It’s very easy to own a YouTube channel, if you have a YouTube app you already have a channel, but to make money out of it, it’s a completely different story.

First of all, you will need content that your audience will like, there are certain criteria that you should meet to be accepted in the YouTube partner program, you will need 1000 subscribers and 4000 hours of watch time during the last year.

To achieve the magical numbers you need an audience that follows you. There are many channels with thousands of subscribers and even hundreds of thousands but how could they achieve THAT, this is what I will try to explain in this article.

YouTube is the biggest video platform on the internet, and since it launched around 2005 it has become more and more popular to the point it can shape trends, the content varies from educational to entertaining,  not forgetting news and marketing, the high numbers of logins and the huge volume of content is making youtube the second-largest search engine after Google.

for those reasons you as a content creator can make money out of it but how?!

FIRST OF ALL, you need to have a skill or a passion, something to share with the world that might bring subscribers to your channel, after that you need to be consistent and keep your niche, in time people will be interested in your content and start to watch and share your videos, the more you’re popular the more you can make money.

Start with a catching name and logo, design the best logo you can think of, or you can hire someone to design it for you after that write a clear description of the channel, and you can share some of your interest and give your audience a bit of clue on what to expect, and set parameters to make your channel look the best it could.

  I. Create your content

  1. niche and audience

If you want to succeed in YouTube you need to have a specific niche and stick with it, choose something that you’re passionate about and you have knowledge of, so you can keep it going over time. you also need to understand your audience’s interests and needs so you can, in time, attract more subscribers and build a community around your channel.

  2. content creation

Whether it’s informative or entertaining, write a strong script with a good introduction to make a good first impression, and always remember to inject your personality, and try to create your unique way of speaking about the subject

To achieve this goal here are some additional tips:

. quality matters on YouTube, don’t try to share many videos with bad quality, it’s ok to upload one video once a week or even once a month.

. use good quality equipment, a nice camera, microphone, and lighting, not necessarily the best quality but make sure your videos are good quality in terms of audio and lighting.

. edit your video, cut unnecessary parts, and make the video look natural with a nice background that aligns with your niche.

   3. Consistency in Upload Schedule

Try to set up a realistic schedule for your uploads, whether it’s one a week, two weeks, or a month, it’s important to keep up and be continuous in your subjects, and let your audience know when you will upload your next video and give them a clue about what you’re going to speak about to maintain their attention, also keep a unique tone and style, This helps in creating a cohesive brand identity, making it easier for viewers to identify and connect with your content.

   II. Building Audience

   1. SEO for YouTube.

Search engine optimization isn’t only for websites, it can work equally for YouTube, the right title and description can make all the difference, as you must know there are many creators in almost every niche but when you go to your YouTube app and type any title, the first results that appear are the ones that youtube likes and shows, these are the most optimized. if you want to be on the first page when someone researches your niche on YouTube you need to use keywords similar to what your audience uses. this way you have more chances to be found.

   2. engagement with your audience

To keep up and maintain your audience’s trust and interest, always engage with them through comments and social media, create accounts on other platforms and invite your subscribers to meet you there for more explanation, and answer comments as quickly as possible, your audience should feel a personal connection with you even if they don’t know you personally, this way you will guarantee their loyalty and engagement.

   3. collaborate with other YouTubers

It’s always a good idea to collaborate with other creators in the same niche or maybe related or to be considered as a compliment to your niche, this can be done through several ways like joint broadcasting, shoutouts, or participation in collaborative projects. this way your content will be seen by different audiences, and gain more subscribers, if you decide to collaborate with big creators make sure their content aligns with yours and this collaboration will bring value to your viewers and the future of your channel.

   4. encourage your audience to subscribe, like, and share

YouTube tends to like videos with more likes and shares, if a video is liked and shared enough it’s considered important by YouTube and it will give it priority. so you should encourage viewers to like, subscribe, and share, this will increase the likelihood of your videos being recommended to others. Additionally, ask viewers to share your videos on social media platforms, extending the reach of your content organically.

III. Monetize your channel

 1. YouTube Partner Program (YPP)

This is the primary option for creators on YouTube, you as a creator can join but there are requirements, you need to have 1000 subscribers minimum and 4000 hours in watch time during the last year, you also need to follow YouTube policies and guidelines and have an active linked AdSense account. once accepted you will make money based on ads that will be shown on your videos, impressions, clicks, and engagement are paid, there is a system for that, it’s called Cost Per Mille (CPM), which represents the amount you earn per thousand ad impressions. Understanding how CPM works and optimizing your content for higher CPM rates can enhance your overall ad revenue.

 2. Sponsorships and Brand Partnerships

Another way to make money using your channel is through sponsorships and brand partnerships, business owners can pay you to advertise their products or services, and you can collaborate with them if they align with your niche and will add value to your viewers and channel.

    IV. Other Income Streams

1. Brands and merchandise

If you have branded merchandise, you can use your channel to sell it to your audience, this will provide another source of income especially if this brand is related to your niche, your audience will help you when they buy your products and you will use your channel to review and explain your products.

2. Channel Memberships and Super Chat

Unlock the potential of channel memberships and Super Chat. Channel memberships offer exclusive perks to subscribers who pay a monthly fee, fostering a sense of community. Super Chat allows viewers to highlight their messages during live streams by making monetary contributions, providing an interactive and supportive platform.

3. Crowdfunding through Platforms like Patreon

if you have a dedicated audience, you can invite them to collaborate directly and help you financially through platforms like Patreon, this platform gives your fans the possibility to contribute financially regularly in exchange for exclusive content, behind-the-scenes access, and other perks. this can give you a steady source of income.

4. Affiliate Marketing on YouTube

even if you don’t have products of your own you can make money through affiliate marketing, you can sell other people’s products and earn a commission there are many YouTube channels dedicated exclusively to affiliate marketing. you can choose a niche and start promoting, it through reviews and explanations.

   V. Understanding Analytics

 1. what do your analytics tell you

If you take a look at your analytics after some time, you see that they give you insights about your channel performance, your audience behavior, like views, subscribers, and watch time will guide to make your channel better. also, traffic sources, demographics, and viewer retention will help you identify areas to improve and strong points.

 2. use analytics to adapt the content

When you gather information from analytics, you will be able to adapt your content, top-performing videos will give you an idea about what to create, you can explain more about a topic that your audience liked, or change things based on your audience preferences, demographics and geographics information are very important too, if your audience is growing from a country or certain age you can adapt your content based on that as well.

  VI. Legal and Copyright Considerations

Check YouTube policies HERE

  1. Respecting Copyright Laws on YouTube

YouTube is like any other platform on or offline, it has laws and the main law is copywriting, you need to verify your content for those, make sure your content is authentic and it’s yours or you have the proper permissions to use it, otherwise, you may end up having legal issues, losing your channel or even legal suits

  2. Using Licensed Music and Images

To avoid losing your channel or having trouble with the law, make sure your music, videos, or photos are made by you, licensed, or they are free to use from websites like Pexabuy or Pexels.

sometimes original creators ask for credit in exchange for the use of their material, so go ahead and give them credit when you use their content.

  3. Handling Copyright Claims and Disputes

Be prepared to address copyright claims and disputes promptly. If you receive a claim on your video, review the details provided by the claimant and assess the validity of the claim. You may choose to remove the disputed content, edit it, or dispute the claim if you believe it falls within fair use or if you have the necessary permissions.

  VII. Challenges and Pitfalls

   1. Dealing with Demonetization Issues

If you want to avoid demonetization, you should adhere to YouTube policies especially those related to copywriting, the more you’re careful about the origin of what you add to your channel the more you can rest and keep the revenue stream

   2. Coping with Fluctuations in Ad Revenue

Like any other business, the revenue from YouTube can go up and down especially if you’re counting totally on ad revenue, there are factors such as seasonality, changes in viewer behavior, or shifts in the advertising market. that’s why you need to use other sources of income like affiliate marketing or selling your products, a loyal and growing audience will help you deal with those fluctuations.

   3. Navigating Changes in YouTube Policies

YouTube regularly updates its policies, algorithms, and features, which can impact content creators. Stay informed about policy changes through official communications from YouTube. Adapt your content strategy accordingly and ensure ongoing compliance with the latest guidelines to avoid potential penalties or restrictions on your channel.

VIII. Conclusion

 1. Recap of Key Steps to Make Money on YouTube

In conclusion, the journey to making money on YouTube involves several key steps:

1. Setting Up Your YouTube Channel: Create a good-looking channel with optimized descriptions and visuals.
2. Creating good Content: Identify your niche, plan your videos, invest in high-quality production, and maintain a consistent upload schedule.
3. Building Your Audience: Utilize SEO for discovery, engage with viewers through comments and social media, collaborate with other creators, and encourage subscriptions and shares.
4. Monetization Options: Join the YouTube Partner Program for ad revenue, explore sponsorships, and diversify income streams through merchandising, channel memberships, crowdfunding, and affiliate marketing.
5. Understanding Analytics: Use YouTube Analytics to gauge performance, identify popular videos, and adapt content based on viewer insights.
6. Legal and Copyright Considerations: Respect copyright laws, use licensed materials, and handle copyright claims and disputes responsibly.

2. . Encouragement and Tips for Long-Term Success

Starting on a YouTube journey is both rewarding and challenging. As you go in your journey on this platform

• Patience is Key: Building a successful channel takes time. Be patient, stay consistent, and continuously improve your content.
• Authenticity Matters: Be genuine and authentic in your content. Build trust with your audience, and they will become loyal supporters.
• Adaptability is Crucial: Stay informed about YouTube’s policies, algorithm changes, and trends. Adapt your content strategy to meet the evolving needs of your audience.
• Engage with Your Community: Foster a strong connection with your audience. Respond to comments, ask for feedback, and make your viewers feel valued.
• Keep Learning: The world of YouTube is ever-changing. Stay curious, experiment with new ideas, and continuously learn from your experiences and the successes of others.

I believe if you follow these steps, you can make it on YouTube, especially if you are a business owner, through a loyal audience and a strong presence on the platform, you can make money continuously, best of luck.