by Google
YouTube ads are one of the main ways to make money on the platform, but many people are struggling to find a way to watch YouTube without ads or to block them. Do you have higher goals than just making money from YouTube ads, and want to expand your income? From sponsorships and selling your own merch to licensing content and creating online courses, there are many ways to diversify your income and build a strong community of fans. This article will show you how to make the most of YouTube's potential and effectively earn money outside of traditional advertising.
Sponsorship partnerships and brand deals
Sponsorship partnerships and brand deals are actually classic collaborations with brands that pay a YouTuber to promote their product or service in a video. You can implement such collaboration in your video in several ways - it can be an integrated advertisement within the video's storyline, an opening or closing mention, or an entire video dedicated to the sponsored topic. In this way, the brand naturally fits into the content and addresses the target audience.
As with collaborations on Instagram, it is crucial for YouTube that the brand fits naturally into the content and that it appears trustworthy to viewers. Authenticity and transparency are important, including in labeling collaborations. And what are the advantages and disadvantages of such collaborations?
The advantage is definitely higher earning potential than with classic YouTube advertising. Building long-term relationships with brands is great because it leads to long-term partnerships that are also more trustworthy to viewers. The disadvantage may be, for example, the requirements of brands to process promotions, which can be time-consuming.
Patreon, Buy Me a Coffee or HeroHero
You've probably noticed the boom around the HeroHero platform and you know how it works. Patreon also works on a similar principle, with the difference that creators can set different membership levels for viewers. Such platforms provide viewers with exclusive content, pre-published content, personal interaction or Q&A (questions and answers), behind-the-scenes footage or exclusive merch.
The advantages of platforms like HeroHero and Patreon are regular income, as viewers pay monthly, and direct and closer contact with fans, which strengthens relationships. The disadvantages can be it is that it can be difficult to retain subscribers, as they will expect regular exclusive content from you.
The last platform we will mention is Buy Me a Coffee, where viewers can “buy” creators coffee. These are one-time or regular contributions with the option to choose the amount of the contribution.
,,Platforms like Patreon, Buy Me a Coffee, and HeroHero are great options for creators who have a clear idea of what they want to offer their viewers. The key is to create exclusive content that will be valuable and interesting to fans, but at the same time, it will not change the basic experience of viewers who choose not to support the channel through a membership. Avoid unnecessarily frustrating viewers by restricting content that was previously freely available.
Exclusive content should be seen as a bonus for those who want to support creation at a higher level, not as a requirement for everyone. This is an expanded source of revenue, so it's important to think carefully about what you can offer, while also setting a reasonable membership price to make it attractive and manageable for fans."
Merchandising
One of the most popular ways YouTubers diversify their income is selling their own products. This way, a fan can buy or get a product that is associated with their favorite creator while increasing brand awareness.
Merchandising includes clothing, accessories, or creative products like graphics, stickers, or books. If you've decided to start selling your own products, you have two options - do it all yourself, or use a merchandising platform. The first option will give you full control over quality, production, and design, but it is quite time-consuming and expensive. The second option will make your job easier and you can focus on producing content, but expect the platform to take a percentage of the profits.
Superchats and YouTube Membership
If you want to keep all your content on one platform as a creator, YouTube Membership is the right choice for you. Superchats and YouTube Membership are especially popular with streamers and creators who have a strong community willing to support their content. Superchat is a feature that is available during live broadcasts on YouTube and allows viewers to contribute financially and thus highlight their messages. In this way, fans catch the creator's attention during the stream and can ask him questions or express support.
YouTube membership works similarly to the aforementioned Patreon or HeroHero, i.e. on a regular fee, for which the viewer receives either exclusive or preferred content, special emoticons and more. For the effective use of Superchats and YouTube membership, regular interaction with fans and building trust are important.
Online courses and consultations
If you are an experienced YouTuber who has professional knowledge and experience, selling your online courses or consultations is a great way to monetize your knowledge. This way, you can not only generate revenue, but also build trust with your viewers.
To start, it's important to be clear about what area of knowledge you have that is valuable to your target audience. Don't just make a course just for the sake of it. For example, if you run a fitness channel, you can create a course on exercises for beginners or advanced.
By creating an online course that sells repeatedly, you can earn passive income without having to constantly create new content. Promote your courses directly in your YouTube videos and add links. You can start by offering some free lessons to build trust, and don't forget to share positive reviews and stories from your past clients. Selling online courses and consultations is a great option for experienced YouTubers who are interested in monetizing their knowledge and skills. However, a thoughtful approach is important - the key is to offer truly valuable content that meets the needs of your target audience. I recommend avoiding creating courses just for profit; focus on topics that have real benefits."
Content Licensing
Content Licensing is also a profitable way to make money on YouTube, in addition to traditional advertising. This method involves selling or licensing the use of your original videos, music, graphics, or other multimedia content to advertising agencies or online platforms. Licensing can be one-time or long-term with recurring payments.
The advantages of content licensing are earning passive income and increasing reach if your content appears in other media or advertising. The disadvantages of this method of earning can include legal complications, as securing the rights to your content can be difficult, and obtaining interest in your products.
Making money on YouTube is no longer just about ads – it's about creating value and connecting closely with the audience that supports you. Whether you opt for sponsorship partnerships, selling products, licensing videos, or offering online courses, each of these methods can bring you additional opportunities for growth and profit. Want to learn more about how to create effectively on YouTube? Follow our other articles!
