Editor's Pick
5 Smart YouTube Monetization Strategies for Beginners
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Think you need a million views or 100,000 subscribers to make money on YouTube? Think again.
Monetizing a small YouTube channel is not only possible — it’s often easier than people think. In fact, creators with fewer than 10,000 subscribers are making real money every month by using smart strategies that go beyond relying on YouTube ads.
This post breaks down five realistic and scalable YouTube monetization tactics that work even for beginners. Whether you’re a side hustler, freelancer, or aspiring full-time creator, this guide will help you turn your content into income — no viral hits required.
Table of Contents
- 1. Affiliate Marketing on YouTube
 - 2. Sell Your Own Digital Products
 - 3. Offer Freelance Services or Coaching
 - 4. Use Patreon or Channel Memberships
 - 5. Yes, YouTube Ads — But Don’t Wait
 - Final Thoughts
 - FAQ
 
1. Affiliate Marketing on YouTube
Affiliate marketing is one of the fastest ways to earn income with a small channel. You don’t need approval from YouTube. You don’t even need a large audience. All you need is a product your audience might be interested in and a link that earns you commission.
- Sign up for an affiliate program (e.g., Amazon Associates, Impact, ShareASale)
 - Talk about or review a product/service in your video
 - Include your affiliate link in the video description
 - Viewers click → buy → you earn commission
 
Example: If you're running a productivity channel, promote tools like Notion, ClickUp, or AI tools like Jasper or Grammarly. Include your link below with a call-to-action like:
“Check out the tool I use to script my videos — link in description!”
Tool Tip: Use Bitly, ThirstyAffiliates, or Geniuslink to shorten and track your links.
Bonus: Add a pinned comment under your video with your top links for better visibility.
2. Sell Your Own Digital Products
You can sell:
- Mini eBooks (e.g., “My YouTube Gear Guide 2025”)
 - Notion or Canva templates
 - Workout plans, budget spreadsheets
 - Short downloadable courses
 
Platforms: Gumroad, Payhip, Teachable, or Podia.
Tip: A simple PDF with a good thumbnail is often enough to start.
3. Offer Freelance Services or Coaching
Position yourself as a service provider. If your content teaches anything — editing, branding, writing, coding — your viewers may want to hire you.
- Video editing
 - YouTube strategy calls
 - Portfolio or resume reviews
 
Call-to-action: “Want help 1-on-1? Book a session below.” → link to Calendly, Fiverr, or your own site.
4. Use Patreon or Channel Memberships
Even a small group of superfans can support you monthly.
- Offer behind-the-scenes content
 - Private Q&As, tutorials
 - Access to a Discord server
 
Tools: Patreon, BuyMeACoffee, YouTube Memberships
Mention your membership inside videos so people know it exists.
5. Yes, YouTube Ads — But Don’t Wait
To qualify for the YouTube Partner Program:
- 1,000 subscribers
 - 4,000 watch hours OR 10M Shorts views (90 days)
 
CPMs vary from $0.50 to $25+ depending on your topic.
Start monetizing before YPP approval. Treat ad revenue as a bonus, not the goal.
Final Thoughts
- Pick 1–2 strategies (like affiliate + digital products)
 - Make them part of your content plan
 - Scale up as your channel grows
 
Treat your channel like a business from day one.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1. Can I make money on YouTube without being in the Partner Program?
Yes. You can earn through affiliate marketing, digital product sales, freelance services, and Patreon — even if you don’t have 1,000 subscribers or 4,000 watch hours.
Q2. What’s the best monetization method for a beginner?
Affiliate marketing is typically the easiest and fastest way to start. You just need to promote a product you believe in and add a link to your video description.
Q3. How many views do I need to make money on YouTube?
You can earn money with as few as 100–500 views per video if they’re highly targeted and paired with a relevant product, service, or offer.
Q4. Do I need to show my face to monetize a YouTube channel?
No. Many faceless channels use voiceovers, stock footage, or text-based content and still monetize through affiliate links or digital products.
Q5. Can Shorts channels be monetized?
Yes. Shorts channels can now qualify for the Partner Program (10M views in 90 days), and you can still earn via affiliate links and digital offers in the description.
Related Read
Want to save time managing your content and social media posts?
📌 Check out: How to Set Up Social Media Automation with Buffer (Step-by-Step Guide)
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