Creators spend a lot of time building their channels, but what happens when they want to switch gears, start a new project or step away from their channel? You put a lot of work into your passion; sell your YouTube channel.
You’re selling your business – that’s what channels become – and there’s no going back once the transfer of sale is complete.
If you’re ready to let go of the channel, read through our guide below to maximize the channel’s value and sell to a buyer who will continue your journey.
1. Gauge the Value of Your Channel
Wondering, “How do I value my YouTube channel?” The true value of your YouTube channel, just like any other business entity, isn’t just a random number you pull out of a hat. It’s a carefully calculated figure that reflects not only the current state of your channel but also its potential.
How? Your channel’s worth is based on many factors, including:
Subscriber Count
Your subscriber count is like the heartbeat of your channel. A robust subscriber base is a sign of your brand’s:
- Popularity
- Influence
But don’t get too hung up on that total subscriber count. The rate at which this number is growing is equally, if not more, significant. You could have tens of thousands of subscribers, but if that count isn’t showing upward mobility, the perceived value of your channel might dip.
Audience Engagement
Your channel’s audience engagement refers to likes, comments, shares, watch time, and click-through rates. Think of engagement as your channel’s vital signs, indicating the health of your connection with your audience.
A YouTube channel with high audience engagement demonstrates a strong relationship between the content creator and the viewers, a bond that potential buyers will pay good money to inherit.
Revenue and Monetization Avenues
Revenue refers to the income generated from ads, sponsorships, merchandise, and memberships, among other things. Think of this as the fuel that propels your channel forward. These monetization avenues indicate the income potential your channel holds. A channel with diverse revenue streams is a more enticing prospect, offering buyers multiple ways to earn back their investment.
Video Quality
Spammy, low-quality content doesn’t have long-staying power. If you have older videos that were made to spam the YouTube algorithm or were low-quality, consider removing them if they’re not major view drivers.
Content Diversity
Diverse content is good, but you want to continue creating content that is niche-specific. The most profitable channels have a clearly defined niche that they focus on.
Personal Involvement
If you’re the face of your channel, potential buyers may be turned off because your audience expects to see you. Imagine if you went to Mr. Beast’s channel and he was no longer in any of his videos.
Many subscribers would stop watching the channel, and this can happen to your channel, too.
Before selling, you can begin transitioning out of the spotlight slowly over time if you’re the face of your channel.
Watch Time
Selling a YouTube channel with declining watch time will lead to poor sales value. You want to maximize your watch time with hooks and transitions to keep viewers engaged. We have a guide on how to increase average view duration that can help you boost watch time.
💡 Quick Tip
If your channel’s numbers aren’t as good as you want them to be, you can improve these stats by buying more views, subscribers, likes or comments.
2. Revamp Your Channel’s Look Before You Sell
Think about preparing your YouTube channel for sale, much like prepping a house for potential buyers. It’s not just about making the property look pretty; it’s about ensuring that every nook and cranny is in its best possible state. The YouTube equivalent of this is a comprehensive channel audit.
Auditing your channel requires you to take a good look at every part of your YouTube presence, from the quality of your content to the consistency of your posting schedule.
Ask yourself questions like:
- Are there videos that didn’t perform well?
- Are the thumbnails attractive enough?
- Are video titles enticing and clickable?
- Are your playlists organized and easy for viewers to access?
- Are the descriptions SEO-friendly?
Addressing these questions before the sale will help you present your channel in the best possible light.
3. Dive into Your Channel’s Analytics
Analytics play a vital role in helping you make an informed decision when selling your channel. Your analytics report from the Creator Studio offers a treasure trove of data that tells the story of your channel’s performance, providing insights into your audience demographics, viewership trends, content performance, and so much more.
This report is like a detailed blueprint, and you’d want to hand it over to your potential buyer fully organized and easy to understand.
What metrics matter most in your analytics report?
- Watch time
- Average percentage viewed
- Average view duration
- Audience retention
- Re-watches
- Engagement
- Unique viewers
- Subscriber growth
4. Increase Channel Potential Through Untapped Potential
Consider how you can increase your channel’s appeal to potential buyers. One surefire way is by demonstrating its growth potential.
These are opportunities that a potential buyer could capitalize on. By highlighting these possibilities, you’re essentially showing buyers the potential return on their investment, making your channel a more attractive proposition. You might want to consider creating a report on potential to showcase where your channel could be in the future. Setting a price for your YouTube channel is not a game of throwing darts at a dartboard. There’s an art and science to it and getting it right can be the difference between selling at a premium and letting your channel go for peanuts. The revenue history of your channel plays a significant role in setting the price. The income generated over time – whether through Video ads, sponsorships, merchandise sales, or any other form of monetization – forms a reliable base for determining the worth of your channel. This figure paints a picture of the financial health of your channel, giving potential buyers a clear indication of what they can expect to earn. A channel showing consistent upward growth in views, subscribers, and engagement is likely to fetch a higher price than a stagnant or declining one. Potential buyers want to see that your channel has the momentum to grow – that it’s not just a flash in the pan. Your channel’s growth trajectory can significantly influence its price tag. This is the wild card in this pricing game. Just like in real estate, the demand for YouTube channels fluctuates. Popular niches or trending topics can fetch higher prices, while less popular or oversaturated areas may result in lower offers. Keeping a pulse on market demand can help you identify the most opportune time to sell your channel. Finally, consider similar channels that were sold. Examining comparable channels will give you a realistic range of what buyers are willing to pay for your channel. This approach helps ground your expectations and provides a benchmark against which you can measure your own channel’s value. As a content creator, your primary strength lies in creating compelling content and nurturing an engaged audience. But when it comes to selling your channel, you need a platform that can connect you with interested buyers. Trusted online marketplaces like Fameswap, Trustiu, and Flippa, or well-regulated Facebook groups, are excellent starting points. We also have an extensive list of marketplaces in our guide on the Best Sites to Buy YouTube Channels. These platforms give your channel exposure to a wide range of potential buyers, increasing your chances of securing a satisfactory deal. Be sure to research each platform’s fee structure and terms of use to ensure you’re making an informed decision. What if you want to sell to a private buyer? Selling privately gives you more flexibility and you can save on fees. But it’s not without risk. Finding the right buyer is key. When looking for a buyer, consider a few things: The goal is to find someone who’s serious about buying and continuing the channel. Your channel isn’t just a digital space; it’s a brand you’ve built with sweat, toil, and creativity. So, when presenting it to potential buyers, you need to showcase its full potential. Prepare a detailed report that includes your channel’s revenue history, growth trends, audience demographics, and any other relevant analytics. 💡 Pro Tip Try and sell when your channel’s growth is on the rise. Nothing is more appealing to a buyer than a channel that’s gaining traction. It’s like selling a stock when it’s trending upward; buyers are more likely to jump at the opportunity. Once you’ve found a buyer, it’s time to formalize the deal through a legal contract. If you’re using a marketplace, they may handle this step for you. But if you’re selling privately, consider having a lawyer draft the contract. The higher the price, the more important it is to have a binding legal contract signed by all parties (you and the buyer). Make sure that everyone understands the terms of the contract and what assets are being sold, such as: Everything should be crystal clear, and everyone must agree to all terms before signing on the dotted line. Having a legal contract will help prevent disputes and protect both you and the buyer. Money matters can be tricky, especially when large sums are involved. To ensure a secure and smooth financial transaction, consider using an escrow service. What is escrow? Escrow is a way to make payments more safely and securely. A third party (an escrow service) holds money until a condition has been met. In this case, that condition is the fulfillment of the sale. Here’s how it works: Although escrow is a common and popular method for securing transactions when selling a YouTube channel, it’s not the only option. You’ve made it to the last step of the sale: Transferring ownership of your channel. It might seem straightforward, but it’s important to get it right. You need to transfer not just your channel, but also any associated Google services like AdSense accounts or Google Analytics. Here’s how to transfer ownership in 3 steps. 1. Add the buyer as manager on your channel. 2. Wait for the buyer to accept the invitation. 3. Change their role to owner. Keep in mind that there’s a wait period before the new owner gains full access, so factor that into your transaction timeline. 💡 Pro Tip Before the transfer is complete, don’t forget to remove your personal information from the channel and associated accounts to maintain your privacy. You May Also Want to Know… If you have a YouTube channel that you don’t want to keep up with, why not sell it instead of letting it go dormant? Selling your channel can also be a quick way to make a lot of cash, depending on how many subscribers and views you have. You may also want to sell your channel to make room for other business opportunities. Yes. There’s nothing in YouTube’s terms of service that prohibits users from buying and selling accounts. It’s perfectly legal to transfer the ownership of your channel to a buyer. No, it is not illegal to sell a YouTube channel. You’re free to sell your channel and transfer ownership to whoever is willing to buy it. The average YouTuber makes about $64,000 a year from their channel. But you can make a lot more if you have a huge viewer base. YouTuber MrBeast makes $500-$700 million per year. Yes, you absolutely can sell a non-monetized YouTube channel. But you may struggle to find a buyer, as most people want to buy channels that are already generating revenue. Unmonetized channels typically have a lower value, but you can still sell them. Selling your YouTube channel isn’t something to rush into. Once you sell it, there’s no going back. But if you do decide selling is the right choice, you’ll need to make sure that you have a thorough understanding of your channel’s value, meticulous preparation for the sale, and careful consideration of the right pricing strategy. Plus, you need to choose the best platform to list your channel and ensure a secure transaction process. Use our guide and insights to set your channel’s sale up for success.
5. Set the Right Price: Don’t Undervalue Your Channel
Revenue History
Channel Growth Trends
Market Demand
Prices of Similar Channels
6. List Your Channel on a Trusted Marketplace or Find a Private Buyer
7. Present Your Channel to Potential Buyers
8. Draft a Legal Contract
9. Seek Full and Secure Payment
10. Transfer Your Channel to the New Owner
Why Should You Sell a YouTube Channel?
Can You Buy and Sell YouTube Accounts?
Is It Illegal to Sell a YouTube Channel?
How Much Money Can You Make from a YouTube Channel?
Can I Sell My Non-Monetized YouTube Channel?
Conclusion
