Making money with YouTube: Getting started made easy

You want to know how you can earn money with YouTube? There are indeed several ways to achieve your goal, even if you do not have a monetized channel. First, we will discuss the most basic requirements, then we will look at the various monetary opportunities. In the end, you will have a clear overview of how you can make the most out of your YouTube channel.

Key Insights To earn money with YouTube, you need to meet certain criteria, including 1000 subscribers and 4000 hours of watch time in the last 12 months. Monetization depends on adhering to the community guidelines and having a linked Google AdSense account. Earning possibilities vary greatly depending on the category and audience of your channel.

Step-by-Step Guide

1. Fulfill Requirements

To earn money with YouTube, you must first meet two important criteria. The first is that you must reach at least 1000 subscribers. The second, often perceived as more difficult, is that you need to have at least 4000 hours of watch time on your channel within the last 12 months.

To achieve this, you should create longer videos. An example would be a video where you play relaxing rain sounds for 6 hours. Many people listen to such content to fall asleep and let it run continuously, helping you achieve the required watch time.

2. Check Location

Another crucial factor is that you live in a country where the YouTube Partner Program is available. So, make sure that your country is listed in the supported countries. For example, Austria, Germany, and Switzerland are included, while it might be restricted in some African countries.

3. Adhere to YouTube Community Guidelines

Also crucial is adhering to the YouTube Community Guidelines. These guidelines are essential to ensure monetization. Content that violates these guidelines, such as hate speech, bullying, or inappropriate content, is not suitable for monetization.

4. Activate Monetization

If you have met the above requirements, you can link your channel with Google AdSense. Log in to your YouTube Studio, click on the Monetization section, and follow the linking instructions. You need to link your AdSense account to apply for monetization.

5. Business Registration

If you want to take earning seriously, you also need to register a business. If you are under 18, get your parents' permission. Typically, business registration costs between 20 and 40 euros, depending on your location. Consider registering as a small business owner, as this allows you to benefit from simplified tax conditions.

6. Understand Monetary Strategies

Earnings from YouTube can vary significantly based on factors such as your channel's category, your audience's age, and the quality of your videos. Categories like music or gaming generally bring in less money per 1000 views, while education and finance can bring in more.

7. Optimize Audience and Video Quality

Keep in mind that the audience plays a significant role. Advertising targeted at financially stable adults may not be as relevant for a younger audience. Ensure that your videos are of good quality – both visually and in terms of sound. An appealing presentation can make the difference as to whether advertisers want to place ads with you or not.

8. Activate and Optimize Monetization

Activate all available ads on your channel to maximize your earnings. Earnings from ads depend on your RPM (Revenue per 1000 views), which can fluctuate.

Additionally, be aware that ad blockers used by your viewers can impact your revenue. If someone has an ad blocker enabled, no ads will be loaded, and you will not earn anything in those cases.

Summary - Making Money with YouTube: How to Start Right

With the right approach, you can significantly increase your chances of making money on YouTube. Set clear goals, adhere to the necessary guidelines, and optimize your content as well as your audience engagement.