17+ Income Earning Streams for YouTubers in 2023 | Alternative income sources for YouTubers

YouTube has become a platform for content creators to showcase their talents, share their interests, and make money. With over 2 billion monthly active users, the platform offers ample opportunities for YouTubers to monetize their channels and earn a substantial income.

If You are a beginner in the field of content creation, YouTube then it will be difficult to monetize your video Content with YouTube Partners Program from first day. But you don’t need to worry, the possibilities are endless.

While advertising revenue, selling products, sponsored content, affiliate marketing, crowdfunding, and merchandising are some of the most common sources of income for YouTubers, there are several other streams through which they can generate additional income.

In this blog post, we’ll explore some of these income sources and provide examples of successful YouTubers who have leveraged these streams to build a lucrative business.

YouTube Guideline that You must Follow

Let’s us first understand the YouTube Community Guideline to ensure that your content is appropriate, engaging, and in line with the community’s standards. Here are some of the key guidelines to keep in mind:

1. Respect copyright laws: Do not upload content that infringes on someone else’s intellectual property rights.
2. Do not upload inappropriate content that contains hate speech, graphic violence, or adult content.
3. Be mindful of others’ privacy: Do not upload content that contains personal information or invades someone else’s privacy.
4. Do not use inappropriate language that is obscene, vulgar, or offensive.
5. Follow community guidelines in order to stay safe from receiving any strike or violence notice from YouTube.
6. Be clear about any commercial relationships or sponsorships that may influence your content.
7. Encourage feedback and interaction with your viewers and respond to comments and questions in a positive and professional manner.

By following these guidelines, you can help ensure that your content is well-received by your audience and the wider YouTube community, and that your channel remains in good standing on the platform.

Advertising Revenue

Advertising is the most common source of income for YouTubers. This is because YouTube has an advertising program that displays ads on videos, and creators receive a portion of the revenue generated from these ads.

Who is Eligible for Joining YouTube Partner Program?

1. You must reside in a country where the YPP is available and have a valid Google AdSense account.
2. Your channel must have a minimum of 1,000 subscribers and 4,000 hours of watch time in the past 12 months.
3. Your content must comply with YouTube’s community guidelines and terms of service. You cannot monetize content that contains hate speech, graphic violence, or adult content.
4. Your channel must meet certain technical requirements, such as having a linked Google AdSense account and a linked Google payments profile.

The amount of money earned from advertising depends on several factors, including the number of views, the niche, and the engagement of the audience.

YouTubers with a large following can earn a substantial amount of money through advertising. For example, PewDiePie, one of the largest YouTubers, has an estimated net worth of $30 million and a large portion of his income comes from advertising.

Sponsored Content

Alternative income source for YouTubers to earn money is through sponsored content. Sponsored content involves promoting a product or service in exchange for payment. This can be done through a sponsored video or simply by mentioning the product in a video.

Creators get paid for this type of content either through a flat fee or by receiving a commission on any sales made as a result of their video.

For example, Casey Neistat, a filmmaker and YouTuber, has worked with several brands to create sponsored content. He is one of the most well-known YouTubers and has made millions of dollars through sponsored content.

Affiliate Marketing

Affiliate marketing involves promoting a product or service and earning a commission for each sale made through your unique affiliate link. YouTubers can promote products that they love or use, and their audience is more likely to trust their recommendations.

Maximizing YouTube earnings through Affiliate marketing can be a lucrative opportunity for creators and influencers, as they can earn money by promoting products and services that are relevant to their audience and align with their brand.

For example, Zoella, a beauty and lifestyle YouTuber, has made a significant amount of money through affiliate marketing. She has worked with several beauty brands and earns a commission for each sale made through her affiliate link.

Selling Product

Selling products on YouTube is another Profitable YouTube business models that creators and influencers can monetize their content and earn money. This can include physical products, such as t-shirts, or digital products, such as ebooks or courses.

It’s important for creators to consider their audience and their brand when deciding what products to sell and to ensure that the products they sell are of high quality and offer value to their audience.

For example, Shane Dawson, a YouTuber and filmmaker, has made millions of dollars by selling his own products, including t-shirts, books, and a conspiracy theory series.

Crowdfunding

Crowdfunding can be a valuable tool for creators and influencers looking to monetize their content and build their brand, but it requires careful planning and execution to be successful.

Crowdfunding involves raising money from a large number of people to support a specific project or cause. Creators can use crowdfunding platforms like Patreon, Kickstarter, or GoFundMe to raise money from their audience.

YouTubers can use crowdfunding to fund their creative projects, such as a film or a book. For example, Casey Neistat raised $800,000 in a Kickstarter campaign to fund his documentary, “New York Minute.”

Merchandising

YouTubers can also earn money by selling merchandise related to their channel. This can include t-shirts, hats, mugs, stickers, and more. The merchandise can be sold through the creator’s website or through platforms like Teespring and Redbubble.

Additionally, merchandise can be a reliable Diversifying YouTube revenue streams for creators, as they can continue to sell products even when they’re not actively creating content.

YouTubers can earn a profit from the sale of each item and can also offer exclusive merchandise to their subscribers. Examples of YouTube Content Creator are MrBeast, PewDiePie, Jenna Marbles who earn a handsome amount from Merchandising.

Subscriptions and Memberships

YouTubers can offer exclusive content and perks to their audience in exchange for a monthly subscription or membership fee is Additional income sources for YouTubers. You can set the different membership levels and what special perks each tier gets access to. 

For example, MrBeast, a YouTuber known for his stunts and philanthropy, offers a paid membership program that includes exclusive merchandise, early access to videos, and more.

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Virtual Services

Virtual services is another way that creators and influencers can earn money through YouTube. Virtual services can include a wide range of offerings, such as:

• Consulting: Creators can offer one-on-one or group consulting services to their audience, either through video calls or in-person sessions.
• Coaching: Creators can offer coaching services, helping their audience achieve specific goals or improve their skills in a particular area.
• Courses: Creators can create and sell online courses, teaching their audience a specific skill or providing information on a particular topic.
• Virtual events: Creators can host virtual events, such as workshops, webinars, or concerts, and charge admission fees.

For example, Tim Schmoyer, a YouTuber and filmmaker, offers virtual courses on video production and YouTube growth.

Exclusive Content

Subscription services allow YouTubers to monetize their content by charging a fee for access to exclusive content or perks. This could include early access to videos, bonus content, or a private community.

For example, Tyler Oakley, a popular YouTuber and author, offers a subscription service called “Tyler Oakley’s Friends” which includes exclusive content, bonus videos, and access to a private community.

Virtual events

Virtual events are a great way for YouTubers to monetize their audience and connect with their fans. This could include online concerts, workshops, or Q&A sessions.

Virtual events can take many forms, such as live streams, webinars, online conferences, or online concerts. Creators can charge for admission to their virtual events, either through a one-time fee or a recurring subscription.

For example, Jacksepticeye, a popular gamer and YouTuber, has held virtual events where fans can interact with him and other YouTubers.

E-Commerce

E-commerce is another way for YouTubers to generate income by selling products online. This could include physical products, such as t-shirts, or digital products, such as ebooks or courses.

They could use their videos to show their products in action, provide demonstrations, and give their audience a behind-the-scenes look at their brand. They could also use social media platforms, such as Instagram and Twitter, to drive traffic to their e-commerce store.

For example, Jenna Marbles, a popular comedian and YouTuber, has a successful e-commerce store that sells products such as t-shirts, hats, and phone cases.

Consulting Services

Consulting services allow YouTubers to monetize their expertise and provide value to their audience. This could include offering advice on building a YouTube channel, social media marketing, or a specific topic related to their niche.

By leveraging their expertise and experience, creators can offer one-on-one or group consulting services to their audience. By taking these steps, creators and influencers can build a thriving consulting business through YouTube and monetize their content in a meaningful way.

For example, Marques Brownlee, a popular technology YouTuber, offers consulting services to companies and individuals looking to build a successful tech brand.

Public Speaking

Public speaking is another way for YouTubers to monetize their expertise and reach a wider audience. With a large following on YouTube, creators can leverage their platform and expertise to secure speaking engagements at events, conferences, and other public events. This could include keynote speeches, workshops, or panels.

For example, Casey Neistat, a filmmaker and YouTuber, has made a significant amount of money through public speaking and has been a keynote speaker at several events.

Donations

One way for YouTubers to earn money is through donations from their audience. Many YouTubers have set up a donation system through platforms like Patreon, which allows viewers to support their favorite creators on a monthly basis.

Donations involve receiving gifts or contributions from their audience in the form of money or other assets. It’s important for creators to be transparent about their intentions and to use the donations they receive ethically and responsibly. This helps maintain trust and credibility with their audience..

For example, MrBeast, a YouTuber known for his stunts and philanthropy, has made a significant amount of money through donations from his audience.

Product Placement

Product placement is another way for YouTubers to earn money. Product placement involves incorporating a product or service into the content of a video, often in a subtle or natural way, as opposed to a direct endorsement.

For example, Jenna Marbles, a comedian and YouTuber, has made a significant amount of money through product placement in her videos.

Endorsements and Influencer Marketing

YouTubers with a large following can earn money through endorsements and influencer marketing. They can promote products and services to their audience and earn a fee for each endorsement.

Influencer marketing has become an increasingly popular way for brands to reach their target audience, as influencer marketing can be more effective than traditional advertising in terms of engagement and conversions.

For example, James Charles, a popular beauty influencer on YouTube, who has worked with brands like Morphe, Tarte, and CoverGirl to promote their products through his channel, generating significant income through influencer marketing.

Podcasts

Podcasts have become a popular source of income for YouTubers, as they can reach a new audience and generate additional revenue. Creators can earn money through sponsorships, advertising, and podcast subscriptions.

For example, Joe Rogan, a comedian and YouTuber, has a popular podcast called “The Joe Rogan Experience,” generating significant income through sponsorships, advertising, and podcast subscriptions.

Another example is “Stuff You Should Know”, a podcast hosted by Josh Clark and Chuck Bryant, who cover a wide range of topics and have built a large following on YouTube. They monetize their content through a combination of advertising, sponsorships, and merchandise sales.

These examples show that podcasts can be a lucrative way to earn money through YouTube, and that there are many different ways to monetize podcast content.