If you are a creator who is a part of the YouTube Partner Program, then you must learn about all the different ways you can earn money on YouTube. YouTube provides its creators with 10 different sources of revenue. YouTube has progressed beyond simply being a platform for people to upload and share videos. It’s now a hub for creators looking to reach new audiences, connect with fans in new ways, and grow their businesses. With the help of these new and exciting revenue channels, creators were able to earn more than $30 billion in just the last three years from YouTube.
Creating quality content and joining the YouTube partner program is not enough to build a successful business on YouTube. Content creators need to embrace all the monetization opportunities that YouTube has to offer if they want to sustain their careers as content creators. It doesn’t take a genius to figure out that the revenue from YT ads is not nearly enough if you want to be a full-time YouTuber, especially if you are not clocking in millions of views on your every video yet.
So let’s get you introduced to all the ways you can make money on YouTube in 2022:
What is YouTube Monetization?
YouTube monetization is the ability to earn money on YouTube. YouTube introduced the YouTube Partner Program in 2007 to profit from the views and watch hours their content brought on YouTube. What started with just sharing ad revenue has now become a multi-channel revenue system. From digital paid goods to memberships, YouTube allows influencers to monetize their content and channel in multiple ways.
But to access the monetization features, your channel needs to pass the YouTube monetization eligibility criteria.
What Are The Eligibility Criteria For Monetization On YouTube?
According to YouTube, you must have the following to be eligible for monetization:
- At least 1,000 subscribers on your channel and 4,000 watch hours in the last 12 months.
- You may increase these numbers by producing high-quality content and promoting your channel.
There are a few more requirements for setting up and monetizing your channel.
The following are the minimal prerequisites for joining the YPP:
- At least 1,000 people have subscribed to your channel.
- Over the last 12 months, you’ve logged at least 4,000 hours of valid watch hours.
- You live in a country that offers the YouTube Partner Program.
- Your YouTube channel is connected to an AdSense account.
- There are no active Community Guidelines strikes on your channel.
- All YouTube channel monetization policies must be followed.
- You must activate 2-Step Verification on the Google Account linked with your YouTube channel for an extra degree of security.
If you violate any YouTube content or community monetization guidelines, then severe action can be taken against your channel. From removing ads from your videos to your channel getting suspended. YouTube can punish your channel as they deem fit. So make sure you don’t violate any of YouTube’s rules and regulations if you want to enjoy all the perks and features that YouTube provides to the creators on its platform.
10 Revenue Channels On YouTube To Make Money In 2022
1. YouTube Ads
Ads have always been at the heart of creators’ revenue streams, and they remain the most common way for creators to make money on YouTube. To earn money from YouTube ads, you need to be a part of the YouTube Partner Program and get your channel monetized. Then depending on the views and engagement on your channel, you receive the monthly revenue cheque from YouTube.
The majority of the revenue produced by YouTube adverts goes to the creators.
2. YouTube Premium
If a YouTube premium member watches your content, a part of their subscription fee is credited to your account. YouTube Premium is a paid subscription service that includes ad-free content, background playback, downloads, and premium access to the YouTube Music app. YouTube partners receive the majority of the subscription money.
If your video receives a yellow monetization status which means that limited to no advertisements will run on your video due to violation of YouTube’s ad-friendly content criteria, the premium subscription revenue is what your channel receives.
To get maximum YT premium subscription revenue, YouTubers can encourage their subscribers to upgrade to premium. This will indirectly benefit the creators.
3. Channel Membership
YouTube channel memberships were launched with the purpose of assisting creators in diversifying their revenue streams beyond ads while also bringing fans closer to the content and creators they enjoy. Fans pay a monthly fee to their favorite channels to have access to exclusive badges, custom emojis, and other special goodies provided by the creators.
In 2020, YouTubers made more than four times as much money from channel memberships as they did in 2019.
It’s available to eligible creators in 80 countries that have at least 1,000 subscribers. YouTube channels of all sizes are using the YouTube channel memberships in creative ways with amazing results.
4. YouTube Shorts Fund
The YouTube Shorts Fund is a $100 million fund that was distributed during the years 2021-2022. Thousands of eligible artists are contacted each month to claim a reward from the Fund, with payments ranging from $100 to $10,000 based on viewership and engagement on their Shorts. The Shorts Fund is the first step in the path to creating a monetization model for Shorts on YouTube, and it is open to anybody who fits YouTube’s qualifying criteria and not just YPP creators.
If you are not a part of the YouTube partner program, you can still earn money from the YouTube shorts.
5. Super Chats
Fans watching live streams or Premieres can purchase a Super Chat, a highlighted message in the chat stream that sticks out from the crowd, allowing them to garner even more attention from their favorite creator. Viewers can pay their creators using this digital paid well while getting the opportunity to connect with them on a more direct level. The bigger the purchase, the longer the comment stays on top of the live chat. Creators can use this feature to encourage their audiences to get more involved by asking questions that otherwise might have gotten drowned in the chat feed.
In fact, over 10 M YouTube users have purchased their first Paid Digital Good (Super Chat, Super Sticker, or channel membership) in 2020.
Once your channel is monetized, you can easily enable the super chats and stickers on your channel.
Super Stickers
Just like super chats, super stickers can be bought during a live stream or premiere on YouTube. Instead of comments, viewers can buy attractive stickers to support their favorite YouTubers while drawing their attention. You can use YouTube super chats if you have enabled monetization, live chat, and your visibility is set to public on your channel.
Viewers can buy a supersticker for anything between $1 to $500. The more expensive the sticker, the bigger and attractive it is helping you stand out.
Users have used the super stickers to monetarily support and appreciate creators and their content. Creators can encourage their viewers to buy these digital paid goods to support them and show their love. There’s no need to be shy or hesitant; you are providing your supporters an easy and convenient way to express their love while strengthening their relationship.
6. Sell Merchandise
The merch shelf allows channels to display official branded products directly on their YouTube watch page. Creators have a choice of 30 different stores throughout the world. Merchandise can be sold on YouTube channels with more than 10,000 subscribers. This feature lets creators who don’t have their own website sell branded merch directly from their video page without worrying about the operations. These online stores take care of everything for you. Depending on your subscriber count, you can choose a package with varying customer service levels.
Merchandise is a viable way to start your entrepreneurial journey on YouTube.
Selling branded merchandise helps you earn money from your YouTube community while strengthening your bond with your subscribers. It’s a stellar first set in building your brand online.
7. Brand Connect
YouTube brand connect gives brands a platform to connect with creators and create appealing branded content that helps them achieve their business objectives. Insights, measurement, and industry expertise are brought to the influencer marketing landscape by BrandConnect, which effortlessly connects brands, creators, and followers.
YouTube has added new ad technology features like the shopping shelf and app shelf, which allow viewers to buy things and download apps mentioned in creators’ videos directly from the watch page. This will shortly be followed by the addition of a new media shelf, where users will be able to buy or rent movies.
Currently, eligible creators in the United States with 25,000+ subscribers will be able to sign up for YouTube BrandConnect directly in YouTube Studio. In the coming months, the platform will be open in more countries.
9. Super Thanks
YouTube has recently launched the super thanks features for all monetized channels. Like super chats and stickers, it’s a way for viewers to monetarily support their favorite YouTubers. Users can send super thanks on any uploaded video on YouTube(given that the channel is eligible for super thanks feature). Fans can purchase Super Thanks for $2 to $50 (or equivalent in their local currency) to show their appreciation and support. You can enable the super thanks feature from the YouTube Studio’s monetization tab.
If a YT video has helped the user in solving a problem or helped them learn something and they want to express their gratitude by letting the creator know then super thanks is the way. Users can leave a highlighted comment to further deepen the conversation.
Conclusion
From YouTube ads to ticketing for music concerts, YouTube offers 10 interactive ways to earn money. All these monetization options can be accessed once your channel is part of the YouTube Partner Program. But the most important factor in optimally using the monetization features is to build a strong and supportive community on YouTube. If you have a robust community of supporters, you will always have an active stream of revenue, as no matter what you do, your fans will ensure you succeed. For more tips and advice on how to grow your community on YouTube, check out our YouTube guides.