Have you ever wondered how much small YouTube creators make from their channels? In this article, we’ll explore the income of three small channels to get a better understanding of how YouTube monetization works.
The 3 Channels i have access to
Channel 1: Simon Elkjær
My channel has 1197 subscribers, but I make zero dollars from it. This is because, to be monetized on YouTube, you need to have at least 4,000 watch hours within one year.
Unfortunately, I deleted some of my old content, causing my watch time to drop.
Channel 2: Tech Channel
This channel is a bit special. I don’t use my face on it and instead upload repurposed content from my blog.
Some of the videos have over 60,000 views and the channel brought in a total of $33.60 in July 2020. The subscriber count is 2258 and it gets around 10,000 views a month. In its lifetime, this channel has earned me about $713 on 437,000 views.
However, this channel also has unmonetized views.
According to my revenue share agreement with YouTube, the standard is for YouTube to keep 45% of the revenue and give me 55%. However, due to the high number of unmonetized views, YouTube is keeping 63% of the revenue.
Channel 3: DIY channel
This tech channel has 2,637 subscribers and an RPM (revenue per thousand views) of $1.24 on a CPM (cost per thousand views) of $6.65.
This channel gets an absurd amount of unmonetized views, totaling around $880. Despite this, the channel is only earning 18.6% of its revenue. This is even though YouTube claims that all the content is monetizable.
Why Do Some Channels Make More Money Than Others?
There are several factors that can influence how much a YouTube channel makes. If you create content that is popular in countries like India or Pakistan, your views may not be worth as much since most of the biggest companies advertising on YouTube are American and want to target their prime customers.
The age group of your target audience and the purchasing power of your audience can also impact your CPM and ad rates.
Additionally, the niche of your content can affect your income.
Some niches are worth more than others, and Google controls all the ad inventory on YouTube. If you want to make a high revenue per view on your YouTube channel, it’s best to target parents rather than Gen Z, as parents tend to have more purchasing power. However, it can be difficult to reach them as they are not as active on YouTube.
5 Ways Unmonetized YouTube Channels Can Earn Money
If you have a YouTube channel that is not monetized, you might be wondering how you can still make money from your content. Here are 7 ways unmonetized YouTube channels can earn money:
1. Patreon or Other Crowdfunding
One way to earn money from your unmonetized YouTube channel is to use crowdfunding platforms like Patreon. Patreon allows you to set up a subscription service where your fans can pay a monthly fee to support your content and get exclusive perks in return. You can also use other crowdfunding platforms like Kickstarter or Indiegogo to fund specific projects or campaigns.
2. Affiliate Marketing
If you have a niche audience, you can earn money by promoting products or services that are relevant to your viewers. You can join an affiliate program and receive a commission for every sale made through your referral link. Make sure to disclose that you are using affiliate links in your videos and be transparent about the products you recommend.
3. Sponsored Content
If you have a large and engaged audience, you can reach out to companies and offer to create sponsored content for them. This can be in the form of a sponsored video, blog post, or social media post. Be sure to follow all the guidelines and rules set by YouTube and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) when it comes to sponsored content.
4. Sell Your Own Products or Services
Another way to earn money from your unmonetized YouTube channel is to sell your own products or services. This could be physical products like t-shirts or digital products like ebooks or online courses. You can also offer services like consulting or coaching to your audience.
5. Advertise Your Own Business or Services
If you have your own business or offer services, you can use your YouTube channel as a platform to advertise and promote it. This can be a great way to reach a new audience and drive traffic to your website.
Conclusion
YouTube monetization can be complex and varies greatly for small creators. The income of a channel depends on various factors such as the country, age group, and purchasing power of the audience, as well as the niche of the content. While it’s not easy for small creators to make a lot of money on YouTube, it’s still possible with hard work and strategic planning.
