Have you ever heard of James Stephen Donaldson? My guess is no.
It's much more likely you've heard of a 25-year-old YouTuber by the name of Mr. Beast. Most celebrity net worth websites estimate his net worth to be between $200 Million and $500 Million but I believe it to be much higher.
The average American is mostly oblivious to the earning power made possible by the internet. But you don't have to be a world-famous YouTuber to earn a full-time living from the comfort of your pleather couch.
You have a unique gift, interest, or set of skills you could share with the world. Doing something you love, when you want, and where you want sounds pretty appealing doesn't it?
Starting a YouTube channel could be that thing!
Now, YouTube isn’t a get-rich-quick factory. You can’t just upload some clips, garner millions of views and rapidly start earning advertising revenue. However, by persevering as a methodical, conscientious worker, you can share in YouTube bounty. Here are the steps to make money on YouTube.
Step 1: Choose A Niche
You may be itching to set up your channel and start posting, but it’s best to stop and think about your topic. The key point: people will view YouTubes that either inform or entertain. These might be, for example, how-to videos, musical acts, product reviews or life hacks.
Make a list of a few ideas. Think about where your passions lie or about any special skill and knowledge you have that’s worth sharing. Ask friends what they think you could do. Consider variations on existing channels that you like. When you identify a favorite, think of some specific videos your might make. If you can’t quickly come with 15 or 20, your idea may not be sustainable.
You’re not forever stuck with the idea you start with. You can decide at any time to modify it or to take some other direction entirely.
Step 2: Create a YouTube Channel
Anybody can view YouTubes, but to create them, you need your own channel. Since Google owns YouTube, you’ll need a Google account, but you can open one while you’re creating your channel.
It’s simple. Sign in to YouTube (on your computer or phone), click your profile picture, select Create Channel and follow the prompts.
If you create a personal channel, your Google name becomes your channel name. If you don’t want that, there’s an option to create a brand channel.
Congratulations! That’s how to get started on YouTube, and you’re now an official content creator.
Step 3: Add Channel Branding Elements
To give the world an idea of what your channel is about, you can upload a channel profile picture, create a channel banner that will appear at the top of your page and fill out the “about” section.
This section will be more important once your channel starts getting views. For now, get something up on your profile and do not get hung up on the details.
The most important thing is to get to creating videos as quickly as possible.
Create A YouTube Channel Logo
This is likely the least important step to your success. Don't spend too much time on it.
I'm a perfectionist and this is exactly the type of task that I would spend three days on when one hour will do.
Here are a few options for getting a logo up on your channel quickly:
Use a pre-made template with Canva (fastest and cheapest)
Hire a logo designer on Fiverr
Use a design contest service like 99 Designs or Design Crowd
Logo Design Comparison Table
| Logo Design Method | Cost | Time to Complete |
| Canva | Free Trial | 30 minutes |
| Fiverr | $15 – $50 | 1-3 Days |
| 99 Designs | $100+ | 2-5 Days |
Create A YouTube Channel Profile Picture
Explore YouTube Studio
Everything you need to get stated is right there in the YouTube Studio. You can upload, edit and post content. There are analytics that show you how your videos are doing. There is even information about ways to monetize your channel. Eventually you can use more sophisticated third-party editors, but, at first, the Studio is your sandbox. Another important resource is Google’s YouTube Help.
Upload Your First Videos
Now the fun begins! Grab your camera and start shooting. Your first camera may simply be your phone on a stand. Shoot a segment and go to the Studio to upload it. Add a video description, title and tags. Play with the Studio editing tools. You can set a thumbnail, and you can add music, closed captions and end screens.
Adhere to the Guidelines
YouTube has community guidelines that cover what may and may not be part of your content. You aren’t allowed to post hate speech, advertisements for goods that don’t exist or copyrighted material.
There are further restrictions if you want ads attached to your content. If you create videos with foul language, adult content, violence or radical political opinions, be aware that you can’t monetize these with advertising.
Create Some YouTube Shorts
YouTube introduced Shorts in 2019 and eventually integrated them into their monetization model. Shorts are vertical videos that are 60 seconds long or less. You automatically get the right aspect ratio if you shoot with phone held vertically. Shorts can attract a wider audience, and 10 millions Shorts views can get you to the coveted partner status without 4,000 hours of view time.
Consider Equipment Upgrades
You phone camera will get you started, but eventually you’ll want more. You’re going to need a basic understanding of video equipment.
Audio may be even more important. Viewers will put up with mediocre video more than with troublesome sound. Your first equipment upgrade may be a mic.
Most Creators will find it best to upgrade their equipment as they go. Don’t drop a bundle of cash until you have a good idea what you will actually use.
Look at Third-Party Editing Software
The YouTube Studio editing tool will get you started, but after you’ve used it for a while, you’ll see what extra features you might want. There are easy-to-use options such as Shortcut, Apple iMovie and Lightworks, and more full-function choices such as Adobe Premier and Final Cut Pro. Try out a few.
Experiment and Experiment More
Exercise the features of your editing software. Experiment with lighting. Try out plus images, voiceover, different music. Make some videos from off-camera with images, caption and voice.
And never stop asking, “Is this entertaining? Is this informative?” Create videos that are well-produced and are ones you’d want to see.
Grow Your Audience
Once you’ve created a number of videos that are good enough to show the world, it’s time to think about reaching the “magic numbers” that will qualify you for the YouTube Partner Program. You need 1,000 subscribers plus either 4,000 hours of view time in the past 12 months or 10 million Shorts views in the past 90 days.
Start with Family and Friends
Tell everybody you know what you’re up to and ask them to subscribe to your channel. You probably don’t have 1,000 of these people, but it’s a great way to get started.
Promote Your Channel
If you want something, ask for it. Put a call to action at the beginning and of end of your videos asking the viewer to subscribe.
Promote your channel on social media. Embed video clips in your posts. If you have a blog or a website, integrate clips there as well.
Optimize Your Videos for Searches
Identify the best keywords and include them in the titles, descriptions and tags of your videos. These will help your content be found from YouTube searches and from Google searches as well. Use the Google keyword planner or one of the popular third-party keyword tools.
Use some long-tail keywords. Those are longer keywords that some searchers enter but are less likely to be found in the videos you’re completing with.
Use Studio Analytics
The analytics option in your studio contains a wealth of information about how well your content is doing. You can see number of subscribers along with number of views and watch time for each video. The analytics studio helps you learn how your audience arrived at your channel. It also lets you see how many watched your posts until the end and when those who didn’t left. You can even get some limited information about audience demographics such as age and gender.
In short, you can get a good idea of what people want to see more of. Also, this is where you’ll see ad revenue once you start to earn it.
Create Content on a Regular Basis
Always be giving your audience something new. Some Creators update the same day every week, but the important thing is to keep producing.
When it makes sense, create longer videos to boost your view hours. If you do, though, make sure it’s engaging content and not filler that’s going to waste your viewer’s time.
Monetize before You Reach Partnership
You don’t have to wait until you’re a YouTube Partner to start earning. Here’s how to make money on YouTube as soon as you produce content that people like.
Brand Sponsorship
This is also called influencer marketing. It’s when a company pays you to promote its brand or product in your video. You can contact a company directly, and there are third-party sites that will match you with a company who fits in with your content.
Affiliate Marketing
Affiliate marketing also involves a company paying you for promoting products, but it’s a little different. In this case, you create links to the products in your videos. If the viewer clicks through and buys a product, you earn a commission. It’s especially suited to product review videos, but can extend to general content about the field in which the company does business. It may be the easiest way to start monetizing your channel.
Amazon Associates is the most widely used affiliate marketing program, and almost anyone can join. There are others. Sites like ShareASale and ClickBank show businesses that have affiliate marketing programs. Many companies have information about affiliate marketing opportunities on their websites.
If you do use this practice, you’re required to inform viewers that you’re an affiliate marketer.
Link To Merchandise Sales
If you sell products on Etsy or some other site, either third-party or your own, you can tout your sites and even provide links.
Join the YouTube Partner Program
The Earn page in your Studio will tell how close you are to Partner eligibility. YouTube will even email you when you get there. When you reach the threshold of 1,000 subscribers plus either 4,000 view hours in the past year of 10 million Shorts views in the last three months, it’s time to apply.
If you meet the other eligibility criteria and are accepted, you’ll need to set up a Google AdSense account (or link to one that you already have). AdSense is required for you to get paid.
Partnership opens up monetization opportunities that you don’t get otherwise.
Watch Page Ads
You earn money when someone watches an ad that shows up before, during, after or around your video on a watch page. In addition, you get paid when a YouTube Premium subscriber views your content.
Shorts Feed Ads
You also can be compensated from ads that run in between Shorts videos. As with your videos on watch pages, you earn when a Premium subscriber views your Shorts contents.
Channel Memberships
You can have a Join button on your page and provide bonus content for those who join and make recurring payments. In return, you provide them with content and perks that aren’t generally available. You can have multiple price levels for membership.
Merchandise Sales
You now have a facility to connect your own store and offer your products on your channel.
Supers
These include Super Thanks, Super Chat and Super Stickers. These are extra pieces of special content views can buy to own a keepsake or to express appreciation and support for your channel.
Ready To Get Started?
Every YouTube superstar began where you are, with an idea and a dream. They succeeded by producing great content and promoting it effectively.
There’s no reason to wait until tomorrow or next week to start your adventure. Capture that idea, create a channel and start filming. Good luck!
Sources
Create a YouTube channel – YouTube Help (google.com)
How to Make Money on YouTube, According to 3 People Who Do (hubspot.com)
