Short-form content has been a game changer in the digital space. YouTube has also recently jumped on this form and adopted the concept through YouTube Shorts – a quick and snappier video format. Unlike longer videos that take up to several hours to watch, short-form videos are easy to consume as they are under 60 seconds long.
These bite-sized videos have become a favorite among creators and viewers alike. That’s because they make for “snackable” and highly addictive content and allow anyone with a smartphone to create content. But what’s truly capturing the attention of content creators is the prospect of earning money through YouTube Shorts.
This feature creates multiple revenue opportunities for YouTube Shorts creators, from ad revenue to sponsorships and merchandise sales. In this article, we will explore how to make money on YouTube Shorts as a content creator.
Requirements For Monetizing YouTube Shorts
One of the best ways content creators can start monetizing their YouTube Shorts content is by joining the YouTube Partner Program. But remember, to be eligible, you need at least 1,000 subscribers, 4,000 public watch hours, and 10 million public short views. Once you join, you can access YouTube’s money-making tools, including ad revenue, merchandise, affiliate marketing, and fan funding.
With revenue sharing, you can earn money through ads displayed in your Shorts. Alternatively, you can tap into fan funding opportunities within the YPP, where your dedicated viewers can contribute to support your channel. Unfortunately, the biggest challenge that most creators face is meeting the eligibility requirements for joining the partner program.
But don’t let that hold you back anymore! Give yourself a quick boost and meet the subscriber and view count requirements hassle-free! Simply buy YouTube Shorts views from Media Mister, and we will help you meet the requirements for YPP so that you can start making money from your short-form content.
Make Money with YouTube Shorts Through Ads
Also, as part of the YouTube Partner Program (YPP), you can monetize YouTube Shorts through ads. Short-specific ads can be displayed in your videos, allowing you to earn money based on the ad impressions and interactions. So, when creating your Shorts content, optimize it for ad revenue by following YouTube’s ad-friendly guidelines.
Also, create engaging, high-quality content that encourages viewers to interact with your videos. Although earning through Shorts differs from regular YouTube videos, you can still maximize your earning potential by maintaining a consistent posting schedule. That will build a loyal audience who will contribute to your ad views.
How YouTube Shorts Ad Revenue Sharing Works?
The YouTube Shorts ad revenue sharing model works by allocating payments to the creators based on the share of views within your country (YouTube pools). Here, you get a percentage of the ad revenue generated between the videos in your Shorts feed ad. You get 45% of the ad revenue generated from your Shorts feed, while YouTube gets 55% of it.
Then, the platform calculates the revenue associated with the Shorts and the cover music licensing used. The money is paid to the music partners directly. Afterward, the rest goes straight to the Creator Pool.
From the Creator Pool, YouTube allocates each monetizing creator a percentage of the total revenue depending on the views they get in each country. Simply put, a portion is given to the music licensing and the rest to the content creator.
How to Make Money on YouTube Shorts Without 1,000 Subscribers?
If you still haven’t hit the 1,000 subscribers mark, it doesn’t mean you can’t make money on YouTube Shorts. There are alternative routes that you can use to monetize your content, which include:
1. YouTube Fan Funding
YouTube Fan Funding is an option that allows you to earn directly from your audience without the subscriber count barrier. But to be eligible, you need at least 500 subscribers, 3,000 public watch hours, and 3 million public Shorts views. Let’s look at some of the fan funding tools you can use to generate income from your Shorts content.
Super Thanks
Super Thanks allows viewers to show appreciation by making financial contributions directly on your YouTube Shorts and long-form videos. So, when creating your content, encourage viewers to use Super Thanks to support your work.
Express your gratitude through special shout-outs or by offering exclusive benefits to those who use Super Thanks. That will establish a deeper connection with your audience and create an avenue to earn additional income.
Super Chat
Super Chat is another opportunity to monetize your content. It allows your viewers to make financial contributions in exchange for having their messages highlighted during your Live Streams.
Maximize your earning potential from Super Chats by creating a positive viewer experience where your fans feel heard and valued. Provide unique benefits to your most supportive viewers. For instance, you can answer their questions or offer them exclusive content.
Super Stickers
Super Stickers are vibrant, interactive animations that viewers can purchase and send during live streams or premieres. Viewers can spend up to $500 per day on Super Stickers. That means it’s another excellent way to generate additional income from your fans. To enhance your earnings, focus on building an engaged audience that enjoys supporting your content.
Channel Memberships
With Channel Memberships, your viewers can become paying subscribers and enjoy exclusive content and perks such as exclusive badges, custom emojis, early access to content, and behind-the-scenes sneak peeks. Therefore, Channel Memberships can be a steady source of income and build a loyal community around your content.
So, regularly engage with your members and host member-only events to show appreciation for their support. This will create a sense of belonging and entice more people to want to join your community.
2. Sell Products in Merchandise
YouTube provides content creators with a section named, ‘Merchandise Shelf.’ That allows you to display merchandise directly on our channel. This feature is best for showing your viewers your branded T-shirts, hats, and more. But, to qualify for YouTube’s Merch Shelf, you must meet the YPP requirements.
Above all, your channel must comply with YouTube’s guidelines and policies. And if that’s not an option, you can directly sell products without this feature. How? The best way is to give honest feedback on your experiences with specific products or services. That will nudge your viewers to want to try these products or services.
3. Affiliate Marketing
Another way you can earn money through YouTube Shorts is through affiliate marketing. You can easily share a link to a product or service and earn a commission for every person who goes ahead and makes a purchase. However, take your time to identify products or services that resonate with your specific niche.
For instance, you can market products on Amazon and share an affiliate link your viewers can click. Amazon offers affiliate marketers a percentage of the product’s price for redirecting their traffic to the eCommerce platform. And that makes earning some extra cash on the side from your Shorts videos easy.
Brand Sponsorships and Deals
Monetizing Shorts through YouTube’s Partner Program is tough. But there are alternatives like brand sponsorships. It is a straightforward way to earn money through Shorts. When brands sponsor you, they will pay you directly to advertise their products or services in your videos. Most companies will be willing to invest in YouTube content creators.
Start by searching for companies within your niche on social media platforms or other content creators’ YouTube Shorts. Then go ahead and check if they have a website or an email address you can use to reach out to the company.
Write an email explaining your content and reach. Once the company responds, you can negotiate on how much they will pay for their product or service to be featured on your channel.
Conclusion
There are definitely a few milestones to climb to monetize your YouTube Shorts. But with some dedication and commitment, you will finally break through. Thankfully, this blog will also be useful if you don’t know where to start with your YouTube Shorts monetization journey.
Implement each technique at a time while monitoring your channel’s growth. Above all, be ready to adapt to changes where necessary and learn from any mistakes you might make while monetizing your channel.
