{"id":32046,"date":"2024-02-20T03:30:55","date_gmt":"2024-02-20T10:30:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/viralyft.com\/blog\/?p=32046"},"modified":"2024-05-28T23:00:03","modified_gmt":"2024-05-29T05:00:03","slug":"how-many-subscribers-do-you-need-to-make-money-on-youtube","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/viralyft.com\/blog\/how-many-subscribers-do-you-need-to-make-money-on-youtube","title":{"rendered":"How Many Subscribers Do You Need To Make Money On YouTube?"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Starting a YouTube channel with dreams of making it big can feel a lot like showing up to a potluck with just a fork\u2014eager to get started, but not quite sure if you\u2019ve brought enough to the table.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">For many budding creators, the question isn&#8217;t just about creating content but how to turn those creative efforts into cold, hard cash.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">With subscriber counts that might currently be more on the &#8216;cozy gathering&#8217; side than a &#8216;blockbuster premiere&#8217; audience, the leap to earning money can seem like a mystery.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">We\u2019re going to shed light on how many subscribers you actually need to start generating income on YouTube, breaking down myths and providing actionable insights for those ready to grow their channel from a side hustle into a significant source of income.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u2026but don\u2019t quit your day job just yet.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><strong>How Do <span style=\"color: #5339d3;\">Creators Make Money<\/span> From YouTube?<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-16052\" src=\"https:\/\/viralyft.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/YouTube-Monetization-Requirements-900x429.png\" alt=\"YouTube\u2019s Monetization Requirements\" width=\"800\" height=\"381\" srcset=\"https:\/\/viralyft.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/YouTube-Monetization-Requirements-900x429.png 900w, https:\/\/viralyft.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/YouTube-Monetization-Requirements-600x286.png 600w, https:\/\/viralyft.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/YouTube-Monetization-Requirements-768x366.png 768w, https:\/\/viralyft.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/YouTube-Monetization-Requirements.png 1027w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Creators can monetize their YouTube channels primarily through the YouTube Partner Program (YPP), which allows them to earn money from ads placed on their videos.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The YPP is a gateway for creators to access various monetization features, but it comes with a set of prerequisites:<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"su-list\" style=\"margin-left:0px\">\n<ul>\n<li><i class=\"sui sui-chevron-right\" style=\"color:#5339D3\"><\/i> A minimum of 1,000 subscribers on the channel.<div class=\"su-spacer\" style=\"height:10px\"><\/div><\/li>\n<li><i class=\"sui sui-chevron-right\" style=\"color:#5339D3\"><\/i> At least 4,000 watch hours over the past 12 months.<div class=\"su-spacer\" style=\"height:10px\"><\/div><\/li>\n<li><i class=\"sui sui-chevron-right\" style=\"color:#5339D3\"><\/i> Compliance with all of YouTube&#8217;s <a href=\"https:\/\/viralyft.com\/blog\/youtube-community-guidelines\">policies and guidelines<\/a> (should be easy to do).<div class=\"su-spacer\" style=\"height:10px\"><\/div><\/li>\n<li><i class=\"sui sui-chevron-right\" style=\"color:#5339D3\"><\/i> Having a linked AdSense account to receive payments (takes less than 5 minutes).<\/div><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Beyond the YPP, there are several other avenues for creators to generate income, even if they&#8217;re not part of the Partner Program:<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>1. Sponsored Content:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Collaborating with brands to create content that promotes their products or services.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><div class=\"su-list\" style=\"margin-left:0px\"><\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><i class=\"sui sui-caret-right\" style=\"color:#5339D3\"><\/i> No YPP requirement.<\/div><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\"><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><b>2. Merchandise Shelf:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Selling branded merchandise directly through YouTube.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"su-list\" style=\"margin-left:0px\">\n<ul>\n<li><i class=\"sui sui-caret-right\" style=\"color:#5339D3\"><\/i> Requires YPP membership.<\/div><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\"><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><b>3. Super Chat and Super Stickers:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Earning money from fans who pay to highlight their messages in live chat during streams.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><div class=\"su-list\" style=\"margin-left:0px\"><\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><i class=\"sui sui-caret-right\" style=\"color:#5339D3\"><\/i> Requires YPP membership.<\/div><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\"><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><b>4. Channel Memberships:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Offering exclusive perks to subscribers who pay a monthly fee.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"su-list\" style=\"margin-left:0px\">\n<ul>\n<li><i class=\"sui sui-caret-right\" style=\"color:#5339D3\"><\/i> Requires YPP membership.<\/div><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\"><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><b>5. Affiliate Marketing:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Earning commissions by promoting other companies&#8217; products and including affiliate links in video descriptions.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"su-list\" style=\"margin-left:0px\">\n<ul>\n<li><i class=\"sui sui-caret-right\" style=\"color:#5339D3\"><\/i> No YPP requirement.<\/div><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\"><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">These opportunities provide multiple streams of income for YouTube creators, enabling them to use their audience and content in diverse ways to grow their earnings.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><strong>How Many <span style=\"color: #5339d3;\">Subscribers Do You Need To Make Money<\/span> On YouTube?<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">To start making money on YouTube through ads, <\/span><b>you need a minimum of <a href=\"https:\/\/viralyft.com\/blog\/how-to-get-1000-subscribers-on-youtube\">1,000 subscribers<\/a><\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. This threshold qualifies you for the YouTube Partner Program, unlocking the ability to monetize your videos with advertisements.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Although, you can still make money from your YouTube videos with much less subscribers.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><strong>Can You <span style=\"color: #5339d3;\">Make Money With Zero Subscribers<\/span> On YouTube?<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Yes, it&#8217;s technically possible to make money on YouTube even with zero subscribers.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">While a low subscriber count often implies fewer viewers or a less dedicated fan base, which in turn could mean less revenue, there are still opportunities available to you with low subscriber counts.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The key lies in leveraging content that can generate income independent of subscriber numbers.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><strong>1. <span style=\"color: #5339d3;\">Affiliate Marketing<\/span> Can Make You Money With No Subs<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-36176\" src=\"https:\/\/viralyft.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/Affiliate-Marketing-e1715766916754.jpg\" alt=\"Affiliate Marketing\" width=\"691\" height=\"345\" srcset=\"https:\/\/viralyft.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/Affiliate-Marketing-e1715766916754.jpg 691w, https:\/\/viralyft.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/Affiliate-Marketing-e1715766916754-600x300.jpg 600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 691px) 100vw, 691px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">One of the most appealing opportunities is <\/span><b>affiliate marketing<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. This involves promoting products or services within your video content and including affiliate links in the video description. <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When viewers click on these links and make a purchase, you earn a commission.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The beauty of affiliate marketing is that it doesn&#8217;t require you to be part of the YouTube Partner Program, nor does it rely on a certain number of subscribers.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Consider a scenario where you create a video that unexpectedly goes viral. This video could be a detailed review of a popular product, a tutorial using a specific tool, or even a unique take on a trending topic that captures the audience&#8217;s attention.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>If you&#8217;ve included affiliate links in the description of this viral video, you could potentially earn thousands of dollars in affiliate revenue, all with minimal to no subscribers.\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The viral nature of the content ensures it reaches a huge audience, thereby increasing the chances of viewers clicking on your affiliate links and making purchases.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><strong>2. <span style=\"color: #5339d3;\">Sponsorships Are Another Way<\/span> To Make Money With Little To No Subs<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sponsorships on YouTube serve as a direct collaboration between creators and brands, where companies pay creators to promote their products or services within their videos.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This form of monetization allows creators to earn income independently of the YouTube Partner Program and <\/span><b>does not rely on ad revenue<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sponsorships can be highly lucrative, especially for channels with a dedicated and engaged audience, regardless of size. And yes, while extremely rare, this can even include small EXTREMELY niche channels with as many as 100 subs.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Brands look for creators who resonate with their target demographic, focusing on the quality of engagement rather than just subscriber numbers.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Successful sponsorships involve integrated product mentions or dedicated reviews, ensuring the content still aligns with the creator\u2019s style and audience preferences.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">But keep in mind that without a huge fan base, you\u2019ll need to have an insanely active and responsive community to get sponsorships from brands. And sometimes, even that isn\u2019t enough.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><strong>3. <span style=\"color: #5339d3;\">Additional Ways<\/span> To Earn Without Many Subs<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">While affiliate marketing and sponsorships are the two biggest ways to earn money outside of the YouTube Partner Program, there are a few additional ideas that are often underutilized:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"su-list\" style=\"margin-left:0px\">\n<ul>\n<li><i class=\"sui sui-chevron-right\" style=\"color:#5339D3\"><\/i> <strong>Crowdfunding Platforms:<\/strong> Use sites like Patreon to get financial support from viewers in exchange for exclusive content or perks. <div class=\"su-spacer\" style=\"height:10px\"><\/div><\/li>\n<li><i class=\"sui sui-chevron-right\" style=\"color:#5339D3\"><\/i> <strong>Selling Merchandise:<\/strong> Create and sell your own branded merchandise to fans, even with a small but dedicated audience. Several platforms enable creators, including YouTubers, to design, sell, and distribute their merchandise easily. <div class=\"su-spacer\" style=\"height:10px\"><\/div><\/li>\n<li><i class=\"sui sui-chevron-right\" style=\"color:#5339D3\"><\/i> <strong>Offering Online Courses or E-books:<\/strong> Use your expertise by creating and selling online courses or e-books related to your content.<div class=\"su-spacer\" style=\"height:10px\"><\/div><\/li>\n<li><i class=\"sui sui-chevron-right\" style=\"color:#5339D3\"><\/i> <strong>Freelance Services:<\/strong> Use your YouTube channel as a portfolio to offer freelance services in your area of expertise, such as video editing, graphic design, or consulting.<\/div><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">While such instances are rare and not a consistent revenue strategy, they highlight the potential to earn money on YouTube from the get-go.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Think you need a massive following to earn money on YouTube? Think again! We reveal how small channels can start cashing in.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":11,"featured_media":32180,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_lmt_disableupdate":"no","_lmt_disable":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[77],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-32046","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-youtube"],"acf":[],"modified_by":"John","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/viralyft.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/32046","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/viralyft.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/viralyft.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/viralyft.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/11"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/viralyft.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=32046"}],"version-history":[{"count":29,"href":"https:\/\/viralyft.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/32046\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":36963,"href":"https:\/\/viralyft.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/32046\/revisions\/36963"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/viralyft.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/32180"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/viralyft.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=32046"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/viralyft.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=32046"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/viralyft.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=32046"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}