Proven Strategies to Start Earning Early on YouTube Without Waiting for Monetization
Reaching the 1,000-subscriber milestone on YouTube can feel like a marathon. You put out content, hustle for subscribers, and dream about that day you can finally monetize your channel with ads. But here’s the good news: you don’t have to wait until you hit that magic number to start making real money. In fact, there are several ways to start earning from your channel way before YouTube grants you access to the Partner Program.
If you’re ready to make your YouTube channel profitable without having to cross the 1,000-subscriber mark, then this guide is for you.
Affiliate Marketing – The Easy Way to Start Making Money
One of the easiest ways to earn money with a small YouTube channel is through affiliate marketing. You don’t need a huge audience to start promoting products that fit your niche. All you need is a clear understanding of what your viewers want and the right affiliate programs to match.
How Affiliate Marketing Works
When you join an affiliate program, you’ll be given a unique link to share with your viewers. If someone clicks your link and makes a purchase, you earn a commission. Simple, right? The best part is, affiliate marketing can work even if your audience is small. As long as your viewers trust your recommendations, you can start earning.
Choose Products Your Audience Will Actually Buy
The key to successful affiliate marketing is picking products or services that your viewers would genuinely be interested in. If you’re a tech reviewer, promote gadgets or software. If your channel is about fitness, you can link to workout gear or nutrition products. The trick is to seamlessly weave the affiliate links into your content without being pushy.
How to Get Started
Sign up for affiliate programs like Amazon Associates, ShareASale, or niche-specific platforms related to your content. Then, strategically place your affiliate links in your video descriptions, or better yet, in product review videos.
Tip: If you’re doing product reviews or tutorials, adding affiliate links makes perfect sense. But don’t forget to disclose that the link is an affiliate link so your audience stays in the loop.
Sponsored Content – Yes, It’s Possible Even Without 1,000 Subs
It’s a common misconception that you need to have thousands of subscribers to get sponsored deals. The truth is, brands care more about engagement than numbers. If your small audience is super engaged, you’ve got something a brand would want to tap into.
How Sponsorship Deals Work
When you collaborate with a brand, they’ll pay you to feature their product in your video, whether it’s through a review, mention, or a full-blown video dedicated to them. It’s a win-win: you get paid, and they get exposure to your audience.
Finding Brands That Want to Work With You
Don’t wait for brands to come to you. Be proactive and reach out to smaller businesses or brands that fit your channel’s niche. Craft a pitch that shows why your audience would be interested in their products, and how a collaboration would benefit both of you. Even if your channel is small, having an engaged audience is what brands care about.
Tip: You can also sign up on influencer platforms like Grapevine, Famebit (now part of YouTube BrandConnect), or Social Bluebook, which connect YouTubers with brands looking for sponsorship deals.
Sell Your Own Digital Products
Who says you need ads or sponsors to make money? Sometimes, the best way to make a buck is by selling something that you’ve created yourself. And no, you don’t need a physical store or inventory. Digital products are an awesome way to earn passive income from your channel.
What Can You Sell?
- E-books: Got knowledge in a specific area? Write an e-book and sell it to your audience.
- Courses: Turn your expertise into an online course, and you can sell it through platforms like Teachable or Udemy.
- Printables or Templates: For channels focused on productivity, organization, or design, digital printables or design templates are a great sell.
How to Promote Your Products on YouTube
When creating content, mention your digital products in your videos, explain how they add value to your audience, and direct viewers to a landing page or website where they can purchase them. It’s less about “selling” and more about offering solutions to your audience’s problems.
Tip: Make sure your product fits into your content naturally. For instance, if your channel is about personal finance, offering a budget planner makes perfect sense.
Crowdfunding and Donations – Get Paid for Your Content
Even with a small following, you can encourage your fans to support you through platforms like Patreon, Ko-fi, or Buy Me a Coffee. Crowdfunding isn’t just for large channels; if your audience finds value in your content, many of them will be willing to donate to help you create more.
How Crowdfunding Works
Crowdfunding platforms allow creators to set up monthly subscription options or one-time donation options for their audience. In return, you can offer exclusive perks to your supporters, like behind-the-scenes content, early access to videos, or shout-outs.
Make It Worth Their While
Don’t just ask for money—give your audience something special in return. For example, offer a private Q&A session, bonus content, or personalized messages. Your superfans will appreciate it and feel more connected to you.
Tip: Set up a tier system where fans who contribute more get exclusive rewards. Even small incentives can go a long way in encouraging people to support you.
Selling Physical Merchandise
Another great way to make money before hitting that 1,000-subscriber milestone is by selling your own branded merchandise. And no, you don’t need to be a big-time YouTuber to pull this off. Fans love supporting creators they connect with, and merch is a fun way for them to do that.
What Kind of Merch Can You Sell?
- T-shirts, hoodies, and caps with your logo or catchphrase
- Mugs, stickers, or phone cases with cool designs
- Limited edition items exclusive to your channel
How to Get Started
Sites like Teespring, Redbubble, and Printify make it easy to design and sell your own merch without any upfront costs. Simply design your products, set a price, and when someone buys, these platforms handle the printing and shipping. You’ll get a cut of the profits without lifting a finger.
Tip: Incorporate your merch naturally into your videos. Wear your own T-shirts on camera or mention your products when it makes sense.
Offer Freelance Services Based on Your Skills
You might not realize it, but your YouTube channel itself could be a resume of skills that people would pay for. Are you great at video editing? Do you make killer thumbnails? Do you have expertise in a particular niche that people would love to learn from you one-on-one?
How Freelance Work Can Boost Your Income
You can offer your skills as a freelancer and get paid for what you’re already good at. Platforms like Fiverr and Upwork let you advertise services ranging from editing and graphic design to consulting and coaching.
How to Promote Your Services on YouTube
Mention your services in your videos. If you’re doing tutorials or how-tos, slip in a quick mention of your freelance work and how viewers can hire you for more personalized help.
Tip: Create a short promo at the end of your videos, pointing viewers to your services and how they can contact you.
Conclusion
Making money on YouTube before you hit that 1,000-subscriber milestone isn’t just possible—it’s entirely doable if you’re strategic about it. Whether through affiliate marketing, sponsorships, selling digital products, crowdfunding, merch, or freelance services, there are plenty of ways to turn your channel into a profit-making machine.
Remember, it’s all about creating value for your audience and being authentic in what you offer. Focus on building a loyal community and providing them with what they want, and the money will follow—even if you haven’t hit that 1,000-sub milestone yet.
