging AI to empower creators, enhancing their ability to produce engaging content and reach wider audiences.” Neal Mohan, CEO of YouTube (FT).

2. Affiliate Marketing

If you're looking for how to make money on YouTube fast, affiliate marketing is one of the best options. Instead of relying on ad revenue, you earn commissions by recommending products in your videos.

How it works:

  1. Join an affiliate program (Amazon Associates, Impact, ShareASale)

  2. Get a unique affiliate link for the product

  3. Earn a commission when viewers buy through your link

👉 Want to create high-quality product review videos? You'll need the Best Camera for YouTube to do it.

3. Selling Digital Products (Ebooks, Courses, Presets)

If you’re looking for a way to monetize YouTube without relying on ads, selling digital products is one of the most profitable strategies. You don’t need millions of views—just a targeted audience interested in valuable content.

Why Digital Products Are a Game-Changer

  • 100% profit—no revenue split with YouTube

  • No inventory or shipping hassles

  • Scalable income—create once, sell forever

The online course industry alone is projected to hit $375 billion by 2026 (Statista). If you’re an expert in something—whether it's video editing, fitness, or coding—you can package your knowledge into an ebook or online course and sell it directly to your YouTube audience.

Popular Digital Products to Sell on YouTube

  • Ebooks – Share expertise on a niche topic

  • Online courses – Teach step-by-step skills

  • Presets & LUTs – Great for filmmakers and photographers

  • Templates – Custom designs for resumes, graphics, or social media

Many YouTubers in the productivity, business, and design niches generate thousands of dollars per month selling Notion templates, Canva designs, or Lightroom presets.

💡 Tip: If you're creating educational content, mention your digital product in your video and include a link in the description. This works well for how-to videos and tutorials.

4. YouTube Channel Memberships

If you have an engaged audience, channel memberships offer a way to earn recurring income. This feature lets subscribers pay a monthly fee in exchange for exclusive perks.

How to Monetize Your YouTube Channel with Memberships

To enable memberships, you need:
✔️ 1,000 subscribers
✔️ YPP eligibility
✔️ A strong community that values exclusive content

What Can You Offer to Members?

  • Behind-the-scenes content

  • Early access to videos

  • Exclusive Q&A sessions

  • Custom emojis and badges

Gaming and tech channels often use memberships to provide exclusive live streams and tutorials. Fans get VIP access, and creators make money without relying on ads.

👉 Want to create content that drives engagement? Check outHow to Write a Script for a YouTube Video to structure your videos for maximum retention.

5. Brand Sponsorships

One of the most lucrative ways to earn money on YouTube is through brand sponsorships. This is where companies pay you directly to feature their product or service in your videos.

How Much Can You Earn from Sponsorships?

💰 Sponsorship deals can range from $500 to over $100,000 depending on your niche and audience size. Even smaller YouTubers (10K-50K subs) can secure deals if they have a highly engaged audience.

PewDiePie, YouTube’s biggest solo creator, reportedly made six figures from his NordVPN sponsorship deal—demonstrating how high-value partnerships can significantly boost earnings.

6. Super Chats & Stickers (YouTube Live)

If you enjoy live streaming, YouTube’s Super Chat and Super Stickers feature lets your audience send paid messages during your broadcasts.

How to Get Paid on YouTube with Super Chats

Super Chats are available to creators in the YouTube Partner Program an your channel must be eligible for live streaming monetization.

💰 How much can you earn?
Super Chats range from $1 to $500 per message, and YouTube takes a 30% cut. Popular streamers make hundreds to thousands of dollars per session by encouraging real-time engagement.

👉 Want to improve your live streaming setup? Check out How to Film a YouTube Video for professional-quality videos.

7. Licensing Your Content to Media

Did you know that news outlets, TV stations, and brands will pay for viral video footage? If you create high-quality, unique, or viral content, you can license your videos and earn passive income.

Many creators have earned thousands after their viral footage was featured on CNN, ESPN, or The Ellen Show.

💡 Tip: Upload your videos to licensing platforms like Jukin Media, Storyful, or Newsflare to get paid every time your footage is used.

8. YouTube Shorts Monetization

Short-form content is booming on YouTube. Shorts creators now receive 45% of ad revenue—a game-changer for those making short, engaging videos.

Why Shorts Matter for Monetization

  • Lower barrier to entry—you don’t need 1,000 subs to get paid

  • Massive reach potential—some Shorts rack up millions of views overnight

  • New YouTube Shorts Fund & ad-sharing model introduced in 2025

💰 How much can you earn?

  • The top Shorts creators are making $10,000+ per month

  • Engagement and watch time drive revenue, so optimize your content

Creators like MrBeast use Shorts to funnel traffic to long-form videos—maximizing both ad revenue and sponsorships.

9. Crowdfunding & Patreon

Not all YouTube monetization strategies require ads, sponsorships, or product sales. Crowdfunding and Patreon allow creators to earn directly from their most loyal viewers.

How Does Crowdfunding Work on YouTube?

If your audience loves your content, they may be willing to financially support your channel through platforms like:

  • Patreon – Offers subscription-based perks for members

  • Buy Me a Coffee – One-time donations to support content creation

  • YouTube’s own channel memberships – Monthly payments for exclusive content

💡 Tip: Crowdfunding works best if you provide exclusive perks that your audience values, such as early access to videos, shoutouts, or personalized content.

👉 Want your videos to stand out? A great thumbnail can improve click-through rates. LearnYouTube Thumbnail Size for the best design practices.

10. Selling Merchandise

If you have a strong brand or loyal audience, selling custom merchandise can be a profitable way to earn money while building your community.

What to Sell?

  • T-Shirts & Hoodies – Branded apparel

  • Mugs & Stickers – Easy-to-create fan merch

  • Posters & Phone Cases – Unique designs that reflect your content

Platforms like Teespring, Spreadshop, and Printful let you create and sell merch without holding inventory.

💰 How much can you earn?
Some creators make thousands per month by integrating merch sales into their video content. YouTubers like Markiplier and Jacksepticeye have turned merch into a multi-million-dollar business.

💡 Tip: Announce your merchandise in your videos and place merch links in the YouTube description and pinned comment to boost sales.

👉 Need help uploading promo videos? Check outHow to Upload a Video to YouTube.

How to Scale Your YouTube Income

Once you’ve started earning, the next step is scaling your revenue streams to build a sustainable income.

1. Create Evergreen Content for Passive Income

Evergreen videos—topics that stay relevant for years—generate consistent ad revenue and affiliate sales over time. Tutorials, how-tos, and educational content work best.

2. Repurpose Content Across Platforms

  • Turn YouTube videos into blog posts for SEO traffic

  • Convert clips into TikTok & Instagram Reels to attract more viewers

  • Use YouTube Shorts to drive traffic to long-form content

3. Improve Video Quality & Engagement

Better videos mean more watch time, higher retention, and more earnings.

👉 Wondering what tools top creators use? Find outWhat Do YouTubers Use to Edit Videos?.

Final Thoughts

Making money on YouTube is about combining multiple strategies to maximize your earnings. Whether it’s ads, sponsorships, digital products, memberships, or merch, success comes from creating valuable content and engaging your audience.

🚀 Start implementing these strategies today and take the first step toward monetizing your YouTube channel successfully!

Additional Resources

Helpful YouTube Articles

YouTube Video Assets

  • YouTube Subscribe Buttons – Add high-quality subscribe animations to boost engagement and subscriber growth.

  • Video Templates – Speed up content creation with customizable video templates for intros, transitions, and more.

  • Free Video Templates – Access a collection of professional video templates available for free.

References

Here are the sources used in this article for data, statistics, and expert insights:

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.

Jeremy | Motion Designer & Founder | Motion Arts MediaComment