Imagine turning your passion into profit, where every post can be a step towards earning real money. This is why content creators flock to YouTube, where people from all walks of life aim to monetize their content.
But what does it actually take to earn, say, $500 on this platform?
The path is not as straightforward as it seems. Factors like audience demographics, content niche, video length, and even engagement rates play a significant role in how much you earn.
Data suggests that while a small percentage of YouTubers like PewDiePie, Mr. Beast, or Ryan Kaji rake in millions, the average creator’s experience is far more nuanced.
How Many Views Do You Need To Make $500?
Your earning potential can swing widely depending on your niche.
Revenue Per Mille (RPM) and Cost Per Mille (CPM) are metrics that YouTube uses to quantify how much money you earn per 1,000 views. RPM refers to the total revenue a creator earns, after YouTube’s cut, while CPM represents the cost advertisers are willing to pay per 1,000 impressions.
These figures are drastically influenced by your content’s niche, with more specialized topics often attracting higher CPMs due to targeted advertising.
For instance, niches like ‘Make Money Online’ and ‘Digital Marketing’ have higher CPMs because advertisers are willing to pay more to reach these audiences.
To earn $500, the number of views needed varies greatly by niche due to the differences in CPM. For example, a niche with a CPM of $13.52 would require fewer views than one with a CPM of $2.39.
Here is a breakdown of the highest-paying niches and how many views you would need to make $500.
| Niche | Average CPM | Views Needed for $500 |
| Make Money Online | $13.52 | 36,982 |
| Digital Marketing | $12.41 | 40,290 |
| Finance & Investing | $12.25 | 40,816 |
| Educational Videos | $9.89 | 50,556 |
| Photography & Film Making | $7.31 | 68,399 |
| Cars | $4.23 | 118,203 |
| Lifestyle | $3.47 | 144,092 |
| Fashion & Clothing | $3.13 | 159,744 |
| Entertainment | $2.74 | 182,481 |
| Cooking | $2.50 | 200,000 |
| Tech & Gadgets | $2.39 | 209,205 |
How Much Do Real YouTuber’s Make?
Curious about what it really means to ‘make it’ on YouTube? Under the gleaming surface of viral videos and subscriber counts lies the true story of earnings that only real YouTubers can tell.
From those just breaking the monetization barrier to the platform’s superstars, income varies as widely as the content they produce.
Here’s a candid look at the dollars behind the uploads.
1. Nay Nicole (203K Subscribers)
- Niche: Entrepreneur Vlogs, Beauty, & Lifestyle
- RPM $34.90, roughly $0.0349 per view
- Approximately 14,327 views are needed to make $500.
2. Athina (71.4K Subscribers)
- Niche: Lifestyle & Wellness
- RPM $4.24, roughly $0.00424 per view
- Approximately 117,925 views are needed to make $500.
3. Jessica Os (1.21M Subscribers)
- Niche: Relationship
- RPM $5.71, roughly $0.00571 per view
- Approximately 87,564 views are needed to make $500.
4. Reyes The Entrepreneur (500K Subscribers)
- Niche: Business & Money Making
- RPM $3.37, roughly $0.00337 per view
- Approximately 148,368 views are needed to make $500.
5. Spencer Cornelia (517K subscribers)
- Niche: Digital Scam Awareness
- RPM $5.32, roughly $0.00532 per view
- Approximately 93,985 views are needed to make $500.
6. Zoeunlimited (3.2M Subscribers)
- Niche: Fashion & Health
- RPM $1.22, roughly $0.00122 per view
- Approximately 409,836 views are needed to make $500.
7. Josh Winiarski (28.5K Subscribers)
- Niche: Photography
- RPM $4.48 – $6.00, roughly $0.00448 – $0.006 per view
- Approximately 83,333 – 111,607 views are needed to make $500.
8. Danielle Ryan (22.4K Subscribers)
- Niche: Business & Life Coaching
- RPM $7.49, roughly $0.00749 per view
- Approximately 66,755 views are needed to make $500.
9. Joshua Mayo (794k Subscribers)
- Niche: Personal Finance
- RPM $21.20, roughly $0.0212 per view
- Approximately 23,585 views are needed to make $500.
10. Dex (119k Subscribers)
- Niche: Gaming
- RPM $3.55, roughly $0.00355 per view
- Approximately 140,845 views are needed to make $500.
To arrive at the number of views needed for $500, we divide $500 by the RPM and then multiply by 1,000 to account for the ‘per mille’ or per thousand views.
How Do You Make Money On YouTube?
Making money on YouTube is a fairly simple process, with several opportunities open to creators. Each method caters to different types of content and audiences, offering multiple streams of income.
Here are some of the key ways to monetize content on YouTube:
- Advertisements: This is the most consistent and primary form of income for many YouTubers. By joining the YouTube Partner Program, creators can earn money through ads displayed on their videos. The income generated depends on factors like the number of views, click-through rate, and audience demographics.
- Channel Memberships: Fans can support their favorite creators through paid memberships, receiving exclusive perks like badges, emojis, and access to members-only content.
- Merchandise Shelf: YouTube allows creators to showcase and sell their branded merchandise directly through their channel, opening another revenue stream.
- Super Chat and Super Stickers: During live streams, viewers can purchase Super Chats and Super Stickers to highlight their messages, contributing financially to the creator.
- Affiliate Marketing: Creators often partner with brands to promote products or services and earn a commission for each sale or referral made through their videos.
- Sponsorships: Companies may sponsor specific videos or the channel itself, providing direct payment in exchange for product placement or mentions.
- Crowdfunding: Platforms like Patreon allow creators to receive funding directly from their audience, often in exchange for exclusive content or experiences.
Each of these methods offers unique benefits and requirements, but advertisements remain the most consistent source of income, providing a stable financial base for many YouTubers as they explore other revenue avenues.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Are The Basic Requirements To Start Earning Money On YouTube?
To start earning through YouTube, you need to join the YouTube Partner Program which requires at least 1,000 subscribers and 4,000 watch hours over the past 12 months.
Can You Make Money On YouTube Without Making It To The Partner Program?
Yes, you can earn through the YouTube Shorts Fund, merchandise sales, channel memberships, affiliate links, and external sponsorships.
How Does Video Length Affect YouTube Earnings?
Longer videos have potential for more ad placements, increasing revenue. However, viewer engagement must remain high to benefit from this.
Does The Niche Of My YouTube Channel Affect My Potential Earnings?
Absolutely, certain niches like technology, finance, and lifestyle tend to attract higher-paying advertisements, thus increasing earnings.
How Much Can A Youtuber Expect To Earn Per View?
Earnings per view vary widely but typically range from $0.01 to $0.03 after YouTube’s cut, depending on several factors like niche and audience demographics.
