Discover how you can start earning on YouTube even before hitting the YouTube Partner Program milestones
When I first started my YouTube journey, I thought the only way to make real money was through YouTube ads. But the truth is, you don’t need to wait for YouTube’s 1,000 subscribers and 4,000 watch hours milestones to start earning. In fact, I made $1,100 before I even got monetized. How? The answer is simpler than you might think: affiliate marketing.
In this post, I’m going to share my experience of making over $1,000 before reaching YouTube’s monetization requirements. I’ll break down the exact strategies I used and show you how you can do the same—even if you’re just starting out.
Why Wait for Monetization When You Can Start Now?
If you’re new to YouTube, you might be under the impression that the only way to make money is by joining the YouTube Partner Program (YPP). While ads can be a great income source, they come with some big roadblocks. You need to hit 1,000 subscribers and 4,000 watch hours within 12 months just to qualify—and even then, you’ll need to wait for YouTube’s approval.
What a lot of new YouTubers don’t realize is that ads aren’t the only way to make money. In fact, one of the easiest ways to start earning long before you’re eligible for monetization is by tapping into affiliate marketing. And that’s exactly how I made my first $1,100 on YouTube.
How Affiliate Marketing Helped Me Earn $1,100 Before Monetization
Affiliate marketing is one of the simplest and most effective ways to make money on YouTube. It works like this: you recommend products or services in your videos, and you include a special link in your description. Whenever someone clicks that link and makes a purchase, you earn a commission.
Now, you might be thinking, “That sounds great, but how much can I really make?” Let me tell you—it adds up quickly. The more relevant the products you promote, the more likely your audience is to click and buy. And those clicks can turn into steady commissions that build over time, even before you hit YouTube’s monetization milestones.
Why Affiliate Marketing Works Before Monetization
Here’s why affiliate marketing worked so well for me:
- No need for YouTube’s approval: Unlike ads, affiliate marketing doesn’t require you to meet specific milestones. You can start right away, regardless of how many subscribers or views you have.
- You’re not relying on ad revenue: Ad revenue can be inconsistent, but with affiliate marketing, your earnings depend on how well your audience responds to the products you promote.
- It works with any niche: Whether you’re reviewing tech gadgets, beauty products, or sharing your favorite workout gear, there’s an affiliate program for just about every niche.
How I Chose the Right Affiliate Programs
One of the key factors that helped me succeed with affiliate marketing was choosing the right programs. Here’s what I focused on:
- Amazon Associates: One of the most popular affiliate programs, Amazon Associates lets you promote almost anything sold on Amazon. This was perfect for me because I could recommend the exact tools and products I used in my videos.
- ShareASale: This platform connects you with thousands of brands, so you can find products that align with your niche.
- CJ Affiliate: Another great platform with tons of options, especially if you’re in tech, fashion, or lifestyle niches.
How I Earned My First $1,000: A Step-by-Step Breakdown
1. Creating Content That Engages
The first thing I focused on was creating content that my audience actually cared about. You can’t expect to make money with affiliate marketing if your content isn’t valuable to your viewers. I made sure to create videos that provided real solutions, product reviews, and tutorials that people were genuinely searching for.
For example, one of my most successful videos was a review of a software tool I used for content creation. I shared why I loved the tool, how it worked, and included my affiliate link in the description for anyone interested in trying it out.
2. Including Affiliate Links Naturally
Once I had my content in place, I made sure to include my affiliate links in a natural, non-pushy way. You don’t want your videos to come across as salesy. Instead, your audience should feel like you’re recommending products because you actually believe in them (which you should!).
In each video, I would mention the product, show how I used it, and let my viewers know that if they wanted to check it out for themselves, the link was in the description. I’d say something like:
“If you’re interested in the tool I’m using, I’ve linked it down in the description so you can check it out for yourself.”
This gentle nudge was enough to get my viewers to click through and explore the product.
3. Promoting Evergreen Content
One of the most powerful strategies I used was focusing on evergreen content—videos that stay relevant over time. Rather than creating content that’s only popular for a short period, I made sure to produce videos that people would be searching for months or even years after they were uploaded.
The beauty of evergreen content is that it keeps bringing in views—and affiliate clicks—long after you’ve uploaded it. Some of my videos from months ago are still generating clicks and commissions today.
4. Using Clear Calls-to-Action
I quickly learned that calls-to-action (CTAs) are critical when it comes to affiliate marketing. If you don’t tell your audience what to do next, they might not take any action at all.
That’s why, in each video, I would include a clear CTA, like:
“If you want to check out the products I mentioned in this video, I’ve included all the links in the description below.”
This simple instruction makes a huge difference in driving traffic to your affiliate links.
The Results: $1,100 Before Monetization
In just a few months, using these strategies, I made $1,100 through affiliate marketing on YouTube before I ever reached YouTube’s monetization milestones. The best part? I didn’t have to rely on ads to do it.
Here’s what I learned from the process:
- Consistency is key: The more consistent you are with your content, the more your affiliate links will perform. Regular uploads mean more opportunities for viewers to discover your links.
- Know your audience: Understanding what your viewers want and providing products that solve their problems or enhance their lives is crucial to successful affiliate marketing.
- Diversify your income streams: While ads are great once you’re monetized, diversifying your income with affiliate marketing ensures that you’re not putting all your eggs in one basket.
How You Can Start Earning Before Monetization
If you’re ready to start earning on YouTube before you get monetized, affiliate marketing is one of the easiest ways to do it. Here’s how to get started:
- Sign up for affiliate programs: Choose programs that fit your niche, like Amazon Associates, ShareASale, or CJ Affiliate.
- Create valuable content: Focus on creating videos that provide real value to your audience. Whether it’s product reviews, tutorials, or how-to guides, make sure your content is engaging and relevant.
- Include affiliate links naturally: Don’t force it. Include your links in a way that feels organic to your content, and be sure to mention them in the video.
- Use clear CTAs: Don’t forget to tell your viewers what to do next! A simple call-to-action can significantly increase the number of clicks on your affiliate links.
- Promote evergreen content: Create videos that will stay relevant over time, so your affiliate links continue to generate income long after you’ve uploaded them.
By following these steps, you’ll be well on your way to building your own passive income stream through YouTube—even before you hit the Partner Program milestones.
Conclusion: $1,000 Without Ads? Yes, It’s Possible
If you think you need to wait for YouTube ads to start making money, think again. I was able to make over $1,000 through affiliate marketing before I ever reached YouTube’s monetization requirements. And if I can do it, so can you.
Whether you’re just starting out or you’ve been creating content for a while, affiliate marketing offers a simple, scalable, and effective way to earn on YouTube without waiting for ads. Start promoting products you believe in, add those affiliate links, and watch your passive income grow.
