To begin with, anyone can start their own Youtube Channel. Yes! It is indeed that easy. Here are some of the required steps to be taken in order to not just successfully start a Youtube Channel but also make money from it. Read further to know more in details-
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1. Join the YouTube Partner Program
The YouTube Partner Program is the way to get access to special features on this platform.
You don’t need to be a partner in order to make money on YouTube (simply setting up an AdSense account and getting views is enough to handle that), but being a Partner makes the process much easier.
- Start a YouTube channel. Here is a handy guide on ‘How to create a YouTube channel.’
- Aim to make your channel successful enough to meet the YouTube Partner Program requirements. To join the program, you need a minimum of 1,000 subscribers and 4,000 watch hours within a span of 12 months. Check out some of the ways of growing your YouTube Channel.
- Set up your AdSense account by following YouTube’s official guide to AdSense accounts.
- Explore new monetization features. Each monetization channel has specific eligibility requirements.
- Submit to ongoing reviews. As a YouTube Partner, your channel will be held to a higher standard, according to YouTube. You will have to follow not just the YouTube Partner Program policies, but the Community Guidelines.
2. Sell your own merch
Probably you identify as a content creator first, and entrepreneur second. (Just remember that even Salman Khan sells t-shirts.) Alternately, you’re an entrepreneur first and video creator second, which means you probably already have a product, and you’re designing your YouTube marketing strategy to monetize out of it. Nonetheless, merchandise is a viable way to earn money from YouTube.
- Imagine and design your product- Merchandise for your channel is meant to both represent as well as feed your audience’s connection with you. That means your merch should be unique.
- Source and/or build your product- In most cases, you’ll need a manufacturer, supplier or wholesaler to make and deliver your product. Some suppliers will deliver it to you, and some will spare you the headaches of inventory, shipping and returns by handling it themselves.
- Create your shop and landing page- You’ll need a separate website to handle purchases. If you want to link it directly from your videos, refer to YouTube’s list of approved merchandise sites.
- Enable your YouTube Partner merchandise shelf- YouTube Partners can also use the shelf feature to sell their channel’s merchandise. If you’re eligible, follow YouTube’s instructions to enable it.
- Promote your product in your videos- This is where your charm comes in. Wear or use your merch in your videos. Feature viewers who have bought and are using it. (If we were on another platform, we might call this ‘user-generated content,’ or possibly ‘solid gold’). And don’t forget to add your store’s link to your video descriptions, and include end screens and cards with compelling calls to action.
3. Create sponsored content
One doesn’t need to be on Instagram to be an influencer. The advantage of the #Sponcon’s strategy is that you don’t have to give YouTube a cut of your earnings. You deal directly with the brand. Not surprising that it is a popular way for YouTubers to make money.
If you can offer brands a large and/or engaged audience with relevant content to their target market, they might want to hear from you. Here are some of the ways to follow-
- Find a brand to partner with- Quality is of utmost importance. Whether you’re aiming for the stars or building yourself up grassroots-style, make sure to perfect your brand pitch prior to sending it. Do consider signing up with an influencer marketing platform. These are intermediary websites that help marketing teams find appropriate influencers to work with. FameBit was one of the first to focus on YouTubers, for instance.
- Make a deal- As per influencer marketing platform Klear, YouTube videos are, on an average, the most expensive type of sponsored content, any brands can buy from influencers. Apparently, YouTube influencers are able to charge more for their videos than they would for Instagram Stories or Facebook posts, because video is simply more expensive to produce. While your rate will vary depending on your audience’s size, engagement and relevance to your potential partner, it is paramount to know your worth before you sign a contract.
- Be transparent about your #sponsored #ad- Sponsored content is advertising. That means you need to make sure you’re in step with Google’s Ad policies.
4. Become an affiliate partner
If your YouTube audience is loyal and engaged, but not quite there yet headcount-wise, seek companies investing in affiliate marketing.
Business-affiliated YouTubers encourage their viewers to visit the brand’s online store or specific product’s page. They then get a percentage of sales made through their affiliate links.
In terms of setup and logistics, affiliate partnerships are similar to sponsored content deals.
5. Get your fans to pay you directly
This strategy for making money on YouTube includes a few different income streams, but they all have one thing in common: you have to make it easy for your fans to show their appreciation with their credit card.
- Host live chats where people can use Super Chat- In early 2017, YouTube replaced their previous Fan Funding feature with Super Chat. This is a feature that is only available to YouTube Partners while they live stream. Essentially, your viewers can make their comments more visible in the live chat stream as they’re highlighted and pinned for a set amount of time depending on how much they pay.
- Encourage your fans to become channel members- YouTube lets your viewers pay you to become members of your Youtube channel. In exchange, they get custom emoji, badges, and access to members-only exclusives like Live Chats with you. You will need to construct a promotion strategy in order to convince people to become members. It may or may not include several tiers of membership like Super Chat, this feature is exclusively available to YouTube Partners.
- Encourage your fans to become YouTube Premium subscribers
6. Use crowdfunding
Soliciting donations online is now a commonplace. Whether you’re looking to build ongoing revenue from a pool of small monthly donations, or looking to fund a personal, channel-related project, crowdfunding is the way many YouTubers monetize.
- Set up a crowdfunding account- YouTube has a list of approved crowdfunding sites to choose from. For recurring funding Patreon is a top choice. Meanwhile, sites like GoFundMe or Kickstarter are best for one-off campaigns to get a new mic, or new laptop.
- Promote your campaign in your videos- Detail your specific goals so that people know exactly what they can expect when you’ve succeeded. Also, offer enticing perks that stack as your fans choose how much they want to donate. For more information and inspiration, check out this detailed guide to crowdfunding strategies.
- Go beyond YouTube- A successful campaign is a multi-platform affair. We have some advice on how to promote your YouTube channel everywhere else.
7. License your content to the media
Once a video goes viral, every other news outlet will want to get their hands on a copy to replay it for their audience. Fortunately, the established media companies are well aware that they are required to pay for what they use. As a content creator, licensing your most successful work to the media is as simple as making sure you’re easy to find.
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