YouTube isn’t just for celebrities or big brands; it’s a platform where everyday people can turn their creativity into cash. Currently, millions of viewers are watching every day, which means there’s room for you to share your ideas, tips, or hobbies and actually earn from it.
The good news? You don’t need a huge following or fancy equipment to get started. With a little consistency, some smart planning, and content that people enjoy, you can start building a side income. Keep reading to learn how to make money on YouTube.
Key Takeaways
- In 2025, billions of people will use YouTube every month. You don’t need fancy equipment or millions of followers to earn. With a clear plan and steady effort, beginners can turn their channels into a real source of side income.
- To make money through ads, you have to join the YouTube Partner Program. That means getting 1,000 subscribers and 4,000 watch hours in a year, or 10 million Shorts views in 90 days, and following YouTube’s rules.
- There are many ways to make money on YouTube. Besides ads, you can earn through memberships, brand deals, affiliate links, or even YouTube Premium views. Mixing these helps you grow faster.
Why YouTube is a Great Way to Earn
YouTube isn’t just a platform for entertainment; it’s a place where you can turn your passion into real income. Starting out, it can be a small side hustle that brings in extra cash each month.
Over time, it has the potential to grow into a stable way to build wealth. Whether your goal is to cover bills, save for the future, or even create a full-time career, YouTube allows you to earn while doing something you genuinely enjoy.
The best part? You get to share your ideas, tips, or hobbies with a real audience, making the journey both fun and rewarding.
Meet YouTube’s Basic Requirements for Monetization
Before you can make money on YouTube, you need to join the YouTube Partner Program (YPP). This is what allows you to earn from ads and other features. To qualify, beginners must meet at least one of these requirements:
- 1,000 subscribers and 4,000 watch hours in the past 12 months
- 10 million valid public Shorts views in the past 90 days.
It may sound like a lot, but with consistent posting and engaging content, it’s possible to reach these numbers. Shorts, in particular, are helping many new creators grow faster.
Apart from numbers, your channel must also:
- Follow YouTube’s community guidelines.
- Use original content (avoid re-uploads or stolen videos).
- Stay advertiser-friendly so brands can place ads on your videos.
Once you meet the rules, you can apply for monetization right in your YouTube Studio. This step is definitely one that helps you make money on YouTube and unlock more features as your channel grows.
Main Ways to Make Money on YouTube
There are many ways beginners can earn once they join the YouTube Partner Program. In 2025, these are the most common and effective options:
- Ad Revenue Through YouTube Partner Program
- Channel Memberships and Super Chats
- Brand Deals and Sponsorships
- Selling your own products or services
- Affiliate marketing
- YouTube premium
1. Ad Revenue Through YouTube Partner Program
One of the easiest ways to make money on YouTube is through ad revenue. When you join the YouTube Partner Program, YouTube places ads before, during, or after your videos.
Each time viewers watch or click on these ads, you earn income. This method is a big part of how beginners learn how to make money on YouTube.
While earnings may start small, ad revenue can grow into real side income as your audience gets bigger.
Some creators even turn it into a full career, using their channels to build wealth and reach their long-term financial goals.
Compared to other ways people make money online, such as trying to make money on TikTok, making money on Etsy, or making money on Amazon, YouTube ads offer a more stable stream of earnings once you qualify. It’s a system that rewards consistent posting and growing engagement.
2. Channel Memberships and Super Chats
Another great way to make money on YouTube is by offering channel memberships and Super Chats. These tools let you earn directly from your viewers, not just from ads.
- Channel Memberships: Viewers pay a monthly fee to support your channel. In return, they get special badges, exclusive videos, or early access to new content.
- Super Chats: During live streams, fans can pay to highlight their messages, making them stand out while supporting you.
This approach is powerful for creators with loyal fans. Even if you’re a beginner, a small but supportive audience can bring in steady side income.
When combined with ads, this can push you closer to your financial goals. Many creators use these features alongside other hustles, such as selling online or testing ways to make money on TikTok.
Memberships and Super Chats are proof that YouTube can help everyday people make money online while sharing content they enjoy.
3. Brand Deals and Sponsorships
Once your channel starts to grow, brands may want to work with you. This is one of the most rewarding ways to make money on YouTube, because companies pay you directly to promote their products or services.
For beginners, this usually starts small, maybe a free product in exchange for a review. But as your subscriber base grows, brands are willing to pay real money for sponsored videos. This can bring in far more than just ad revenue.
Many influencers also mix sponsorships with other online hustles. For example, while some creators focus on making money on YouTube, others make money on TikTok, Etsy, or Amazon through product promotions.
The key is to build trust with your audience, so your viewers see you as genuine rather than just “selling.”
Working with brands is not only about quick cash; it can also support your long-term financial goals. With the right deals, sponsorships become a solid way to build wealth and create a steady side income.
4. Selling Your Own Products or Services
Another powerful way to make money on YouTube is by using your channel to sell your own products or services. Instead of relying only on ads or sponsors, you become your own business.
This could be anything from merchandise like T-shirts and mugs, to ebooks, online courses, or even digital templates. Creators who are skilled in design often link YouTube with making money on Etsy.
Others sell physical items through platforms like Amazon, turning YouTube into a marketing tool to boost sales.
This is also one of the most flexible ways to make money selling online. You control what you sell, how you present it, and how often you promote it in your videos.
Beginners may start small, but even simple products can grow into reliable side income streams.
If you aim to build wealth and move closer to your bigger financial goals, selling your own products gives you ownership of your business. It combines the reach of YouTube with the freedom of running your own business.
5. Affiliate Marketing
Affiliate marketing is another smart way to make money on YouTube. Instead of selling your own products, you promote other people’s items through special links. When viewers buy through your link, you earn a commission.
For beginners, this is one of the easiest ways to start. You don’t need to handle shipping, stock, or customer service. You just share the product in your video and add the link in your description.
Many creators use Amazon affiliate programs, which makes it easy to recommend products they already use. This method also works well if you want to combine your YouTube channel with other hustles.
For example, some people make money by selling online on blogs, selling crafts on Etsy, or sharing short product reviews on Google or TikTok. Affiliate marketing connects these platforms, giving you more ways to earn.
It may not bring in huge money overnight, but with consistency, affiliate marketing can grow into a steady side income and help you work toward your bigger financial goals.
6. YouTube Premium Revenue
YouTube Premium is another way to make money on YouTube without relying only on ads. When Premium members watch your videos, you receive a share of their subscription fee.
This income is automatic, meaning you don’t need to do anything extra beyond creating your content.
It may start small, but as your views increase, Premium earnings can become a steady side income. It works well alongside ad revenue and other methods, such as sponsorships or affiliate marketing.
For beginners focused on making money on YouTube, YouTube Premium is a simple bonus that supports long-term financial goals.
7. Licensing Your Content
Licensing is another exciting way to make money on YouTube. If you create original or viral videos, other media outlets, websites, or even TV stations may want to pay for the rights to use your content.
This could be anything, from a funny clip to an informative guide. Licensing is proof that your creativity has real value, and it’s a way to make money selling online without creating new products.
Some creators combine this with other hustles, such as making money on TikTok or selling products on Amazon, to build multiple income streams.
Licensing may not be the first method beginners think of, but it can add another layer of earnings. Over time, it helps you grow your side income, reach your financial goals, and even build wealth from the content you’ve already created.
8. Selling YouTube Channel Merchandise
Many creators design products that reflect their brand, catchphrases, or niche. This could be T-shirts, hoodies, caps, mugs, tote bags, or even custom-made digital products like planners and templates.
Merchandise works best if you already have a loyal audience who enjoys your content and wants to feel connected to you.
Platforms like Teespring, Spreadshirt, and Printful make it easy by handling production and shipping. You simply upload your designs, set the price, and promote them in your videos.
To succeed with merchandise:
- Create designs that reflect your channel’s personality.
- Promote your products during your videos with call-to-actions.
- Link your merch store in your video descriptions and YouTube Merch Shelf (if eligible).
Merchandise not only adds a new income stream but also strengthens your community, as fans proudly wear or use your creations.
Other Smart Ways to Make Money on YouTube
Apart from ads, memberships, and sponsorships, there are other creative ways beginners can make money on YouTube.
These options give you more control and help you create extra income streams.
1. Crowdfunding with Patreon or Similar Platforms
Crowdfunding platforms like Patreon allow your fans to support you directly with monthly payments. In exchange, you can give them perks such as behind-the-scenes content, shout-outs, or exclusive videos.
This method works well if you’re building a strong community and want a reliable side income. It’s also a great example of how to make money online without relying only on ads.
2. Offering Coaching or Consulting
If you have skills or expertise, like fitness training, digital marketing, or financial advice, you can use YouTube to attract clients.
Your videos serve as free samples of your knowledge, and viewers who find them valuable may pay for one-on-one coaching or consulting.
This is a direct way to move closer to your financial goals while building authority in your niche.
3. Creating and Selling Online Courses
YouTube is a great way to market digital products, such as online courses. For example, if you teach cooking on your channel, you can sell a step-by-step course that goes deeper than your free videos.
Platforms like Udemy, Teachable, or even your own website make this simple. This is one of the most effective ways to make money selling online, because you earn from your knowledge while building long-term assets.
4. Repurposing Content Across Platforms
You don’t have to keep your content only on YouTube. Many creators post shorter versions of their videos on TikTok, Instagram, or Facebook. This helps you reach a new audience and gives you extra chances to earn.
For example, you can make money on TikTok with short clips, or link your channel to shops like Etsy or Amazon to promote products. Repurposing makes your work go further and builds multiple income streams at once.
Tips to Maximise Your YouTube Earnings
Making money on YouTube takes more than just uploading videos. To reach your financial goals, you need the right strategy, consistency, and mindset. Here are some key tips to boost your income and build wealth:
- Focus on Quality and Consistency
Upload regularly and make sure your videos are clear, engaging, and valuable. High-quality content keeps viewers watching longer, which increases ad revenue.
- Understand Your Audience
Pay attention to what your audience enjoys most. Use YouTube Analytics to track watch time, demographics, and traffic sources. This helps you create videos that attract more viewers and potential buyers.
- Diversify Income Streams
Don’t rely on ads alone. Use multiple methods like selling merchandise, or learning how to make money on Etsy and make money selling online as side hustles to support your channel growth.
- Optimise for Search
Include keywords like “make money online” or “make money on Amazon” naturally in your titles, descriptions, and tags. This increases your chances of showing up in search results.
- Engage with Your Community
Reply to comments, ask for feedback, and encourage subscriptions. A strong community is more likely to support your merchandise, memberships, or courses.
- Reinvest Into Your Channel
As you start making more money, use it wisely. You can buy better cameras, editing tools, or promote your videos so more people see them.
Learn smart budgeting tips to help you save part of your money, spend only on what you need, and plan ahead. This will help your channel grow even faster.
Conclusion
You don’t need a massive following or fancy equipment to make money on YouTube. With focus, consistency, and a clear plan, you can turn your ideas, hobbies, or skills into a real source of income. Every video you create is a step toward achieving your financial goals, whether it’s paying off debt, saving for something special, or building long-term wealth.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How Do Beginners Make Money On YouTube?
Beginners can start by joining the YouTube Partner Program for ad revenue, then grow through memberships, sponsorships, and product sales.
2. Can I Make Money On YouTube Without 1,000 Subscribers?
Yes, but not through ads. You can still earn with affiliate links, selling services, or brand deals outside of YouTube’s program.
3. How Much Money Can You Make On YouTube?
It depends on views, niche, and income streams. Some earn a small side income, while others build full-time wealth from multiple sources.
4. Is Making Money On YouTube Hard?
It takes time, patience, and consistent content. But with the right plan, even beginners can grow and start earning.
5. Can You Make Money On YouTube And TikTok Together?
Yes. Many creators use both platforms. While YouTube pays through ads and memberships, TikTok can bring income from brand deals and product sales.
