A Simple Guide on How to Monetize YouTube Content

For content creators on YouTube, the most common question is how to make money out of the video content you make. Although there are many options on how to monetize your YouTube videos, there’s no quick way to do it. However, this doesn’t mean that it’s impossible.

Here’s all you need to know about the basics of how to monetize your YouTube content.

Getting Started: The Prerequisites

Earning money on YouTube begins when you get accepted into the YouTube Partner Program. Basically, your channel needs to meet 4 requirements:

1. You must have at least 1,000 subscribers on your channel
2. Your videos must have at least 4,000 watch time hours over the last 12 months
3. Your content must comply with YouTube’s policies and guidelines
4. You must have an AdSense account set up and linked to your channel

Ways to Monetize YouTube Content

Currently, there are 5 ways to earn through the YouTube Partner Program:

1. Ads

To be eligible to run ads on your channel, you must meet YouTube’s advertiser-friendly content guidelines. Basically, your content shouldn’t have inappropriate language, adult themes, violence, harmful or dangerous acts, hateful or derogatory content, sensitive elements, controversial issues, etc.

2. Channel memberships

As the term suggests, this type of monetization option allows members of your channel to enjoy member-only perks. You can add up to 5 membership levels/tiers, and you can set your choice of membership perks. See YouTube’s guide here on Channel Memberships.

3. Merchandise shelf

You can showcase and sell your branded merchandise on YouTube through their merchandise shelf. YouTube supports up to 12 products to put up on your shelf. There’s also an option to display your merch beyond your shelf. Learn more about YouTube’s policies when selling and buying items through their platform here.

4. Super Chat and Super Stickers

These are features that liven up your YouTube live chat so much more. Viewers can purchase Super Chat (i.e., chat messages) so that their message stays at the top of the feed. Super Stickers can also be bought by viewers so that their live messages stand out more.

5. YouTube Premium revenue

For this option, you as a creator don’t have to do anything from your end. What this means is that whenever a Premium subscriber views your content, you earn revenue for what they pay for YouTube Premium.

Additionally, YouTube is in the works of adding more ways to earn in the near future:

1. YouTube Applause

This works in the same way as Super Chat and Stickers, the only difference being that Applause can be bought even for non-livestream videos. YouTube Applause enables viewers to show their support for your content by “donating” an Applause. It’s currently available only to limited countries.

2. YouTube Shopping

This feature expands on YouTube’s existing Merchandise Shelf feature and allows viewers a fully integrated shopping experience from the platform itself. More details are to be announced soon and the rollout is said to be slated later this year.

Tips for Creating YouTube Content that Drives Results

As mentioned, all these monetization options are available once you are accepted to the YouTube Partner Program. Here are a few quick tips to help you create content that’s worthy of being accepted to the program:

1. Create valuable and relevant content

The more relevant your content is to your target audience, the more likely it is to be viewed and shared. Do your research to determine what types of content your viewers need and relate to.

2. Have a regular posting schedule

Consistency is key for video marketing, especially when you’re aiming to be YouTube famous. Having just one extremely popular video and nothing more won’t make the cut — the YouTube Partner Program essentially works for channels that have consistent content on it.

3. Listen to your viewers

Similar to the first point, part of your research should also include social listening. Take into account your audience’s thoughts, comments, and suggestions when coming up with content plans. Doing so also makes your viewers feel valued.

4. Create high-quality videos

Visuals, audio, video quality, and content go hand in hand together when creating videos that drive results. While statistics show that viewers don’t mind video quality as much as they do for the relevancy of the topic itself, it pays to invest time and effort in creating high-quality videos — reflects on the quality of your brand as well.

YouTube is just one of the many options for content creators to earn money from their video content. If you want to learn more about video marketing, head on to https://www.ilfusion.com/blog for more videography and digital marketing tips.