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Before the invention of the Morse code and the telegram in the 1830s, the only way to send information over long distances was by smoke signal, by foot, by carrier pigeon, by horse, or by boat.
The subsequent developments of Radio, TV, and the internet, revolutionised communications and opened up opportunities to monetise broadcast media.
But it wasn't until the arrival of the video streaming site YouTube that the average layperson could bring their media to a global audience - and make money for doing so.
YOU can make money on YouTube!
YouTube has become more than just a video-sharing platform, it's now a lucrative avenue for individuals and businesses to generate substantial income. With billions of monthly active users, YouTube offers a vast audience for creators to tap into.
Whether you're a passionate content creator, an aspiring entrepreneur, or an established business looking to expand your reach, YouTube provides a powerful platform to monetise your efforts.
In this guide, we'll explore the various strategies and techniques to help you make money on YouTube and even delve into how ecommerce businesses can leverage this platform for success.
And while we’re on the subject of video platforms, be sure to check out our recent articles covering the TikTok shop and how to make money there.
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Understanding YouTube monetisation
Firstly let's take an overview of the fundamental mechanisms that enable creators to earn revenue and the key aspects of YouTube monetisation.
The YouTube Partner Program (YPP)
The YouTube Partner Program (YPP) is the gateway to unlocking monetisation features. To join the YPP, you must meet certain eligibility criteria, including having a minimum of 1,000 subscribers and 4,000 watch hours in the past 12 months. Once accepted, you can start monetising your content through various avenues.
Revenue streams
Ad Revenue - The most common way to earn on YouTube is through ad revenue. When viewers watch your videos, ads may appear before, during, or after the content. You receive a portion of the revenue generated from these ads. Be sure to check out our YouTube shorts monetisation guide for more tips.
Memberships - Offer exclusive perks to your most dedicated fans through channel memberships. Subscribers pay a recurring fee to access exclusive content, live streams, and badges.
Merchandise - Sell branded merchandise to your audience. This can include apparel, accessories, or other products related to your channel's theme.
Super Chats and Super Stickers - During live streams, viewers can purchase Super Chats and Super Stickers to stand out in the comments section. These purchases contribute to your earnings.
Monetisation policies
To ensure a fair and safe environment for all creators, YouTube has strict monetisation policies:
Copyright and community guidelines - You must comply with YouTube's copyright and community guidelines to avoid penalties or channel termination.
AdSense policies - Ensure that your content aligns with AdSense policies to prevent ad disapproval.
Creating engaging content
To attract and retain a loyal audience on YouTube, you need to produce engaging content that resonates with your viewers. Let's learn how to create videos that get watched:
1. Identifying your niche
Find your passion
What are you truly passionate about? Your enthusiasm will shine through in your content and attract like-minded viewers.
Audience research
Identify your target audience. Who are they? What do they want to see? Conduct research to understand their interests and preferences.
Keyword research
Use keyword tools to find relevant keywords related to your niche. These keywords will help your videos appear in search results.
2. Content creation strategies
Video formats
Experiment with different video formats to find what works best for your niche. Popular formats include:some text
- Vlogs (video blogs)
- Tutorials
- Reviews
- Short-form content (e.g., TikTok videos and Instagram Reels)
- Live streams
Storytelling
Engage your audience by telling compelling stories. Use storytelling techniques to connect emotionally with your viewers.
Production quality
Invest in quality equipment (e.g., camera, microphone, lighting) to enhance the production value of your videos. Pay attention to audio and video quality, as well as editing and post-production.
3. Consistency and frequency
- Regular uploads - Establish a consistent upload schedule to keep your audience engaged and anticipating new content.
- Planning ahead - Create a content calendar to plan your videos in advance. This will help you stay organised and avoid burnout.
- Adaptability - Be flexible and willing to adjust your content strategy based on audience feedback and trends.
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Growing your YouTube channel
To reach a wider audience and increase your channel's visibility, you’ll need to have an effective growth strategy in place.
Below are some productive techniques:
1. SEO and optimisation
- Keyword-rich titles and descriptions - Use relevant keywords in your video titles and descriptions to improve search engine rankings.
- Tags - Add appropriate tags to your videos to help YouTube categorise and recommend them to relevant viewers.
- Thumbnails - Create eye-catching thumbnails that accurately represent your content and entice viewers to click.
- End screens and cards - Utilise end screens and cards to promote other videos on your channel or suggest related content.
2. Promoting your channel
- Social media integration - Share your YouTube videos on other social media platforms to drive traffic to your channel.
- Collaborations and partnerships - Collaborate with other YouTubers in your niche to reach a wider audience and cross-promote your content.
- Email marketing - Build an email list and send regular newsletters to keep your subscribers updated and engaged.
3. Community building
- Engage with your audience - Respond to comments, messages, and questions from your viewers, to build loyalty and engagement.
- Live streams - Connect with your audience in real-time through live streams. This can be a great way to engage in Q&A sessions and build relationships.
If you're looking for other marketing tips to boost your ecommerce business, besure to check out our digital marketing strategy for ecommerce guide.
Monetising your channel
Once you've built a substantial audience and engaged content, it's time to explore the various ways to monetise your channel.
AdSense and advertising
- CPM, CPC, and CPV - Understand the different ad pricing models (cost per mille, cost per click, cost per view) to optimise your earnings.
- Ad placement and frequency - Experiment with different ad placements and frequencies to find what works best for your audience.
YouTube memberships
- Exclusive perks - Offer exclusive benefits to your members, such as early access to videos, behind-the-scenes content, or personalised shoutouts.
- Pricing and benefits - Determine the appropriate membership fee based on the value you provide to your subscribers.
Merchandise and branding
- Design and sell merchandise - Create branded merchandise (e.g., t-shirts, mugs, hats) to generate additional revenue and strengthen your brand identity.
- Building a brand identity - Develop a consistent brand image across your channel, merchandise, and social media presence.
Super Chats and donations
- Encouraging viewer support - Encourage your viewers to use Super Chats and donations to show their appreciation and support your channel.
- Thanking donors and contributors - Acknowledge and thank those who contribute to your channel's success.
Ecommerce on YouTube
Ecommerce businesses can leverage YouTube to showcase their products, connect with customers, and drive sales in a variety of ways:
1. Product reviews and demonstrations
- Showcasing products - Create informative and engaging product reviews and demonstrations to highlight the benefits and features of your products.
- Providing valuable insights: Offer valuable insights and advice related to your products to establish yourself as an expert.
2. Tutorials and how-tos
- Teaching viewers - Create tutorials and how-to videos to teach viewers how to use or create products related to your business.
- Building trust and authority - By providing helpful information, you can build trust with your audience and position yourself as an authority in your field.
3. Affiliate marketing
- Partnering with brands - Partner with complementary brands to promote their products through affiliate marketing.
- Earning commissions -Earn commissions on sales generated through your affiliate links. If you’re interested in earning through affiliate marketing, consider reading our how to earn money with Amazon Affiliate article.
4. Live shopping events
- Engaging viewers in real-time - Host live shopping events to interact with your audience in real-time and offer exclusive deals and discounts. This can be a great way to get more people to visit your website.
- Creating a more immersive experience - Live shopping events can create a more immersive and engaging experience for viewers.
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Lights, camera, income!
If you take time to understand and implement the information and strategies we’ve shared then making money on YouTube is a real possibility.
If you can recognise good content and learn how to create and format it, then you can successfully monetise your channel and achieve your financial goals.
Overnight online stardom is probably a bit ambitious for most, but with dedication and quality control, you should achieve your YouTube business goals eventually.
Stay consistent, engage with your audience, and experiment with different approaches to find what works best for you.
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