These days It’s hard to ignore the success that comes with having a YouTube channel.

For what appears to be a hobby or passion project, many YouTubers earn a full-time income. Heck 10 times what any 9-5 mid-level corporate job could ever pay.

But one thing is for sure. Making money on a YouTube channel is all about creating videos people want to watch. It could be educational or pure entertainment. Once you’ve nailed creating engaging content, it’s about working with brands to monetise your channel.

There’s no limit to the niche you can create content about.

Maybe there’s a subject you like to teach people about. Or you are a fitness enthusiast, someone that loves cooking, or a graphic designer. You can create a Youtube channel for what you do. You can show people how you do you. You can review products you enjoy using. You can teach people how to be as successful as you or share your struggles. There is a whole list of YouTube content ideas at the end of this article.

Being successful on YouTube doesn’t even matter if you are a beginner in your field.

I have certainly watched many videos of upcoming YouTubers while trying to learn more about affiliate marketing or selling printables on Etsy. These are two business ideas to make life changing income. Believe me when I say I got tons of value listening to beginners like me.

Regardless of the topics you choose, you should be answering questions people are asking. Gradually your audience will grow and there will be no your limit to how much you can make.

I’ve written this article to help you move closer to your dream of starting a YouTube channel. At the end, you would truly understand how people grow and can make money on YouTube. I will also provide ideas on the type of videos you should be posting for faster growth.

Ready to learn more? Keep reading.

8 ways to make money on a YouTube channel.

There are various ways to make money on YouTube. Let’s explore all of them.

1. Affiliate Marketing on a YouTube channel

When it comes to making money on a YouTube channel, the very first thing to consider is affiliate marketing.

If you’re not familiar with affiliate marketing, this is how it works:

• You sign up for an affiliate program that is related to the sort of content you create. You can simply find these by searching google for “your niche affiliate program” for e.g fitness affiliate program, keto diet affiliate programs, personal finance affiliate programs. You get it?
• Next you find a product that will bring value to your audience.
• The affiliate program provides you with a Unique link for the product and you can add the link to your your YouTube video description
• In your YouTube video you can talk about the product and recommend it to your audience
• When people click on that link and make a purchase, you get a commission.

Many of your favourite YouTubers use affiliate marketing.

“If you want to try this product, the link is in the description box below”.

Sounds familiar? That’s a YouTuber sending you to their affiliate link and it’s a great way to make money while you provide value.

Tips for affiliate marketing success

Tip 1: Ensure the product you recommend is a great fit for your audience. If your audience is interested in saving money and you are recommending a $100 per month software – nobody is going to buy anything, and you’ll be wasting your time.

Tip 2: Consider buyers intent. When someone wants to buy a product, they are searching for a review about the product to find out more before they make up their minds.

So, if you make that type of content (product review content) you’ll most like have higher sales. Simply because you’re targeting people who are about to make a purchase and you’re helping them in the final phase of the decision making.

Tip 3: Recurring products. If you can find things that are recurring i.e things people pay for monthly, your affiliate income can go bunkers.

With such products, You don’t just get a one off payment. You get monthly payments.

Here is an example. If a person signs up to Canva using my affiliate link and they use the software for one year, I’ll get commissions every month and not just a one off payment. Sign ups will stack up over time and my commissions will keep growing. This is why recurring products are so great for affiliate marketing.

Tip 4: Make sure you are recommending things you stand behind.

If you recommend things that don’t work, you lose your credibility. People won’t take your recommendations any more. If you recommend great product, people take you seriously and keep coming back to for recommendations. This means more affiliate sales and commissions for you!

To get guidance on affiliate marketing, check out Ana’s course or her book. Ana makes $100,000 a year on affiliate marketing. She takes you through how you can get your first sale.

2. Selling Merch on a Youtube channel

Whilst most youtubers don’t go down this route for fear of backlash, those who do say it’s worth their effort.

Merch can be anything from hoodies, to mugs to T-shirts, or journals. Depending on your niche.

You can use graphics you design on apps like Canva. It can be your favourite quote or slogan or anything that resonates with your audience.

All you have to do is to set up your Merch in an online store e.g spreadshop. And then add the link in your description.

People who truly value your content will definitely buy from you. They will know you need income to keep going anyway.

3. Make money on a YouTube channel with Digital products

These are electronic products you make that people can simply download. Depending on what your niche is, you can make guides, ebooks, or package your videos in a course like format. You could link these using Koji in your description. Also you can create newsletters that give value and in them, you promote products with affiliate links.

The great thing about digital products is that you create it once and it keeps selling. No inventory, no physical products. You may need to update your digital products and recommendations as industries evolve. However the effort will be minimal.

4. Offer a service to your Youtube channel viewers

You can think about a service your audience needs and offer it at a price.

For instance, almost everybody reading this article is considering starting a YouTube channel. I know that most people are not great with video editing or they just don’t have time for it. Therefore I can start offering a video editing service to help new YouTube content creators.

You can also offer consulting.

This is where you give people advice based on your experience.

New comers to your industry will always need to get a better understanding of processes.

They can either do it through learning on their own, or by getting advice directly from someone who has done it before. You can be that person and charge for your time.

5. Sponsorships

You can have brands sponsor the content you create. In a sponsored video, you’ll need to talk about and promote the sponsor’s product.

Sponsorship often comes once you have a decent amount of views. Hence it can be the long term game plan. Not something you start off with the day you launch your channel.

6. Sell Physical products through your channel

Apart from Merch, YouTubers can sell physical products. The most common being books.

All you have to do is upload the digital version of your book to Amazon KDP. Once someone makes a purchase, Amazon prints it and sends it to them. Depending on your niche, physical products will need some investment to create the product and to make the stock available.

7. Content licensing of your Youtube vidoes

This is not talked about often but you can get paid for your content. Companies can pay to license your content. This allows them to use your content on their websites, tv shows, training programs etc. Never underestimate the benefit of quality professional looking content that adds value.

8. Join the YouTube partner program

This is probably the one everybody knows about. Once you meet 1000 subscribers and 4000 watch hours, you can apply to the YPP to have your channel monetised. Once you get accepted, YouTube will open your Chanel to Ads monetisation. You can then get paid per the number of ad views you get.

STEPS TO BUILD YOUR YOUTUBE CHANNEL.

My favourite quote to summarise this is “monkey see, monkey do, monkey doesn’t invent the wheel”.

1. Do your Research

Check out what other people in your niche are doing. What products are they promoting. What sponsors do they have. What topics have the highest engagement. These should give you some ideas.

According to Nick Nimmin, you should be looking at small and large channels. From channels with 1000 subscribers to those with millions. So you can better understand what is working.

Also reading through the comments of popular videos you can identify areas that people need help with. You can create content to meet those gaps.

Don’t have a niche yet? Then explore all the niches you are thinking about getting into.

2. Document your research in a spreadsheet

I made the mistake of not taking notes while researching topic ideas for my blog and it cost me a lot of time.

A simple spreadsheet with channel name, number of subs, topic, sponsors, affiliate products, physical products will be a valuable resource you can always come back to.

3. Your own content plan in a spreadsheet

Now write all the topics and niches you have found interesting, based on your research. Also write topics that you would like to create content about.

Having a YouTube channel is a long game. You’re going to be putting in the hours to create videos about topics. It has to be a topic you enjoy as much as one that can make you money. Having it all written out is good to assess your interest.

Popular content types for YouTube growth.

Here are some content types that have proven to be effective in driving growth and attracting a larger audience. The type of content you create will obviously depend on your niche.

1. Tutorials and How-To Guides: Share your expertise by creating tutorials and instructional videos. Whether it’s teaching a specific skill, demonstrating DIY projects, or providing step-by-step guides, viewers appreciate valuable and actionable content that helps them learn something new.

2. Product Reviews and Recommendations: Reviewing products or services within your niche can be highly engaging. People often turn to YouTube for honest opinions and recommendations before making a purchase. By providing thorough and unbiased reviews, you can build trust with your audience and establish yourself as an authority in your niche.

3. Vlogs and Behind-the-Scenes Footage: Vlogs offer a more personal and authentic connection with your audience. Share snippets of your daily life, travel experiences, or behind-the-scenes content related to your niche. This type of content allows viewers to get to know you better and builds a sense of community.

4. Challenges and Collaborations: Participating in challenges or collaborating with other YouTubers can help you tap into their audience and expand your reach. Whether it’s a 30-day challenge, a collaboration video, or a tag video, these types of content generate excitement, engagement, and potential new subscribers.

5. Top 10 Lists and Roundups: Compile lists of the top products, movies, books, or trends within your niche. These lists are popular as they offer concise and curated information, making it easier for viewers to discover new things. Make sure to add your own insights and recommendations to make the content more unique.

6. Q&A Sessions and FAQ Videos: Engage with your audience by inviting them to ask questions and then creating dedicated Q&A videos to answer them. This not only helps build a connection with your viewers but also allows you to address their specific concerns or interests.

7. Educational and Explainer Videos: Create informative and educational content that addresses common questions or misconceptions within your niche. Explainer videos, infographics, or whiteboard animations can help simplify complex topics and provide valuable insights to your audience.

8. Hauls and Unboxing Videos: Showcase new products, fashion items, or subscription box contents through hauls and unboxing videos. These types of content appeal to viewers’ curiosity and desire to see the latest trends and products in action.

9. Storytelling and Personal Experiences: Share personal stories, life lessons, or experiences that are relevant to your niche. Authentic storytelling creates a strong connection with viewers, and they often resonate with personal anecdotes and relatable content.

10. Livestreams and Webinars: Interact with your audience in real-time through livestreams and webinars. These formats allow for direct engagement, answering questions, and fostering a sense of community. You can host Q&A sessions, workshops, or panel discussions to provide valuable and interactive content.

Remember, the key to successful YouTube growth is to create content that aligns with your niche, resonates with your target audience, and showcases your unique personality or expertise. Experiment with different content types, analyze your audience’s response, and refine your strategies based on what works best for your channel.

Is YouTube still worth it in 2023?

Absolutely, starting a YouTube channel is still worth it! Despite the increasing competition and the ever-evolving landscape of online content, YouTube remains a powerful platform for creators to share their passions, reach a global audience, and potentially monetize their content. Here are a few reasons why starting a YouTube channel can be a worthwhile endeavor:

1. Massive Reach and Engagement: YouTube is the second-largest search engine after Google, with over 2 billion logged-in monthly users.

2. Diverse Monetization Options: as discussed above, YouTube offers various ways to monetize your channel and potentially earn income.

3. Creative Outlet and Personal Branding: YouTube provides a platform for self-expression, creativity, and personal branding. Whether you’re passionate about fashion, technology, cooking, or any other niche, YouTube allows you to showcase your skills, share your knowledge, and develop your unique voice. It can serve as a portfolio of your work, opening doors to collaborations, speaking engagements, or other opportunities in your field of interest.

4. Educational and Learning Opportunities: Starting a YouTube channel is a journey of continuous learning. From video production and editing skills to audience engagement and marketing strategies, you’ll acquire valuable skills that can be applied to various areas of your life or even future career opportunities. You can also connect with other creators, attend conferences or workshops, and participate in online communities to further expand your knowledge and network.

5. Influence and Impact: YouTube has the power to make a positive impact on people’s lives. By sharing valuable information, entertaining content, or inspiring stories, you can influence and inspire others. Whether it’s teaching a new skill, raising awareness about important causes, or simply putting a smile on someone’s face, your YouTube channel has the potential to make a difference and leave a lasting impact.

Final thoughts on how to make money online with a YouTube channel

Building a successful YouTube channel requires dedication, consistency, and a willingness to adapt to the changing landscape. It’s not an overnight success, and it may take time to grow your audience and see significant results. But with passion, perseverance, and a commitment to providing value to your viewers, starting a YouTube channel can be a rewarding and worthwhile endeavor.