Learn the hidden facts that most YouTubers don’t realize before they start earning
When you first hear about YouTube monetization, it seems like a dream. Get enough subscribers, rack up those watch hours, and boom—you’re in the YouTube Partner Program, cashing in on ads. But there’s a shocking truth that many aspiring creators don’t know: monetization isn’t as simple—or as lucrative—as you might think. In fact, some YouTubers are finding ways to make money without even touching ad revenue.
In this post, I’ll break down what you don’t know about YouTube monetization, how you can start making money on YouTube before you even qualify for ads, and the surprising alternatives that could actually make you more money than you’d ever expect.
The Harsh Reality of YouTube Monetization
Most people think that getting monetized on YouTube is the end-all-be-all for success. While it’s an important milestone, the truth is that ad revenue alone isn’t going to make you rich—at least not right away.
1. Monetization Requirements Are Tough
First, let’s talk about the hurdles you have to jump through just to qualify for the YouTube Partner Program (YPP). To even start making money through ads, you need:
- 1,000 subscribers
- 4,000 watch hours in the past 12 months
Now, these might seem doable, but here’s the thing: growing on YouTube takes time. Most creators don’t hit these numbers overnight. It could take months or even years to get there, depending on your content, consistency, and how well you engage your audience.
Even if you do reach these milestones, your channel needs to get reviewed and approved by YouTube. This review process can take weeks, and there’s no guarantee you’ll get approved. Imagine working hard to reach the requirements, only to find out you still can’t make money from ads!
2. Ads Aren’t as Profitable as You Think
Let’s say you finally get approved for the YouTube Partner Program. You might assume you’ll start seeing money roll in from ads right away. But here’s the shocking truth: ad revenue isn’t all that high unless you’re pulling in massive views.
The amount you make per thousand views (CPM) can vary drastically depending on your niche, audience location, and the time of year. On average, CPM rates can range from $1 to $10—but it’s not uncommon for some creators to earn as little as 50 cents per thousand views.
And here’s something else: YouTube takes 45% of your ad revenue. That’s right—you only get 55% of what your ads earn. So even if you’re getting decent views, the actual money you see from ads might be far less than you expected.
3. Ad-Friendly Content Isn’t Always… Friendly
Another hurdle? Not all content is eligible for ads. YouTube has strict guidelines about what they consider “ad-friendly.” If your content includes sensitive topics, controversial opinions, or even certain kinds of humor, your videos might get demonetized. That means no ads, and no ad revenue.
Many creators have learned this the hard way. You could pour hours into creating an awesome video, only to find out it’s not “ad-friendly” and won’t make you a dime from ads.
The Surprising Ways to Make Money Without Ads
If monetization through ads isn’t the golden ticket, what is? The good news is there are tons of alternative ways to make money on YouTube—and some of them can start paying off before you reach YouTube’s monetization requirements.
1. Affiliate Marketing
One of the best ways to start earning right away is through affiliate marketing. This method doesn’t depend on YouTube’s monetization program at all. Here’s how it works: you recommend products or services in your videos and include a special affiliate link in your video description. If someone clicks that link and makes a purchase, you earn a commission.
Affiliate marketing can be incredibly profitable, especially if you’re recommending products your audience is already interested in. Let’s say you run a tech review channel. You can link to the gadgets you review using affiliate links from Amazon, Best Buy, or other retailers. Every time someone buys through your link, you make money.
The best part? You don’t need a massive following to get started. Even with a small but engaged audience, you can earn money through affiliate sales before you’re eligible for YouTube ads.
Affiliate link idea: If you’re a content creator, check out this platform to start building your affiliate marketing strategy!
2. Selling Digital Products
Another shockingly easy way to make money is by creating and selling digital products. Think about your audience—what kind of content are they coming to your channel for? If you’re offering value in your videos, you can create a digital product that takes it a step further.
For example, you could sell:
- eBooks or guides related to your niche
- Online courses that teach viewers specific skills
- Digital templates, like design assets, resume templates, or editing presets
Once you’ve created your digital product, you can sell it through platforms like Gumroad or Sellfy. You just need to add a link in your video descriptions, and you can start making money every time someone buys your product.
What’s even better? Once your product is made, it’s a passive income stream. You don’t need to keep recreating it—it sells on autopilot while you focus on your YouTube content.
3. Sponsorships
Here’s another shocker: you can get sponsorships before you’re even monetized! If you have a growing channel with an engaged audience, brands might be willing to sponsor your videos, even if you’re not eligible for ads yet.
Sponsorship deals can be far more lucrative than ad revenue. Instead of relying on CPM rates, you negotiate directly with the brand and get paid a flat fee to feature their product or service in your video. Some brands might offer free products in exchange for a mention, while others are willing to pay big bucks for dedicated video content.
The key is finding brands that align with your content and audience. Don’t be afraid to reach out to companies in your niche—you’d be surprised how many are open to partnering with smaller creators.
4. Crowdfunding and Donations
Another way to make money before you’re monetized is through crowdfunding platforms like Patreon or Ko-Fi. These platforms let your audience directly support you by becoming members or donating. In exchange, you can offer them exclusive content, behind-the-scenes access, or special perks.
Crowdfunding works well because it allows your most dedicated fans to help fund your channel, even if you don’t have ads running. It’s a way to monetize your community without waiting for YouTube to approve you for the Partner Program.
Why You Should Diversify Your Income Streams
Here’s the big takeaway: don’t rely on ads alone to make money on YouTube. While ads are a nice addition to your revenue streams once you’re monetized, they’re far from the only—or even the best—way to earn.
By diversifying your income with affiliate marketing, digital products, sponsorships, and crowdfunding, you can build a more stable and profitable YouTube business. You’ll also protect yourself from the unpredictable nature of ad revenue. If YouTube’s ad policies change or your content gets demonetized, you’ll still have other ways to make money.
How to Get Started Making Money Before Monetization
Ready to start making money on YouTube before you’re eligible for ads? Here’s a simple plan to get started:
- Research affiliate programs that fit your niche and start including affiliate links in your video descriptions.
- Create a digital product that adds value to your audience, like an eBook, guide, or online course.
- Reach out to brands in your industry to see if they’d be interested in sponsoring your videos.
- Set up a Patreon or Ko-Fi page to let your most dedicated fans support your channel directly.
The shocking truth is that you don’t need to wait for YouTube to monetize your channel before you start making money. With the right strategy, you can turn your channel into a profitable business—without ever relying on ads.
