Make Money on YouTube: Many people are looking for ways to make extra money online in today’s gig economy. Having multiple revenue streams can help you manage your budget better during times of high inflation — and provide additional security in the event of a recession.
You may be thinking about making money on YouTube as an additional revenue stream or even as your primary source of income. But perhaps you dislike being on camera and lack video editing skills. The good news is that you can still make money on YouTube without ever touching your phone’s record button.
How to Make Money on YouTube Without Making Videos
You can make money on YouTube in a variety of ways that do not require you to create original video content, appear on-screen, or even post a video. As a YouTube partner, you can earn money by sharing third-party content and gaining a large enough following. Other ways to make money on YouTube include becoming a YouTube consultant.
1. Earning Money from YouTube Content
If you decide you want to make money by posting content on YouTube but don’t want to show your face on camera, you have plenty of options.
Setting up a YouTube Brand account is the first step in making money on YouTube. A Brand account is free and allows you to set up multiple channels, hide your email address, and choose a different name — allowing you to put your brand in the spotlight rather than your own face, name, and personality.
Then, create a channel based on the topic you want to concentrate on. The Meditation Mindfulness channel, a Daily Dose of Internet — a clip channel of funny and interesting videos from across the Internet — and many audio-only podcasts are among the most popular YouTube channels that do not feature people.
2. Gather Content from Other Sources
People will be interested in your YouTube channel whether you share funny animal videos, movie trailers, or interesting and strange news. The best part about curating content is that you don’t have to be in front of or behind a camera at all.
However, if you are aggregating third-party content, ensure that you have explicit permission or rights to share that content. Otherwise, you may receive a “Matched Third-Party” notification. If the notification was sent in error, you should immediately dispute it. Make certain that you have permission to share the content you post.
Often, content is posted under a “Creative Commons” license. This grants third parties permission to use the video. Follow the Creative Commons licensing guidelines. You may not use the videos for commercial purposes or to make money, and you may not alter the videos. You must also give credit to the original author.
You can also look for creative commons photos and artwork and combine it with music to create a montage video.
You can find Creative Commons content on YouTube, and you can also search for video clips and photos on sites like Vimeo, Pixabay, Videvo, and others.
3. Disseminate Slide Decks and Presentations
A slide deck or presentation is an excellent way to teach people something new or to promote your business.
Homework assistance During the pandemic, when parents struggled with homeschooling and virtual learning, trying to teach their children concepts they didn’t understand or hadn’t studied in decades, YouTube channels exploded. Even today, many children seek assistance from YouTube before approaching their parents or teachers.
4. Capture Only Audio Reaction Videos
People bored at home during the pandemic in 2020 wanted to share their thoughts on media and entertainment without getting in front of the camera, so the reaction video genre took off. Jaby Koay, a YouTuber, has 1.7 million subscribers thanks to his reaction videos.
But you don’t have to show your face to express your views on pop culture, news, common everyday situations, and other topics. Simply find clips to share and record your reactions with voiceover.
5. Distribute audio-only podcasts
Do you have a favorite subject? Is there anything you could talk about for hours on end every day? Consider creating an audio-only podcast and uploading it to YouTube.
For video content, most people think of YouTube. According to a recent survey from voiceover marketplace Voices, YouTube is the top platform for listening to podcasts, with 57.8% of consumers polled choosing it as their preferred platform, ahead of Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and others.
6. Use Voiceovers to Live Stream Your Video Game Play
Similarly, if you enjoy gaming, you can live stream — or even record — your gameplay with voiceovers.
While many of YouTube’s top gaming influencers have a distinct brand, such as DanTDM, who has a Halloween costume modeled after his trademark outfit, others never show their face. H20 Delirious has remained anonymous, never showing his face and going by the name Jonathon.
7. Sign up for the YouTube Partner Program.
Of course, curating or creating great content is only the first step. Remember, you are not required to create the videos yourself. To get the word out, you will need to aggregate content that people enjoy and then market your channel through social media.
You can apply for the YouTube Partner Program once your videos have received some views and you have a following on your channel. Joining the YPP provides access to multiple revenue streams for making money on YouTube.
You can apply to the YouTube Partner Program if you have at least 1,000 subscribers to your channel, 4,000 valid public watch hours in the last 12 months, and have kept your YouTube account in good standing. As a partner, you can earn money from advertisements, subscribers, merchandise, and other sources.
8. Make Money from YouTube Ads
You can start earning money from ads as a YouTube Partner once you link your Google AdSense account to your YouTube account. Earn between 10 and 30 cents per ad view, with an average of 18 cents. This is typically $3 to $5 per 1,000 video views or $18 per 1,000 ad views.
You can see how quickly you can make a lot of money through YouTube ads if you have a high-traffic channel and a highly engaged viewership that watches the ads.
9. Connect Your Content with a Shopify Store
You can sell merchandise related to your brand and content by linking your content to your own Shopify store. Furthermore, you can promote your store on other social media channels to generate revenue in addition to your YouTube content. Your content and merchandise can work together to help you build your brand.
10. Sell merchandise on the merch shelf
Even after you’ve become a YouTube Partner, you’ll want to keep your Shopify store running smoothly. However, YPP members can also make money by listing their merchandise on YouTube Shopping. You can display your own merchandise as well as merchandise from other brands. These products can be displayed in a variety of ways, including on a product shelf or as an overlay beneath your videos.
11. Create a Patreon Account to Fund Your Channel
Of course, the above content ideas will not make you money unless you have a way to generate revenue. To make money on ads, subscribers, merchandise, and more, you’ll need to build up your subscriber list and watch time enough to apply for the YouTube Partner Program.
However, as you grow your channel and viewership, you can set up a Patreon account and solicit donations to support your channel. You may want to provide value-added content and other perks, such as branded merchandise, to those who subscribe to your Patreon account.
12. Profit from Premium Subscribers
YouTube wants to make certain that it is assisting its creators. YouTube would not exist without content creators. Viewers can watch their favorite YouTube channels ad-free with YouTube Premium. However, creators are still compensated. Each time a YouTube Premium member watches your channel or downloads it for later viewing, you earn a portion of the subscriber fee.
Excellent news! When people download your videos, it still counts toward your annual watch time.
13. Fees for Channel Subscribers
If people like your content enough to pay for it, you can charge membership fees in addition to YouTube Premium fees. If you charge subscribers, you should provide value-added content, special videos, and other extras to make it worthwhile for them to subscribe to your channel.
14. Earn money by using Super Chat and Super Stickers.
Fans enjoy interacting with their favorite creators, and YouTube has taken advantage of this by providing creators with an additional revenue stream through the sale of Super Chat and Super Stickers.
Viewers can buy Super Stickers, which are digital or animated images that appear in the live chat feed and allow fans to interact with creators and with one another. They can also buy Super Chats, which will highlight their message within the chat.
15. Work as a YouTube Consultant
Once you’ve mastered solid YouTube money-making strategies, you can share your knowledge with others as a YouTube consultant for brands. You can create a profile on MarketerHire or other marketplaces where marketing professionals are sought.
You can also promote your services on LinkedIn or other social media platforms. Word-of-mouth may be the best way to find work as a YouTube consultant. Network in your community and online, and inform businesses that you can assist them in increasing their YouTube presence to promote their brand.
16. Nielsen Video Watching
Nielsen, the consumer research firm that has been tracking people’s TV viewing habits for nearly a century, will pay you to allow it to track your viewing habits on YouTube and other streaming networks. Simply sign up on the Nielsen website, then download the secure Nielsen app or computer software to any device where you watch videos, including your smartphone and computer.
You won’t get rich watching Nielsen videos, but you can earn up to $60 in retailer gift cards or cash deposited into your PayPal account. You’ll also receive instant win game tokens that could boost your earnings, as well as an entry into a $10,000 monthly sweepstakes. If you don’t mind Nielsen tracking your YouTube viewing habits, this is a good way to make some extra money quickly.
17. Invest in the Parent Company of YouTube
Another way to earn money passively on YouTube is to buy Alphabet Company stock, the parent company of Google and YouTube. Alphabet Company stock is currently trading at around $88, down from its 52-week high of $152.10. The stock is rated a “Strong Buy” by experts.
FAQ
Is it possible to make money on YouTube without making videos?
You can make money on YouTube without making videos in a variety of ways. You can send audio files, presentations, or third-party content to others. You can create up a Shopify store and share third-party videos related to the products you’re selling.
If you have enough viewers from curated content, you can become a YouTube Partner and earn money when people watch the ads in your videos.
How can I make money on YouTube if I don’t have any content?
You can make money on YouTube even if you don’t have any content by investing in Alphabet stock, the parent company of Google and YouTube, or by becoming a YouTube consultant and assisting other brands in making money on YouTube.
Can you make money on YouTube just by watching views?
The average ad on a YouTube channel earns between 10 and 30 cents per ad view, equating to up to $5 per 1,000 video views. If a video receives 1 million views, it could earn $5,000. You must first become a YouTube Partner before you can place ads on YouTube.
How many views do you need on YouTube to start making money?
You must have at least 1,000 subscribers and 4,000 “valid public watch hours” in the previous 12 months to apply to the YouTube Partner Program. Your YouTube account must also be active, and you must have a Google AdSense account linked to it. YouTube Partners now have more ways to earn money on YouTube, including ad views, merchandise shelves, subscribers, and more.
