How to Make Money on YouTube: A Guide

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Whether you’re a tech reviewer, a lifestyle influencer, or a vlogger just getting and looking for ways to make money on YouTube, you’re at the right place.

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With over 2.5 billion monthly active users and more than 1 billion hours of video watched daily, YouTube is a powerhouse for content creators looking to turn their passion into profit. In this guide, let’s explore proven strategies on how to make money on YouTube.

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1. YouTube Partner Program and Ad Revenue

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The YouTube Partner Program is the foundation for many creators’ earnings. Take for example, the YouTube growth channel vidIQ, which focuses on helping creators optimize their channels which share a detailed breakdown of their earnings. From 1,035,307 views, they earned $3,231.42 with a CPM of $13.29.

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To qualify for the program, you need:

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• 1,000 subscribers
• 4,000 public watch hours in the past 12 months
• Compliance with YouTube’s Community Guidelines and monetization policies

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Once accepted, creators earn money through ads displayed on their videos. Earnings are based on CPM (cost per mille), or the amount advertisers pay per 1,000 views, usually ranging from $1 to $3 per 1,000 views, though this varies by niche, audience location, and engagement.

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Also See: How to Become a YouTuber: A Complete Guide

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2. Brand Sponsorships and Collaborations

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Brand sponsorship is one of the best income streams, especially for influencers with engaged audiences. Brands pay creators to promote products or services, often integrating them seamlessly into videos.

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For example, BetterHelp, an online therapy platform, worked with YouTuber Nathaniel Drew in sharing personal mental health stories to promote their platform.

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Rates for sponsorship depend on subscriber count, engagement rate, and niche, with small influencers (10,000–50,000 subscribers) earning $500–$5,000 per post and larger creators commanding tens of thousands.

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Also See: How Much Influencers Can Earn

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How Favikon Can Help You Get Brand Deals

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Favikon makes it much easier to discover brands actively looking for collaborators. By signing up for Favikon's dedicated creator marketplace, you gain direct access to more than 2000 brands eager to expand their influencer initiatives. Here’s what Favikon offers:

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AI-Powered Storefront and Tracking

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Favikon's AI-powered platform lets you build a dynamic, personalized online presence that's a major upgrade from a basic bio. Functioning as a comprehensive, data-driven portfolio, it clearly shows your unique niche, audience demographics, and past collaborations.

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Plus, you can pitch proposals directly to brands through the platform. You can also track all your social media metrics in one place with real-time reports and insights.

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Share Your Metrics

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You can easily share your impact with key metrics like engagement rates, audience demographics, peak activity times, and top-performing content, showing brands your tangible value. You can clearly state your collaboration preferences – whether you prefer long-term partnerships, single campaigns, or specific brand alignments – to add a personal touch.

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Check How Brands and Influencers Are Working

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For inspiration, turn to Favikon’s Network Watch feature. This feature reveals creator-brand collaborations, allowing you to check a creator's network by observing tagging relationships. You also get a comprehensive view of all tagged content, enabling easy comparison of how creators produce sponsored content and analysis of audience reactions.

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3. Affiliate Marketing

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Affiliate marketing allows creators to earn commissions by promoting products or services via unique referral links. Popular programs include Amazon Associates, ShareASale, Rakuten, and Favikon affiliates offering 5–20% commissions per sale.

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For example, Ali Abdaal, a productivity and tech YouTuber with 5 million subscribers, earns significant income through affiliate marketing. In his videos like “Productivity Apps,” he links to tools like Notion and Brilliant, earning commissions on subscriptions.

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How It Works

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• Promote products you’ve personally tested to maintain authenticity.
• Place affiliate links in video descriptions, pinned comments, and community posts.
• Create tutorials or reviews that naturally integrate affiliate products, such as tech gadgets or beauty items.

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4. Sell Your Own Merchandise

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Merchandise sales are a powerful way to monetize your loyal fanbase. From T-shirts to mugs, creators can sell branded products that reflect their personal brand. Print-on-demand services like Printful or Teespring handle production and shipping, making it low-risk.

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For example, MrBeast has built a merchandising empire with his Beast Burgers, chocolates, and apparel lines. His limited-edition drops, promoted through unboxing videos and social media polls, generate millions in revenue.

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How It Works

• Design products featuring your catchphrases, logos, or iconic visuals.
• Promote them through videos, pinned comments, or social media.
• YouTube’s Merchandise Shelf feature lets creators with 10,000+ subscribers show products directly below videos.

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5. Digital Products and Courses

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Digital products like eBooks, online courses, or templates offer scalable, passive income with minimal overhead. If you’re an expert in your niche, you can package your knowledge into products your audience will pay for.

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How It Works

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• Create a course on platforms like Teachable or Gumroad, or sell eBooks via Amazon Kindle.
• ‍Promote these products in your videos, offering free snippets to entice buyers. For example, photographer and filmmaker Peter McKinnon, with 6 million subscribers, sells Lightroom presets and editing tutorials. His “Cinematic Looks” preset pack, priced at $50, has sold thousands of copies.

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6. Channel Memberships and Super Chats

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YouTube’s Channel Memberships allow fans to pay monthly fees (e.g., $4.99) for exclusive perks like badges, emojis, or members-only content. Super Chats and Super Stickers let viewers donate during live streams, with creators earning a portion of the revenue.

How It Works

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• Provide exclusive content, like Q&A sessions or tutorials, to incentivize memberships.
• Respond to Super Chats in real-time to encourage more donations.

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Tips for YouTube Success in 2025

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Making money on YouTube requires consistency, creativity, and strategic planning. Here are some parting tips to set you up for success:

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1. Post regularly: Aim for 1–2 videos per week to keep your audience engaged and appease YouTube’s algorithm.
2. Engage with your community: Respond to comments, host Q&As, or run contests to build loyalty.
3. Diversify income streams: Don’t rely solely on ad revenue; combine sponsorships, merch, and affiliate marketing for stability.
4. Stay authentic: Audiences value genuine creators who align with their values, so avoid “selling out” to brands that don’t fit.

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Conclusion

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YouTube is a goldmine for creators willing to put in the effort and adopt a strategic approach. From ad revenue and sponsorships to merchandise and digital products, the platform offers diverse ways to turn your passion into profit.

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Start today by optimizing your next video, pitching to a brand, or exploring Favikon’s platform. With persistence and the right tools, you can build a thriving YouTube channel that entertains, inspires, and pays the bills.

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How to Make Money on YouTube: FAQ

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How many views do you need to make money on YouTube?

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To be eligible for the YouTube Partner Program and start monetizing your content, your channel must reach two key targets: 1,000 subscribers and either 4,000 valid public watch hours in the last 12 months or 10 million valid public Shorts views in the last 90 days.

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How many YouTube subscribers do I need to make $2000 a month?

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Achieving approximately 400,000 to 800,000 monthly views could potentially generate around $2,000 in ad revenue. However, there's no specific subscriber number that guarantees this income, as earnings are also influenced by other revenue streams like affiliate marketing and sponsorships.

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Can a beginner make money on YouTube?

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Beginners cannot earn money immediately. You must first meet the YouTube Partner Program eligibility requirements of 1,000 subscribers and 4,000 watch hours. Once accepted into the program, your earning potential is significant and depends on your view count and the engagement of your audience.

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How much will YouTube pay me for 1000 views?

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The revenue generated per view on YouTube varies considerably based on factors such as advertisement type, viewer location, and advertiser budgets. On average, YouTube's payment per view ranges from $0.01 to $0.03. Consequently, for every 1,000 views, a YouTuber can typically earn between $10 and $30.

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Also See 👀

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How to Make Money as an Influencer in 2025

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How To Reach Out To Brands As An Influencer

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How to Become a YouTuber: A Complete Guide

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