10 Ways to Make Money on YouTube in 2025

The six most profitable and proven strategies to monetize your YouTube channel include brand partnerships, the YouTube Partner Program (YPP), affiliate marketing, selling products, channel memberships, and content licensing.

1. Brand Partnerships

For smaller YouTubers, brand deals can be the biggest source of income, even before ad revenue starts rolling in. You don’t need millions of subscribers to land a deal; creators with just a few thousand subscribers can earn anywhere from $500 to $2,000 per video if they’re in the right niche.

Brands are increasingly valuing trust and influence over raw numbers, especially as the sponsorship landscape has matured in recent years. In fact, many successful creators now integrate brand deals in ways that feel natural and genuinely benefit their audience.

How do I land my first brand deal?

If you want to land your first brand deal, stop chasing random companies and start targeting the right ones. Too many new creators make the mistake of sending generic pitches to every brand they can think of. Instead, take a strategic approach to find the right partners, pitch with confidence, and get paid—without sounding desperate or amateur. Here’s how:

Step 1: Target brands that actually make sense

Start by identifying 15–20 brands whose products align with your content and audience. Only pitch products you genuinely use and believe in, even if you weren’t getting paid.

Step 2: Build a media kit that sells you 

Your media kit should go beyond just your follower count. Highlight your niche, audience demographics, past collaborations, and most importantly, your engagement rate. Even if you don’t have huge numbers yet, quality and interaction matter more than you think.

Step 3: Craft a pitch that doesn’t suck

Ditch the generic emails. Personalize your outreach. Start by complimenting the brand on something specific, introduce your channel, and offer a collaboration idea that benefits both parties. Include key stats and a link to your media kit, and always end with a call-to-action to schedule a meeting.

Step 4: Close the deal like a pro

When a brand shows interest, don’t just jump at any offer. Ask them about their desired results and price based on value, not hours worked. Even small deals are worth doing right, as they’ll build your portfolio and lead to bigger opportunities.

2. Join the YouTube Partner Program to Earn Ad Revenue

The YouTube Partner Program (YPP) is still the foundation of monetization for many creators, so make sure you’re a pro at promoting your channel. YPP allows you to earn a cut of the revenue generated from ads displayed on your videos. While the exact revenue split isn’t publicly disclosed, creators usually receive 55% of the ad revenue.

To qualify for YPP currently, you need to meet a few criteria:

• At least 1,000 subscribers
• Either 4,000 hours of watch time in the last 12 months or 10 million Shorts views in the past 90 days
• Compliance with YouTube’s monetization policies
• Be located in a region where YPP is available

The amount you earn per 1,000 views depends on your niche. For example, finance and tech channels can earn $15–$30, while niches like gaming or lifestyle tend to see around $3–$10 per 1,000 views.

How do I qualify for YPP?

If you're serious about monetizing your channel, stop uploading fluff. These are the hard-hitting tactics that move the needle on both watch time and subscriber growth—fast:

1. Create marathon-worthy videos that actually hold attention

To maximize your earnings, aim for videos in the 10–20 minute range that can support mid-roll ads without boring your viewers. But don’t just stretch the runtime—make every minute count. Use clear structure, cliffhangers, or layered insights to keep your audience watching until the end. Think in-depth tutorials, story-driven content, or expert breakdowns that offer more than surface-level value.

2. Build a content series that forces people to subscribe

Series content builds anticipation—and anticipation builds subscribers. Frame your videos as parts of a bigger journey so viewers don’t want to miss what’s next. Use on-screen calls to action, tease the next video before you end, and reference past episodes to create a binge-worthy loop.

3. Keep your content brand-safe if you want monetization options

Advertisers want safe, predictable content. That means steering clear of excessive profanity, sensitive topics, or copyright issues that might trigger demonetization. Review YouTube’s ad-friendly guidelines regularly, and ask yourself: would a major brand feel confident associating with this video?

4. Stop using clickbait and deliver what your title promises

Misleading titles might get clicks—but they won’t keep them. Viewers drop off fast if the content doesn’t match the hook, which kills your retention and buries your video in the algorithm. Be bold and intriguing, yes—but always back it up with substance.

5. Stick to your niche instead of chasing random trends

Trending content might bring a spike in views, but it rarely brings loyalty. Focus on your niche to attract the right audience—people who subscribe because you consistently deliver on a specific topic. Over time, this builds trust, authority, and a community that actually shows up for you.

3. Affiliate Marketing

Affiliate marketing is all about earning commissions when someone buys a product through your recommendation. It works especially well on YouTube, where you can show the product in action, creating trust and encouraging viewers to make a purchase.

Not all affiliate programs are equal. Amazon Associates offers modest commissions, but niche programs can pay much higher rates, especially for digital products or high-ticket items. 

How do I set up successful affiliate campaigns?

The key is to choose products that solve real problems for your audience, and don’t just focus on the highest-paying affiliate programs. The best affiliates are those who genuinely recommend products they believe in, just like they would to a close friend.

It’s essential to maintain transparency and track performance to continuously refine your approach. Here's how to do it effectively:

1. Strategically place affiliate links

Position your affiliate links near the top of your video description so they’re immediately visible without scrolling. Pair each link with a short sentence on why it’s worth clicking—what problem it solves or result it delivers. Mention the link naturally in your video and reinforce it with clickable cards or pinned comments to maximize visibility.

2. Incorporate products as solutions

Don’t just showcase a product—anchor it in context. Show how it fits into a larger process or solves a specific problem your viewers care about. A video like “How I Set Up My $500 Home Studio” integrates affiliate links in a way that feels helpful, not salesy, and makes the product part of the value.

3. Maintain proper disclosure

Transparency isn’t just a legal requirement—it builds long-term credibility. Briefly mention affiliate relationships at the start of your video and include clear language in your description like “This video contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a commission if you purchase through them.”

4. Track and analyze performance

Use link shorteners, UTM parameters, or built-in analytics from your affiliate dashboard to monitor clicks and conversions. Track which videos, placements, or product types drive the best results so you can double down on what’s working—and cut what’s not.

4. Create and Sell Your Own Products

Selling your own products offers the highest potential for profit because it gives you maximum control over pricing, positioning, and profit margin. Unlike ad revenue, where you earn pennies per view, selling a single product can bring in anywhere from $20 to $1,000 or more from just one person. This income multiplier is why so many top creators now prioritize selling their own products over other monetization methods.

How do I build my product empire to gain money on YouTube?

Channels with strong branding or catch phrases that fans want to identify have potential with selling physical merchandise like t-shirts and mugs. Digital products like ebooks, templates, or online courses offer virtually unlimited profit margins and no inventory concerns. If you have a unique skill or expertise, you could even create software tools or apps tailored to your niche.

Regardless of the product, the key lies in utilizing YouTube’s merchandise shelf. Here’s a step-by-step how:

1. Use the merchandise shelf

If you have 500+ subscribers, you can take advantage of YouTube’s merchandise shelf to showcase products directly under your videos. This increases conversion rates by making the purchase process seamless for your viewers. Feature your best-selling or high-margin products and rotate offerings based on the relevance to your video content.

2. Start small with print-on-demand or digital products

With print-on-demand services, you don’t have to worry about inventory, shipping, or customer service. For digital products, there are many platforms that allow you to sell with minimal fees and effort, allowing you to test the market before investing heavily.

3. Iterate and improve based on feedback

Release a minimum viable product (MVP) and gather feedback from your audience. Use this input to refine your products and create better offerings that your audience truly values. This process not only results in better products but also fosters a loyal community that feels connected to your brand’s growth.

4. Follow the 80/20 rule for promotion

Keep promotional content balanced. Focus on providing value 80% of the time and promote your products 20% of the time. Make the promotion story-driven and show how your product helps solve a problem rather than just listing product features.

5. Channel Memberships and Fan Funding

Subscription-based revenue provides a steady, predictable income stream. By offering perks like early access to content, behind-the-scenes footage, and exclusive interaction, you can provide real value to your most dedicated fans.

Creators often use both YouTube memberships for casual fans and platforms like Patreon to cater to superfans, taking advantage of higher customization and better revenue shares on third-party platforms. Offering multiple membership tiers (from $5 to $100 monthly) lets fans contribute at their comfort level, while rewarding superfans with premium benefits.

How do I get started with member benefits?

The key to launching a successful membership program is to focus on creating value your fans can’t get anywhere else and building excitement around your program from day one. Here’s how you can launch a membership that keeps fans coming back:

1. Create irresistible member benefits

Offer exclusive content, personalized shoutouts, or member-only livestreams to make your membership program valuable and engaging.

2. Launch with excitement

Tease the membership program before launch to build anticipation. Offer early member bonuses or discounts to encourage sign-ups and showcase positive experiences from your first members to encourage others to join.

3. Focus on retention over acquisition

Engage regularly with your members and gather feedback on what benefits they value most. Create a sense of community to keep them subscribed month after month, including hosting exclusive events.

6. License Your Content for Extra Income

Content licensing is an often-overlooked revenue stream that can provide passive income. If your videos capture rare moments or high-quality footage, you can sell the rights to use your content to news outlets, advertising agencies, or other creators who are willing to pay for it instead of producing it themselves.

Licensing fees vary dramatically based on exclusivity, usage rights, and content uniqueness, but even standard footage can bring in $50-$500. High-demand footage, like breaking news, celebrity encounters, or viral events, can earn you thousands of dollars. By licensing your content, you can earn recurring income for years from videos you’ve already uploaded.

How do I get started with content licensing?

Make your content discoverable and set up the right systems to handle licensing inquiries and negotiations. Here's how:

Step 1: Optimize your channel for discoverability

Use detailed descriptions, comprehensive tags, and include “Licensing Available” in your video titles and thumbnails. Make sure you have a business email clearly on your channel banner and in your video descriptions.

Step 2: Join platforms that connect creators with media buyers

Platforms like Jukin Media or Reuters connect you with buyers who are looking for authentic footage and who can be harder to reach independently. They also have the added advantage of handling marketing, licensing negotiations, and payment processing.

Step 3: Understand the licensing terms and pricing

Be clear on the difference between exclusive and non-exclusive licenses and price your content accordingly: exclusive licenses pay more but restrict you from licensing the same content elsewhere. Prepare standard rates and know the terms, including usage limitations and crediting.

Step 4: Address legal considerations

Make sure you have the necessary releases for any identifiable people in your footage, and consult with an entertainment attorney to create standardized licensing agreements that protect your rights.

Designing Your YouTube Income Around Your Rich Life

Ultimately, the most successful YouTubers build channels that reflect their values and lifestyle—not just what makes the most money. By diversifying your income through brand deals, ad revenue, affiliate sales, your own products, memberships, and content licensing, you create stability and freedom.

Smart creators reinvest in their growth, develop new skills, and use their earnings to fund a life they genuinely enjoy. Think of YouTube not just as a platform, but as a tool to fund your Rich Life—on your terms.\